WO2016055309A1

WO2016055309A1 - Ice-and-water dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2016055309A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/072447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl-Friedrich Laible; Hans Gerd Keller
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2015-09-29
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: DE102014220360A1; US20170307274A1

Abstract

An ice-and-water dispenser to be integrated into a refrigeration appliance comprises a main subassembly (1) that includes a dispenser bay (14), a passage (7) for ice, a water outlet (9), and a switch (10) that is to be actuated by an object held in the dispenser bay (14). A decorative element (15, 19, 22, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33) which, in the mounted state, contributes to the appearance of the ice-and-water dispenser, can be mounted in various models on the main subassembly (1).

Description

Ice Water cooler

The present invention relates to an ice water dispenser for installation in a refrigerator, in particular a household refrigerator. Dispensers, which are installed in a wall or door of a refrigerating appliance to deliver stored or produced ice or chilled water inside the refrigerating appliance without having to open the door, are known in numerous designs. Since they are usually attached to the refrigerator in a prominent place, they determine to a considerable extent the overall aesthetic impression of the refrigerator. If refrigeration appliances are to be manufactured in different model series that differ in their design features, then these different design features must also be reflected in the dispensers. If, however, different models of dispensers have to be manufactured for the different model series in question, then this means that dispensers are used less frequently in inexpensive model series than in high-priced model series, so that the production in small series is the ice water dispenser, above all for cheap model series makes disproportionately expensive.

The object of the present invention is to remedy this problem.

The object is achieved by an ice water dispenser for installation in a refrigeration appliance, comprising a base assembly comprising a dispensing niche, optionally an ice passage, a water outlet and a switch to be actuated by an object held in the dispenser niche, and at least one decorative element incorporated in US Pat various models can be mounted on the base assembly and in the assembled state, the appearance of the ice water dispenser with co-determines, either by itself for a viewer is visible or by the conspicuousness of other components influenced by lighting. The basic module can be uniformly manufactured in large numbers across all series, so that the costs per piece are low; a model-series-specific adaptation can then be carried out inexpensively by the at least one decorative element. The decorative element is preferably detachably mounted to allow subsequent removal by the user. On the other hand, the user can also be supplied with several models of the decorative element for selection with the refrigeration device, so that he can select and assemble one according to his personal taste.

As such a decorative element which can be mounted in various models, a drip tray is conventionally considered, which is conventionally arranged at the bottom of the dispensing niche in order to collect dripping water from the water outlet or passage through the ice. A drip tray cover can also be model-series-specific and interchangeable.

Conventionally, an ice water dispenser has an actuating paddle against which a container to be filled held in the dispenser can be pushed to actuate the switch thereby opening the ice passage or the water outlet. By not being part of the base assembly, such an actuating paddle can be retrofitted thereto and, by providing different models of the actuating paddle, the appearance of the ice water dispenser can be varied.

As a further decorative element is an outlet of ice passage into consideration. While the passage of ice itself is usually arranged directly on the ceiling of the dispenser so that it is not visible to a user who looks from the front of the refrigerator, the outlet can expediently protrude well visible in the dispensing niche to the user Placing a container in position suitable for catching the issued ice.

Another decorative element may form an inner wall surface of the dispenser niche. Such an inner wall surface may be a self-supporting wall plate or even an inner lining extending over several sides of the niche, but it may also be a thin-walled covering of such a wall or a film coating. Model-row-specific variation options also result from different models of luminaire modules which can be mounted in the same basic module or merely from lampshades which cover the luminaires of the luminaire module (s). In order to be able to assemble model-row-specific decorative parts in the dispenser niche of the finished basic subassembly, this should be wide open on its front side. An opening which is larger than required during operation can be reduced by an aperture; These, too, can each be model-specific. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 shows a schematic cross section through a base assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a first model of a light assembly in a view from below; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a view of a second model of a lamp assembly;

4 shows the installation of the lamp assembly in the base assembly.

FIG. 5 shows the installation of an inner lining in the dispensing niche; FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the attachment of an actuating paddle; FIG.

7 shows a section through an upper part of the ice water dispenser with appended diaphragm. and

Fig. 8 is a section through the lower part of the ice water dispenser with inserted drip tray. Fig. 1 shows in a schematic cross section a base assembly 1 of an ice water dispenser according to the invention. An approximately cuboid, one or more injection-molded plastic one-piece housing 2 is open at a front side to form a dispenser 14. The open front is bordered by a frame 3, which projects beyond a ceiling 4, a bottom 5 and side walls 6 of the housing 1 to the outside. On the ceiling 4, a part of the frame 3, as shown, also a part of the open front of the dispenser 14 can cover down to cover concealed on the ceiling 4 components. These components include here an ice passage 7, a water pipe 8 with an outlet 9, a Switch 10 and a connector n. The switch 10 has a rod-shaped operating portion 12 which is deflectable toward a rear wall 13 of the housing 1 to close the switch 10. The operating mode of the ice water dispenser can be adjusted in a manner known per se to a control panel, not shown in the figures. Depending on the operating mode set, the switch controls a shut-off valve (not shown) on the water pipe 8 or an ice-conveying mechanism (not shown), possibly in conjunction with a grinder.

The shut-off valve may be attached to the housing 1; Preferably, it is located directly at the outlet of a tank, which is housed inside the refrigerator or in a heat-insulating wall of the refrigerator.

