WO2018224269A1 - A refrigerator door opening assistant - Google Patents

A refrigerator door opening assistant Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018224269A1
WO2018224269A1 PCT/EP2018/062745 EP2018062745W WO2018224269A1 WO 2018224269 A1 WO2018224269 A1 WO 2018224269A1 EP 2018062745 W EP2018062745 W EP 2018062745W WO 2018224269 A1 WO2018224269 A1 WO 2018224269A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
refrigerator door
handle
transmitter
door opening
refrigerator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2018/062745
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Resul KARTAL
Emre ISIK
Emre AYAROGLU
Eren MUTLU
Mehmet MUTLUDOGAN
Original Assignee
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Publication of WO2018224269A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018224269A1/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/04—Sensors detecting the presence of a person

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the facilitated opening of the refrigerator door by the user.
  • refrigerators In refrigerators, the force applied onto the door must overcome the vacuum force exerted on the door to enable the door to be opened. However, while opening with the effect of said forces, the door may hit and harm the user and/or damage the nearby objects. Therefore, there is a need for door opening mechanisms that execute the door opening function smoothly without harming the user.
  • refrigerators called "hands-free" are known, having automatic door opening mechanisms and enabling the user access the interior of the refrigerator without using his/her hands.
  • Patent Document No. DE102013223431 (B3), a door opening apparatus that is controlled electromagnetically is disclosed.
  • the aim of the present invention is to enable the user to open the refrigerator door without exerting force.
  • the refrigerator door realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a hollow handle that is mounted on the refrigerator door and that has sensors arranged thereon.
  • the sensors arranged on the handle send signals to each other by means of light beams.
  • Figure 1 – is the view of the refrigerator door opening assistant related to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 – is the view of the upper section of the refrigerator door opening assistant related to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 — is the view of the lower section of the refrigerator door opening assistant related to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprises an openable-closable refrigerator door (6) and a handle (2) that is arranged on the refrigerator door (6) and that enables the refrigerator door (6) to be opened.
  • the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) of the present invention comprises a detection gap (5) between the upper and lower connection regions where the handle (2) is connected to the refrigerator door (1); a transmitter (4) that is arranged in the detection gap (5) of the handle (2) and that transmits signals from the lower connection region to the upper connection region, and a sensor (3) that is positioned in the detection gap (5) of the refrigerator handle (2) so as to face the transmitter (4) and that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter (4).
  • the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprises an openable-closable refrigerator door (6); a handle (2) that is arranged on the refrigerator door (6) and that enables the refrigerator door (6) to be opened; a detection gap (5) between the upper and lower connection regions where the handle (2) is connected to the refrigerator door (1); a transmitter (4) that is arranged in the detection gap (5) of the handle (2) and that transmits signals from the lower connection region to the upper connection region, and a sensor (3) that is positioned in the detection gap (5) of the refrigerator handle (2) so as to face the transmitter (4) and that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter (4).
  • the refrigerator door (6) opens. During the opening, the vacuum force and a magnetic attraction force of the magnet in the gasket between the refrigerator door (6) and the refrigerator act on the refrigerator door (6). This makes the opening of the refrigerator door (6) more difficult.
  • the door opening mechanism is controlled by using the transmitter (4) that transmits a continuous signal and the receiver sensor (3) that is arranged so as to face the transmitter (4) and that continuously monitors the signal.
  • the system consists of at least one transmitter (4) as in Figure 3 arranged in the lower part of the handle (2) and at least one sensor (3) positioned in the upper part of the handle (2) (so that the transmitter (4) and the sensor (3) face each other) as in Figure 2.
  • the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprises the transmitter (4) that sends the signal by means of light beams and the sensor (3) that receives the signal transmitted with the light beam.
  • the transmitter (4) that sends the signal by means of light beams
  • the sensor (3) that receives the signal transmitted with the light beam.
  • an invisible detection gap (5) forms between the refrigerator door (6) and the handle (2).
  • Signal transmission is realized by transmitting an invisible light beam from the transmitter (4) to the opposite receiver sensor (3).
  • the refrigerator door (6) automatically moves to the partly open position.
  • the signal transmission between the transmitter (4) and the receiver sensor (3) is interrupted and the door opening assistant (1) is activated.
  • the refrigerator door (6) is opened by means of a mechanism.
  • the user does not encounter the vacuum effect when he/she pulls the refrigerator door (6) using the handle (2).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Refrigerator Housings (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprising an openable-closable refrigerator door (6), and a handle (2) that is arranged on the refrigerator door (6), that enables the refrigerator door (6) to be opened and that has sensors (3) thereon.

