WO2010133479A2 - A refrigerator comprising a shelf - Google Patents
A refrigerator comprising a shelf Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010133479A2 WO2010133479A2 PCT/EP2010/056458 EP2010056458W WO2010133479A2 WO 2010133479 A2 WO2010133479 A2 WO 2010133479A2 EP 2010056458 W EP2010056458 W EP 2010056458W WO 2010133479 A2 WO2010133479 A2 WO 2010133479A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- shelf
- sensor
- refrigerator
- light source
- side wall
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25D29/008—Alarm devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising shelves whereon items are placed and wherein excessive loading of the shelves is controlled.
- shelf In refrigerators, shelves are utilized inside the body or the door for the items to be easily emplaced, stored or taken outside by the user.
- the weight of the load placed on the shelves should not exceed a certain value taking into consideration the strength of the shelf.
- the shelf When the shelf is excessively loaded by the user, the shelf stretches and the middle portion is deformed downwards which can result in accidents. Moreover, permanent deformation can be observed in the shelf when the amount of stretching in the shelf exceeds a certain limit.
- weight sensors such as strain gauges are utilized in refrigerator shelves for detecting the presence or absence of items placed on the shelf.
- the positions of the foodstuffs placed on the shelf is determined by means of weight sensors disposed between the shelf and the shelf support.
- JP2008151357 a load sensor which detects the existence of food on the shelves in the storage compartment is utilized. When foodstuffs are detected to be on the shelf, the region of the shelf is illuminated.
- the aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator wherein the user is provided to be warned in the case the shelves are loaded on excessively.
- the downward displacement of the shelf, containing the emplaced items, with the effect of the load thereon is controlled by a sensor.
- the sensor is disposed on the inner surface of the inner wall to remain at the lower part of the shelf or on the shelf support whereon the shelf is disposed or just under the shelf support.
- the shelf is displaced downward from the middle portion due to the load thereon and the sensor sees the portion of the shelf displacing vertically in the downward direction. If the vertical displacement detected by the sensor as a result of the excessive load placed on the shelf is greater than a predetermined maximum vertical displacement, then the user is warned by means of an audio or optic alarm device.
- the refrigerator comprises a light source, such as a LED, that is disposed on the inner side of the side wall opposite the side wall whereon the sensor is disposed such that they mutually face each other oppositely with the sensor.
- a light source such as a LED
- the displaced lower surface of the shelf enters between the sensor and the light source thereby interrupting the light delivered from the light source to the sensor and the sensor detects that the shelf is displaced by excessive loading.
- the shelf comprises a barrier situated in the middle of its lower surface, configured as a narrow plate that extends downwards, vertical to the lower surface of the shelf, which remains above the level that the sensor and the light source are located when the shelf is not displaced and enters between the sensor and the light source by moving downward when the shelf is displaced by being loaded excessively and which provides the sensor to precisely detect the displacement of the shelf by interrupting the light delivered from the light source to the sensor.
- the senor and the light source are mounted to be embedded on the side walls of the refrigerator, without forming a protrusion from the side wall towards the interior of the body, thus they are prevented from being damaged during utilization.
- the senor directly detects the elastic deformation formed in the shelf resulting from the load emplaced on the shelf and the probable accidents are avoided by providing that the user is warned when the shelf is loaded on excessively.
- Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a refrigerator comprising a shelf displacement sensor and an alarm device embedded in the side wall.
- Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a refrigerator comprising a shelf displacement sensor and a light source disposed on the opposite side wall.
- Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a refrigerator comprising a barrier situated on the lower surface of the shelf.
- the refrigerator (1) comprises a body, more than one side wall (2) and one or more shelves (3) utilized for emplacing items thereon.
- the refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a sensor (5) which is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) such that it remains below the shelf (3) to be controlled and which detects the displacement in the middle portion of the shelf (3) due to the load thereon, in other words the vertical displacement in the downward direction in the middle portion of the shelf (3) and an audio or optic alarm device (8) disposed on the shelf (3) which provides that the user is warned if the vertical displacement detected by the sensor (5) is greater than the predetermined maximum vertical displacement (Wmax).
- Wmax predetermined maximum vertical displacement
- the sensor (5) which is disposed on the part of the side wall (2) below the shelf (3) detects the elastic deformation formed in the shelf (3) body as a result of the load placed on the shelf (3) or the load applied by the user pressing down.
- the vertical displacement formed at the middle portion of the shelf (3) exceeds the critical limit predetermined for the shelf (3) and the user is warned by the alarm device (8) by detecting this situation with the sensor (5).
