WO2013098257A1

WO2013098257A1 - A cooling device comprising a height adjustable shelf

Info

Publication number: WO2013098257A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/076718
Authority: WO
Inventors: Faik Emre Ozyuksel; Erhan Ilhan Konukseven; Tuna BALKAN; Umud Yazgan; Birol Konak; Serkan TARCIN
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2011-12-30
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2013-07-04
Also published as: TR201113318A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3), at least one shelf (4) whereon the items are placed, that can be at a higher position (P1) and a lower position (P2), at different heights from each other and at least one height adjustment mechanism (5) that provides the height of the shelf (4) to be changed.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING A HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SHELF

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a height adjustment mechanism providing the height of the shelf to be changed.

In cooling devices such as refrigerators and deep freezers the foodstuffs and various containers are placed on the shelves. Depending on the needs of the user, the distance between the two shelves can be required to be adjusted, in other words, the height of the shelf inside the body is required to be changed.

In some cooling devices, channels or rails that extend parallel to each other are disposed on the two opposite side walls of the body so that the height of the shelf can be changed. The user changes the height of the shelf by taking it out from the channels at one level and placing in another pair of channels at the desired level. However, for this operation, the user has to first pull the shelf outwards from the body and push back towards the rear wall of the body after placing it in the channel pair at the desired height level. In order to perform this operation safely, the foodstuffs and containers on the shelf have to be at least partially taken out and to be placed on the shelf again after the operation is completed.

For solving the mentioned problem, in cooling devices shelf mechanisms are used that allow the height of the shelf to be changed by means of different channel structures on the side wall, without entirely taking the shelf out of the body. In most of the mechanisms where motor is not used, the shelf is moved by the user and the shelf remaining parallel to the ground during this motion is left to the initiative of the user. Furthermore, in most of these mechanisms, the shelf moves in the horizontal direction besides the movement in the vertical direction and this causes the items on the shelf to fall even if the shelf remains parallel to the ground. In mechanisms wherein a motor is used, generally actuation cannot be provided by a single motor and problems of synchronization arise. Besides, the components like belt, chain that are used in the mechanisms cause generation of noise during changing the height of the shelf and annoy the user.

In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US20110031863, a cooling device is described, which comprises a shelf, the height of which can be changed. The shelf is seated from two sides onto the pins on the rotating discs disposed on the side wall, and the height of the shelf is adjusted with the rotation of the discs.

In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO03038356, a cooling device is described comprising a shelf that can be located between two horizontal axis, at the lower position and the higher position parallel to the base and an inclined position between these two positions, by means of the movement of the support arms disposed at the sides thereof.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device, wherein the shelf height is provided to be changed without making translatory movement.

The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a height adjustment mechanism that provides the vertical position of the shelf inside the body to be changed. The shelf stands on the shafts that are mounted on the opposite support members in a movable manner. The shafts follow a semicircular arc shaped path on the support member. The detent means that are disposed on the shaft eliminate the component of the shelf movement in the horizontal direction by moving inside the channels at the lower side of the shelf. Thus, the shelf moves only in the vertical direction and the height is provided to be changed in a more durable and easier manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the shaft is mounted to the support member by means of a rotating means. The arc movement made by the shaft for changing the position of the shelf is provided by the rotating means.

In a version of this embodiment, the rotating means is actuated by the motor. Thus, the user is provided to change the shelf height easily.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is disposed on each lateral side of the shelf. The protrusions are borne in the slot shaped vertical grooves that are arranged on the support member and move downwards/upwards inside the groove during the movement. Thus, the shelf is prevented from moving forwards/backwards and the motion is limited in the vertical direction.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotating means is a gearwheel. Thus, the rotating means is provided to easily establish connection with the other movable components of the height adjustment mechanism. In this embodiment, the shaft is mounted eccentrically to a point close to the side of the rotating means. The position of the shaft on the rotating means can be changed depending on the magnitude of the height difference desired to be formed between the lower position and higher position.

In a version of this embodiment, two rotating means are situated on each support member such that one rotates the front side of the shelf and the other rotates the rear side. In this embodiment, the rotating means are actuated by a worm gear that extends from a motor disposed therebetween. Since the worm gears receive movement from the same motor, there is no problem of synchronization between the rotating means.

In a version of this embodiment, a gap is arranged at the center portion of the rotating means. A stationary gear, with a shaft-shaped handle, the diameter of which is almost the same as this gap, is mounted on the support member by inserting through this gap. The rotating means moves on the handle of the stationary gear. The height adjustment mechanism furthermore comprises a pinion gear disposed on the shaft, that does not rotate on the shaft and moves on the stationary gear while the shelf height is being changed. The pinion gears that are positioned close to opposite ends of the shaft provide the right and left sides of the shelf to move coherently by moving on the stationary gears.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating means is a guide wherein the shaft moves. In this embodiment, the rotating means is shaped almost as a half-ring. The shelf is provided to be utilized effectively since the rotating means does not project from above the support member into the body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shaft is placed on the support member by means of a disc. The rotating means provides the position of the shelf to be changed between the lower position and the higher position by rotating for a half turn in forwards and backwards directions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support member is detachably mounted on the side wall. Thus, the height adjustment mechanism is provided to be also adapted to the cooling devices that are configured such that the shelf height cannot be changed. Furthermore, when required, the height adjustment mechanism can be easily serviced. In addition, the height adjustment mechanism is provided to be easily cleaned easily by the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a recess is arranged on the side wall and the support member is placed into this recess. In this embodiment, the components of the height adjustment mechanism on the support member are positioned to not project from the level of the side wall. Consequently, the width of the shelf becomes almost the same as the distance between the side walls.

By means of the present invention, the height of the shelf inside the body is provided to be changed safely and easily.

The cooling device 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 a cooling device.

Figure 2 – is the partial view of the height adjustment mechanism, the shelf and the body relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism and the shelf relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the partial view of the height adjustment mechanism and the shelf relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the exploded view of the height adjustment mechanism relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the sideways view of the height adjustment mechanism relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 – is the sideways view of the height adjustment mechanism relating to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 – is the sideways view of the height adjustment mechanism relating yet to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooling device
Body
Side wall
Shelf
Height adjustment mechanism
Support member
Shaft
Channel
Detent means
Rotating means
Groove
Protrusion
Motor
Worm gear
Stationary gear
Pinion gear

The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3), at least one shelf (4) whereon the objects are placed, that can be at a higher position (P1) and a lower position (P2), at different heights from each other and at least one height adjustment mechanism (5) that provides the height of the shelf (4) to be changed (Figure 1, Figure 2).

The height adjustment mechanism (5) comprises,

a support member (6) disposed on each of the side walls (3),
at least one shaft (7) mounted from both ends to the opposite support members (6), whereon the shelf (4) is placed and which provides the position of the shelf (4) to be changed between the higher position (P1) and the lower position (P2) by following a circular path on the support member (6),
at least one channel (8) disposed on the bottom surface of the shelf (4) that extends almost all along the shelf (4) and
a detent means (9) mounted on the shaft (7), placed slidably into the channel (8) and that prevents the shelf (4) from making translatory movement with respect to the circular motion of the shaft (7).

During changing the height of the shelf (4), the shafts (7) that support the shelf (4) move on the support member (6) so as to draw a circular arc as the shelf (4) is moved. The vertical position of the shelf (4) changes with this movement. During the movement of the shelf (4) between the higher position (P1) and the lower position (P2), the detent means (9) convert the rotational movement into linear motion by moving forwards/backwards like a piston inside the channels (8) at the lower side of the shelf (4). Since the detent means (9) are fitted into the channel (8) with a loose connection and since the coefficient of friction between the channel (8) and the detent means (9) is low, the detent means (9) does not transmit the translatory movement to the shelf (4). Consequently, this provides the shelf (4) to move only in the vertical direction. This eliminates the risk of falling of the items on the shelf (4) during changing position (Figure 4, Figure 5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a rotating means (10) that provides the shaft (7) to be mounted on the support member (6). During changing the shelf (4) height, the shafts (7) do not rotate around themselves and only move on the path determined by the rotating means (10) (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8).

In a version of this embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a motor (13) that provides the actuation of the shaft (7) by means of the rotating means (10). The movement of the motor (13) moves the rotating means (10) and the rotating means (10) provides the position of the shelf (4) to be changed by rotating the shafts (7). In this embodiment, the user operates the motor (13) by pressing on a button and actuates the movement when he/she desires to change the height of the shelf (4). Consequently, the user can easily change the height of the shelf (4) (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a groove (11) disposed on the support member (6) and which extends vertically to the shelf (4) almost along the height of the rotating means (10) and a protrusion (12) disposed on each of the sides of the shelf (4) facing the side walls (3), that is borne in the groove (11) during mounting of the shelf (4) to the body (2) and which prevents the shelf (4) from moving in the horizontal plane by moving inside the groove (11) during the movement of the shelf (4). The movement of the shelf (4) is limited by the vertical direction since the protrusion (12) remains inside the groove (11) during the movement of the shelf (4). Consequently, the shelf (4) is prevented from going forwards (Figure 4).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating means (10) is shaped as gearwheel that is disposed eccentrically at the end portions of each shaft (7). In this embodiment, the rotating means (10) changes the shelf (4) from the higher position (P1) to the lower position (P2) and/or from the lower position (P2) to the higher position (P1) by rotating around itself a half turn. The gear structure of the rotating means (10) enables the connections of other mechanisms to be made conveniently (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).

In a version of this embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprises two rotating means (10) disposed on each support member (6), one positioned close to the back side, the other close to the front side, the motor (13) disposed between the rotating means (10) and a worm gear (14) that extends from the motor (13) towards the bottom side of each rotating means (10) and which transmits the motion of the motor (13) to the rotating means (10). As the motor (13) starts operating, the worm gears (14) start rotating the rotating means (10) and the rotating means (10) provide the height of the shelf (4) to be changed by means of the shafts (7). Since the worm gears (14) transmit the motion of a single motor (13), both of the rotating means (10) rotate the same amount and this provides the front and back sides of the shelf (4) to move synchronously. Since any kind of additional mechanism is not used for the synchronization process, cost and workmanship advantages are provided. In this embodiment, the motor (13) can rotate in both directions. Thus, the operations of changing from the higher position (P1) to the lower position (P2) and from the lower position (P2) to the higher position (P1) can both be performed by using the same motor (13) and the components (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).

In a version of this embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a rotating means (10) with a hollow center, a stationary gear (15) mounted to the support member (6) by passing through the space at the center of the rotating means (10) by means of a pin and which extends outwards from the rotating means (10) so as to be concentric with the rotating means (10) and a pinion gear (16) disposed on the shaft (7), providing both sides of the shelf (4) to move in synchronous manner by rotating on the stationary gear (15) during changing the position of the shelf (4) between the higher position (P1) and the lower position (P2). Both sides of the shelf (4) move simultaneously and a probable twisting movement is prevented by means of two stationary gear (15) – pinion gear (16) pairs situated at the right and left sides of the shelf (4). At the same time, the movement of the rotating means (10) is performed more controllably and softly (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating means (10) is an almost C shaped guide disposed on the opposite support members (6) and whereinto the ends of the shaft (7) are movably placed. When the shelf (4) is at the higher position (P1), the shaft (7) bears against the highest point of the guide and to the lowest point when the shelf (4) is at the lowest position (P2). In this embodiment, the components of the height adjustment mechanism (5) do not project outwards from the side wall (3) and the interior volume of the body (2) is provided to be utilized in an efficient manner (Figure 7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotating means (10) is shaped as a disc that is disposed eccentrically at the end portions of the shaft (7). In this embodiment, since the shaft (7) is directly connected on the disc, any friction loss does not occur and thus ease of movement is provided (Figure 8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support member (6) is detachably mounted on the side wall (3). Thus, in case any deformation occurs in the height adjustment mechanism (5), only the support member (6) is replaced instead of the body (2), and thus scrap costs are reduced. In addition, maintenance durations are also shortened since servicing the height adjustment mechanism (5) is facilitated. Furthermore, the support member (6) can be mounted to the side walls (3) of the cooling devices (1) wherein the shelf (4) height cannot be changed, thus enabling the height of the shelves (4) to be changed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support member (6) is embedded into the side wall (3) such that no space remains between the lateral sides of the shelf (4) and the side walls (3). Thus, the height adjustment mechanism (5) does not project outwards from the surface of the side wall (3) and the interior volume of the cooling device (1) can be used effectively.

