WO2009132972A1

WO2009132972A1 - Household appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2009132972A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/054615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred Raab
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2008-04-29
Filing date: 2009-04-17
Publication date: 2009-11-05
Also published as: RU2010146791A; CN102016464A; EP2274561A1; TR201821267T4; EP2274561B1; PL2274561T3; CN102016464B; DE102008021344A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a carcass (4) and a door (2) which is hinged to the carcass by means of at least one hinge and has an external wall (5) and an internal wall (6) that are fitted with a connection piece (7) at the transverse edges. On the side facing the carcass (4), the connection piece (7) has at least one receiving space (8) which is used for accommodating a hinge element (10) and is delimited by a sidewall (28). A recess (52) for accommodating at least part of an opening limiting member (30) is arranged within the sidewall (28, 51).

Description

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

The invention relates to a household appliance having a body and a hinged by at least one hinge to the body door, which has an outer wall and an inner wall, which are provided at their transverse edges with a connecting piece, on its body side facing at least one receiving space has, which is provided for receiving a hinge member and which is bounded by a side wall. The household appliance is preferably a refrigerator or freezer.

In particular, refrigerators, such as refrigerators or freezers, have a double-walled door with an outer and inner wall, between which a cavity filled with insulating foam material is formed. The outer wall is often formed by a door panel, which is bent at the sides in the direction of the inner wall. At the top and / or bottom end of the door, the cavity is often closed by a connector or door closure strip, e.g. is designed as a plastic injection molded part.

WO 2007/031416 A1 discloses a door for a household appliance with a hinge that connects body and door. The hinge comprises a hinge element with a mounting portion fixed to the body and a support arm projecting therefrom, at the end of which a bearing element in the form of a bearing sleeve is arranged. The door has a body facing the receiving space into which the support arm of the hinge protrudes. Preferably, the receiving space is arranged in a arranged on the upper end side of the door end piece. On the support arm, a recess is formed, engages in the open position of the door, a side wall of the receiving space of the door.

WO 2007/031469 A1 discloses a similar door for a household appliance with a door leaf and a hinge for hinging the door leaf to a body of the household appliance, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge pin and a hinge sleeve, which engage in rotation and one of which Door leaf and the other is fixed to a support arm, which is intended for attachment to the body. The hinge has an opening limiting body, of which a first section is fixed to the door leaf. is set and of which a second portion abuts in an opening-limited position of the door to the support arm.

In the solutions of WO 2007/031416 and WO 2007/031469 each projecting a support arm of the hinge, at the end of a bearing element is arranged as a bearing sleeve, in a body facing the receiving space in an end piece on the upper transverse edge of the outer and inner wall of the door into it. The side wall of this receiving space limits the maximum opening angle of the door, which is only slightly above 90 ° in the hinge of WO 2007/031416. In particular, if a Öffnungsbegrenzungs- body is used, which also still has to be accommodated between the support arm and side wall, this can greatly reduce the maximum opening angle of the door.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a domestic appliance of the type mentioned, with the largest possible opening angle of the door is made possible, and which further comprises a resilient opening-limited hinge.

This object is achieved in that in a generic household appliance in the side wall a franking for at least partially receiving a Öffnungsbe- grenzungskörpers is arranged.

Since the opening limiting body is preferably held in an opening-limited position of the door on the body or on a part of the hinge attached to the carcass, it limits the maximum opening angle of the door. By franking the opening limiting body can be moved closer to the hinge or to the body. As a result, an opening angle of more than 130 °, in particular of about 135 ° allows light. Such a clearance is preferably present symmetrically on both sides of the door so that it can be articulated to the body both on the left and on the right. The at least one hinge defines a pivot axis of the door.

The side wall is preferably formed by the connecting piece. The receiving space for receiving the hinge element is thus preferably formed in the connecting piece, so that the side wall is also formed by the connecting piece, that is preferably not through the outer or inner wall of the door. The side wall is zugt arranged on a lateral end face of the door, and at least on the side on which the door is hinged to the body.

The connecting piece is arranged on the transverse edges of the outer and inner walls and preferably connects these together. Particularly preferably, it closes off the cavity between the outer and inner walls of the door to one side, in particular to the upper end side of the door. In this case, the connector may also be referred to as a door closure strip.

The connector is preferably at least to the visible front side (visible side) of the door at least largely covered by the outer wall. The invention is therefore used particularly advantageously in doors in which the outer wall in the longitudinal direction of the door, that is to say in the direction of the pivot axis of the hinge, is closed by e.g. 20-60mm higher than the inner wall. The connecting piece then bridges the step between the outer and inner wall and lies behind the outer wall when viewed from the visible side. As a result, the door has on the outside a uniform, essentially formed by the outer wall outer surface, which causes an appealing aesthetic impression.

The franking is preferably formed by a bulge or recess in the side wall, e.g. The side wall bulges slightly to the side of the door to form the franking. Alternatively or additionally, the side wall may also be thinner in this area to form the franking than at the other areas.

Preferably, the bulging of the side wall with its outer side forms the outwardly visible wall of the door. Particularly preferably, the outside of the bulge lies in a plane with the outwardly visible wall of the door.

This is preferably made possible in that the outer wall has a recess in the region of the franking. As a result, the wall of the door can be made particularly thin at this point, since no double wall of the outer wall and wall of the connector is necessary. Preferably, the outer wall is bent at least on one side to form an outer wall side portion in the direction of the inner wall, wherein the outer wall side portion has a recess in the region of the franking in the side wall of the connecting piece. This allows a bulge of the side wall in the region of the recess with its outside to form the outwardly visible wall of the door, instead of the outside wall side section recessed in this area.