- the sensor (5) disposed on the side wall (2) of the body without contacting the shelf (3) directly "sees” the displaced portion in the shelf (3) and provides that the user is warned.
- the refrigerator (1) comprises a light source (6) such as a LED that is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) opposite the side wall (2) whereon the sensor (5) is disposed, to be oppositely facing each other with the sensor (5) ( Figure 2).
- a light source (6) such as a LED that is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) opposite the side wall (2) whereon the sensor (5) is disposed, to be oppositely facing each other with the sensor (5) ( Figure 2).
- the shelf (3) comprises a barrier (7) situated in the middle of its lower surface, configured as a narrow plate that extends downwards, vertical to the lower surface of the shelf (3), which remains above the level wherein the sensor (5) and the light source (6) are located when the shelf (3) is not displaced and which enters between the sensor (5) and the light source (6) by moving downward when the shelf (3) is displaced by being loaded excessively and which provides the sensor (5) to detect the displacement of the shelf (3) by interrupting the light delivered from the light source (6) to the sensor (5) ( Figure 3).
- the barrier (7) when the shelf (3) is displaced the lower surface of the shelf (3) extends convexly between the sensor (5) and the light source (6) and there can be ambiguity in the detection of the shelf (3) displacement by the sensor (5).
- the barrier (7) that is situated under the shelf (3) completely closes in between the sensor (5) and the light source (6), prevents the delivery of light from the light source (6) to the sensor (5) and provides the sensor (5) to precisely detect the displacement of the shelf (3).
- the senor (5) and the light source (6) are mounted to be embedded on the side walls (2), without forming a protrusion from the side wall (2) towards the interior of the body, thus they are prevented from being damaged during utilization.
- the refrigerator (1) comprises more than one shelf support (4) that extend oppositely from the front backwards in the horizontal direction on the inner side of the side walls (2) for supporting the shelves (3) inside the body and a sensor (5) disposed on the shelf support (4) whereon the shelf (3) is disposed or right under the shelf support (4).
- the sensor (5) directly detects the elastic deformation formed in the shelf (3) resulting from the load emplaced on the shelf (3) and probable accidents are avoided by providing that the user is warned when the shelf (3) is loaded excessively by means of the alarm device (8).
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body, more than one side wall (2), one or more shelves (3) utilized for emplacing items thereon and more than one shelf support (4) that extend oppositely in the horizontal direction from the front backwards on the inner side of the side walls (2) for supporting the shelves (3) inside the body and wherein the user is warned by an audio or optic alarm device (8) by detecting the deformation formed in the shelf (3) due to the excessive load placed on the shelf (3) by a sensor (5).
Description
Description
A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING A SHELF
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising shelves whereon items are placed and wherein excessive loading of the shelves is controlled.
[0002] In refrigerators, shelves are utilized inside the body or the door for the items to be easily emplaced, stored or taken outside by the user. The weight of the load placed on the shelves should not exceed a certain value taking into consideration the strength of the shelf. When the shelf is excessively loaded by the user, the shelf stretches and the middle portion is deformed downwards which can result in accidents. Moreover, permanent deformation can be observed in the shelf when the amount of stretching in the shelf exceeds a certain limit.
[0003] In the state of the art, various structural solutions pertaining to reinforcement of the shelf are developed in order to prevent the shelf from deforming by bending under excessive load.
[0004] In the refrigerator explained in the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No. JP2003240428, a shelf disposed inside the body is supported from the right and left sides and also the side bearing on the rear wall thereby preventing the shelf from bending under excessive load.
[0005] In the refrigerator explained in the state of the art Japanese Patent
Application No. JP6159924, a C-shaped reinforcing member is inserted into the lateral sides of the shelf thereby the shelf is prevented from being deformed due to the warpage caused by the weight of the stored articles thereon.
[0006] Moreover, in the state of the art weight sensors such as strain gauges are utilized in refrigerator shelves for detecting the presence or absence of items placed on the shelf.
[0007] In the refrigerator explained in the Japanese Patent Documents No.
JP2002303479 and No. JP2007010208, the positions of the foodstuffs placed on the shelf is determined by means of weight sensors disposed between the shelf and the shelf support.
[0008] In the United States Patent No. US4891755, a weight detection system
utilized in mini bars is explained. Strain gauges are disposed under the stand at the lower side of the mini bar body for detecting the weight of the items placed thereon or removed from there.
[0009] In the refrigerator explained in the Japanese Patent Application No.
JP2008151357, a load sensor which detects the existence of food on the shelves in the storage compartment is utilized. When foodstuffs are detected to be on the shelf, the region of the shelf is illuminated.
