WO2011131454A1

WO2011131454A1 - Temperature display unit for a compartment bottom of a refrigeration device

Info

Publication number: WO2011131454A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/054598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Becke; Max Eicher; Ralph Staud; Thomas Tischer
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2010-04-19
Filing date: 2011-03-25
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: DE102010027919A1; EP2561323A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an attachable temperature display unit (1) for a compartment bottom (2), in particular of a refrigeration device. Said unit comprises an attachment section, which is adapted to the shape of a front strip (15) of the compartment bottom (2), and a display area (3), in which the temperature values are displayed variably during operation. According to the invention, the temperature display unit (1) is further developed by a profiled suspension section (5), serving as an attachment section, which can be suspended from the front strip (15) of the compartment bottom (2).

Description

TEMPERATURAAN EIGEVORTRICHTUNG FOR A FLOOR OF A REFRIGERATOR

The invention relates to a clip-on temperature indicator device for a

Shelf, in particular a refrigerator, with a mounting portion which is adapted to the shape of a front strip of the shelf, and with a display area in which temperature values are displayed variable during operation.

Storage systems, such as shelves or refrigerators, have several beside and / or stacked shelves. Refrigeration appliances are used for the storage of food and beverages within a certain

Temperature range are longer lasting. In particular, in wine storage cabinets, care is taken to ensure that the wines are stored at precisely defined temperatures, so that the wine remains stable and can be consumed at the optimum temperature. Temperature display devices of the type mentioned give a user at any time, under what temperatures the stored objects are kept. A temperature indicating device is offered under the name "shelf thermometer" by A S Vestfrost of Esbjerg, Denmark. It consists of an opaque matt black housing that can be plugged from the front on a front bar of a wine rack. To firmly clamp the housing to the front panel, the mounting portion has four clamping springs, each of which encompass two of the top and two from the bottom of the front panel up to the rear edge. The temperature is indicated by a black one

Liquid crystal display with gray opaque display background.

The temperature indicator is not suitable for all types of shelves, because its clamping width is limited and does not fit on any shelf. It harmonizes only partially with the valued appearance of a wine storage cabinet, the

For example, in the public area of a high-class restaurant is set up.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved temperature indicator for shelves, in particular a refrigeration device. Under a refrigeration device is in particular a household refrigeration appliance understood, ie a refrigeration appliance for household management in households or possibly in the

Catering area is used, and in particular serves to store food and / or drinks in household quantities at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a fridge-freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

The object is achieved by a temperature display device according to claim 1. Accordingly, a temperature indicator device of the type mentioned according to the invention on a hooking profile as a mounting portion, which can be suspended on the front panel of the shelf. The suspension profile comprises a section which surrounds the front strip or another front section only on its upper side and partially engages behind. The invention thus turns away from the clamping attaching a temperature indicator by pushing on the front panel and replaces it by a hook. As a result, the attachment to the front panel of their vertical dimensions is independent, because it does not surround the front panel, but is only placed on its top. The suspension profile can be both a continuous profile in the transverse direction as well as interrupted, so only partially, namely be formed in at least one Einhängebereich as a profile.

Preferably, the temperature display device has an at least partially transparent and / or translucent display area. Particularly preferably, the entire display area, with the exception of the information to be displayed, is itself transparent or translucent. The display contributes - especially in a completely transparent design - in the appearance of the shelf barely on. The shelf thus remains visible at least through parts of the display area; Its color can even be used as a background contrast for the displayed

Temperature information serve. Overall, this creates an unobtrusive impression of the temperature display device, which does not disturb both a possibly valuable appearance and also brings the temperature display device itself particularly advantage.