By the bent outer wall side portions, a cavity is formed between outer wall and inner wall, which is advantageously filled with insulating foam material. The one or both outer wall side sections are preferably arranged on the two longitudinal sides of the door.

The outer wall is preferably formed by a door panel and is in particular made of sheet metal. The inner wall is preferably made of plastic, for. B. ABS, e- as well as the connector. Particularly preferably, the connecting piece is designed as a plastic injection-molded part.

The franking preferably adjoins the side of the connecting piece facing the carcass. The franking is thus preferably open to this side.

A section of the opening limiting body, which is held on the carcass in an opening-limited position of the door, preferably extends into the franking. This portion preferably engages behind a portion of the hinge fixed to the body, e.g. a support arm. The hinge according to the invention preferably comprises a hinge element with a fixed to the body of the household appliance mounting portion, a serving for the rotatable mounting of the door bearing element and a mounting portion connecting the mounting member with the support arm.

The mounting portion, the support arm and the bearing element preferably define a recess into which at least a portion of the side wall is able to pivot when the door is open. For this purpose, the support arm prefers a curvature. Preferably, the receiving space in the connecting piece to the front side is limited by a front wall. In the front wall, a pocket is preferably arranged, which is designed for the exception of the support arm and in particular a curved portion of the support arm. This also allows a particularly large opening angle of the door. Preferably, the door has a maximum opening angle of 1 10 ° -180 °, more preferably of 120 ° -150 ° and particularly preferably of more than 130 °, in particular of 135 ° ± 5 °.

The opening-limiting body preferably has two sections, of which a first section is held in an open-bounded position of the door on the body and of which a second section is fixed to the door. The first section is preferably the one that extends at least partially into the franking.

The opening limiting body is advantageously designed to convert at least part of the kinetic energy of the door into spring energy of the opening limiting body when the door is hit in the opening-limited position, the opening limiting body visibly deforming elastically. As a result, overstressing the door at the door stop is resiliently absorbed and the forces occurring are reduced. The externally visible area of the door can not be damaged. Visible deformation means a deformation of more than 0.1 mm, preferably more than 0.3 mm, more preferably more than 0.5 mm and most preferably from 0.8 mm to 2 mm.

In the rest position of the opening limiting body, the first portion is preferably spaced by a gap from the side wall of the connecting piece. This is at least partially created by the franking and serves to create space for elastic deformation of the first section.

Preferably, the opening limiting body is loaded in the recording of the spring energy to bending. For this purpose, the opening limiting body preferably has at least one leg, which elastically springs when the door is hit in the opening-limited position. The leg preferably bends elastically. Alternatively or additionally, the opening limiting body or a leg of the same can be loaded in the recording of the spring energy on torsion or strain. Preferably, the leg is formed by an angling. During the elastic movement, the angle of the angling may possibly increase or decrease elastically. In addition, the leg can bend elastically.

Particularly preferably, the opening limiting body has at least two resilient sections, which convert the kinetic energy into spring energy when the door is hit in the opening-limited position. This may be two legs of the opening limiting body, which are bent elastically when striking the door in a similar or different manner.

The direction of the bending movement of the resilient portions preferably extends at least partially radially and / or parallel to the pivot axis. As a result, the invention differs from conventional opening limiting bodies, in which the bending movement takes place in the circumferential direction, ie in the same direction as the braking force when the door is stopped. As a result, the opening limiting body can be made very simple.

The first portion of the opening limiting body is preferably formed by the bend, which is connected to a resilient leg.

Preferably, the resilient leg is located at least in the vicinity of its transition to the first portion on a support and is held at its end opposite the first portion. The support is preferably a part of the door, in particular of the connecting piece. Possibly. the resilient leg when striking the door in the opening-limited position exert a force on the support.

Particularly preferably, the leg is connected to the second portion and held by this. As a result, the second section may serve as a second support.

The first section is preferably cantilevered from the leg and, for example, engages behind a section of the hinge fixed to the carcass.

The leg is preferably at least approximately over its length on a support. In this way, if necessary, forces exerted on the support are well distributed. The first portion and the leg may be the same length or different lengths. The relative lengths of the first section and the leg determine the bending moments that act on the leg or on the first section. The longer a section, the greater the distance from the support, and the greater the bending moment.

Preferably, the second portion is resilient and serves as a mounting portion with which the opening limiting body is fixed to the door. The second section thus preferably performs a dual function: on the one hand, it serves as a fastening section, i. if necessary, a bending axis runs through it. On the other hand, it can also feather itself, in particular pick up a bending moment.

The first portion of the opening-limiting body preferably extends substantially parallel to the pivot axis - e.g. perpendicular - and the second section substantially transverse to the pivot axis - e.g. horizontal. Essentially means here with a deviation of up to 20 °. The middle leg, however, preferably runs obliquely to the pivot axis, e.g. at an angle of 45 ° to 85 °, preferably 70 ° to 80 ° to the pivot axis.

In a plan view along the pivot axis of the first and the second portion of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörper and the pivot axis preferably form a triangle.

Preferably, the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörper is made of an angled spring material with a flat Ouerschnitt. He can e.g. be produced as a punched / bent part of a metal sheet, in particular steel sheet. This preferably has a thickness of 3-6mm. The first section is in this case, for reasons of space, preferably quite narrow.

