WO2019007832A1

WO2019007832A1 - A refrigerator comprising french-style doors

Info

Publication number: WO2019007832A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/067554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet Bugra CICEK; Erhan Ilhan Konukseven; Çagri YENIGUN; Metin Kaya; Ozgun Atac Gultekin
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-07-04
Filing date: 2018-06-29
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Also published as: EP3649414B1; EP3649414A1; PL3649414T3; TR201709828A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2); at least one fresh food or freezing compartment (3) wherein the food and beverages are placed; a frame (4) that is arranged at the front side of the body (2) and that surrounds the compartment (3); two French-style doors (5) that are supported pivotally on the right and left vertical sides of the frame (4) and that provide access into the compartment (3); more than one door gasket (6) that is mounted all around the inner wall of the doors (5), that presses against the frame (4) when the doors (5) are in the closed position, providing sealing between the outer environment and the compartment (3), and two pillars (8) that are mounted to both doors (5).

Description

A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING FRENCH-STYLE DOORS

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising French-style doors that are arranged side by side.

The side-by-side type refrigerators known in the state of the art are formed so as to comprise a fresh food compartment on the right side and a freezing compartment on the left side. A separator wall is provided between the two compartments and the doors close onto this separator wall. In order to eliminate inconvenience of usage that may arise due the separator wall in the side-by-side type refrigerators, structurally different refrigerators called French-style refrigerators have been developed. In the French-style refrigerators, the upper part is the fresh food compartment having two doors and the lower part is the freezing compartment. The compartment that is accessible by means of the two doors at the upper part does not comprise a separator wall. In this type of refrigerators, movable mechanisms called beams, pillars or bars (will be referred to as "pillar" hereinafter) are used, that pivotally rotate to be opened/closed together with the door, that create a resting surface on which both doors are closed and that enable the doors to be opened/closed independently. In the fresh food compartment that is enlarged with the removal of the separator wall, the usable area increases, and the food items are enabled to be reached easily in the large internal volume and ease of use is provided. However, said advantages of the French-style refrigerators lead to some disadvantages. Since a fixed resting surface onto which the doors can be closed is not available in the middle of the opening at the front side of the compartment, mechanisms such as said pillar that form a movable resting surface cannot provide an effective sealing, the doors cannot be smoothly opened/closed independently, and mechanical problems may be encountered.

In the Patent Documents No. EP2005090B1, US7008032B2, US9134062B2, US9599393B2 and US2016178268A1, pivotable assemblies that are mounted onto a single door and that enable the French-style doors arranged side by side in a refrigerator to be opened and closed independently are disclosed.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising movable pillars that enable French-style doors to be easily opened/closed independently, wherein the sealing is improved.

In the refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, two movable pillars are mounted onto the vertical edges of both doors that face each other in the closed position so as to, by means of at least one movement mechanism, move towards each other while the doors are being closed and away from each other while the doors are being opened.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism that controls the movement of each pillar relative to the door is a four-bar linkage mechanism.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism that controls the movement of each pillar relative to the door is a parallel linkage mechanism.

In the refrigerator, two pillar gaskets are mounted onto the opposite surfaces of the two pillars, wherein the pillar gaskets move to parallel positions by means of the movement mechanism while the doors are being closed and press against each other in the fully closed position of the doors.

A pin is fixed onto the upper and/or lower part of each pillar, and during the opening and closing of the doors, the movement of the pin is guided by a guide having a slot in which the pin slidably moved.

The movement mechanism defined as the four-bar linkage mechanism or especially as the parallel linkage mechanism comprises a hinge support that is fixed on the inner wall of the door; a first hinge that is connected to the hinge support at the rear end and to the pillar at the front end so as to rotate around the vertical axis; a second hinge that is parallel to the first hinge and that is connected to the hinge support at the rear end and to the pillar at the front end so as to rotate around the vertical axis, and at least one linear or torsional spring that is connected between the hinge support and the pillar and that enables the pillars guided by the guide to be operated in a controlled manner during the opening and closing of the door.

In an embodiment of the present invention, magnet strips are disposed in the two opposite pillar gaskets, and in another embodiment of the present invention, a magnet strip is disposed in one of the pillar gaskets and a ferromagnetic metal strip is disposed in the opposite pillar gasket. Furthermore, a ferromagnetic metal strip is arranged under the side surface of each pillar that is parallel to the inner wall of the door, enabling the pillar to longitudinally contact the gasket when the door is closed.

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

Figure 1 - is the front view of the refrigerator when the doors thereof are in the closed position.

Figure 2 - is the front view of the refrigerator wherein the fresh food compartment doors are in the open position.

Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the movable pillars and the linear spring movement mechanisms when the doors are in the closed position.

Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the movable pillars and the linear spring movement mechanisms when the doors are in the open position.

Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the movable pillars and the torsion spring movement mechanisms when the doors are in the closed position.

Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the movable pillars and the torsion spring movement mechanisms when the doors are in the open position.

