WO2009083406A2

WO2009083406A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2009083406A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066972
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mustafa Kaplan; Sati Mutlu; Mehmet Yildirim
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-06
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: WO2009083406A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) wherein not only airtightness between the doors (6 and 7) is maintained but also the doors (6 and 7) can be opened one by one, independent of the other by means of the movable mullion (9).

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising side by side doors.

[0002] In cooling devices named as "side-by-side", doors, one of which is hinged to the body from the left side and the other from the right side, disposed side by side covering the opening on the body are used. The doors on the right and left sides cover only one compartment, for example the freshfood compartment, accessed through the opening. When the doors are closed, the doors press on the frame around the opening and airtightness is maintained by the sealing elements between the door and the frame. Various problems arise in maintaining the airtightness between the abutting sides of the two doors. Adding a fixed mullion aligned with the abutting sides of the doors, although ensures airtightness easily, is not preferred since both doors open to only one compartment and a mullion fixed on the frame, dividing the opening into two in the middle creates inconveniences in usage. Therefore, separating mechanisms mounted on the abutting sides of the doors are used.

[0003] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No JP2192578, a column is explained mounted on one of the doors, pivoting while the door is opened, thus not colliding with the other door in the closed position, and inserted into a groove on the body when the doors are closed.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device wherein airtightness between the door and the body is improved.

[0005] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. The cooling device of the present invention comprises a mullion that provides airtightness between the doors when the left and right doors are closed by moving up and down in the housing on the door whereon it is mounted. The mullion makes a rotational movement together with the door but does only a linear motion (sliding motion) with respect to the door. The mullion is borne in the housing only to make a linear movement and is secured in the housing with a spring. As the door is closed whereon the mullion is seated, the ends of the mullion are inserted into the guides disposed on the body. The surface of the mullion in contact with the inside of the guide is curvilinear or inclined. Therefore, when the door is closed, the mullion is pulled outwards from the housing. A recess wherein the mullion can be seated is situated on the surface of the other door facing the mullion so that the other door does not hinder this motion of the mullion out of the housing. When the door whereon the mullion is seated closes, while the mullion remains in part in the housing, in part in the guide and in part in the recess, the other portion thereof covers in between the two doors airtightly. When both doors are closed, there is a gap between the mullion seated in the recess and the base of the recess. Accordingly, the mullion is released from the recess during the rotational motion of the door.

[0006] The mullion and the guide have the same shape in order to increase airtightness. Moreover, a gasket is provided in the recess, pressed on by the mullion and extensions that cover the top and bottom of the recess.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mullion and the guide have cross sections shaped as a right triangle.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the mullion and the guide have cross sections shaped as a quadrant.

[0009] Not only airtightness is provided between the side by side doors of the cooling device by means of the mullion, guide and the recess but also the doors are not prevented from opening separately.

[0010] A cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0011] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device wherein one of the doors is open.

[0012] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the abutting region of the doors when both doors are closed.

[0013] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the abutting region of the doors when the left door is partially ajar.

[0014] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the abutting region of the doors when the left door is opened further.

[0015] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the abutting region of the doors when both doors are open. [0016] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Body

3. Opening

4. Frame

5. Extension

6. Left door

7. Right door

8. Housing

9. Mullion

10. Spring

11. Bearing mechanism

12. Guide

13. Recess

14. Gasket

15. Rail

16. Channel

17. Protrusion

18. Stopper

[0017] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2), an opening (3) arranged on the body (2), a frame (4) surrounding the periphery of the opening (3), a left door (6) and a right door (7), on the opposite sides of the frame (4), one supported from the left side and the other from the right side such that they stand side by side (Figure 1 ).

[0018] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises a housing (8) disposed on the side of the left door (6) opposite to the right door (7) and a mullion (9) emplaced in the housing (8), making a sliding motion therein when the left door (6) is opened and closed, covering airtightly between the doors (6 and 7) when both doors (6 and 7) are closed.