Alternatively, the opening limiting body can be made of an angled spring material with a round or oval Ouerschnitt, in particular of a wire element. The wire preferably has a diameter of about 3mm to 5mm, preferably about 4mm. The opening limiting body is preferably made of a high-grade steel, for example chromium steel or chrome-nickel steel. The strength and strength of the material is to be dimensioned such that the opening limiting body deforms elastically by about 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably 0.2 to 2 mm and more preferably from 0.5 to 1, 5 mm at the forces occurring when the door is hit, in particular bends.

Alternatively, it is also possible to form the opening limiting body from an elastically deformable plastic material with a round or oval cross-section.

Preferably, the leg is arched away when it hits the door at its opening-limited position of serving as a support surface of the door. In doing so, the leg is supported e.g. at one or both of its ends against the support surface, while the middle portion of the leg is bent and thus converts kinetic energy into spring energy. The bearing surface is preferably formed by connecting piece. Preferably, the support surface is parallel to the leg and thus aligned transversely or obliquely to the pivot axis.

The force exerted by the opening limiting body or its legs when the door is hit at its opening-limited position on the door is preferably aligned at least partially parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge. As a result, the force is advantageously transmitted to a lower region of the door or the connecting piece.

The second section of the opening limiting body is preferably fixed in a form-fitting manner on the door leaf. Preferably, it is positively enclosed by a trough. This can be achieved by bending the second section into an eyelet. In addition, the eyelet can be held by a screw. A cohesive or frictional connection or combinations thereof with a positive connection are also conceivable.

The hinge preferably has a bearing pin and a bearing sleeve, which rotatably engage with each other and one of which is fixed to the door and the other to a support arm which is provided for attachment to the body. Particularly preferably, the hinge comprises a hinge element, which has a mounting portion for mounting on the body of the household appliance, a support arm projecting from the mounting portion, and a bearing element arranged at the free end of the support arm, wherein the support arm engages in a receiving space of the door open towards the rear of the door , Preferably, the first portion of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörpers is held on the support arm, for example, he engages behind the support arm.

The hinge element is preferably designed as described below:

Preferably, two projecting in opposite directions bearing pin are arranged at the free end of the support arm of the hinge element. The two journals form a bearing element and replaced the rolled-up sleeve of the hinge element according to the prior art.

Preferably, the two journals are aligned along a common pivot axis of the hinge. The journals thus define the pivot axis by their longitudinal direction. When the door is hinged to the hinge element, a bearing pin is preferably placed on one of the two bearing journals and is mounted in a bearing eye fixed to the door.

The two journals preferably have at least substantially the same cross-section, e.g. may each be polyhedral, rectangular or square with within ± 0.1 to ± 0.5 mm of equal length edge lengths. In particular, the two bearing pins are arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. This has the advantage that the hinge element can be used for both sides, so that an articulation of the door on both the left and on the right side of the body is possible. For this purpose, the two bearing journals are preferably aligned on a line or parallel to one another and preferably have the same length. Particularly preferably, the entire hinge element is substantially mirror-symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.

The hinge element is preferably formed from a flat material blank, in particular from a sheet metal blank. Particularly preferably, the hinge element is made of a steel sheet. High-strength steel is preferably used, for example chromium steel or chrome-nickel steel. The thickness of the flat material blank is preferably 3 mm to 7 mm, particularly preferably about 5 ± 1 mm. The hinge element according to the invention can be easily manufactured as a stamped / bent part, preferably by punching from a steel sheet and subsequent bending. Thus, mounting portion, support arm and journals can be made in one piece. The hinge element can be produced inexpensively and yet has a high strength.

Preferably, the support arm has a curvature in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis. As a result, a recess is formed, into which a side wall of a receiving space of the door engages when opening the door, whereby a large opening angle is allowed.

The curvature of the support arm is preferably designed such that an even larger opening angle is made possible than in WO 2007/031469 A1. To achieve this, the hinge element is preferably adapted as far as possible to the pivoting movement of the side wall of the receiving space of the door. In particular, the support arm is angled at an obtuse angle from the mounting portion to - together with the mounting portion - to span a semicircle along which the side wall is pivoted when opening the door. Preferably, the mounting portion and the adjacent thereto portion of the support arm are adapted as far as possible to a semicircular shape. For structural reasons, the mounting portion will usually be straight, as it is to attach to the body of a household appliance. The support arm is then at an obtuse angle of preferably more than 100 °, more preferably more than 110 ° and more preferably from about 115 ° ± 5 ° from the mounting section.

Furthermore, the support arm preferably describes a total of a curve or a curve of more than 90 °, preferably of more than 120 °, and particularly preferably from 130 ° to 150 °. This allows to position the journals near the pivot axis and allows an even larger opening angle.

Particularly preferably, the radius of curvature of the support arm is different over its length. The transition between different radii of curvature is preferably continuous, so that the support arm is particularly stable. Continuously variable radii of curvature can be produced in a hot bending process. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the support arm decreases from a point near the mounting portion continuously up to a certain point to and from there to a point near the free end continuously.

Preferably, the support arm has a first portion adjacent to the mounting portion, e.g. is substantially not or little curved, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion, the first portion and an end portion adjacent the second portion including an acute intermediate angle. This intermediate angle is less than 90 °, preferably less than 60 °, and more preferably from 30 ° to 50 °. The first portion preferably has a total bending of less than 10 °, and the second portion preferably has a maximum radius of curvature of about 5 to 15 mm.

The second portion connects the first portion, which extends substantially along the circumferential direction of the pivoting movement, with the end portion of the support arm, at the end of which the bearing journals are arranged and which extends substantially radially to the pivot axis. The end portion preferably has no or only a slight curvature, since it is adapted as far as possible to the radial direction. Alternatively, the end portion may also have a slight bend of e.g. up to 10 °.

