WO2011154425A2

WO2011154425A2 - A refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2011154425A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/059432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu; Ersin Donmez
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2010-06-08
Filing date: 2011-06-08
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: PL2580549T3; ES2523384T3; EP2580549B1; WO2011154425A3; EP2580549A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2), at least one opening (3) disposed on the body (2), two doors (4, 5) supported from one of their sides to the side walls of the body (2) to cover the opening (3) and to stand side by side when closed, an protrusion (13) disposed on the inner surface of the first door (4), at least one bearing (6) disposed at the region where the doors (4, 5) join at the upper and/or lower wall of the body (2) facing the opening (3), a mullion (7) disposed on the first door (4), having at least one pin (8) disposed at the lower and/or upper end thereof, making rotational movement around the axis at which it is connected to the first door (4) by the pin (8) going in and out of the bearing (6) during the opening/closing movement of the first door (4) and leak-proofingly covering the region between the doors (4, 5) when both doors (4, 5) are closed and a bearing surface (10) disposed on the protrusion (13) and facing the second door (5) when the doors (4, 5) are closed, and the doors (4, 5) of which are prevented from remaining open without the intention of the user.

Description

A REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates to a refrigerator the door of which is prevented from remaining open unintentionally.

In refrigerators comprising doors next to each other and named as “side-by-side”, the doors are used which are arranged side-by-side, which cover the opening on the body, which are mounted to the body so as to rotate around the vertical axis by one of them being hinged from its left side and the other from its right side. The doors disposed on the right and left cover a single compartment, for example the freshfood compartment, which is accessed into by means of the opening. When the doors are closed, the doors press on the frame around the opening and leak-proofing is provided by the gaskets between the door and the frame. In order to provide leak-proofing between the end to end sides of the two doors, mullions are used which rotate around the axis at which they are connected to the door, by going in and out of the bearing, connected to one of the doors and situated on one of the top or bottom sides of the frame facing the opening. When both doors are closed, the mullion provides insulation of the cooling volume by forming a surface against which the gaskets bear.

When the door is open, the mullion bears against the side of the door to which it is connected and while the door is being closed, the mullion forms a surface against which the other door bears by rotating 90 degrees in the bearing. While the door is being opened, the mullion returns to its initial position wherein it bears against the side of the door to which it is connected by again rotating 90 degrees in the bearing. During the opening of the door, the mullion sometimes rotates and does not bear against the side of the door. This situation causes the doors not to be completely closed by preventing the mullion from being guided into the bearing when the door is desired to be closed again and causes the mullion to produce noise upon hitting the door. The doors not being closed completely both increases energy consumption and also causes the foodstuffs inside the body to deteriorate more quickly.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator the door of which is prevented from remaining open except for the intention of the user.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the claims comprises two doors, a first door and a second door, covering the opening on the body, disposed side by side, mounted to the body by one of them being hinged from its left side, the other from its right side and a mullion mounted on the first door, providing leak-proofing between the doors when the doors are closed. A pin is disposed at least at one end of the mullion and the mullion is provided to move within the bearing orbit by the pin being guided into the bearing disposed at the region where both doors join at the lower and/or upper wall of the body facing the opening. By means of the movement of the pin in the bearing, the mullion performs an almost 90 degrees rotational movement with respect to the first door. The refrigerator, furthermore, comprises a protrusion disposed on the inner surface of the first door, a bearing surface disposed on the protrusion and facing the second door when the doors are closed and an absorber attached to the mullion or the bearing surface so as to remain between the bearing surface and the mullion when the first door is open.

During the opening of the first door, the kinetic energy of the mullion is absorbed by the absorber. Remaining between the mullion and the bearing surface during the opening of the first door, the absorber prevents the mullion from swinging open by hitting the bearing surface with the kinetic force generated by the rotational movement of the mullion. Thus, the problems such as the pin not being guided into the bearing when the first door is desired to be closed again, etc. are avoided and the doors are prevented from remaining open unintentionally.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorber is disposed onto the mullion. The absorber moves together with the mullion during the opening/closing of the first door. The absorber remaining between the bearing surface and the mullion when the first door is open, faces the opening by rotating together with the mullion during the closing of the first door. The absorber hits the bearing surface first during the opening of the first door and the kinetic energy of the mullion is absorbed by the absorber at this time. Thus, the mullion is prevented from returning to the position it is in when the first door is closed by preventing the mullion from quick recoiling due to the effect of hitting. Moreover, by means of the elastic structure of the absorber, undesired sounds such as noise, etc. are prevented during hitting the first door.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorber is attached all along to the wall of the mullion facing the bearing surface when the first door is open. Thus, the capacity of the absorber to absorb kinetic energy on the mullion during the opening of the first door is increased and the assembly of the absorber onto the mullion is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the absorber is disposed on the bearing surface. During the opening of the first door, the mullion hits the absorber. The mullion is prevented from recoiling by its kinetic energy being absorbed during the hitting.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a magnet is disposed on the absorber and a plate produced from metal on the bearing surface. During the opening of the first door, the absorber is provided to remain between the mullion and the bearing surface by means of the magnetic attraction force generated between the magnet and the plate. The generated magnetic force prevents the mullion from rotating by swinging open.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a magnet disposed on the bearing surface and a plate on the absorber. By means of the magnetic effect generated between the magnet and the plate, when the first door is open, the absorber is provided to hold onto the mullion and the bearing surface so as to remain between the mullion and the bearing surface. Thus, the mullion is prevented from recoiling by swinging open during the opening of the first door.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnet is in strip form. Thus, the magnet is easily mounted onto the absorber or the bearing surface which are almost in a planar form.

