Refrigerator and / or freezer

Abstract

Refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one body which delimits at least one cooled interior space and with at least one door which is arranged such that it can pivot relative to the body and by means of which the cooled interior space can be closed when the door is in the closed position, wherein at least one holder (30) arranged on the body side is provided, characterized in that at least one lever (20) extends between the holder (30) and the door and is guided in at least one slotted guide (34) of the holder (30).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one body which delimits at least one cooled interior space and with at least one door which is arranged pivotably relative to the body and by means of which the cooled interior space can be closed in the closed position of the door, wherein at least one holder arranged on the body side is provided.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to arrange at least one bracket in the form of a hinged bracket on the body of a refrigerator and / or freezer, around which the door can pivot. The hinged bracket's task is to pivot the door to the body and absorb the loads and moments generated by the door. Furthermore, it is known to provide dampers and closing aids that, on the one hand, prevent the door from falling into its closed position without being damped and, on the other hand, apply a closing moment that moves the door into the closed position.

[0003] For example, EP 2 034 115 A2 discloses a hinge for a washing machine door, particularly for a top-loading machine. The hinge has a bracket in which a guide for guiding a lever is located.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of developing a refrigerator or freezer of the type mentioned above in such a way that a desired door kinematics can be realized in a comparatively simple manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by a refrigerator or freezer with the features of claim 1. According to this, at least one lever extends between the holder and the door and is guided in at least one slotted guide of the holder. This makes it possible, for example through the shape, length and arrangement of the slotted guide, to cause a damper and / or a locking device to engage at a specific door opening angle. The position of the lever as a function of the door opening angle can be predetermined by the slotted guide. Accordingly, functions triggered by the lever, such as damping or self-closing of the door, can also be predetermined in the desired manner so that they are activated or deactivated when a specific door opening angle is reached.

[0006] The bracket may be a bearing block on which the door is pivoted. In this case, the bracket serves not only to guide the lever but also to support the door.

[0007] It is conceivable that at least one door-side guide is located on the door, and preferably on a module housing located on the door, in which the lever is guided. The position or movement of the lever depending on the door can thus also be determined by a door-side guide. Preferably, the lever runs with one end section in the guide of the body-side bracket and with its other end section in the door-side guide or in the guide of the module housing.

[0008] It is conceivable that the guide rail of the holder is designed in such a way that the lever is located in one area of ​​this guide rail when the door is fully open and in another area of ​​this guide rail when the door is in the closed position, wherein it is preferably provided that one and the other area of ​​the guide rail are two end areas of the guide rail of the holder or of the bearing block.

[0009] The movement of the lever in the guide of the bracket from one area to the other can be caused by a braking effect that acts on the lever when the door is moved in the closing direction.

[0010] This braking effect can be generated by a frictional force that the lever experiences when passing through a section of the door-side or module housing guide.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one sliding support is provided which is arranged on the door side and which, in a first position, is connected to the lever in such a way that the lever is moved by the sliding support and which, in a second position, allows a lever movement independent of the sliding support.

[0012] The sliding support can have at least one locking element that fixes the lever to the sliding support in the first position and releases the lever in the second position, so that the lever is not fixed to the sliding support and is movable relative to it. In the second case, neither closing nor opening torques act on the door, so that the door remains in the position to which the user moved it.

[0013] At least one locking unit can be provided on the door side, which is designed to exert a closing moment on the door when a certain door opening angle is reached or exceeded. This can be designed so that neither closing nor opening moments act on the door when the certain door opening angle is exceeded.

[0014] The locking unit can encompass the slide support or be connected to it. The locking unit can consist of one or more springs.

[0015] At least one damper may be provided, which is connected to the sliding support in such a way that the movement of the sliding support in at least one direction of movement is counteracted by the damper. The closing unit may be arranged in or on the damper.

[0016] There may be a module housing on the door of the device in which the lever is guided on the door side.

[0017] It is also conceivable that at least one door-side guide for the lever is located in the module housing.