[0019] The mullion (9) is borne in the housing (8) and makes a linear motion in the housing (8) from the left door (6) towards the right door (7) by partially entering/exiting the housing (8). The mullion (9) having a rotational motion together with the left door (6) while the left door (6) is opened, makes a linear sliding motion with respect to the left door (6). Some portion of the mullion (9) projects from the housing (8) towards the frame (4). [0020] The housing (8) and the mullion (9) extend along the side of the left door

(6) opposite to the right door (7). Thus, the left door (6) and the right door

(7) are covered all along therebetween.

[0021] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises a spring (10), disposed in the housing (8), with one end secured inside the housing (8) and the other end to the mullion (9) and a bearing mechanism (11) that limits the motion of the mullion (9) in the housing (8). The spring (10) pulls the mullion (9) into the housing (8) continuously. When the left door (6) is open, the mullion (9) does not project out from the side of the left door (6) opposite to the right door (7). By means of the bearing mechanism (11 ) the specific points in the housing (8) between which the mullion (9) can move and the direction of movement is determined.

[0022] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises two guides (12) wherein the portion of the mullion (9) remaining outside the housing (8) is seated when the left door (6) is closed, positioned oppositely, one at the top end of the frame (4) and the other at the bottom end of the frame (4). The guide (12) is configured to be the same shape as the portion of the mullion (9) seated therein. Thus, the mullion (9) can be seated in the guide (12) to maintain airtightness. The guide (12) pushes the mullion (9) seated therein towards the right door (7) while the left door (6) is closed.

[0023] When the left door (6) is open some portion of the mullion (9) projects out of the housing (8). A curvilinear or inclined surface (Y) is provided on the end of the mullion (9) remaining outside the housing (8). While the left door (6) is being closed, the portion of the mullion (9) with the curvilinear surface (Y) enters into the guide (12). Meanwhile, since the sides or surfaces of the guide (12) exert pressure on the curvilinear surface (Y), pulling force is formed on the mullion (9) and the spring (10). The mullion (9) goes out of the housing (8) due to the acting pulling force and extends towards the right door (7). When the left door (6) is closed, the upper and lower ends of the mullion (9) are seated in the guides (12). [0024] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises a recess (13) on the side surface of the right door (7) facing the left door (6), wherein the mullion (9) is seated, moving towards the right door (7) by contacting the guide (12) while the left door (6) is closed. While the left door (6) is being closed, the mullion (9) goes out of the housing (8) and extends towards the right door (7), entering into the recess (13) as a result of the curvilinear surface (Y) contacting the guide (12). When the left door (6) is closed, one side of the mullion (9) is seated in the housing (8) on the left door (6), the other side inside the recess (13) on the right door (7), and the upper and lower ends into the guides (12). Consequently, when both doors (6 and 7) are closed, the distance between the doors (6 and 7) is covered by the mullion (9).

[0025] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises a gasket (14) disposed in the recess (13) whereon the mullion (9) seated in the recess (13) presses on when both doors (6 and 7) are closed. A gap (G) remains between the base of the recess (13) and the mullion (9) seated in the recess (13). The mullion (9), rotating together with the left door (6) whereon it is fastened while entering and exiting the recess (13) moves linearly as a result of the inclined surface (Y) being seated in the guide (12). Due to the rotational motion, the size of the recess (13) has to be a little larger than the dimensions of the mullion (9) so that the mullion (9) can be seated in the recess (13).

[0026] While the left door (6) is opened when the right door (7) is closed, the mullion (9), since rotating together with the left door (6), moves outwards from the guide (12). Simultaneously, the mullion (9) is pulled into the housing (8) by the spring (10). The mullion (9) that can make a rotational motion in the recess (13) due to the gap (G), enters into the housing (8) with the pulling force of the spring (10), releases its side from the recess (13) and the left door (6) is opened.

[0027] While the right door (7) is opened and the left door (6) is closed, when the right door (7) is pulled outwards, the right door (7) is not caught to the mullion (9) since the surface of the recess (13) facing the body (2) is open. The same case exists while the right door (7) is closed.

[0028] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises at least two extensions (5) that cover the top and bottom of the mullion (9) seated in the recess (13).

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bearing mechanism (11) comprises at least one rail (15) disposed on the mullion (9), at least one channel (16) inside the housing (8) whereon the rails (15) are seated, at least one protrusion (17) arranged on the mullion (9) and at least one stopper (18) whereto the protrusion (17) is caught, preventing the mullion (9) from exiting out of the housing (8).

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mullion (9) and the guide (12) have cross sections shaped as a right triangle. The surface of the mullion (9) forming one of the upright sides of the right triangle stands parallel to the side of the left door (6) opposite to the right door (7) when both doors (6 and 7) are closed. The surface of the mullion (9) forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle is the inclined surface (Y) entering into the guide (12) and exerting pressure. In this embodiment, the guide (12) also has an inclined surface (Y1) and the inclined surfaces (Y and Y1) slide on one another.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the mullion (9) and the guide (12) have cross sections shaped as a quadrant. The surface of the mullion (9) forming one of the upright sides stands in a parallel position to the side of the left door (6) opposite to the right door (7) when both doors (6 and 7) are closed. The quadrant shaped surface of the mullion (9) is a curvilinear surface (Y) that enters into the guide (12) and exerts pressure. In this embodiment, the guide (12) also has a curvilinear surface (Y1) and the curvilinear surfaces (Y and Y1) slide on one another.

[0032] In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, not only airtightness between the doors (6 and 7) is maintained but also the doors (6 and 7) can be opened one by one, independent of the other by means of the movable mullion (9).

Claims

1. A cooling device (1 ) that comprises a body (2), an opening (3) arranged on the body (2), a frame (4) surrounding the periphery of the opening (3), a left door (6) and a right door (7), on the opposite sides of the frame (4), one supported from the left side and the other from the right side such that they stand side by side and characterized by

- a housing (8) disposed on the side of the left door (6) opposite to the right door (7)

- and a mullion (9) emplaced in the housing (8), making a linear sliding motion in the housing (8) from the left door (6) towards the right door (7) by partially entering/exiting the housing (8) when the left door (6) is opened and closed and covering airtightly in between the doors (6 and 7) when both doors (6 and 7) are closed.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by two guides (12) positioned oppositely, one at the top end of the frame (4) and the other at the bottom end of the frame (4), wherein the upper and lower ends of the mullion (9) are seated when the left door (6) is closed.

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the guide (12) that pushes the mullion (9) seated therein towards the right door (7) while the left door (6) is closed.

4. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a recess (13) on the side surface of the right door (7) facing the left door (6), wherein the mullion (9) is seated, moving towards the right door (7) by contacting the guide (12) while the left door (6) is closed.

5. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the mullion (9) one side of which is seated in the housing (8) on the left door (6), the other side inside the recess (13) on the right door (7), and the upper and lower ends into the guides (12) when the left door (6) is closed.

6. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 5, characterized by the guide (12) being of the same shape as the portion of the mullion (9) seated therein.

7. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 6, characterized by the mullion (9), with some portion projecting out of the housing (8), having a curvilinear or inclined surface (Y) on the end projecting out of the housing (8), and the portion thereof with the curvilinear surface (Y) entering into the guide (12).

8. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 4 to 7, characterized by a gasket (14) disposed in the recess (13) whereon the mullion (9) seated in the recess (13) presses on when both doors (6 and 7) are closed.

9. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 4 to 8, characterized by at least two extensions (5) covering the top and bottom of the mullion (9) seated in the recess (13).

10. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a spring (10), disposed in the housing (8), with one end secured inside the housing (8) and the other end on the mullion (9) and a bearing mechanism (11) that limits the motion of the mullion (9) in the housing (8).

11. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by the bearing mechanism (11) comprising at least one rail (15) disposed on the mullion (9), at least one channel (16) inside the housing (8) whereon the rails (15) are seated, at least one protrusion (17) arranged on the mullion (9) and at least one stopper (18) whereto the protrusion (17) is caught, preventing the mullion (9) from exiting the housing (8).

12. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 11 , characterized by the mullion (9) and guide (12) having cross sections shaped as a right triangle.

13. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 11 , characterized by the mullion (9) and a guide (12) having cross sections shaped as a quadrant.