By means of the present invention and the absorber, the problem of the mullion swinging open by hitting the first door at a high speed during the opening of the first door is eliminated. Thus, the pin is prevented from not guiding into the bearing during the closing of the first door and the problems such as the doors remaining ajar unintentionally are eliminated.

A refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of the refrigerator when both doors are open.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of some portion of the refrigerator when both doors are open.

Figure 3 – is the top partial cross-sectional view of the refrigerator when both doors are closed.

Figure 4 – is the perspective view of a mullion and an absorber relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the top cross-sectional view of a mullion and an absorber relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the top cross-sectional view of a mullion and an absorber when the first door relating to an embodiment of the present invention is open.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Body
Opening
First door
Second door
Bearing
Mullion
Pin
Absorber
Bearing surface
Magnet
Plate
Protrusion

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2), an opening (3) disposed on the body (2), two doors (4, 5) supported from one of their sides to the side walls of the body (2) to cover the opening (3) and to stand side by side when closed (Figure 1).

The refrigerator (1), furthermore, comprises an protrusion (13) disposed on the inner surface of the first door (4), at least one bearing (6) disposed at the region where the doors (4, 5) join at the lower and/or upper wall of the body (2) facing the opening (3), a mullion (7) disposed on the first door (4), having at least one pin (8) disposed at the lower and/or upper end thereof, making rotational movement around the axis at which it is connected to the first door (4) by the pin (8) going in and out of the bearing (6) during the opening/closing movement of the first door (4) and air leak-proofingly covering the region between the doors (4, 5) when both doors (4, 5) are closed and a bearing surface (10) disposed on the protrusion (13) and facing the second door (5) when the doors (4, 5) are closed (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3).

The mullion (7) is mounted onto the first door (4) such that the pin (8) at the end thereof is seated into the bearing (6) during the opening/closing movement of the first door (4). The mullion (7) extends along the bearing surface (10) when the first door (4) is closed. The pin (8) moves forward in the bearing (6) by entering into the bearing (6) during the closing of the first door (4). In the meantime, the mullion (7) performs a rotational movement together with the pin (8) with respect to the first door (4). The mullion (7) rotates from the first door (4) towards the second door (5) during the closing of the first door (4). Thus, the mullion (7) forms a surface against which the second door (5) bears when closed. When both doors (4, 5) are closed, the mullion (7) covers all along the region between the doors (4, 5) (Figure 3).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention, furthermore comprises an absorber (9) attached to the mullion (7) or the bearing surface (10) so as to remain between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7) (Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6).