[0010] In the refrigerator explained in the Japanese Patent Application No. JP2006329597, it is detected by means of the weight sensor whether there is a change in the weight of the food on the shelf and when the packages of the food are determined to be opened, the expiry dates stored in the memory are updated.
[0011] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator wherein the user is provided to be warned in the case the shelves are loaded on excessively.
[0012] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.
[0013] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the downward displacement of the shelf, containing the emplaced items, with the effect of the load thereon is controlled by a sensor. The sensor is disposed on the inner surface of the inner wall to remain at the lower part of the shelf or on the shelf support whereon the shelf is disposed or just under the shelf support. The shelf is displaced downward from the middle portion due to the load thereon and the sensor sees the portion of the shelf displacing vertically in the downward direction. If the vertical displacement detected by the sensor as a result of the excessive load placed on the shelf is greater than a predetermined maximum vertical displacement, then the user is warned by means of an audio or optic alarm device.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a light source, such as a LED, that is disposed on the inner side of the side wall opposite the side wall whereon the sensor is disposed such that they mutually face each other oppositely with the sensor. As a result of the displacement in the shelf due to excessive load, the displaced lower
surface of the shelf enters between the sensor and the light source thereby interrupting the light delivered from the light source to the sensor and the sensor detects that the shelf is displaced by excessive loading.
[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf comprises a barrier situated in the middle of its lower surface, configured as a narrow plate that extends downwards, vertical to the lower surface of the shelf, which remains above the level that the sensor and the light source are located when the shelf is not displaced and enters between the sensor and the light source by moving downward when the shelf is displaced by being loaded excessively and which provides the sensor to precisely detect the displacement of the shelf by interrupting the light delivered from the light source to the sensor.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor and the light source are mounted to be embedded on the side walls of the refrigerator, without forming a protrusion from the side wall towards the interior of the body, thus they are prevented from being damaged during utilization.
[0017] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the sensor directly detects the elastic deformation formed in the shelf resulting from the load emplaced on the shelf and the probable accidents are avoided by providing that the user is warned when the shelf is loaded on excessively.
[0018] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
[0019] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a refrigerator comprising a shelf displacement sensor and an alarm device embedded in the side wall.
[0020] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a refrigerator comprising a shelf displacement sensor and a light source disposed on the opposite side wall.
[0021] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a refrigerator comprising a barrier situated on the lower surface of the shelf.
[0022] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
1. Refrigerator
2. Side wall
3. Shelf
4. Shelf support
5. Sensor
6. Light source
7. Barrier
8. Alarm device
[0023] The refrigerator (1) comprises a body, more than one side wall (2) and one or more shelves (3) utilized for emplacing items thereon.
[0024] The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a sensor (5) which is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) such that it remains below the shelf (3) to be controlled and which detects the displacement in the middle portion of the shelf (3) due to the load thereon, in other words the vertical displacement in the downward direction in the middle portion of the shelf (3) and an audio or optic alarm device (8) disposed on the shelf (3) which provides that the user is warned if the vertical displacement detected by the sensor (5) is greater than the predetermined maximum vertical displacement (Wmax).
[0025] In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the sensor (5) which is disposed on the part of the side wall (2) below the shelf (3) detects the elastic deformation formed in the shelf (3) body as a result of the load placed on the shelf (3) or the load applied by the user pressing down. In the case the shelf (3) is subjected to excessive load, the vertical displacement formed at the middle portion of the shelf (3) exceeds the critical limit predetermined for the shelf (3) and the user is warned by the alarm device (8) by detecting this situation with the sensor (5). In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, there is no need for disposing a load sensor like the strain gauge for detecting the critical load and evaluating the data, the sensor (5) disposed on the side wall (2) of the body without contacting the shelf (3) directly "sees" the displaced portion in the shelf (3) and provides that the user is warned.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a light source (6) such as a LED that is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) opposite the side wall (2) whereon the sensor (5) is disposed, to be oppositely facing each other with the sensor (5) (Figure 2). As a
result of the displacement in the shelf (3) due to excessive load, the lower surface of the shelf (3) enters between the sensor (5) and the light source (6) thereby interrupting the light delivered from the light source (6) to the sensor (5) and the shelf (3) is detected to be displaced by exceeding the critical limit by the sensor (5).
