WO2012123245A2

WO2012123245A2 - Door, in particular for a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2012123245A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/053306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Schmid; Ralf Spiller
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2011-03-17
Filing date: 2012-02-28
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: DE102011014285A1; WO2012123245A3

Abstract

In the case of a door (2), in particular for a refrigerator (1), a handle shell (5) is integrated into a door panel (3). The handle shell (5) comprises a profiled piece (7), the end sides of which are covered by respective end caps (8, 9).

Description

Door, in particular for a refrigeration device

The invention relates to a door, in particular for a refrigeration device, with a door panel and a handle integrated into the door panel.

Conventional refrigerators have on their door or on their doors on a handle for opening the door, which is attached, for example, depending on a door opening direction or a door stop on the right or the left side of the door. When changing a door stop, it may therefore be necessary to change a position of the handle. In some cases it may be necessary to seek after-sales service.

It is also possible to integrate a one-piece handle in the respective door, so that no protruding parts are present on the door. With different door widths, however, it is necessary to produce handles in different lengths. Therefore, in conventional doors, for each possible or intended door width, a separate one-piece handle of suitable length is made, for example by means of a respective injection mold for each of the required lengths. The production cost therefore increases with the number of different door widths.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved concept for a door design, in particular a refrigeration device.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous forms of further education are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea that a handle shell as a handle for a door in several parts, in particular three parts, can be executed, namely by a profile piece and end caps, which cover the ends of the profile piece. The end caps can be made equal for different door widths and thus are in particular independent of the door width. The profile piece can be easily manufactured and adapted to a necessary length for a given door width. For example, the profile piece can first be made as an elongated profile of any length and finally shortened to the required length. Here is the example Making the elongated profile again regardless of a door width. Accordingly, the effort in the manufacture of the handle shell and also during storage of the handle shell or the individual parts of the handle shell can be reduced. The profile piece and / or the end caps are for example made of plastic or comprise plastic.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a door, in particular for a refrigeration device, with a door panel and a handle integrated into the door panel. The grip includes a profile piece, which is covered at the end with one end cap.

Accordingly, a length of the handle shell by varying the length of the profile piece can be easily adapted to a width of the door or the door panel.

The grip can be arranged, for example, on an upper side of the door or on an underside of the door. In particular, the grip can be arranged horizontally on the door. Accordingly, the flexibility in the design of the door is increased.

According to one embodiment, the profile piece forms a trough. The door can thus be opened by intervention in the trough. According to a further embodiment, the profile piece on the longitudinal side on a flat edge region, which is flush with an edge of the door panel. By the edge region, for example, an edge of the door or the door panel is defined. For example, in a depression through the profile piece, the trough does not extend over the entire thickness of the door or the door panel. This can result in an improved visual impression.

According to a further embodiment, the profile piece over the entire length of the same cross-section. Accordingly, such a profile piece can be produced with little effort.

According to a further embodiment, the end caps are attached to the profile piece. Accordingly, the end caps can be mounted on the profile piece, so that the handle shell, which includes the profile piece and the end caps, as a component, in particular a one-piece component can be used. In various embodiments, the end caps may have the same shape. Accordingly, on both sides of the profile piece similar or

uniform end caps are used. In addition, it is possible that the end caps have a mutually symmetrical shape. This can be the case for uniform end caps, but also for end caps, which are only suitable for one side of the profile piece. In particular, the grip can accordingly be shaped so that it is provided for a particular installation direction in the integration into the door panel. Due to the symmetrical shape of the end caps, for example, the shape of the

Profile piece can be kept simple, and in particular a same cross-section over the entire length of the profile piece can be made possible.

According to a further embodiment, the end caps have a fixing element for fastening the handle shell to the door panel. For example, in the

End caps locking nipple provided which fix the end caps and the handle shell in the door panel. It is also possible that the end caps have a screw connection or a bore for a screw connection, via which a fixation of the handle shell in the door panel is made possible.

According to a further embodiment, the profile piece is produced by an extrusion process. For example, an elongated profile is extruded, which in

Dependence of a desired door width is cut to a predetermined length. For example, pieces of desired length are cut from the extruded profile to obtain the profile piece of the appropriate length. Accordingly, the same extruded profile can be used for different desired door widths, which is easily brought to the desired length.

According to another embodiment, the end caps are by a

Injection molding process. For example, the end caps are adapted in shape to a contour of the door panel and to a cross section of the profile piece.

In particular, if the contour of the door panel in the edge areas is the same for different door widths, it may be sufficient to have one or two different ones

To use injection molds for the end caps. In particular, a single injection mold may be sufficient if the end caps have the same shape. If the end caps have a different shape for a right cover and a left one Have cover of the profile piece, but satisfy two different

Injection molds for the end caps.

With the embodiments described above, for example, a savings potential can be achieved in tools that are necessary for the manufacture and installation of the doors. Due to the three-part of the handle shell and a special visual impression can be achieved, for example, for identification purposes or pointers. In particular, the individual parts can be separated from each other in color. For example, the two end caps are made with a different color than the profile piece.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a refrigeration device with at least one door according to one of the previously described embodiments. In particular, doors with door panel are suitable as doors for refrigerators.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a door, in particular for a refrigeration device. In this case, a door panel is formed. Further, a handle shell is formed by a profile piece is covered end, each with an end cap. The handle shell is integrated into the door panel.

Accordingly, in a simple and flexible manner, a door can be made with a handle shell, which acts as a handle for the door. In particular, the grip is formed, for example, before integrating into the door panel.

Various embodiments of the method will become apparent from the previously described embodiments of the door. In particular, the profile piece can be produced by an extrusion process. For example, the profile piece is formed by cutting an extruded profile. The end caps can be produced for example by an injection molding process. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a refrigeration device. Thereby, a door with a method according to one of the above

produced embodiments. The door is mounted on the 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.

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 shows an embodiment of a refrigerator with a door, a detail view of an embodiment of a door, an embodiment of a handle shell, and a sectional view of an embodiment of a profile piece.

1 shows an embodiment of a refrigerator 1 with a door 2. The door 2 has inter alia a door panel 3, which additional, not shown here,

Coverings or the like may include. At an upper side or upper edge of the door 2, a handle shell 5 is integrated or mounted in the door panel 3. The grip 5 comprises a profile piece 7, which is arranged centrally between two end caps 8, 9.

In particular, cover the end caps 8, 9, the respective ends of the profile piece 7. The door 2 is mounted on a housing 1 1 of the refrigerator 1. Fittings or hinges for fixing the door 2 to the housing 1 1 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

The grip 5 is formed in the illustrated embodiment with at least three parts. The end caps 8, 9 are adapted in shape to a shape of the edge regions of the door panel 3. The profile piece 7 extends at least predominantly in a straight running part of the edge of the door panel 3. In particular, a length of the profile piece 7 is adapted to a width of the door 2 and the door panel. 3

In the production of various models of a refrigerator, in particular with different door widths, therefore, a handle shell can be produced in a simple manner, which is suitable for the respective door width of the model. This is especially in simple manner possible if the edge portions of the door panel of different width doors are shaped the same, and thereby the end caps 8, 9 can be used regardless of the door width in different models. In this case, it is therefore sufficient to use a respective profile piece with longitudinally the same cross section and only adapted length.

In the illustration of Figure 2, the door 2 is shown in an exploded view. It can be seen that the door panel 3 forms a profile at its upper edge, which can accommodate the handle shell 5. Furthermore, it can be seen that the end caps 8, 9 are attachable to the profile piece 7. The profile piece 7 has the same cross section over the entire length.

In a detail view of the handle shell 5, which is shown in Figure 3, it can be further seen that the profile piece 7 forms a trough 13, which can be intervened to open the door or close. Edge regions 15, 17 of the profile piece 7 are formed flat. In particular, the flat edge regions 15, 17 are designed such that, when installed, they are flush with the edge of the door panel 3 or almost flush, as far as manufacturing tolerances permit. The end caps 8, 9 have a mutually different shape in this embodiment, so that in the present case, the end cap 8, for example, only for a left side and the end cap 9 only for a right side of the handle 5 are suitable. However, the end caps 8, 9 are designed symmetrically in shape to each other. However, in alternative embodiments, the end caps 8, 9 may also be configured to have the same shape and thereby each of the end caps may be used both as a left end cap and a right end cap. As a result, the production costs can be further reduced.

The end caps 8, 9 also have in the illustrated embodiment

Fixing elements 19, 21, which serve for mounting or for securing the handle shell to the door panel 3. For example, the fixing elements 19, 21 form a screw or a clamping connection with the door panel 3. The end caps 8, 9 are fixed by attaching to the profile piece 7 on this, so that after a Placing the individual parts 7, 8, 9 together, the resulting handle shell 5 can be further processed as a single workpiece.

4 shows a sectional view of a profile piece 7. Here, the trough 13 formed in the profile piece 7 and the flat, in particular upwards,

Edge regions 15, 17 can be seen. Below the edge regions 15, 17 are

Guide rails 23, 25 are provided, which among other things to stabilize the profile piece 7 act, but can also enable a positive connection with the door panel 3.

Since the profile piece 7 has the same cross section over the entire length, it is possible to produce the profile piece with an extrusion process. In such an extrusion, for example, plastics or other viscous curable materials such as rubber or bioplastics are pressed through a specially shaped die in a continuous process. This creates bodies with the cross section of the nozzle in any length. Accordingly, for the production of a door 2 according to one of the embodiments shown above or the production of a corresponding handle shell 5, initially an elongated extruded profile can be produced. The extruded profile is then cut or brought to a length which is adapted to the width of the respective door 2 and the door panel 3. Thus, the extruded profile can be used for profile pieces 7 of any length or doors 2 any width. As a result, the effort in the production of the handles, especially for similar doors of different width, reduced. If the profile piece is made of a metallic material, as an alternative to the extrusion method, a continuous casting method or an extrusion method for producing an elongate profile can be used, which then forms a profile piece 7 by cutting to length.

The end caps are manufactured, for example, by an injection molding process. With identical shapes of the end caps for both ends of the profile piece 7, which are independent of a width of the door 2 and the door panel 3, it may therefore be sufficient to provide only one injection molding tool for all identical types doors of different widths. If right and left end caps differ, two can Injection molds or injection molds are sufficient to produce the end caps for all identical construction doors of different widths.

The finished end caps 8, 9 are attached to the deflected profile piece 7 and form with this the handle shell 5. The handle shell 5 is then mounted or integrated into the separately produced or molded door panel 3.

In the manufacture of a piece of furniture, in particular a refrigeration device 1, the door 2 is mounted with the integrated handle 5 on the housing 1 1 of the refrigerator 1.

In various embodiments, the handle shell 5 deviating from the illustrated embodiments may also be attached to an underside of the door 2. An attachment to the top and bottom of a door is possible, for example, as the end strip on an underside of the door. A door in one of the illustrated

Embodiments can also be used for other pieces of furniture as refrigerators.

The end caps 8, 9 and the profile piece 7 can be the same, but also

colored in different colors. This makes it possible, for example, an optical design of the door or the piece of furniture, in particular refrigeration device to achieve, for example, to identify a door stop or the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

The refrigerator

door

door panel

grip

profile piece

, 9 end cap

1 housing

3 trough

5, 17 border area

9, 21 fixing element

guide rail

Claims

Door (2), in particular for a refrigeration appliance (1), with a door panel (3) and a handle shell (5) integrated in the door panel (3),

characterized in that the handle shell (5) comprises a profile piece (7) which is covered at the end with one end cap (8, 9).

Door (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle shell (5) is arranged on an upper side of the door (2) or on an underside of the door (2), in particular horizontally.

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile piece (7) forms a trough (13).

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile piece (7) has a flat edge region (15, 17) along the longitudinal side, which terminates flush with an edge of the door panel (3).

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile piece (7) over the entire length has the same cross-section.

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end caps (8, 9) are attached to the profile piece (7).

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end caps (8, 9) have the same shape.

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end caps (8, 9) have a mutually symmetrical shape.

Door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end caps (8, 9) have a fixing element (19, 21) for fastening the handle shell (5) to the door panel (3).

10. door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile piece (7) and / or the end caps (8, 9) are formed of plastic or comprise plastic.

11. door (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile piece (7) is made by an extrusion process.

12. door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end caps (8, 9) are made by an injection molding process.

13. Refrigerating appliance (1) with at least one door according to one of the preceding claims.

14. A method for producing a door (2), in particular for a refrigeration device (1), in which a door panel (3) is formed, a handle shell (5) is formed, and the handle shell (5) integrated into the door panel (3) becomes,

characterized in that for forming the handle shell (5) a profile piece (7) is covered at the end with one end cap (8, 9).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the handle shell (5) is formed prior to integrating into the door panel.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the

End caps (8, 9) are attached to the profile piece.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the profile piece (7) and / or the end caps (8, 9) are formed from plastic or plastic.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the profile piece (7) is produced by an extrusion process.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the profile piece (7) is formed by cutting an extruded profile.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the end caps (8, 9) are produced by an injection molding process.

21. A method for producing a refrigeration device (1), wherein a door (2) is produced by a method according to one of claims 14 to 20, and the door (2) to the refrigeration device (1) is mounted.