Description

A REFRIGERATOR DOOR OPENING ASSISTANT
The present invention relates to the facilitated opening of the refrigerator door by the user.
In refrigerators, the force applied onto the door must overcome the vacuum force exerted on the door to enable the door to be opened. However, while opening with the effect of said forces, the door may hit and harm the user and/or damage the nearby objects. Therefore, there is a need for door opening mechanisms that execute the door opening function smoothly without harming the user. In the prior art, refrigerators called "hands-free" are known, having automatic door opening mechanisms and enabling the user access the interior of the refrigerator without using his/her hands.
In the state of the art Patent Document No. DE102013223431 (B3), a door opening apparatus that is controlled electromagnetically is disclosed.
In the state of the art Patent Application No. EP2020579 (A2), a refrigerator door is disclosed, having an automatic drive and an electrical control that operates in conjunction with a position transmitter.
The aim of the present invention is to enable the user to open the refrigerator door without exerting force.
The refrigerator door realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a hollow handle that is mounted on the refrigerator door and that has sensors arranged thereon.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensors arranged on the handle send signals to each other by means of light beams.
The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where
Figure 1 – is the view of the refrigerator door opening assistant related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 – is the view of the upper section of the refrigerator door opening assistant related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 – is the view of the lower section of the refrigerator door opening assistant related to an embodiment of the present invention.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
  1. Refrigerator door opening assistant
  2. Handle
  3. Sensor
  4. Transmitter
  5. Detection gap
  6. Refrigerator door
The refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprises an openable-closable refrigerator door (6) and a handle (2) that is arranged on the refrigerator door (6) and that enables the refrigerator door (6) to be opened.
The refrigerator door opening assistant (1) of the present invention comprises a detection gap (5) between the upper and lower connection regions where the handle (2) is connected to the refrigerator door (1); a transmitter (4) that is arranged in the detection gap (5) of the handle (2) and that transmits signals from the lower connection region to the upper connection region, and a sensor (3) that is positioned in the detection gap (5) of the refrigerator handle (2) so as to face the transmitter (4) and that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter (4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprises an openable-closable refrigerator door (6); a handle (2) that is arranged on the refrigerator door (6) and that enables the refrigerator door (6) to be opened; a detection gap (5) between the upper and lower connection regions where the handle (2) is connected to the refrigerator door (1); a transmitter (4) that is arranged in the detection gap (5) of the handle (2) and that transmits signals from the lower connection region to the upper connection region, and a sensor (3) that is positioned in the detection gap (5) of the refrigerator handle (2) so as to face the transmitter (4) and that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter (4). When the user puts his/her hand into the detection gap (5) between the handle (2) and the refrigerator door (6) and pulls the refrigerator door (6) towards himself/herself, the refrigerator door (6) opens. During the opening, the vacuum force and a magnetic attraction force of the magnet in the gasket between the refrigerator door (6) and the refrigerator act on the refrigerator door (6). This makes the opening of the refrigerator door (6) more difficult. In order to prevent the user from encountering the vacuum and the force of the magnet in the refrigerator door (6) gasket and to enable the user to open the door smoothly, the door opening mechanism is controlled by using the transmitter (4) that transmits a continuous signal and the receiver sensor (3) that is arranged so as to face the transmitter (4) and that continuously monitors the signal. The system consists of at least one transmitter (4) as in Figure 3 arranged in the lower part of the handle (2) and at least one sensor (3) positioned in the upper part of the handle (2) (so that the transmitter (4) and the sensor (3) face each other) as in Figure 2.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprises the transmitter (4) that sends the signal by means of light beams and the sensor (3) that receives the signal transmitted with the light beam. As shown in Figure 1, during the operation of the refrigerator door opening assistant (1) an invisible detection gap (5) forms between the refrigerator door (6) and the handle (2). Signal transmission is realized by transmitting an invisible light beam from the transmitter (4) to the opposite receiver sensor (3).
By means of the present invention, when the user wants to open the refrigerator door (6), the refrigerator door (6) automatically moves to the partly open position. When the user puts his/her hand into the detection gap (5) behind the handle (2) to open the refrigerator door (6), the signal transmission between the transmitter (4) and the receiver sensor (3) is interrupted and the door opening assistant (1) is activated. As the system is activated before the user contacts the handle (2), the refrigerator door (6) is opened by means of a mechanism. Thus, the user does not encounter the vacuum effect when he/she pulls the refrigerator door (6) using the handle (2).

Claims (2)

  1. A refrigerator door opening assistant (1) comprising an openable-closable refrigerator door (6) and a handle (2) that is arranged on the refrigerator door (6) and that enables the refrigerator door (6) to be opened, characterized by
    a detection gap (5) between the upper and lower connection regions where the handle (2) is connected to the refrigerator door (1),
    a transmitter (4) that is arranged in the detection gap (5) of the handle (2) and that transmits signals from the lower connection region to the upper connection region, and
    a sensor (3) that is positioned in the detection gap (5) of the refrigerator handle (2) so as to face the transmitter (4) and that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter (4).
  2. A refrigerator door opening assistant (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the transmitter (4) that sends the signal by means of light beams and the sensor (3) that receives the signal transmitted with the light beam.
PCT/EP2018/062745 2017-06-05 2018-05-16 A refrigerator door opening assistant WO2018224269A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TRA2017/08238 2017-06-05
TR201708238 2017-06-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018224269A1 true WO2018224269A1 (en) 2018-12-13

Family

ID=62196578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2018/062745 WO2018224269A1 (en) 2017-06-05 2018-05-16 A refrigerator door opening assistant

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2018224269A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008175441A (en) * 2007-01-17 2008-07-31 Toshiba Corp Refrigerator
EP2020579A2 (en) 2007-08-03 2009-02-04 Dorma GmbH + CO. KG Door actuation device for actuating the door of a fridge/freezer
DE102013223431B3 (en) 2013-11-18 2014-11-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH household appliance

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008175441A (en) * 2007-01-17 2008-07-31 Toshiba Corp Refrigerator
EP2020579A2 (en) 2007-08-03 2009-02-04 Dorma GmbH + CO. KG Door actuation device for actuating the door of a fridge/freezer
DE102013223431B3 (en) 2013-11-18 2014-11-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH household appliance

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN110887320B (en) Refrigerator with a door
WO2006036734A3 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling a video surveillance camera
CA2546695A1 (en) Method and system for transmitting signals through a metal tubular
EP2854599B1 (en) A built-in household appliance comprising a decorative panel
CA2339935A1 (en) External infusion device with remote programming, bolus estimator and/or vibration alarm capabilities
WO2000079689A3 (en) Remote controllable device for opening/closing of a window
WO2004008412A3 (en) Method and system for appliances remote control
KR102040760B1 (en) Door frame assembly used in microwave oven, door frame assembly control method and device
US6860065B2 (en) Remote release for a movable barrier arrangement
WO2018224269A1 (en) A refrigerator door opening assistant
JP5150810B2 (en) Automatic door opening and closing control device
US20220145686A1 (en) Automatic door device and household appliance
KR101876039B1 (en) Apparatus and method for controlling opening and closing vehicle door
CN105120548A (en) Drawer type microwave oven
JP2006300458A (en) Storage house
KR102181149B1 (en) Open and shut apparatus for door closure fire door
KR20110003330U (en) Door-controller with radio receiver for automatic door
EP3244129B1 (en) Device to switch on/off light sources
KR0117185Y1 (en) Pressure equivalence device for a refrigerator
WO2019129777A1 (en) A door opening mechanism
KR200380819Y1 (en) A wireless control box for automatic door
EP2378534B1 (en) Wireless and battery-less command device, to command the opening and closing of an electric circuit supplying a room
KR102377618B1 (en) Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
CN114941923A (en) Door body control method, electronic equipment, storage medium, chip and refrigeration equipment
WO2021245955A8 (en) Main body device, method for controlling main body device, operating device, method for controlling operating device, and program

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 18725491

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 18725491

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1