The Eisfördermechanismus and optionally the grinder are components of a known and therefore not shown in detail here automatic icemaker, which is arranged in the interior of the refrigerator.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a bottom view of a lamp assembly 15, which is provided for installation in the limited by the housing 1 of FIG. 1 dispenser table 14. A base plate 16 of the light assembly 15 is here substantially rectangular with edge lengths corresponding to the widths of side walls and rear wall of the housing 1. A recess 17 of the base plate 16 faces in the mounted state of the rear wall 13 to receive the switch 10, the ice passage 7 and the outlet 9 of the water pipe 8. Illuminants, in particular LEDs 18, can be distributed in different arrangements on the base plate 16. Fig. 2 shows five LEDs 18, in alternative embodiments, only two LEDs may be present at the front corners of the base plate 16 or a single LED at the top of the recess 17.

Although only a single model of base 16 should be used, there are still ways to vary the appearance of the light assembly 15 by using different types of light shade 19 (see FIG. 3). Different models of lamp shades 19 can vary in the materials used, their coloring, their outer contour and the arrangement of refractive Distinguish surfaces and the resulting light distribution in the dispenser 14.

Depending on the shape, the light assemblies 15 can be fastened in different ways in the housing 1. Fig. 4 shows a purely exemplary embodiment in which a trailing edge of the base plate 16 is supported on a projecting from the rear wall 13 rib 20 and a front part of the base plate 16 carries pins 21, which, when the base plate 16 from below to the connector n is pressed, engage in its sockets and thus anchor the base plate 16 frictionally. Fig. 5 shows the base assembly with ready mounted lamp assembly 15 and a niche cover 22 which is inserted over the open front into the housing 1, but has not yet reached its final position. In the assembled state, the niche lining 22 covers the rear wall 13 and the side wall of the housing 1 up to the rib 20 and the bottom 5. In the embodiment shown here, the niche lining 22 comprises four essentially rectangular plates, a bottom 23, a rear wall 24 and side walls 25; other models of the niche fairing 22 may differ from those shown by a different course of the walls, for example a semi-cylindrical instead of a flat rear wall, a stronger or weaker inclination of the rear wall, etc. The choice of material for the niche panel 22 may vary depending on the model; When niche cladding 22 is manufactured by injection molding, plastics of different colors or different surface textures can be molded depending on the model series. It is also conceivable to manufacture the niche cladding, in particular for a high-quality model series, from stainless steel sheet. Further, in a plastic niche fairing 22, all or individual walls may be covered with a metal foil or foil of metallized plastic to give the niche fairing 22 a metallic appearance.

The niche lining 22 is anchored here in a form-fitting manner by locking spring tongues 26 distributed along the front edges of the floor 23 and side walls 25 into a recess 27 on the floor 5 and the side walls 23 of the housing 1. Fig. 6 also shows in section an actuating paddle 28 which is provided for attachment to the actuating portion 12 of the switch 10. The actuating paddle 28 may be shaped differently depending on the model; Also, in each case different materials, in particular in each case the same materials as for the niche lining 22, also be used for the actuating paddle 28.

The ice passage 7 is provided at its rear end with a threaded portion 29 for screwing thereto a tubular, downwardly tapered neck 30, which serves to pass over the ice passage 7 issued pieces of ice on their way into a container placed in the niche and to avoid splashing liquid contents of the container. While the threaded portion 29 is hidden behind the frame 3 as seen by a user, the socket 30 may be long enough to be visible. To give a different character to different model series, it is therefore also useful to provide different models of the nozzle 30, which may differ in material and color choice or in the outer shape.

In Fig. 7 is added as a further decorative element, a shutter 31 which extends over the entire width of the open front, from a side wall of the housing 1 to the opposite. The panel 31 is here attached to the lower edge of a leg of the frame 3, which covers the front edge of the lamp assembly 15. The panel 31 may be made of different materials or colored differently depending on the model in which it is used. Here is also a milky transparent material into consideration, which makes the aperture 31 light up when the LEDs 18 of the light assembly 15 are turned on.

At the bottom 23 of the niche fairing 22, a drip tray 32 should be present to ensure that dripping water from the ice passage 7 or the water conduit 8 does not flow out of the dispensing niche and yet a container can be placed dry in the dispensing niche. The drip tray 32 and its cover 33 may in turn be made of different materials or colored differently depending on the model. REFERENCE NUMBERS

Basic module 21 Contact pin

Housing 22 Niche cover

Frame 23 floor

Ceiling 24 back wall

Bottom 25 side wall

Side wall 26 spring tongue

Ice passage 27 Operating paddle

Water pipe 28 Operating paddle

Outlet 29 threaded section

Switch 30 nozzles

Connector 31 Aperture

Operating section 32 drip tray

Rear wall 33 Cover

donor niche

light assembly

baseplate

recess

LED

lampshade

rib

Claims

An ice water dispenser for installation in a refrigerator, comprising a base assembly (1) having a dispensing niche (14), an ice passage (7) and / or a water outlet (9) and an object to be actuated by an object held in the dispensing niche (14) Switch (10), characterized by at least one decorative element (15, 19, 22, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33) which is mountable in different models on the base assembly (1) and in the mounted state the appearance of the ice Water dispenser with determined.

Ice water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative element (15, 19, 22, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33) is detachably mounted.

Ice water dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one decorative element is a drip tray (32) or a drip tray cover (32).

Ice water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one decorative element is a to the switch (8) coupled actuating paddle (28).

Ice water dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the switch (8) in the niche (14) engaging actuating extension (12) and the actuating paddle (28) is attached to the extension (12).

Ice water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one decorative element is an outlet nozzle (30) of the ice passage (7).

Ice water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one decorative element (22) forms an inner wall surface of the dispenser niche (14).

8. Ice water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one decorative element is a at the entrance of the dispenser table (14) to be mounted aperture (31), a light assembly (15) or a lampshade (19).

Refrigerating appliance with an ice water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims.