WO2022258335A1

WO2022258335A1 - An improved rail system having a shifting mechanism for a household appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2022258335A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/063511
Authority: WO
Inventors: Volkan Cakirca; Fidan GÜLER; Xinglong XU; Guangda ZHU
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH; Wuxi Haidaer Precision Slide Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-08
Filing date: 2022-05-19
Publication date: 2022-12-15

Abstract

The present invention proposes a rail system (10) for use in a storage chamber (102) of a household appliance (100), the rail system (10) comprising one pair of oppositely oriented rail assemblies (50) fixable to both side walls (101) of the storage chamber (102), each of the rail assemblies (50) having a toothed rack (54) along a movement direction, and a slide rail unit (51) being movable along the rail assemblies (50) and fixable to a storage container (90) on one side thereof to move the storage container (90); and a synchronization rod (30) configured to connect one pair of slide rail units (51) with each other. Each of the rail assemblies (50) comprise a shifting mechanism (20) attached to the respective slide rail unit (51), and having an actuation gear (23) being rotatably provided in an engaged state with the toothed rack (54) such that the drive torque from the actuation gear (23) is transferred to a forward position in the movement direction relative to the actuation gear (23).

Description

SPECIFICATION

AN IMPROVED RAIL SYSTEM HAVING A SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR A

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rail system for use in a storage chamber of a household appliance according to the preamble of the claim 1.

Background of the Invention

A storage container, such as a cooling container, is formed in a household appliance and is selectively opened and closed by the user. It is known in the art that such storage containers for a household appliance can be installed in the internal space of the household appliance with a rail system in a synchronized manner.

Such rail systems may have one pair of opposingly oriented rail units having telescopic slide rail units to move the storage container in and out. In any case, the movement of the two slide rail units must be synchronized to one another, or else the storage container will become canted or twisted, possibly resulting in damage to the rail system.

In a rack and pinion system arranged to be used in the rail systems, synchronization is accomplished by pinions at opposite ends of a synchronization rod meshing with toothed racks. In a fully closed position, the synchronization rod stays at the rear end of the rail system. Since the synchronization rod is disposed at the rear end of the rail system, the rear end of the rail system blocks a considerable space in the storage chamber of the household appliance and prevents allocation of this space.

In the art, it is difficult to set an accurate start point of a pinion gear located at both the left and right ends of the synchronization rod. There may be a problem that the gear is not accurately engaged with the toothed rack. In the case in which the accurate start point is not set, torsion may occur when the storage container is used.

A prior art publication in the technical field of the invention may be referred to as W02020103323 (Al), which discloses a first guide rail comprising a fixed outer rail, a supporting inner rail slidingly connected to the fixed outer rail, and a crawler guide rail provided in a guide space between the fixed outer rail and the supporting inner rail. The document also discloses a synchronization rod that is respectively connected to synchronization rollers. Summary of the Invention

An object of the invention is to provide a rail system for use in a storage chamber of a household appliance that creates useful space at the rear of the rail system under the same extension length of the rails thereof. The present invention proposes The present invention proposes a rail system for use in a storage chamber of a household appliance, the rail system comprising one pair of oppositely oriented rail assemblies fixable to both side walls of the storage chamber, each rail assemblies having a toothed rack along a movement direction, and a slide rail unit being movable along the rail assemblies and fixable to a storage container on one side thereof to move the storage container; and a synchronization rod configured to connect one pair of slide rail units with each other. Each of the rail assemblies comprise a shifting mechanism attached to the respective slide rail unit, and having an actuation gear being rotatably provided in an engaged state with the toothed rack such that the drive torque from the actuation gear is transferred to a forward position in the movement direction relative to the actuation gear. Since the location of the synchronization rod is shifted, the space at the rear of the rail system is greatly reduced under the same extension length of the slide rail unit. This arrangement also reduces the wear of the toothed rack resulting from slippage during engagement of the actuation gear. Moreover, if the change in relative position between the pair of actuating gears or any twisting thereof is caused, any positional error can be prevented by virtue of the shifting mechanism.

In a possible embodiment, the shifting mechanism comprises a rotatable first pinion gear coupled with the actuation gear, a rotatable second pinion gear arranged in a position, in use, away from a rear wall the storage chamber with respect to the first pinion gear, and a transmission belt configured to extend around the first pinion gear and the second pinion gear for transferring the drive torque from the actuation gear to the second pinion gear. Thus, the synchronization rod is arranged in a predetermined position with the same extension length of the slide rail unit which gives more space at the rearward area.

In a possible embodiment, the second pinion gears are provided at both ends of the synchronization rod. Thus, the actuation gears run smoothly with a minimum of shock and noise in a synchronized manner.

In a possible embodiment, the shifting mechanism comprises an intermediate connection part for connecting the synchronization rod to the second pinion gear. Thus, the synchronization rod is arranged detachably.

In a possible embodiment, the intermediate connection part has a longitudinal shaft, which is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the synchronization rod, with a connection hole formed on the longitudinal shaft for attaching to the synchronization rod via a fastening member. Thus, when it is needed, the synchronization rod can be removed by unfastening the fastening member.

In a possible embodiment, the first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are arranged on the same axis and in between the toothed rack and the attachment member. Thus, the first pinion gear and the second pinion are held in a secure position in the storage chamber.

In a possible embodiment, the transmission belt is an endless transmission belt and is arranged to extend around to the first pinion gear and the second pinion gear which are arranged at spaced positions. The transmission belt can be any suitable transmission belt including rubber transmission belts with Kevlar, steel, or other reinforcements, and preferably is a reinforced toothed transmission belt that can carry relatively large tensile loads and which is not generally subject to stretching. In a possible embodiment, the shifting mechanism has an attachment member extending partly in the movement direction and fixed to the slide rail unit on one inner side thereof. The rotatable first and second pinion gears are attached to the attachment member in a secure manner. The attachment member is being fixed and provides the attachment of the shifting mechanism to the slide rail unit. In a possible embodiment, the attachment member has at least two guiding holes, respectively, at least two bearing members are attached to the guiding holes wherein one of the bearing members is configured with respect to the first pinion gear and the other bearing member is configured with respect to the second pinion gear. Thus, the first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are arranged rotatably at a predetermined distance with respect to each other.

In a possible embodiment, the shifting mechanism is equipped with a removably oriented cover for covering the actuation gear, the first pinion gear, and the second pinion gear. Thus, the shifting mechanism is protected from external interventions.

In a possible embodiment, the cover has an attachment tooth arranged to engage with a corresponding portion of the attachment member. Thus, the cover is removably attached to the shifting mechanism.

In a possible embodiment, the slide rail unit comprises a middle rail and an inner rail; the middle rail is connected to the inner rail in a sliding form, and the inner rail is fixed on one of the sides of the storage container. Thus, a telescopic extendible system is obtained.

In a possible embodiment, the rail assembly further comprises a fixed side rail, onto which the slide rail unit is arranged to slide, is fixedly surrounded with a substantially C-shaped outer shell wherein one open end of the outer shell forms the toothed rack. This arrangement decreases production cost by forming the toothed rack at the outer shell and provides a rigid structure.

In a possible embodiment, the shape and the diameter of the first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are different from each to arrange the speed of the actuation gear moving along the toothed rack. Thus, the moving speed of the slide rail unit in the rail system can be controlled. Any impact or noise which may be generated while the storage container is used in the storage chamber is reduced.

The present invention also proposes a household appliance, in particular a cooling device, comprising a rail system according to the present invention, wherein the household appliance comprises a body in which the storage chamber is formed, and a storage container selectively guided into and out of the storage chamber in the movement direction, wherein the rail assemblies are fixed to both side walls of the storage chamber. Thus, considerable space in the storage chamber can be used with the same extension length in the rail system.

The cooling device can be a refrigerator, in particular a bottom freezer-type refrigerator.

Brief description of the figures The accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying the invention whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in detail hereinafter:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a rail system according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the rail system in a fully retracted position, according to the present invention

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a rail assembly of the rail system according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the rail assembly in a retracted position where a slide rail unit is extended, according to the present invention. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of the rail assembly with a shifting mechanism shown in Fig. 4, where a cover of the shifting mechanism is removed, according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the shifting mechanism in the rail assembly wherein the cover of the shifting mechanism is removed, according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a front view of the shifting mechanism in the rail assembly wherein the cover of the shifting mechanism is removed, according to the present invention. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the shifting mechanism attached to a slide rail unit of the rail assembly, according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows the shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein the cover is removed.

Fig. 10 shows the shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 9, wherein an actuation gear and an intermediate connection part are removed.

Fig. 11 shows the shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein one pair of engagement members are removed.

Fig. 12 shows the shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 11, wherein a transmission belt is removed. Fig. 13 shows the shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 12, wherein a first and a second pinion gears are removed.

Fig. 14 shows an exploded view of the shifting mechanism with the rail assembly according to the present invention.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged exploded view of the shifting mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 16 shows another perspective view of the shifting mechanism attached to the slide rail unit of the rail assembly, according to the present invention.

Fig. 17 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 shows a partial rear perspective view of the shifting mechanism, according to the present invention.

Fig. 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the rail system attached to a household appliance, in particular to a cooling device, according to the present invention. Fig. 20 shows another cross-sectional view of the rail system attached to a household appliance, in particular to a cooling device, wherein the rail system is brought to a retracted position and a storage chamber is in an open position, according to the present invention. Detailed description of the figures

The present invention proposes a rail system (10) for use in a storage chamber (102) of a household appliance (100), the rail system (10) comprising one pair of oppositely oriented rail assemblies (50) fixable to both side walls (101) of the storage chamber (102), each of the rail assemblies (50) having a toothed rack (54) along a movement direction, and a slide rail unit (51) being movable along the rail assemblies (50) and fixable to a storage container (90) on one side thereof to move the storage container (90); and a synchronization rod (30) configured to connect one pair of slide rail units (51) with each other. Each of the rail assemblies (50) comprise a shifting mechanism (20) attached to the respective slide rail unit (51), and having an actuation gear (23) being rotatably provided in an engaged state with the toothed rack (54) such that the drive torque from the actuation gear (23) is transferred to a forward position in the movement direction relative to the actuation gear (23). With this arrangement, a considerable space between the rail system (10) and a rear wall (103) of the storage chamber (102) can be used and allocated with internal parts (i.e., evaporator unit). The rail system (10) mainly comprises similarly shaped one pair of rail assembly (50) and the synchronization rod (30) for connection thereof. According to the present invention, the shifting mechanism (20) shifts the starting point of the synchronization rod (30) to a forward location with the same extension length of the rails. As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the shifting mechanism (20) comprises a first pinion gear (22) rotatably coupled with the actuation gear (23), a rotatable second pinion gear (21) arranged in a position, in use, away from a rear wall (103) the storage chamber (102) with respect to the first pinion gear (22), and a transmission belt (24) configured to extend around the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) for transferring the drive torque from the actuation gear (23) to the second pinion gear (21). The actuation gear (23) is pinion gear arranged to mesh with the tooth of the toothed rack (54). .Referring to Fig. 1 and 3, the starting position of the synchronization rod (30) is shifted with the same extension length, and any alignment problems are compensated as the synchronization rod (30) is not directly connected to the toothed rack (54) but by means of the shifting mechanism (20). As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the second pinion gears (21) are provided at both ends of the synchronization rod (30), and the shifting mechanism (20) comprises an intermediate connection part (25) for connecting the synchronization rod (30) to the second pinion gear (21). As shown in Fig. 15, the intermediate connection part (25) has a longitudinal shaft (251), which is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the synchronization rod (30), with a connection hole (252) formed on the longitudinal shaft (251) for attaching to the synchronization rod (30) via a fastening member (i.e., screw, bolt, setscrew). The longitudinal shaft (251) extends from a cylindrically shaped base portion (253), and has a substantially rectangular cross-section to fit inside the synchronization rod (30). Fig. 6 shows a sectional perspective view of the shifting mechanism (20) wherein the longitudinal shaft (251) extends inner through the synchronization rod (30).

Starting from Fig. 8 to Fig. 14, the position and location of the parts that form the shifting mechanism (20) can be seen step by step. The shifting mechanism (20) is attached to the slide rail unit (51) wherein one side of the slide rail unit (51) is attached to the storage container (90). Therefore, when the user manually moves forward the storage container (90) relative to a rear wall (103) of the storage chamber (102), the actuation gear (23) coupled with the first pinion gear (22) is rotated in the movement direction, the transmission belt (24) extends around the second pinion gear (21) and thus the second pinion gear (21) is rotated. When the user manually moves the storage container (90) relative to the rear wall (103) rearward, the actuation gear (23) is rotated in the other direction (reverse to the first movement direction), both actuation gear (23) coupled with the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) also rotates on the same direction by the means of the transmission belt (24). Accordingly, while the slide rail unit (51) moves back and forth, the shifting mechanism (20) moves along the toothed rack (54).

Referring to the Figs. 5 and 6, the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) include a plurality of drive teeth which meshingly engage the inner teeth-form of the transmission belt (24). The transmission belt (24) is an endless transmission belt and is arranged to extend around to the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) which are arranged at spaced positions. By extending the length of the transmission belt (24) the start point of the synchronization rod (30) can be arranged as desired. Referring to the Figs. 10 and 11, the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) are arranged on the same longitudinal axis and in between the toothed rack (54) and the attachment member (26). Thus, the drive torque is first transferred to the first pinion gear (22) and then the second pinion gear (21) as a forward position by the shifting mechasnim (20). The second pinion gears (21) provided on both sides of the storage chamber (102) of the household appliance (100) are connected to the synchronization rod (30). The synchronization rod (30) is a part that keeps the movement positions of the second pinion gear (21) equal to each other. Accordingly, the synchronization rod (30) can be made of a material with high rigidity to prevent relative movement from occurring between the shifting mechanisms (20).

Now referring to the Figs. 4 and 5, the rail assembly (50) is fully retracted and the storage container (90) is brought to the open position, wherein the shifting mechanism (20) has an attachment member (26) extending partly in the movement direction and fixed to the slide rail unit (51) on one inner side thereof. As can be seen in Fig. 14, said attachment member (26) has at least one attachment hole (261) for attaching the attachment member (26) to the rail assembly (50). The attachment hole (261) is a cylindrical hole through which a screw or a bolt can pass. Referring to the Fig. 15, the attachment member (26) has at least two guiding holes (271), respectively, at least two bearing members (27) are attached to the guiding holes (271) wherein one of the bearing members (27) is configured with respect to the first pinion gear (22) and the other bearing member (27) is configured with respect to the second pinion gear (21).

In a preferred embodiment, the shape and the diameter of the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) are the same. In a possible embodiment, the shape and the diameter of the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) can be different from each to arrange the speed of the actuation gear (23) moving along the toothed rack (54). As shown in Fig. 6, an engagement member (28), as a mechanical fastener, is secured between the intermediate connection part (25) and the second pinion gear (21). Said engagement member (28) is in the form of a hollow circular cylinder and places on one open end of the bearing member (27). Similarly shaped another engagement member (28) is secured on the other bearing member (27) which is in between the actuation gear (23) and the first pinion gear (22). The bearing member (27) has a first portion and the second portion which has a larger diameter than the first portion, and a cylindrically shaped middle portion protruded at the middle portion thereof.

Referring to Figs 16 to 18, the shifting mechanism (20) is equipped with a removably oriented cover (29) for covering the actuation gear (23), the first pinion gear (22), and the second pinion gear (21). The cover (29) has at least one attachment tooth (291) arranged to engage with the corresponding portions of the attachment member (26). As shown in Fig. 16, one hook-like attachment tooth engages with one end corner of the attachment member (26), similarly, in Fig. 18, another attachment tooth (291) is arranged to engage with another end corner of the attachment member (26).

Referring to Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, the pair of rail assemblies (50) is installed at a right- side wall (101) of the storage chamber (102), and a second rail assembly (50) which is installed at a left side wall (101) of the storage chamber (102). The first rail assembly (50) and the second rail assembly (50) are provided in similar types so that left and right sides of the storage container (90) are equally supported.

The rail assembly (50) further comprises a fixed side rail (52), onto which the slide rail unit (51) arranged to slide, is fixedly surrounded with a substantially C-shaped outer shell (53) wherein one open end of the outer shell (53) forms the toothed rack (54). Referring to Fig. 18, the outer shell (53) covers one side of the the slide rail unit (51) wherein the shifting mechanism (20) is provided on the bottom end of the outer shell (53) where the toothed rack (54) is formed. The outer shell (53) has an elongated groove (55) extending along the slide rail unit (51) wherein the elongated groove (55) is formed between the side inner wall and the toothed rack (54). Referring to Fig. 7, the elongated groove (55) creates a space for the transmission belt (24) and gears thereof for freely and securely operating. The slide rail unit (51) comprises a middle rail (530) and an inner rail (512); the middle rail (530) is connected to the inner rail (512) in a sliding form, and the inner rail (512) is fixed on one of the sides of the storage container (90). The movable inner rail (512) serves to guide the movement of the shifting mechanism (20), and this structure is equally provided at the oppositely second inner rail (512) and the shifting mechanism (20).

According to the present invention, a household appliance (100), in particular a cooling device, can comprise the above-mentioned rail system (10). The household appliance

(100) can comprise a body (104) in which the storage chamber (102) is formed, and a storage container (90) selectively guided into and out of the storage chamber (102) in the movement direction, wherein the rail assemblies (50) are fixed to both side walls

(101) of the storage chamber (102). Referring to Fig. 19 and 20, the household appliance (100) is a cooling device and an evaporator unit (80) is placed vertically in a range of created spaces by the means of the shifting mechanism (20). Since the start porint of the synchronization rod (30) is shifted to a forward point relative to the actuation gear (23), when the storage container (90) is in the closed position, the same extension length of the rails is maintained by increasing space at the rearward. With this arrangement, the created space may be facilitated by the evaporator unit (80) as shown in Figs 19 and 20.