Due to the curvature of the support arm, e.g. achieved that the adjoining the second portion end portion of the support arm in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis at an angle of more than 10 °, preferably more than 20 ° and particularly preferably from 30 ° to 40 ° to the mounting portion.

By this type of curvature, the shape of the support arm is adapted as far as possible to the circular pivoting of the side wall of the arranged in the door receiving space. This allows an opening angle of the hinge of more than 130 °, in particular of up to 135 °, preferably up to 140 ° and possibly even up to 160 ° or 180 °.

In the direction of the pivot axis, the support arm preferably has a lower height at its free end than the mounting portion. As a result, the available space is used optimally and created sufficient space for the protruding in opposite directions bearing pin. Preferably, the support arm tapers from the mounting portion toward its free end in the direction of the pivot axis at least on one side. By a gradual taper, the forces are optimally distributed over the hinge element. Particularly preferably, the support arm tapers from the mounting portion to its free end in the direction of the pivot axis on both sides. In this way, the hinge element is slightly elastic, which increases the resistance to breakage of the hinge element when the door is exposed to heavy loads.

Particularly preferably, the support arm tapers mirror-symmetrically in the direction of the pivot axis with respect to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis from the mounting section to its free end. This leads to a high load capacity and allows to use the hinge element both as a right stop and as a left stop.

The taper is advantageously not constant over the length of the support arm. Rather, the support arm preferably recedes over a first portion adjacent to the mounting portion and has a constant height in the direction of the pivot axis at its end portion adjacent the free end. More preferably, the taper is at least partially approximately linear, i. in a spread on a plane support arm approximately along a straight line. An exponential decreasing from the mounting portion to the free end tapering is also conceivable.

The bearing pins preferably have a non-rotationally symmetrical and in particular rectangular or square cross section. This makes it possible to each rotatably receive one of the two journals in a bearing pin, which is mounted in a bearing eye fixed to the door. Preferably, a bearing pin is placed on the downwardly projecting journal, especially if it is an upper hinge of the door.

For storage in the bearing eye, the bearing pin preferably has a kreiszylinderför- shaped portion on the front side of a hole or a receptacle for a bearing pin is arranged. The receptacle preferably has the same, non-rotationally symmetrical and preferably rectangular or square cross-sectional shape as the bearing. gerzapfen so that the bearing pin can be rotatably received in the bearing pin. The hole is preferably a through hole.

In addition, the bearing pin in addition to the receptacle preferably has a continuous cable channel, which runs in particular parallel to the pivot axis. As a result, cables can be routed in an elegant manner from the carcass into the door. This is particularly useful when there is a control electronics in the door, e.g. a display operating module.

The bearing pin is preferably injection molded from plastic. It particularly preferably consists of a good sliding plastic such as POM (polyoxymethylene).

The bearing eye is preferably formed by a bearing bush formed on the connecting piece.

The door is preferably hinged to two hinges on the body, wherein the connector according to the invention can be used only in a hinge, in particular the upper hinge, or on both hinges.

The household appliance is preferably a refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator or freezer cabinet or a fridge-freezer combination in a stand construction.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator, to which the present invention is implemented, with the door closed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with the door open; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a hinge member to which the present invention is applied; 4 shows a cross section through the hinge element of Figure 3, but in a mirrored view ..;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the upper front corner of the body of a refrigerator to which the hinge member of Fig. 3 is attached;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with attached bearing pin.

7 shows a cross section through the bearing pin along the line VII in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the right upper corner of the door from the inside, looking at the receiving space, with the upper edge of the door cut away for clarity;

9 is a perspective view of the upper right corner of the body hinged door.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 9, with the top cover strip of the door removed, and with panels disposed about the hinge element;

11 shows a cross section through a right upper corner of the refrigerator with the door open;

12 shows a cross section through a right upper corner of the refrigerator with the door closed;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section through an opening limiting body and the underlying connector.

14 is a schematic side view of the opening limiting body of FIG. 13.

Fig. 15 is a representation corresponding to Figure 8; Fig. 16 is a view corresponding to Figure 8, wherein the upper edge of the door is not cut off;

Fig. 17 is a perspective exploded view of a left upper corner of a connector and outer wall, viewed slightly from below;

Fig. 18 is a perspective exploded view of the connector and the outer wall of Fig. 17, viewed slightly from above;

Fig. 1 shows as an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance, in which the invention is implemented, a refrigerator 1 in a stand construction with a body 4 and a door 2, which is hinged to the body 4 about an axis 3 pivotally. The axis 3 extends through the door 2 parallel to a side face of the body 4 facing away from the observer in FIG. 1.

The door 2 comprises an outer wall 5, which is bent inwards on the sides and is advantageously formed from sheet metal, in particular sheet metal. The thus formed cavity in the door is limited to the refrigerator interior through the inner wall 6, see Fig. 2, which is advantageously molded from plastic. The cavity formed between outer wall 5 and inner wall 6 is filled with insulating foam material.

Outer and inner wall are connected to each other at the upper transverse edge of the door by a connecting piece 7, which simultaneously closes the cavity in the door upwards. The connecting piece 7 essentially has an elongated cuboid shape whose length corresponds approximately to the width of the door. The height and depth of the connecting piece 7 correspond approximately to the thickness of the door and each amount to a few cm.