[0018] Preferably, the closing damper is designed as a modular unit so that in applications with less damping force required, e.g. in the case of a freezer compartment door, the use of simpler dampers, such as air dampers instead of oil-air dampers, is possible.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention can achieve a quiet door movement and the mechanism can be arranged largely hidden so that it is as little noticeable as possible to a user.

[0020] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of the module housing, the bearing block and the lever running between them, Fig. 2: a representation of the arrangement according to Fig. 1 with the housing cover removed, Fig. 3 to 10: Representations of the arrangement according to Fig. 1 at different door opening angles, Fig. 11: a perspective view of the module housing and the bearing block with the door partially opened, Fig. 12: an enlarged view of the area of ​​the slide support, safety slide and lever in the door opening position according to Fig. 3, Fig. 13: an arrangement of the components according to Fig. 12 in the door opening position according to Fig. 6, Fig. 14: a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 12 without safety slide and Fig. 15: a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 13 without safety slide.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows, with reference numeral 10, a module housing arranged on a door of a refrigerator and / or freezer. This module housing can be located, for example, in the upper or lower section or in another section, preferably the inside of the door.

[0022] Reference numeral 30 designates a bearing block that is secured to the body of a refrigerator or freezer by means of brackets 36. The stationary bearing block 30 has a bracket 32 ​​for receiving the door's bearing axis.

[0023] Reference numeral 34 denotes a slotted guide which extends in the bearing block 30 and in which the pin 24 of the lever 20 is movably arranged. The lever 20 extends between the bearing block 30 and the module housing 10 or the components located therein. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the lever 20 is largely accommodated in the housing 10 when the door is closed.

[0024] The reference numerals 12 and 14 denote guides in the form of grooves arranged in the module housing 10. The reference numeral 22 denotes a pin of the lever 20, which runs in the guide 12 of the module housing 10, and the reference numerals 72 and 74 denote pins of a locking element, which run in the guides 12 and 14, respectively. As can be seen from Fig. 1, in the end region of the link 14 facing the bearing block 30, there is an upwardly curved link end region 14'.

[0025] At this point, it should be noted that the term “backdrop” in the context of the present invention includes any guide and is not limited to the backdrops that are used in Fig. 1 are shown.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 1 with the housing cover removed.

[0027] As can be seen from this figure, the damper 40, which can be designed, for example, as an oil-air damper, is located in one end area of ​​the module housing 10 and generates speed-dependent damping. The damper energy required depends on the door closing speed, the door opening position from which the door closing movement is initiated, and also on the door mass.

[0028] In principle, other dampers are also included in the invention.

[0029] The reference number 50 designates a sliding support which is connected to the Fig. 3, and which is moved back and forth in the module housing 10 when the damper is extended and retracted. The sliding support 50 has at least one projection 52 that is guided in the guide 12.

[0030] The reference numeral 60 designates a safety slide which is guided with its projections 62, 64 in the guides 12, 14.

[0031] The reference numeral 70 represents a locking element which has the task of locking the pin 22 of the lever 20 in the Fig. 2 shown locking position or (in the case of larger door opening angles) to release it from this position.

[0032] The reference numeral 90 denotes a compression spring which extends between the slide carrier 50 and the safety slide 60. In the Fig. In the position shown in Figure 2, the safety slide 60 rests with its projection 62 on the pin 22 of the lever 20 and is thereby prevented from moving to the right despite the pressure force of the spring 90.

[0033] Out of Fig. 2 further shows that the link 34 of the bearing block 30 has two end regions A and B, between which the pin 24 of the lever 20 can be moved back and forth.

[0034] Reference numeral 74 denotes the pivot point or pin of the locking element 70, about which it can pivot in the guide 12. A pivoting movement is enabled when the pin 72 is located in the area of ​​the guide 14'. Then, a movement of the lever 20 relative to the locking element 70 and a relative movement between the safety slide 60 and the locking element 70 are possible.

[0035] Fig. 1 as well as Fig. 2 show the door or the arrangement of the components shown in the closed position of the door, in which it closes the cooled interior.

[0036] Now starting from Fig. 2 the door is opened, the positions of the individual elements are determined according to the Fig. 3 to 10, as described below.

[0037] If the door is opened slightly, this will Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the slide support 50, the locking element 70, and also the safety slide 60 move to the right in the module housing 10. The same applies to the end region of the lever 20, which is provided with the pin 22. As the door is opened further, this movement continues, with the piston 42 of the damping unit 40 being extended further and further. This results from the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

[0038] Up to the position of the door according to Fig. 5, the locking element 70 holds the pin 22 of the lever 20 in a form-fitting manner, so that the lever 20 is fixed to the latter by means of the locking element 70 and thus follows the movement of the locking element and thus also of the sliding support and the piston 42 in this end region.

[0039] When transitioning the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the pin 72 of the locking element is moved into the area 14' of the groove, which in Fig. 1. This is accompanied by a pivoting movement of the locking element around the pin 74.

[0040] The locking element 70 is thus pivoted slightly upwards, so that the Fig. 6. During this pivoting, the spring 90 presses the safety slide 60 according to Fig. 6 to the right, so that its edge 62 (cf. Fig. 13) engages under the pin 72 of the locking element 70. This prevents the locking element from moving out of its Fig. 6 shown release position into its position shown in Fig. 5 shown locking position is moved back.

[0041] When further opening the door according to the Fig. 7 to 10, the lever 20 is freely movable to the extent that it is no longer connected to the locking element 70, nor to the sliding support 50 and the damping element 40, or to the locking unit. In this area, neither a closing nor an opening moment acts on the door.

[0042] While the lever is fixed to the sliding support, the pin 24 of the lever 20 is located at the end area A of the link of the bearing block.

[0043] As the door is opened further, the pin 24 is now moved within the guide 34 of the bearing block, as can be seen from a comparison of the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

[0044] This movement is possible until the pin 24 hits the end area B of the guide 34. A further opening of the door starting from Fig. 9 now causes the lever 20 in the slotted guide 80 of the module housing to be moved further to the right until it reaches its Fig. 10 shown right end position is reached.

[0045] In the Fig. In the position shown in Figure 10, the door is thus fully open. Pin 24 of the lever is located in the end region B of the guide 34 near the door bearing, and pin 22 of the lever 20 is located in the end region of the guide 80 of the module housing facing the bearing block.

[0046] Fig. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the module housing 10 inserted into a door end piece 100. The door end piece or insert part can be located, for example, at the top or bottom of the door, preferably outside the area surrounded by the magnetic door seal.

[0047] Fig. 12 shows an enlarged view of the central portion of the module housing 10 with the sliding support 50 arranged therein and with the locking element 70, which is pivotally arranged on the sliding support 50. The pivot axis is formed by the pin 74, relative to which the locking element is pivotable and which, according to Fig. 1 is slidably mounted in the guide 12 of the module housing.

[0048] The reference numeral 60 designates the safety slide, which is pressure-loaded by the spring 90, but which is prevented from moving to the right by the pin 22 of the lever 20.

[0049] The position of the Fig. 12 elements corresponds to the arrangement of the components according to Fig. 5.

[0050] In this position, the lever 20 with its pin 22 is prevented from moving relative to the locking element 70 or relative to the sliding support 50 by the locking element 70, ie by the downwardly projecting nose 72'.

[0051] Fig. 13 shows a position of the components according to Fig. 12, where the door is opened a little further. This further door opening causes a movement of the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 to the right and due to the shape of the groove 14 or 14', the locking element 70 pivots upwards about the axis 74. This upward movement allows the safety slide 60 to Fig. 13 is pushed to the right, due to the force of the compression spring 90 and thereby engages with its legs 62 the pins 74 of the locking element 70, so that the locking element 70 does not accidentally return to the position according to Fig. 12, ie moved into the locking position.

[0052] In the Fig. 13 shows a position in which the pin 22 can now be removed from the locking position due to the upwardly pivoted locking element 70, so that a further door opening causes a separation between the lever and the locking element or sliding support.

[0053] Fig. 14 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 12 without a safety slide and illustrates that the locking element 70 is designed as a one-piece component that is pivotally mounted on the slide support 50 about an axis 74. A multi-piece design of the locking element 70 is also conceivable and encompassed by the invention. Fig. In the position shown in Figure 14, the pin 22 of the lever 20 is held by positive engagement in the groove-shaped receptacle 73 of the locking element 70. If this is pivoted upwards, as shown in Fig. 15, the pin 22 and thus the lever 20 can be moved relative to the locking element 70 and thus also relative to the sliding support and the damper 40.

[0054] At a door opening angle of, for example, < 35 °, a tensile force (to the left as shown in the figures) is applied to the sliding support 50 and to the locking element (“control claw”), which serves as a connecting element between the lever 20 and the sliding support 50 or the damper 40, via a spiral spring, which can be designed as a tension or compression spring and which can be arranged in or on the damper 40.

[0055] In this example in Fig. In the position shown in Figure 2, the connecting element 70 is positively engaged with the lever 20. The force exerted by the aforementioned spring or another tension or compression element is transmitted to the lever 20 via the locking element 70. This tensile force moves the lever 20. This lever exerts a closing moment on the door (not shown) via the linkage in the guide bearing block 30.

[0056] When the door is opened, the spring is further preloaded along the extension path of the damper 40 due to the door opening to approximately 35°. From this range, the control claw or connecting element 70 is controlled via the control cams 14, 14' in the module housing 10 in a path-dependent manner such that, starting at a certain path, the lever 20 leaves the positive connection with the locking element 70, i.e., the lever 20 is then movable independently of the locking element 70.

[0057] From then on, the lever 20 is disengaged and has no force, which in other words means that the door is not moved from this opening angle (for example 35 °) since neither a closing nor an opening moment acts on it.

[0058] At the same time, a further compression spring 90 moves the spring-loaded safety slide 60 via a second control cam in the module housing into a position in which the control claw or locking element 70 is locked in the release position or in the pre-tensioned position. This prevents unintentional resetting of the slide carrier-locking element unit under force.

[0059] If a door opening movement occurs which corresponds to a smaller opening angle than, for example, 35°, this release of the lever 20 does not take place, so that a correspondingly acting path-dependent tensile force exerts a closing moment on the door via the lever connection and the door is moved into its closed position.

[0060] The damper can be an oil-air damper or a pure air damper, for example, for applications on appliances requiring less damping force. A freezer compartment with a smaller door mass would be conceivable for this. Other more cost-effective damper solutions that meet similar requirements are also possible.

[0061] For example, if the door is opened from the Fig. 10 is closed by a user or if the user exerts a dynamic closing movement on the door, the lever 20 is forced by its module housing-side link via a braking area 80, ie the lever 20 is thus braked. This results in the lever, which until then has no power, being moved in the link 34 of the link bearing block 30 into the end area A of the link 34, which is remote from the door pivot point 32. According to Fig. 10, a movement takes place from area B to area A. In the further closing movement, the pin 24 of the lever 20 is in area A, ie in the area of ​​the guide 34 spaced from the door pivot point 22. In this position, the lever or the guide 34 serves as a load-bearing position for the damping forces.

[0062] The braking area 80 can be designed with at least one additional component with different braking effects (e.g. for different door masses).

[0063] Furthermore, this braking area designed via the additional component can be designed along its length (braking distance) with different stiffnesses (via geometric variations or through the use of different material sections) in different braking positions with braking effect adapted depending on the braking distance.

[0064] As a result of the further closing movement, the pin 24 remains in the area A and, after leaving the braking area 80, hits the locking element 70, which is in its release position because it is held there by the safety slide 60.

[0065] As the lever 20 continues to move, the safety slide 60 is first moved so that the control claw or locking element 70 is unlocked, i.e., it positively engages behind the pin 22. This allows the safety slide 60 to move out of the secured, preloaded position.

[0066] As a result of the further lever movement, the locking element 70 is moved from the secured, preloaded position by the guide track 14, 14'. In this way, the system consisting of lever 20 with the sliding support 50, locking element 70, and damper 40 reengages.