[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (3) comprises a barrier (7) situated in the middle of its lower surface, configured as a narrow plate that extends downwards, vertical to the lower surface of the shelf (3), which remains above the level wherein the sensor (5) and the light source (6) are located when the shelf (3) is not displaced and which enters between the sensor (5) and the light source (6) by moving downward when the shelf (3) is displaced by being loaded excessively and which provides the sensor (5) to detect the displacement of the shelf (3) by interrupting the light delivered from the light source (6) to the sensor (5) (Figure 3). In the previous embodiment wherein the barrier (7) is not utilized, when the shelf (3) is displaced the lower surface of the shelf (3) extends convexly between the sensor (5) and the light source (6) and there can be ambiguity in the detection of the shelf (3) displacement by the sensor (5). Whereas in this embodiment, the barrier (7) that is situated under the shelf (3) completely closes in between the sensor (5) and the light source (6), prevents the delivery of light from the light source (6) to the sensor (5) and provides the sensor (5) to precisely detect the displacement of the shelf (3).
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (5) and the light source (6) are mounted to be embedded on the side walls (2), without forming a protrusion from the side wall (2) towards the interior of the body, thus they are prevented from being damaged during utilization.
[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises more than one shelf support (4) that extend oppositely from the front backwards in the horizontal direction on the inner side of the side walls (2) for supporting the shelves (3) inside the body and a sensor (5) disposed on the shelf support (4) whereon the shelf (3) is disposed or right under the shelf support (4).
[0030] In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the sensor (5) directly detects the elastic deformation formed in the shelf (3) resulting from the load emplaced on the shelf (3) and probable accidents are avoided by providing that the user is warned when the shelf (3) is loaded excessively by means of the alarm device (8).
[0031] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A refrigerator (1) comprising a body, more than one side wall (2) and one or more shelves (3) utilized for emplacing items thereon, and characterized by - a sensor (5) which is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) such that it remains below the shelf (3) and which detects the vertical displacement formed in the middle portion of the shelf (3) in the downward direction and - an audio or optic alarm device (8) which provides that the user is warned when the vertical displacement detected by the sensor (5) due to excessive load placed on the shelf (3) is greater than the predetermined maximum vertical displacement (Wmax).
2. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a light source (6) that is disposed on the inner side of the side wall (2) to be opposite the side wall (2) whereon the sensor (5) is disposed such that they mutually face each other oppositely with the sensor (5).
3. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the shelf (3) comprising a barrier (7) situated in the middle of its lower surface, configured as a narrow plate that extends downwards, vertical to the lower surface of the shelf (3), which remains above the level wherein the sensor (5) and the light source (6) are located when the shelf (3) is not displaced and which enters between the sensor (5) and the light source (6) by moving downward when the shelf (3) is displaced by being loaded excessively and which provides the sensor (5) to detect the displacement of the shelf (3) by interrupting the light delivered from the light source (6) to the sensor (5).
4. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the sensor (5) and the light source (6) mounted by embedding in the side walls (2) such that a protrusion from the side wall (2) towards the interior of the body is not formed.
5. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by more than one shelf support (4) that extend oppositely from the front backwards in the horizontal direction on the inner side of the side walls (2) for supporting the shelves (3) inside the body and the sensor (5) disposed on the shelf support (4) whereon the shelf (3) is placed or right under the shelf support (4).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| TR200903971 | 2009-05-22 | ||
| TRA2009/03971 | 2009-05-22 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2010133479A2 true WO2010133479A2 (en) | 2010-11-25 |
| WO2010133479A3 WO2010133479A3 (en) | 2011-03-03 |
Family
ID=43126561
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2010/056458 WO2010133479A2 (en) | 2009-05-22 | 2010-05-11 | A refrigerator comprising a shelf |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2010133479A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2746702A3 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2014-10-22 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerator having vacuum system |
| CN112984950A (en) * | 2021-03-16 | 2021-06-18 | 长虹美菱股份有限公司 | Reminding control method for shelves in refrigerator |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2002303479A (en) * | 2001-03-30 | 2002-10-18 | Toshiba Corp | Refrigerator |
| JP2007010208A (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2007-01-18 | Toshiba Corp | Refrigerator |
| KR100889119B1 (en) * | 2007-09-13 | 2009-03-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator and controlling method of the same |
-
2010
- 2010-05-11 WO PCT/EP2010/056458 patent/WO2010133479A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2002303479A (en) * | 2001-03-30 | 2002-10-18 | Toshiba Corp | Refrigerator |
| JP2007010208A (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2007-01-18 | Toshiba Corp | Refrigerator |
| KR100889119B1 (en) * | 2007-09-13 | 2009-03-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator and controlling method of the same |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2746702A3 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2014-10-22 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerator having vacuum system |
| CN112984950A (en) * | 2021-03-16 | 2021-06-18 | 长虹美菱股份有限公司 | Reminding control method for shelves in refrigerator |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2010133479A3 (en) | 2011-03-03 |
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