Figure 7 - is the simulated view of the movement mechanism (four-bar linkage mechanism) in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 - is the simulated view of the movement mechanism (parallel linkage mechanism) in another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 - is the exploded view of a door, a movement mechanism and a pillar.

Figure 10 - is the top view of a door.

Figure 11 - is the view of detail D in Figure 10.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Body
Compartment
Frame
Door
Door gasket
Movement mechanism
Pillar
Pillar gasket
Pin
Slot
Guide
Hinge support
First hinge
Second hinge
Spring
Front enclosure
Rear enclosure
Magnet strip
Ferromagnetic metal strip

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2); at least one fresh food or freezing compartment (3) wherein the food and beverages are placed; a frame (4) that is arranged at the front side of the body (2) and that surrounds the compartment (3); two French-style doors (5) that are positioned side by side by being supported pivotally on the right and left vertical sides of the frame (4) and that provide access into the compartment (3), preferably the fresh food compartment (3), and more than one door gasket (6) that is mounted all around the inner wall of the doors (5), that presses against the frame (4) when the doors (5) are in the closed position, providing sealing between the outer environment and the compartment (3).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises two pillars (8) that are mounted on the opposite vertical edges of the doors (5) that are side by side when the doors (5) are in the closed position, that move towards each other by means of a movement mechanism (7) and contact longitudinally while the doors (5) are being closed and move away from each other by means of the movement mechanism (7) while the doors (5) are being opened.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (7) that controls the movement of the pillars (8) during the opening and closing of the doors (5) is a four-bar linkage mechanism (Figure 7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (7) is a parallel linkage mechanism which is a specific application of the four-bar linkage mechanism wherein the linkages at opposite sides are parallel to each other (Figure 8).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises two pillar gaskets (9) that are mounted on the opposite surfaces of the two pillars (8), that, by means of the movement mechanism (7), move to parallel positions while the doors (5) are being closed and press against each other longitudinally in the fully closed position of the doors (5). When the doors (5) are brought to the closed position, the pillar gaskets (9) on both pillars (8) press against each other and the two pillars (8) close the gap between the doors (5) in a leak-proof manner.

The refrigerator (1) further comprises at least one pin (10) that is fixed to the upper and/or lower part of each pillar (8), and at least two guides (12) that are fixed to the upper and/or lower part of the compartment (3), that guide the movement of the pillars (8) during the opening and closing of the doors (5), each guide (12) having a slot (11) wherein the pin (10) slidably moves.

In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, two movable pillars (8) are mounted on the opposite vertical sides of the doors (5) that open and close. The pillars (8) close the gap between the doors (5) in the closed position, thus providing sealing. During the closing of the doors (5), the pillars (8) move towards each other by means of the movement mechanism (7), and in the fully closed position of the doors (5), the pillar gaskets (9) on both pillars (8) contact longitudinally and press against each other. During the opening of the doors (5), the pillars (8) move away from each other by means of the movement mechanism (7). A separate movement mechanism (7) and a separate pillar (8) are mounted on each door (5), and the doors (5) can be easily opened/closed independently. When only one door (5) is intended to be opened, said door (5) is prevented from getting caught on the pillar (8) of the other door (5) that is in the closed position.

In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the movement mechanism (7), for example the four-bar linkage mechanism or the parallel linkage mechanism, that enables each pillar (8) to be mounted on the door (5) in a relatively movable manner and that controls the movement of the pillar (8) comprises

- a hinge support (13) that is fixed on the inner wall of the door (5),

- a first hinge (14) that is pivotally connected to the hinge support (13) at the rear end and to the pillar (8) at the front end,

- a second hinge (15) that is pivotally connected to the hinge support (13) at the rear end and to the pillar (8) at the front end so as to be parallel to the first hinge (14), and

- at least one spring (16) that is connected between the hinge support (13) and the pillar (8) and that enables the pillars (8) guided by the guide (12) to be operated in a controlled manner during the opening and closing of the doors (5).

The spring (16) enables the pillars (8) to contact each other in a resilient manner during the closing of the doors (5) by exerting a continuous pulling force on the pillar (8) and enables the doors (5) to be opened without getting caught on each other by pulling the pillars (8) towards the doors (5) during the opening of the doors (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (7) comprises a helical spring (16) that is connected between the hinge support (13) and the pillar (8) and that operates linearly in the push-pull direction (Figure 3, Figure 4).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (7) comprises a torsional spring (16) that is arranged on the hinge support (13) to which the first hinge (14) or the second hinge (15) is pivotally connected (Figure 5, Figure 6).