[0067] The damper 40 can thus apply its damping force to the lever 20, so that the kinetic energy of the door closing movement is damped, i.e., reduced or eliminated. As explained above, this damping is achieved, for example, by using an oil-air damper, in a speed-dependent manner.

[0068] The damping energy required depends on the door closing speed, the door opening position from which the door closing movement is initiated, and also on the door mass. To accommodate these highly variable conditions, the system has both functional states (damping and self-closing) interacting in the range < 35°, i.e., the system is engaged. This means that when the door's kinetic energy is dissipated, the self-closing function automatically takes effect and the door closes, i.e., the system exerts a closing torque on the door.

[0069] At this point it is pointed out that the angle specifications of e.g. 35 ° or 115 ° are exemplary and do not limit the invention.

[0070] When fully opened according to Fig. 10 the door movement is limited by the end stop to prevent possible damage to the refrigerator.

[0071] In this position, the lever 20 with its pin 22 is located at the end of the guide 80 on the bearing block side, and at the bearing block side, in the end area of ​​the guide 34 closest to the door pivot point 22, i.e., in area B. In this position, the module-lever-bearing block system is in the extended position and subject to tensile stress. To further dampen the end positions of the guide, it may be appropriate, and is included in the invention, to provide one or more elastic elements so that the impact situation is also dampened.

[0072] The maximum possible door opening angle can be limited at the customer's request by means of adaptively insertable additional parts, either in the module housing-side guides or in the guides of the guide bearing block.

[0073] In a range between 35° and 115°, for example, i.e., up to the maximum door opening angle, the door is not subject to any force. This means that the door remains in the position in which the customer places it without any force. Thus, there are no opening or closing moments.

Claims

[1] A refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one body which defines at least one cooled interior space and with at least one door which is arranged pivotably relative to the body and by means of which the cooled interior space can be closed in the closed position of the door, wherein at least one holder (30) is provided on the body side, characterized by that at least one lever (20) extends between the holder (30) and the door, which lever is guided in at least one slotted guide (34) of the holder (30). [2] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1, characterized by that the holder (30) is a bearing block on which the door is pivotably arranged. [3] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that there is at least one link (12) on the door and preferably on a module housing (10) located on the door, in which the lever (20) is guided. [4] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide (34) of the holder (30) is designed such that the lever (20) is located in one area (B) of this guide (34) when the door is fully open and in another area (A) of this guide (34) when the door is in the closed position, wherein it is preferably provided that one and the other area of ​​this guide (34) are two end areas of the guide (34). [5] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 4, characterized by that the movement of the lever (20) in the link (34) of the holder (30) from one area (B) to the other area (A) is caused by a braking effect which is exerted on the lever (20) when the door is moved in the closing direction. [6] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 5, characterized bythat the braking effect is generated by a frictional force which the lever (20) experiences when passing through a section of the gate of the door or the module housing (10). [7] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one sliding support (50) is provided which, in a first position, is connected to the lever (20) in such a way that the sliding support (50) can be moved by the lever (20) and which, in a second position, is independent of the lever (20). [8] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 7, characterized by that the sliding support (50) has at least one locking element (70) which fixes the lever (20) to the sliding support (50) in the first position and releases the lever (20) in the second position, so that the lever (20) is not fixed to the sliding support (50). [9] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one locking unit is provided which is arranged on the door or on the module housing (10) and is designed in such a way that it exerts a closing moment on the door when a certain door opening angle is reached or undershot and / or that neither closing nor opening moments act on the door when the certain door opening angle is exceeded. [10] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the closing unit comprises the sliding support (50) and / or that at least one damper (40) is provided which is connected to the sliding support (50) in such a way that the movement of the sliding support (50) in at least one direction of movement is counteracted by a counterforce by the damper (40). [11] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that there is a module housing (10) on the door in which the lever (20) is guided on the door side. [12] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 11, characterized by that at least one link (12) for the lever (20) is located in the module housing (10).

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