By means of the present invention, since the shelf (4) remains in parallel position to the ground during passage from the lower position (P1) to the higher position (P2) and from the higher position (P2) to the lower position (P1) and does not make translatory motion during the movement, the items thereon are not required to be removed during changing of the height. Furthermore, the height adjustment operation can be performed conveniently and ease of utilization is provided.

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 cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3), at least one shelf (4) whereon the items are placed, that can be at a higher position (P1) and a lower position (P2), at different heights from each other and at least one height adjustment mechanism (5) that provides the height of the shelf (4) to be changed, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (5) having

- a support member (6) disposed on each of the side walls (3),

- at least one shaft (7) mounted from both ends to the opposite support members (6), whereon the shelf (4) is placed and which provides the position of the shelf (4) to be changed between the higher position (P1) and the lower position (P2) by following a circular path on the support member (6),

- at least one channel (8) disposed on the bottom surface of the shelf (4) that extends almost all along the shelf (4) and

- a detent means (9) mounted on the shaft (7), placed slidably into the channel (8) and that prevents the shelf (4) from making translatory movement with respect to the circular motion of the shaft (7).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprising a rotating means (10) that provides the shaft (7) to be mounted on the support member (6).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprising a motor (13) that provides to actuate the shaft (7) by means of the rotating means (10).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprising a groove (11) disposed on the support member (6) and which extends perpendicularly to the shelf (4) almost along the height of the rotating means (10) and a protrusion (12) disposed on each of the sides of the shelf (4) facing the side walls (3), that is borne in the groove (11) during mounting of the shelf (4) to the body (2) and which prevents the shelf (4) from making linear movement by moving inside the groove (11) during the movement of the shelf (4).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by the gearwheel shaped rotating means (10) that is disposed eccentrically at the end portions of each shaft (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 5, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprising two rotating means (10) disposed on each support member (6), one positioned close to the back side, the other close to the front side, the motor (13) disposed between the rotating means (10) and a worm gear (14) that extends from the motor (13) towards the bottom side of each rotating means (10) and which transmits the motion of the motor (13) to the rotating means (10).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 6, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (5) comprising the rotating means (10) with a hollow center, a stationary gear (15) mounted to the support member (6) by passing through the gap at the center of the rotating means (10) by means of a pin and which extends outwards from the rotating means (10) so as to be concentric with the rotating means (10) and a pinion gear (16) disposed on the shaft (7), providing both sides of the shelf (4) to move in synchronous manner by rotating on the stationary gear (15) during changing the position of the shelf (4) between the higher position (P1) and the lower position (P2).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by the rotating means (10) that is an almost C shaped guide disposed on the opposite support members (6) and whereinto the ends of the shaft (7) are movably placed.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by the disc shaped rotating means (10) that is disposed eccentrically at the end portions of the shaft (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the support member (6) that is detachably mounted onto the side wall (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the support member (6) that is embedded into the side wall (3) such that no space remains between the lateral sides of the shelf (4) and the side walls (3).