Each pillar (8) has two parts and comprises a front enclosure (17) that is produced from plastic, to which the pillar gasket (9) is connected, a rear enclosure (18) to which the movement mechanism (7) is connected and at least one insulation material (not shown in figures) that is arranged in each pillar (8) between the front enclosure (17) and the rear enclosure (18), that is produced from a polystyrene foam such as Styrofoam and that prevents condensation on the pillar (8) by providing thermal insulation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises two magnet strips (19) each arranged in one of the pillar gaskets (9), improving the sealing between the pillars (8) when the doors (5) are in the closed position (Figure 11).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a magnet strip (19) that is arranged in only one of the pillar gaskets (9) and a ferromagnetic metal strip (20) that is arranged in the other pillar gasket (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a ferromagnetic metal strip (20) that is arranged under the side surface of each pillar (8) that is parallel to the inner wall of the door (5) and that, when the door (5) is closed, enables the pillar (8) to longitudinally contact the door gasket (6) and that provides the sealing between the pillar (8) and the door (5) (Figure 11). As the door gasket (6) has its own magnet (not shown in figures) and the pillar (8) is manufactured from plastic material, a ferromagnetic metal strip (20) is used on the surface of the pillar (8) that faces the door gasket (6).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention does not comprise a vertical separator wall in the middle of the compartment (3) and the compartment (3) is accessed through two French-style doors (5). Two movable pillars (8) mounted on the doors (5) enable the doors (5) to be opened and closed independently or together and provide the sealing in the gap between the two doors (5). The movement of the pillars (8) during the opening and closing of the doors (5) is guided by the guides (12). The movement mechanism (7) defined as the four-bar linkage mechanism or the parallel linkage mechanism enables the pillar gaskets (9) to move to parallel positions and enable the pillar gaskets (9) to press against each other in the gap between the two doors (5) when the doors (5) are closed. The pillars (8) do not rotate around their own axes contrary to the embodiments in the state of the art, wherein pillars rotate approximately 90° around their axes during the opening and closing. Each pillar (8) is pushed forward away from the door (5) and pulled backwards towards the door (5) during the opening and closing. During the movement of the pillar (8) controlled by the movement mechanism (7) and the guide (12), the pillar (8) moves on a curved path relative to the door (5) without rotating around its axis. Thus, a structure that is quiet and mechanically flawless and that provides perfect sealing is realized. The opening and closing of the doors (5) independently or together is facilitated. The movement mechanism (7) pulls the pillars (8) towards the door (5) during the opening of the doors (5) and prevents the pillars (8) from getting caught on each other. When the door (5) is in the open position, the pillars (8) do not project outwards and the aesthetic appearance is improved and the pillars (8) do not obstruct the opening of the crisper.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2); at least one compartment (3) wherein the food and beverages are placed; a frame (4) that is arranged at the front side of the body (2) and that surrounds the compartment (3); two French-style doors (5) that are positioned side by side by being supported pivotally on the right and left vertical sides of the frame (4), and more than one door gasket (6) that is mounted all around the inner wall of the doors (5) and that presses against the frame (4) when the doors (5) are in the closed position, characterized by

- two pillars (8) that are mounted on the opposite vertical edges of the doors (5) that are side by side when the doors (5) are in the closed position, that move towards each other by means of a movement mechanism (7) and contact longitudinally while the doors (5) are being closed and move away from each other by means of the movement mechanism (7) while the doors (5) are being opened.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the movement mechanism (7) that is a "four-bar linkage mechanism".
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the movement mechanism (7) that is a "parallel linkage mechanism".
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 to 3, characterized by two pillar gaskets (9) that are mounted on the opposite surfaces of the two pillars (8), that, by means of the movement mechanism (7), move to parallel positions while the doors (5) are being closed and press against each other in the fully closed position of the doors (5).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 to 3, characterized by at least one pin (10) that is fixed to the upper and/or lower part of each pillar (8), and at least two guides (12) that are fixed to the upper and/or lower part of the compartment (3), that guide the movement of the pillars (8) during the opening and closing of the doors (5), each guide (12) having a slot (11) wherein the pin (10) slidably moves.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the movement mechanism (7) comprising a hinge support (13) that is fixed on the inner wall of the door (5); a first hinge (14) that is pivotally connected to the hinge support (13) at the rear end and to the pillar (8) at the front end, and a second hinge (15) that is pivotally connected to the hinge support (13) at the rear end and to the pillar (8) at the front end so as to be parallel to the first hinge (14).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the movement mechanism (7) comprising at least one spring (16) that is connected between the hinge support (13) and the pillar (8) and that enables the pillars (8) guided by the guide (12) to be operated in a controlled manner during the opening and closing of the doors (5).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the movement mechanism (7) comprising a linear spring (16) that is connected between the hinge support (13) and the pillar (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the movement mechanism (7) comprising a torsional spring (16) that is arranged on the hinge support (13) to which the first hinge (14) or the second hinge (15) is pivotally connected.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the pillar (8) comprising a front enclosure (17) that is produced from plastic, to which the pillar gasket (9) is connected, a rear enclosure (18) to which the movement mechanism (7) is connected and at least one insulation material that is arranged in each pillar (8) between the front enclosure (17) and the rear enclosure (18).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by two magnet strips (19), each arranged in one of the two pillar gaskets (9).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by a magnet strip (19) that is arranged in one of the pillar gaskets (9) and a ferromagnetic metal strip (20) that is arranged in the opposite pillar gasket (9).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by at least one ferromagnetic metal strip (20) that is arranged under the side surface of the pillar (8) that is parallel to the inner wall of the door (5).