Reference list:

10. Rail system

20. Shifting mechanism

21. Second pinion gear

22. First pinion gear

23. Actuation gear

24. Transmission belt

25. Intermediate connection part

251. Longitudinal shaft

252. Connection hole

253. Base portion

26. Attachment member 261. Attachment hole

27. Bearing member 271. Guiding hole

28. Engagement member

29. Cover

291. Attachment tooth

30. Synchronization rod

50. Rail assembly

51. Slide rail unit

52. Side rail

53. Outer shell

54. Toothed rack

55. Elongated groove

80. Evaporator unit

90. Storage container

100. Household appliance

101. Side wall

102. Storage chamber

103. Rear wall

104. Body

Claims

1. A rail system (10) for use in a storage chamber (102) of a household appliance (100), the rail system (10) comprising: one pair of oppositely oriented rail assemblies (50) fixable to both side walls (101) of the storage chamber (102), each of the rail assemblies (50) having a toothed rack (54) along a movement direction, and a slide rail unit (51) being movable along the rail assemblies (50) and fixable to a storage container (90) on one side thereof to move the storage container (90); and a synchronization rod (30) configured to connect one pair of slide rail units (51) with each other; characterized in that each of the rail assemblies (50) comprise a shifting mechanism (20) attached to the respective slide rail unit (51), and having an actuation gear (23) being rotatably provided in an engaged state with the toothed rack (54) such that the drive torque from the actuation gear (23) is transferred to a forward position in the movement direction relative to the actuation gear (23).

2. The rail system (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the shifting mechanisms (20) comprise a first pinion gear (22) rotatably coupled with the actuation gear (23); a rotatable second pinion gear (21) arranged in a position, in use, away from a rear wall (103) of the storage chamber (102) relative to the first pinion gear (22); and a transmission belt (24) configured to extend around the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) for transferring the drive torque from the actuation gear (23) to the second pinion gear (21). 3. The rail system (10) according to claim 2, wherein.the second pinion gears (21) are provided at both ends of the synchronization rod (30).

4. The rail system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the shifting mechanism (20) comprises an intermediate connection part (25) for connecting synchronization rod (30) to the second pinion gear (21).

5. The rail system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate connection part (25) has a longitudinal shaft (251), which is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the synchronization rod (30), with a connection hole (252) formed on the longitudinal shaft (251) for attaching to the synchronization rod (30) via a fastening member.

6. The rail system (10) according to claim any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) are arranged on the same axis and in between the toothed rack (54) and the attachment member (26).

7. The rail system (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 6, wherein the transmission belt (24) is an endless transmission belt and is arranged to extend around to the first pinion gear (22) and the second pinion gear (21) which are arranged at spaced positions.

8. The rail system (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 7, wherein each of the shifting mechanisms (20) have an attachment member (26) extending partly in the movement direction and fixed to the slide rail unit (51) on one inner side thereof.

9. The rail system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the attachment member (26) has at least two guiding holes (271), respectively, at least two bearing members (27) are attached the guiding holes (271) wherein one of the bearing members (27) is configured with respect to the first pinion gear (22) and the other bearing member (27) is configured with respect to the second pinion gear (21).

10. The rail system (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each of the shifting mechanisms (20) are equipped with a removably oriented cover (29) for covering the respective actuation gear (23), the respective first pinion gear (22), and the respective second pinion gear (21). 11. The rail system (10) according to claim 10, wherein the cover (29) has an attachment tooth (291) arranged to engage with a corresponding portion of the attachment member (26).

12. The rail system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the slide rail units (51) comprise a middle rail (530) and an inner rail (512); the middle rail (530) is connected to the inner rail (512) in a sliding form, and the inner rail (512) is fixed on one of the sides of the storage container (90).

13. The rail system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the rail assembly (50) further comprises a fixed side rail (52), onto which the slide rail unit (51) is arranged to slide, is fixedly surrounded by a substantially C-shaped outer shell (53) wherein one open end of the outer shell (53) forms the toothed rack (54).

14. A household appliance (100) comprising the rail system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (100) comprises a body (104) in which the storage chamber (102) is formed, and a storage container (90) selectively guided into and out of the storage chamber (102) in the movement direction, wherein the rail assemblies (50) are fixed to both side walls (101) of the storage chamber (102). 15. The household appliance (100) according to Claim 14, the household appliance

(100) is a cooling device, in particular a bottom freezer-type refrigerator.