Downwardly, the cavity is also bounded by a lower connector (not shown). This may be the same or different form as the upper connecting piece 7. In the connecting piece 7 receiving spaces 8 are provided on both sides. In order to cover the receiving spaces 8 upwards, a covering strip, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is placed on the connecting piece 7. The door is preferably mirror-symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, so that it can be hinged on both sides to the body. Fig. 2 shows the refrigerator of Fig. 1 with the door open. As a result, both receiving spaces 8 are clearly visible. On the side of the pivot axis 3 projects into the receiving space 8 arranged there, the support arm of a hinge element 10 which is fixed to the upper portion 9 of the door 2 facing the front frame of the body 4. Preferably, display and / or operating elements for the refrigerator are also arranged on the upper section 9.

It can also be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the outer wall 5 is longer in the direction of the pivot axis 3 than the inner wall 6, so that the connecting piece 7 is completely or partially concealed by the outer wall 5 towards the visible side. As a result, the door 2 outwardly on a uniform, formed by the outer wall 5 outer surface, which causes an appealing aesthetic impression.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the hinge element 10 which can be seen in FIG. 2. The hinge element 10 is formed from an upwardly oriented strip of heavy plate and has a mounting section 11 for attachment to the body 4 of the household appliance 1 and a support arm 12 projecting from the mounting section 11 , at the end of two identical upwardly or downwardly projecting bearing journals 16a, 16b are arranged. In the mounting portion 11, two holes 17 can be seen, which are provided to receive (not shown) screws with which the hinge element 10 is attached to the body 4 of the household appliance 1.

The pivot axis 3 extends in the longitudinal direction of the two bearing journals 16a and 16b. The height B of the hinge element 10 in the region of the two bearing journals 16a and 16b is slightly greater than the height of the mounting section 11 in the direction of the pivot axis 3. Advantageously, the height B of the two bearing journals 16a and 16b is 20 mm to 40 mm, particularly preferably 30 mm to 35 mm mm. The support arm 12 tapers from the mounting portion 11 to its free end, from which the two journals 16a and 16b protrude. This ensures that the hinge element 10 does not project beyond the upper section 9 of the front frame of the body 4, which should only be about 40 to 60 mm high in order not to unnecessarily reduce the useful space of the refrigerator. If the support arm 12 had a constant height as in the prior art, the bearing journals 16a and 16b taken together would have to have a considerably greater height. The hinge element 10 is mirror-symmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis defined by the bearing pins 16a, 16b. In this way, the hinge member 10 can be used for both a left stop as well as for a right stop.

FIG. 4 shows the hinge element 10 of FIG. 3 in cross-section and in a mirror-inverted representation to that of FIG. 3. The hinge element 10 has a constant thickness d over its length, which is approximately 5 mm. The preferred course of curvature of the support arm 12 will now be explained with reference to FIG.

The mounting portion 11 fixed to the body 4 is substantially straight along a line L ₁ . From the mounting portion 11, a first portion 13 of the support arm 12 is angled at an obtuse angle ß, which is about 105 ° ± 5 °. The first paragraph

13 initially runs essentially straight along the line L ₂ and then merges into a curved second section 14. The curved second section 14 in turn merges into a straight end section 15 which extends along the line L _3. The section

14 has a large curvature, so that the first portion 13 and the end portion

15 include an intermediate angle y of less than 80 °, in the example shown 40 ° ± 5 °. The smaller the intermediate angle y, the greater the achievable opening angle of the door 2.

Due to the curvature of the second portion 14 of the end portion 15, at the free end of the bearing pins 16 are arranged inclined by an angle α to the mounting portion 11. The inclination angle α is more than 10 °, preferably more than 20 ° and particularly preferably more than 30 °, in the example shown about 32 °.

By the described curvature of the support arm 12, a recess 18 is formed, in which the side wall of the receiving space 8 pivots in when opening the door, and along the dotted line P, which just does not touch the mounting portion 11.

Fig. 5 again shows a perspective view of the hinge element 10, which is now attached to the upper right corner of the front frame of the body 4 of a household appliance. For this purpose, in the upper section 9 of the front frame, Windelöcher provided for the holes 17 passing through screws. Fig. 5 shows a right stop of the door, so that the support arm 12 is bent to the right.

In Fig. 5 it can be seen that the support arm 12 tapers from the mounting portion 1 1 to its free end, on a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis mirror-symmetrical way. The taper is strongest in the first section 13, then continues in the second section 14, while the end portion 15 is only slightly tapered or even has a constant height. The taper in the first and between sections is approximately linear, i. in a spread on a plane support arm 12 approximately along a straight line, to the transition to the end portion 15. An exponentially decreasing from the mounting portion 11 to the end portion 15 taper is also conceivable.

Fig. 6 shows a comparable to FIG. 5 representation in which now on the lower bearing pin 16b, a bearing pin 20 is placed. A cross section of the bearing pin 20 along the line VII is shown in FIG. 7. The bearing pin 20 has a lower portion with a circular cylindrical outer surface, which is provided for storage in a bearing eye fixed to the door. At the top is on a side of a shell-like portion 19, which serves as a cable channel and as a lining for the end portion of the hinge member 10.

As shown in Fig. 7, a square cross-section hole 22 is provided in the bearing pin 20, which receives the bearing pin 16b without play. Adjacent to the hole 22 there is arranged a cable channel 21 of oval or arbitrary cross-section running parallel to the pivot axis and intended to guide cables from the body 4 into the door 2. Preferably, the cable channel 21 and the hole 22 are continuous. The bearing pin 20 is made as an injection molded part of a plastic with a low coefficient of friction such as polyoxymethylene (POM).