For variable display of the temperature values in the display area different display technologies can be used, for example the projection of Display information with the display area as a projection screen. As a particularly advantageous because economical in energy consumption and thus without disturbing

Heat radiation, have liquid crystal displays or

Electroluminescent devices have proven in the display area. Liquid crystal displays have been known and proven for many years. They are inexpensive to manufacture and operate, economical and low maintenance. The electroluminescence technology allows, in addition to black or gray displays, colored and luminous

To achieve display effects. It can be aesthetically very good in that

As a rule, electroluminescent devices are produced by printing technology and consist of a plurality of very thin layers arranged one above the other on a substrate, which together produce a (optionally locally selectively) controllable luminaire. The printing technology implementation offers the advantage that in advance possible color combinations can be specified. The selective

Controllability, on the other hand, makes it possible to make full use of the possible color combinations - for example by activating differently colored, superimposed luminescent layers. It creates the possibility of novel animation effects that are not intrusive yet.

Electroluminescent devices such as liquid crystal displays also offer the possibility of completely transparent or translucent design if their display function is not activated. The advertisement appears from nowhere, so to speak.

The suspension profile is preferably arranged in the direction of attachment above the display area. The profile thus completes the temperature indicator upwards. Above all, the display area does not face upwards, where it would disturb the loading or unloading of the shelf. The temperature indicator is easy to hook in from above or remove upwards again. The display area is located on or below the front panel, where it least hinders a user in terms of space, such as when loading the shelf with wine bottles. If the display area is located on the front panel, the advantageous additional effect of contrast formation and better readability resulting from the background of the front panel results in the case of transparent or translucent displays. In addition to the display function of temperature values, the invention is used

Temperature display device preferably also the determination of the temperatures to be displayed. This is the easiest way to ensure that the

Temperature reading refers to a temperature measured locally in the area of the temperature display device, from which a user at least implicitly emanates. A temperature measuring device required for this purpose is preferably arranged in the suspension profile. Namely, the observer's attention is on the display area, so that the arrangement of the temperature measuring device outside the display area reduces its potentially optically disturbing effect. This is most effectively done by their invisible arrangement. Therefore, the temperature measuring device is particularly preferably positioned in a region which is not visible from a user side, for example in the rear attachment area that runs through the front side of the device

Tray is covered. The same applies to a power supply unit, for example a battery for supplying the display area and / or the

Temperature measuring device.

In order to underline the aesthetic impression of the temperature display device, it may be advantageous to make the suspension profile at least partially opaque, so that it stands out from the display area, which is so preferably transparent or translucent. This also has the effect that a larger area is available, in which functional elements such as a power supply unit and / or a

Temperature measuring device can be accommodated concealed. Accordingly, the suspension profile in areas of a power supply unit and / or a

Temperature measuring device is opaque. The invention also includes a shelf, in particular a refrigeration device, with a front strip and a hinged invention on the front panel

Temperature indicator. A particularly compact and valuable impression arises in such a shelf when the dimensions, especially the height of the front bar corresponds approximately to the display area of the temperature display device. Accordingly, the invention also includes the use of a temperature display device according to the invention for the temperature display on a front panel of a

Shelf, in particular a refrigerator. The principle of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing by way of example. In the drawing show:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a

temperature indicating device according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a shelf and the

Temperature display device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same shelf, wherein the same

Temperature indicator is attached to it.

FIG. 1 shows a temperature display device 1 with a display area 3 and with a hook-in profile 5 as a mounting section. The display area 3 is flush with the suspension profile 5 and consists of a rectangular transparent

Plexiglass window. It shows printed non-variable information 9, here the abbreviated indication "Temp" to the display of a temperature and "° C", and changeable information 1 1, namely the temperature value "10" and a bar graph, which are represented by a liquid crystal display. The suspension profile 5 is opaque and has the cross section of a downwardly open edged "U" with a front, slender leg 4 and a rear, wider leg 6, which are connected by a connecting portion 10 along each one of its edges. In the front leg 4, a temperature measuring device 7 is integrated. It provides the display of the changeable information 1 1. In the rear leg 6 is a power supply unit (not shown) with a battery for the electrical supply of the display and the temperature measuring device. 7

accommodated. Due to the opacity of the suspension profile 5 are neither the

Temperature measuring device 7 still the battery for a user visible. The suspension profile 5 has an outer height h-1 on both legs 4, 6 and an internal width bi in the cavity 8 enclosed by the "U." The downwards opening of the "U" defines the suspension direction of the temperature indicator device 1 the display area 3 is arranged below the suspension profile 5 in the direction of suspension. The display area 3 has an outer height h ₂ . The two outer heights h-1 and h ₂ add up the total height h _{3 of} the temperature display device 1.