The absorber (9) is attached to the bearing surface (10) or the first door (4) so as to remain between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7) when the first door (4) is open. The pin (8) dislodges from the bearing (6) by moving inside the bearing (6) while the first door (4) is being opened. The mullion (7) rotates almost 90 degrees such that the absorber (9) remains between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7) by the movement of the pin (8) inside the bearing (6) (Figure 6). The absorber (9) prevents the mullion (7) from swinging open by hitting the bearing surface (10) by absorbing the kinetic energy generated from the movement of the mullion (7). Thus, problems that may arise in the guiding of the pin (8) into the bearing (6) while the first door (4) is being closed are prevented. Thus, the doors (4, 5) are prevented from remaining open except the intention of the user. Accordingly, both the increase in energy consumption of the refrigerator (1) is prevented and also the foodstuffs are provided to be kept fresh for a longer period of time.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorber (9) is disposed on the mullion (7) and comes to the position of facing the opening (3) when the first door (4) is closed by rotating together with the mullion (7) during the closing of the first door (4) (Figure 5 and Figure 6). The absorber (9) is attached to the surface of the mullion (7) so as to remain between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7) when the first door (4) is open. The absorber (9) is positioned between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7) by rotating almost 90 degrees together with the mullion (7) while the first door (4) is being opened. The absorber (9) hits the bearing surface (10) while the first door (4) is being opened. At this time, the kinetic energy generated due to the movement of the mullion (7) inside the bearing (6) is absorbed by the absorber (9). The mullion (7) is prevented from swinging open by hitting the bearing surface (10) since the momentum of the mullion (7) is decreased by the absorber (9) absorbing the kinetic energy. Moreover, since the absorber (9) has an elastic structure, undesired noises such as sound, etc. are prevented from occurring during the absorber (9) hitting the bearing surface (10).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorber (9) is attached lengthwise the wall of the mullion (7) facing the bearing surface (10) when the first door (4) is open (Figure 4). Thus, the capacity of the absorber (9) to absorb kinetic energy occurring on the mullion (7) during the opening of the first door (4) is increased and the assembly of the absorber (9) onto the mullion (7) is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the absorber (9) is disposed on the bearing surface (10). During the opening of the first door (4), the mullion (7) moves and rotates almost 90 degrees and hits the absorber (9). During the hitting, the kinetic energy of the mullion (7) gains by means of the rotational movement it performs during the opening of the first door (4) is absorbed by the absorber (9). Thus, the mullion (7) is prevented from swinging open again.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a magnet (11) disposed on the absorber (9) and a plate (12) produced from metal disposed on the bearing surface (10). During the rotational movement of the mullion (7) towards the bearing surface (10) during the opening of the first door (4), the absorber (9) is provided to hold onto the bearing surface (10) by means of the magnetic effect generated between the magnet (11) and the plate (12) (Figure 6). Thus, the absorber (9) remaining between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7) when the first door (4) is open is guaranteed by means of the magnetic force generated by the magnet (11). Moreover, by means of the magnet (11), since the absorber (9) fills the region between the mullion (7) and the bearing surface (10) such that there remains no space, a more esthetic appearance is obtained.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a magnet (11) disposed on the bearing surface (10) and a plate (12) disposed on the absorber (9). By means of the magnet (11) and the plate (12) pair, a magnetic attraction force is generated between the bearing surface (10) and the absorber (9) when the first door (4) is open. By means of the said magnetic force, the mullion (7) is prevented from recoiling during the opening of the first door (4) by providing the absorber (9) to remain between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnet (11) is in strip form (Figure 6). Thus, the magnet (11) is easily mounted onto the absorber (9) or the bearing surface (10) which are almost in a planar form.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the absorber (9) is a bellows-shaped gasket (Figure 5 and Figure 6).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the absorber (9) is of sponge.

In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the mullion (7) is prevented from swinging open by hitting the first door (4) by means of the absorber (9) remaining between the mullion (7) and the bearing surface (10) during the opening of the first door (4). Thus, the problem of the pin (8) not guiding into the bearing (6) during the closing of the first door (4) is eliminated and the doors (4, 5) are prevented from remaining ajar unintentionally. Consequently, the problems that might occur such as unnecessary energy consumption and fast deterioration of foodstuffs by the door (4) remaining open are prevented.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to 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

A refrigerator (1) comprising - a body (2), - at least one opening (3) situated on the body (2), - two doors (4, 5) supported from one of their sides to the side walls of the body (2) to cover the opening (3) and to stand side by side when closed, - a protrusion (13) disposed on the inner surface of the first door (4), - at least one bearing (6) situated at the lower and/or upper wall of the body (2) facing the opening (3) at the point where the doors (4, 5) join when closed, - a mullion (7) disposed on the first door (4), having at least one pin (8) disposed at the lower and/or upper end thereof, making rotational movement around the axis at which it is connected to the first door (4) by the pin (8) going in and out of the bearing (6) during the opening/closing movement of the first door (4) and air leak-proofingly covering the region between the doors (4, 5) when both doors (4, 5) are closed - a bearing surface (10) disposed on the protrusion (13) and facing the second door (5) when the doors (4, 5) are closed, - characterized by - an absorber (9) attached to the mullion (7) or the bearing surface (10) so as to remain between the bearing surface (10) and the mullion (7).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the absorber (9) disposed on the mullion (7), coming to the position of facing the opening (3) when the first door (4) is closed by rotating together with the mullion (7) during the closing of the first door (4).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the absorber (9) attached lengthwise the mullion (7) wall facing the bearing surface (10) when the first door (4) is open.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the absorber (9) disposed on the bearing surface (10).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by a magnet (11) disposed on the absorber (9) and a plate (12) produced from metal disposed on the bearing surface (10).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by a magnet (11) disposed on the bearing surface (10) and a plate (12) disposed on the absorber (9).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by the strip-shaped magnet (11).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the absorber (9) which is a bellows-shaped gasket.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims 1 to 7, characterized by the absorber (9) which is of sponge.