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view into the receiving space 8 in the upper right corner of the door 2, seen from the body 4. The upper portion including the cover strip of the door 2 is cut off for the sake of better visibility. Downwards, the inner wall 6 can be seen, at the outer edges of a magnetic seal 29 is arranged. Above the inner wall 6, the connecting piece 7 connects. Behind it is the outer wall 5 is arranged, which is bent to the side to an outer wall side portion 25. Together with a side wall portion 51 of the connecting piece 7, the outer wall side portion 25 thus forms the side wall 28 of the receiving space 8 in the door 2.

The receiving space 8 further has a bottom wall 37 and a wall 38 to the visible side of the door, in which a pocket 39 is embedded. In the area of the pocket 39, the wall 39 runs parallel to and very close or adjacent to the outer wall 5.

In the connecting piece 7, the bearing eye 24 is further formed by forming a bearing sleeve 23, in which the bearing pin 20 (not shown in Fig. 8) is received.

Finally, in Fig. 8, an opening limiting body 30 can be seen, which is formed by a wire element having an approximately parallel to the pivot axis extending first portion 32. This first section 32 engages behind the support arm 12 and thereby defines an opening-limited position of the door. At the other end of the opening limiting body 30, a second portion 34 is curved into an eyelet and received in a trough 35 in the bottom 37 of the connecting piece 7. As a result, it is fixed positively to the door. In the middle of the eyelet, the second portion 34 is additionally fastened by a screw 31. A middle leg 33 of the opening limiting body 30 extends along a support surface 36 which is oriented obliquely with respect to the pivot axis 3 and which is likewise formed in the bottom 37 of the connecting piece 7.

Fig. 9 shows how Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the upper right corner of the refrigerator 1, with hinged door. In contrast to FIG. 6, the lower portion of the bearing bolt 20 is pivotally received in the bearing sleeve 23 of the bearing eye 24. In this case, the first section 32 of the opening limiting body 30 engages behind the support arm 12 and is therefore hidden in FIG. 9. At the top, the receiving space 8 is covered by a cover strip 43.

Further, Fig. 9 shows a cable bundle 45, which is guided through the cable channel 21 in the bearing pin 20 in the cavity of the door 2. Fig. 10 also shows a perspective view of the upper right corner of the refrigerator with hinged door, but without cable bundle 45 and with removed cover strip 43. Also shown in Fig. 10, the panels of the hinge element, which are formed by plastic elements 40, 41 and 42 ,

In addition, the lower portion of the bearing sleeve 23 can be seen in Fig. 10, which protrudes into the cavity formed between the outer wall 5 and the inner wall 6 and can be guided by the cable in the door 2.

11 and 12 show cross sections perpendicular to the pivot axis through the hinge element 10 with the door hinged thereto with the door open (FIG. 11) and the door closed (FIG. 12). The pivot axis 3 extends in each case through the axis of the bearing pin 20th

In the sectional views of the upstanding portion 19 of the bearing pin 20, a cut cable bundle 45 and a screw 26 can be seen, with which the mounting portion 11 on the body of a household appliance (not shown) is attached. Any panels of the hinge element are not shown for purposes of clarity. The opening limiting body 30 can be seen from above, as well as the trough 35, in which the second portion 34 is fixed. To the visible side, the connecting piece 7 is covered by an outer wall 5, which is bent inwardly on the lateral end side of the door to form the outer wall side portion 25. Behind the outer wall 5 and partially parallel thereto extends the front wall 38 of the connecting piece 7, which is also curved on the lateral end side of the door to form the portion 55 inwardly.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, the first section 32 of the opening limiting body 30 engages behind the support arm 12 and abuts there in the opening-limited position of the door in the region between the second section 14 and the end section 15 of the support arm 12. In this widely opened position, the side wall 28 of the receiving space 8 pivots into the recess of the support arm 12 formed by the curvature. The sections 13, 14 and 15 of the support arm 12 are curved such that the side wall 28 does not abut the support arm 12 when opening the door, although it describes along the dotted line P an arc of up to 135 °. In order to allow a particularly large opening angle, the first portion 32 of the opening-limiting body 30 is further in one Freischachung 52 arranged in the side wall 28 so that it engages behind the support arm 12 even with a large opening angle.

The clearance 52 is formed by a bulge in the wall of the connecting piece 7, see FIG. 12. In particular, the portion 55 of the front wall 38 is angled outwardly in the region of the clearance 52 to form an outwardly offset side wall portion 51. At this point, the outer wall side portion 25 is recessed so that the side wall portion 51 of the connecting piece 7 forms the outwardly visible wall of the door. In order nevertheless to achieve a uniform visible side of the door, the side wall section 51 runs parallel and slightly overlapping, but approximately flush with the outer wall side section 25.

In the closed position of the door shown in Fig. 12, the curved portion 14 of the support arm 12 projects into the pocket 39, which is formed in the wall 38 of the connecting piece 7. Through the pocket 39, it is possible to form the first section 13 particularly long and the curvature of the second section 14 particularly strong, which allows a particularly large opening angle of the door.

The elastic movement of the opening limiting body will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 13 shows a section through the connecting piece 7, on which the opening limiting body 30 rests. The leg 33 is supported against the inclined support surface 36, while the first portion is bent at the bend 46 upwards. The second portion 34 is angled at the bend 48 from the leg 33 and fixed by the screw 31 on the connecting piece 7 and thus on the door.

The same parts are also shown in highly schematic form in FIG. 14 in side view, the sections 32, 33 and the leg 34 of the opening delimiting body 30 being shown here only as dashes. The solid lines represent the opening restricting body 30 in the rest position. The broken lines represent the shape of the opening restricting body 30 in a state where the door strikes in its open-limit position. Then, by the support arm 12, a force F ₁ the first section 32 exercised. The kinetic energy thus transmitted is absorbed in two spring sections, which are designated in FIGS. 13 and 14 by R ₁ and R ₂ .