Due to the wider design of the rear leg 6 and the arrangement of the battery in the leg 6, the center of gravity of the display device 1 is approximately in the middle of the connecting portion 10. It is thus largely resistant to tipping.

FIG. 2 shows, in addition to the temperature indicator device 1 according to FIG. 1, a single shelf 2 of a wine storage cabinet. Its surface form several with one

Distance parallel to each other extending floor strips 19, which are bounded on a front side by a perpendicular to its longitudinal extension front strip 15. On its upper side, the front strip 15 has a trim panel 17. It has a depth b ₂ , and a height h ₆ . The height h _{4 of} the front strip 15 is about three times greater than the height h _{5 of} the bottom strips 19. The front strip 15 extends upright and is therefore both up and down on the bottom strips 19 via.

FIG. 3 shows the temperature indicator device 1 in an operating position on the shelf 2, in which it is hung on the upper side of the front strip 15 of the shelf 2. Since the internal width bi of the suspension profile 5 (FIG. 1) is equal to the depth b _{2 of} the front strip 15, the suspension profile 5 rests flush on the front strip 15 on three sides. A hanging in shelves with thinner front panel would also be possible because the

Temperature display device 1 due to their central center of gravity in the region of the suspension profile 5 is not prone to tipping.

The outer height h-1 of the suspension profile 5 (FIG. 1) corresponds approximately to the height h _{6 of} the trim panel 17, so that the transparent display area 3 is positioned below the trim panel 17 and its displays contrast with the background of the material of the front panel 15. The height h _{4 of} the front strip 15 is greater than the total height h _{3 of} the temperature display device 1 (Figure 1), so that it does not project downwards. The temperature indicator 1 is also suitable for a shelf whose height h _{4 of} the front panel 15 is larger. The temperature indicator 1 is thus largely independent of the height h _{4 of} the front panel 15 can be used. As is the case with the previous one, described in detail

Temperature indicator device is an embodiment, as well as in the described shelf, they can be modified in a conventional manner by those skilled in a wide range, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the concrete embodiments of the suspension profile can also follow in a different form than described here. Likewise, the display area can be configured in another form, if this is necessary for reasons of space or designerischen reasons. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "on" or "one" does not exclude that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 temperature display device

2 shelves

3 display area

4 first leg

5 hook profile

6 second leg

7 temperature measuring device

8 cavity

9 non-variable information

10 connection area

1 1 changeable information

15 front panel

17 trim

19 floor strips bi inside width

b ₂ depth

hi, h ₂ , h ₃ , h ₄ , h ₅ , h ₆ heights

Claims

1. Attachable temperature indicator (1) for a shelf (2),

in particular a refrigerator, with a mounting portion, which is adapted to the shape of a front strip (15) of the shelf (2), and with a

Display area (3), in which temperature values are variably displayed during operation, characterized by a hook-in profile (5) as a mounting section, which can be suspended on the front strip (15) of the shelf (2).

2. Temperature display device according to claim 1, characterized by a

at least partially transparent and / or translucent display area (3).

3. Temperature display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a liquid crystal display and / or a Elektrolumineszenzvornchtung in the display area (3).

4. Temperature display device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized by a positioning of the suspension profile (5) in the direction of attachment above the display area (3).

5. Temperature display device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized by a temperature measuring device (7) in the suspension profile (5).

6. Temperature display device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized by a power supply unit in the suspension profile (5).

7. Temperature display device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized by an at least partially opaque suspension profile (5).

8. Temperature display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension profile (5) in areas of a power supply unit and / or a

Temperature measuring device (7) is opaque. Shelf (2), in particular a refrigeration device, with a front strip (15) and a temperature indicator device (1) mounted on the front strip (15) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

0. Use of a temperature display device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for the temperature display on a front strip (15) of a shelf (2), in particular a refrigerator.