Depending on the distance from the bend 46, the force F ₁ acts on the first portion 32, the first portion 32 can spring in the direction R ₁ , wherein it bends in this direction. Since the first portion 32 is relatively short (about 5 to 10 mm), it will only bend relatively slightly. In addition, if necessary, the radius of curvature at the bend 46 can also increase elastically. The maximum deflection of the first portion 32 in the direction R ₁ is about 0.3 to 1 mm. In order to provide sufficient space for this deflection, the upper portion 32 is separated from the side wall portion 51 by a gap. The gap has a width e of about 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably about 1 ± 0.2 mm.

On the other hand, the leg 33 - and possibly also the second portion 34 - bulges upward in the direction indicated by R ₂ . Here, the leg 33 is supported in the region of the bend 46 on the bearing surface 36, so that a force acts on the bearing surface 36, see arrow F ₂ . In addition, if necessary, a tensile force acts on the second portion 34, which is derived on the trough enclosing the eye. Due to the relatively long length of the leg 33 (about 20-30mm) he will see visible bulge, for example, about 0.2 to 2mm in the direction R ₂ . In this case, bend the leg and possibly also the second portion 34 and thereby absorb spring energy. Furthermore, the radius of curvature at the bend 48 and thus the angle of curvature at 48 can also be increased elastically, as can be seen in FIG. 14.

The configuration of the franking should be explained again in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. Fig. 15 is the same view as Fig. 8, that is, a perspective view of the receiving space 8 with partially cut away side and front wall. Fig. 16 shows a similar view from a similar perspective, but without the section. Thus, also the upper part of the connecting piece 7 can be seen, which is closed off at the top by a closing flange 59, the so-called dome. On these an upper cover strip 43 is placed after assembly.

Returning to FIG. 15, the first portion 32 of the aperture stop body 30 extends in the clearance 52. As already described in connection with FIG. The first portion 32 is spaced from the sidewall portion 51 of the connector 7 by a gap to resiliently spring in that direction.

To the front side (visible side) of the door, the connecting piece is covered by the outer wall 5, which is formed here by a door panel. On the side of this is bent to form the outer wall side portion 25 inwardly. The connecting piece 7 also has a front wall 38, which is bent inwards on the side to section 55. At the edge of the outer wall side portion 25 of the portion 55 is angled to a short wall portion 56 which limits the clearance 52 to the front side. On the wall portion 56, on the one hand, the side wall portion 51 is attached, which extends in the direction of the body and forms a second boundary of the franking 52. The franking 52 is open on two sides. As is apparent from Fig. 16, it has an approximately rectangular cross-section and extends over the entire height of the connecting piece, up to the end flange 59th

From the wall portion 56 further extends to the front side of the portion 58, which forms a groove together with the wall portion 55, which serves to receive the edge of the outer wall side portion 25.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a perspective view of the connecting piece 7 drawn apart from the outer wall 5, wherein FIG. 17 shows a view from the top right and FIG. 18 shows a view from the bottom right.

In addition to the features already described above, the shape of the outer wall 5 is particularly well recognizable in FIGS. 17 and 18, which is bent on the side to form an outer wall side section 25. However, the upper corner of the outer wall side portion is recessed at 62. In the area 62, the outwardly visible wall of the door is formed by the outside of the side wall portion 51 of the connecting piece 7.

Furthermore, in Fig. 17, the underside of the connecting piece 7 can be seen. This has a body facing the wall portion 73 and two serving stability walls 74, 75. Below the body facing the wall portion 73, the inner wall 6 (not shown) of the door connects. The bottom wall 37 of the receiving space 8 is covered by these walls 74, 75. The bushing 23 extends from the bearing eye 24 down into the cavity, so that cables can be guided by the body in the door. Between the sleeve 23 and the side wall portion 51 of the receiving space 8 protrudes a rib 71 down, on which a latching lug 70 is formed. In the assembled state, the latching nose engages with its latching surface 80 an edge of a first fold section 77 of the outer wall 5, which is concealed in FIG. 17 but can be seen in FIG.

18, the outer wall 5 on the left side of the door is bent to an outer wall side portion 25 which is approximately perpendicular to the visible surface or front side of the door, which is formed by the outer wall 5. At the end facing inward, the outer wall side section 25 is in turn angled to a first fold section 77. This runs at its edge approximately parallel to the outer wall side portion 25, so that its edge 82 faces the visible surface of the door.

When placing the connecting piece 7 on the side wall 5 of the latching hook 70 engages with its locking surface 80 behind the locking edge 82 of the first Abkantungsabschnitts 77 and thus creates a positive connection.

In this case, the side wall portion 51 of the receiving space 8 pushes into the region 62, in which a recess is formed in the outer wall 5. At this time, the side wall portion 51 easily overlaps the outer wall side portion 25 to provide a flush-fitting, continuous outer surface.

At the top, the door plate to form the fold 63 is slightly bent inwards. When placing the connecting piece 7, the fold 63 pushes into a groove formed in the end flange 59. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 home appliance

2 door

3 pivot axis

4 Body of the household appliance

5 outer wall of the door

6 inner wall of the door

7 connector

8 receiving space in the connector

9 Upper section of the front frame of the carcass

10 hinge element

11 mounting section

12 support arm

13 First section of the support arm

14 Second section of the support arm

15 end portion of the support arm

16, 16a, 16b journal

17 mounting holes

18 recess formed in the support arm 12 by curvature

19 Upper section of the bearing pin

20 bearing bolts

21 cable channel

22 holes for trunnions

23 bushing

24 bearing eye

25 outer wall side section

26 screw

28 side wall of the receiving space 8

29 magnetic seal

30 opening limiting body

31 screw

32 First section of the opening limiting body 30 33 Middle leg of the opening limiting body 30

34 second portion of the opening limiting body 30th

35 trough in the connector 7

36 slanted bearing surface

37 Bottom of the receiving space 8 38 Front wall of the receiving space 8

39 pocket in the back wall 38

40 cladding of the support arm

41 Panel of the bearing pin

42 Panel of the mounting section 43 Upper cover strip of the connector 7

45 cable bundles

46, 48 Bends of the opening limiting body

51 side wall portion of the connecting piece. 7

52 Freimachung in the side wall 28 55 side portion of the wall of the connector 7

56 Angled wall section

58 wall section

59 Connecting flange of the connecting piece 62 Opening of the outer wall 63 Bending of the outer wall

70 snap hooks

71 rib

73, 74, 75 walls of the connector

77 Bending of the outer wall side portion 80 locking surface

82 locking edge

Claims

Anspruch [en] Household appliance (1) having a body (4) and a door (2) hinged to the carcass by at least one hinge, which has an outer wall (5) and an inner wall (6) which at their transverse edges are provided with a connecting piece (7 ), which has on its side facing the body (4) at least one receiving space (8) which is provided for receiving a hinge element (10) and which is bounded by a side wall (28, 51), characterized in that the side wall (28, 51) a clearance (52) for at least partially receiving an opening limiting body (30) is arranged.

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side wall (51) through the connecting piece (7) is formed.

3. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting piece (7) at least to the visible front side of the door (2) towards at least largely from the outer wall (5) is covered.

4. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the franking (52) in a side wall (51) of the connecting piece (7) is formed by a bulge.

5. Household appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the bulge (52) of the side wall (51) with its outside the visible to the outside wall of the

Door forms, in particular with this in a plane is arranged.

6. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer wall (5) in the region of the franking (52) has a recess (62).

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (5) is bent at least on one side to form an outer wall side portion (25) in the direction of the inner wall (6), wherein the outer wall side portion (25) in the region of the franking (52) in the

Side wall of the connecting piece (7) has a recess (62).

8. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the franking (52) adjoins the said body (4) facing side of the connecting piece (7).

9. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the franking (52) a portion (32) of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskör- pers (30) extends, which held in an opening-limited position of the door (2) on the body (4) is.

10. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the franking (52) extends a portion (32) of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskör- pers (30), the one on the body (4) fixed portion (12) of the hinge nier engages behind.

11. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting piece (7) is an injection molded part, in particular a plastic injection molded part.

12. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (5) is formed by a door panel.

13. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge is a hinge member (10) having a fixed to the body mounting portion (11), a serving for rotatably supporting the door bearing element (16) and a mounting portion Having connecting with the bearing element support arm (12).

14. Household appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the mounting portion (1 1), the support arm (12) and the bearing element (16) define a recess (18) in the at least a portion of the side wall (28) at opened door (2) to be able to turn.

15. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving space (8) in the connecting piece (7) to the visible side of the door is limited by a front wall (38), and in that the front wall (38) has a pocket (34) arranged to receive a curved portion (14) of the

Support arm (12) is designed.

16. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door (2) has a maximum opening angle of more than 130 °.

17. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening limiting body (30) has at least two sections (32, 34), of which a first section (32) in an opening-limited position of the door (2) on the body (4) and of which a second section (34) on the

Door (2) is fixed, and that the opening limiting body (30) is designed to convert at least a part of the kinetic energy of the door (2) in spring energy of the Öffnungsbegrenzungs- body (30) when hitting the door (2) in the opening-limited position wherein the opening limiting body (30) visibly deforms elastically.

18. Household appliance (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the first portion (32) cantilevered from the leg (33) protrudes.

19. Household appliance (1) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the first portion (32) is received in the franking (52).

20. Household appliance (1) one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the opening limiting body (30) is loaded in the recording of the spring energy to bending.

21. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the first portion (32) of the opening limiting body (30) by a Ab- is formed angle, which is connected to a resilient leg (33).

22. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening limiting body (30) has at least two resilient portions (32, 33) which in the opening-limited position when the door (2) in the opening-bounded position, the kinetic energy in Convert spring energy.

23. Household appliance (1) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the resilient leg (33) at least in the vicinity of its transition to the first portion (32) rests on a support and at its the first portion (32) opposite End is held.

24. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the leg (33) is connected to the second portion (34) and held by this.

25. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 17 to 24, characterized in that the first portion (32) of the opening limiting body (30) substantially parallel to the pivot axis (3) and the second portion (34) substantially transversely to the pivot axis (3) runs.

26. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the opening limiting body (30) is made of an angled spring material with a flat cross-section.

27. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the opening limiting body (30) is made of an angled spring material with a round or oval cross-section.

28. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 21 to 27, characterized in that the limb (33) at its opening-bounded position of a serving as a support bearing surface (36) of the door (2 ) is arched away.

29. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 17 to 28, characterized in that the second portion (32) of the opening limiting body (30) is positively fixed to the door (2).

30. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 17 to 29, characterized in that the hinge comprises a bearing pin and a bearing sleeve which rotatably engage with each other and of which one on the door (2) and the other on a support arm (12 ), which is provided for attachment to the body (4), wherein the first portion (32) of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörpers (30) in an opening-limited position of the door (2) on the support arm (12) is held.

31. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator.