Refrigerator and / or freezer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling and / or freezing appliance with a cooled interior and with a closing element by means of which the cooled interior can be closed, wherein a holding means is provided which in a first position opposes a complete closing of the closing element, so that the closing element remains open by a gap, and which in a second position enables the complete closing of the closing element, wherein the holding means is designed such that it automatically assumes the second position after a period of time starting from the first position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with a cooled interior and with a closure element by means of which the cooled interior can be closed.

[0002] The fundamental problem with refrigerators and / or freezers is that when the door is open, warm air flows into the cooled interior and is cooled there. This cooling leads to a negative pressure within the cooled interior, which makes it difficult to open the door again.

[0003] To solve this problem, it is known to equip appliances with pressure equalization devices in the form of openings leading into the cooled interior, which connect the ambient atmosphere with the cooled interior for the purpose of pressure equalization after the door is closed. These openings have the disadvantage of forming a permanent thermal bridge, i.e., leading to the ingress of warm air into the cooled interior.

[0004] On the other hand, a disadvantage is that, apart from the corresponding additional costs, there is a risk of the opening icing up because the pressure equalization openings have a small cross-section.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further develop a refrigerator and / or freezer of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that a pressure equalization opening and the associated disadvantages can be dispensed with and yet easy opening of the door or other closure element is possible.

[0006] This object is achieved by a refrigerator and / or freezer having the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to this, a holding means is provided which, in a first position, counteracts a complete closing of the closure element so that the closure element is open by a gap, and which, in a second position, enables the closure element to be closed completely, wherein the holding means is designed such that it automatically assumes the second position after a period of time has elapsed, starting from the first position.

[0008] During this period, the position of the locking element may remain fixed or the locking element may slowly move into the closed position.

[0009] The present invention is therefore based on the idea of ​​keeping the door or other locking element open for a short time when closing and only then closing it completely.

[0010] The time period is preferably selected so that it ends when hardly any warm air flows through the gap, since the air that already flowed in when the device was open has cooled down.

[0011] The use of the term “door” in the following refers to any closure element by means of which the cooled interior can be closed, such as a door, a flap, a lid, a drawer, etc.

[0012] The holding means can be purely mechanical or can have an electrical / electronic actuator etc. that acts on the holding means to move it from the first position to the second position.

[0013] It is conceivable that the retaining means could be formed by or include a door-closing delay. This would be a device that, for example, delays or dampens the last few millimeters of the closing action of the locking element. A gas-pressure plunger or a spring-loaded plunger could be considered, for example.

[0014] When the door hits the spring-loaded plunger (first position), the door movement is slowed down and the door is slowly closed against the spring force until the plunger finally reaches its second position, in which the door can be closed completely, i.e. without a gap.

[0015] The holding means can also be formed by an actuator itself, which is designed to close the door. It is conceivable that the actuator remains in its position at a certain opening angle of the door and closes the door after the time period has elapsed.

[0016] Preferably, the closure element is designed with a self-closing mechanism which is designed such that a closing force acts on the closure element permanently or at least when a certain opening angle is undershot by the self-closing mechanism, wherein the self-closing mechanism has the task of completely closing the closure element.

[0017] It is thus conceivable that the holding means is or comprises a spring, in particular a gas pressure spring, which is designed to exert on the closure element a force directed counter to the closing direction of the closure element.

[0018] As stated, the holding means can be a movable plunger or comprise one. It is conceivable that the plunger is arranged on the body or on the closure element in the depth direction of the device. The plunger can be retracted in its second position and flush with the body or closure element, or it can be set back so that the closure element can be fully closed when the holding means is in its second position.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, an actuator may be provided that interacts with the holding means and is designed to move the holding means from the first to the second position. This actuator may, for example, be an electric motor.

[0020] It is conceivable that the first position of the holding means is variable, and thus also the gap width between the closure element and the device body. The invention also encompasses the case where the first position of the holding means, and thus the gap width, is fixed, i.e., cannot be changed.

[0021] The ability to change the first position is particularly advantageous if the gap width is to be adjusted, for example, to environmental conditions or other parameters.

[0022] It is conceivable that the holding means follows the movement of the closure element over the entire opening path of the closure element or only over a part of it.

[0023] In the first case, in which the holding means follows the closure element over the entire opening path, the holding means can, for example, be fixed to the closure element and accommodated in a recess on the body side, into which the holding means is moved when the closure element is closed and moved out when the closure element is opened.

[0024] In the second case, in which the retaining means follows the movement of the closure element only over part of the opening path, it is conceivable that the retaining means only comes into contact with the closure element when a certain closing angle or closing position is reached, starting from an open position. This can be achieved, for example, by a plunger that protrudes a few millimeters or centimeters from the body in its first position and is set back in its second position, for example, flush with the body.

[0025] In one embodiment, it is conceivable for the device to have determining means configured to determine the first position of the holding means. For example, if it is a plunger, the first position can be a specific extension length of the plunger.

[0026] It is also conceivable that the determining means are designed to determine the beginning of the time period, wherein the time period is the duration for which the closure element remains open a gap. After the time period has elapsed, the door is closed.

[0027] It is conceivable, for example, that the travel path and / or the travel time of the holding means and / or the closure element is determined and from this it is determined that the first position has been reached and thus the period of openness begins.

[0028] Angle or rotation measurement of movable actuator parts that serve to drive the holding means and / or the closure element can also be carried out.

[0029] In a further embodiment, it is conceivable for the device to have determination means designed to determine the first position of the holding means and / or the start of the time period by means of pressure point detection. If the closure element strikes the holding means during the closing process, this can be detected, for example, by a pressure sensor. The position of the holding means (or a position changed based on this) can be the first position. When the holding means reaches its first position, the time period in which the closure element is held open begins. When the time period expires, the holding means is in its second position and the door is completely closed.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be provided that the holding means and / or the closure element has a switch which is arranged such that it is actuated when the closure element touches the holding means.

[0031] It is also conceivable that the holding means and / or the closure element has a pressure sensor which is arranged in such a way that it is acted upon when the closure element touches the holding means.

[0032] Determining the first position is also possible if a power source is present that supplies the holding device with current, with the determining device being designed to determine the current profile over time. Based on the current profile, it can be determined that the plunger needs to exert more force, i.e., that it has reached the door.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a measuring device for measuring at least one parameter is provided, wherein the holding means are directly or indirectly connected to the measuring device.

[0034] It is conceivable that a control device is provided which is connected to the measuring device and to the holding means in such a way that it adjusts the holding means as a function of the parameter value(s) determined by the measuring device with regard to the time period and / or the first position.

[0035] This or these parameters could be, for example, the ambient temperature, the internal device temperature, or the ambient humidity. Adjusting the time period and / or the initial position, and thus the gap width, can be useful to prevent the gap between the locking element and the body from icing over.

[0036] It should be noted here that the terms "a" and "an" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements, although this is a possible interpretation, but can also refer to a plurality of the elements. Likewise, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and conversely, the singular also encompasses several of the elements in question.

[0037] Furthermore, all features of the invention described herein may be combined with one another as desired or claimed in isolation from one another.

[0038] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0039] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic plan view of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention with the door closing before reaching the holding means, Fig. 2: a schematic plan view of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention with the door position when reaching the holding means and Fig. 3: a schematic plan view of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention with the door closed.

[0040] The Fig. 1 to 3 show a plan view of the front section of a body 10 of a cabinet-like refrigerator and / or freezer.

[0041] A door 20 is pivoted about a vertical axis on the body. A locking device acts on this door, exerting a force in the closing direction over the entire opening angle or when the opening angle falls below a certain value, ie, closing the door.

[0042] The reference number 30 designates a holding means which is arranged on the body so as to be movable in the depth direction of the body by means of an actuator, such as an electric motor.

[0043] In the condition according to Fig. 1, the door 20 is in a closing movement, but has not yet reached the holding means 30.

[0044] If the door is closed further, it hits the end of the holding part furthest from the body at a certain opening angle.

[0045] The holding part is equipped with a pressure sensor or switch that detects when the door contacts the holding part.

[0046] This point in time is the beginning of the period for which the door must remain in the position according to Fig. 2 or is slowly pulled from there, but in any case is not completely closed. For the duration of the period of time, the holding part 30 remains in the position according to Fig. 2 or, alternatively, it is slowly retracted into the body from there. The actuator thus counteracts the closing force.

[0047] After the predefined or adjustable time period has elapsed, the actuator moves the holding part to the position according to Fig. 3, in which, starting from the position in Fig. 2 is drawn into the body. Due to the force of the locking mechanism, the door is completely closed, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0048] The basic principle of the present invention is to keep the door (or other closure element) open a crack for a short time when closing and to close it completely only when hardly any warm air flows in, ie the incoming air has cooled down.

[0049] Preferred embodiments are described below: In addition to a purely mechanical door delay (damping element that dampens / delays the last few millimeters of the closing process, e.g., a gas-pressure plunger), it would be conceivable to integrate this functionality into the door opening aid of a Tip2Open. For this, the plunger would not retract completely after the door is opened, but would remain in an intermediate position (= first position) for a certain time, holding the door slightly open.

[0050] After a certain time, the plunger then moves back so that the door can close completely.

[0051] The electrical solution requires a fixed distance. This can be set either via a fixed parameter, i.e., the travel distance / travel time of the plunger starting from an end position.

[0052] Alternatively, a solution in which the plunger (door opening actuator) independently determines the point at which the plunger rests against the door would be preferable. This would have the advantage that the door movement begins immediately upon the actuator's start, thus eliminating any dead time / opening delay until the door is moved. This would improve the customer benefit of the feature itself.

[0053] The detection of the pressure point can, for example, • via a switch on the plunger • by measuring the force on the ram • by monitoring the actuator's current. The current curve indicates that the plunger needs to exert more force, i.e., that it has reached the door. By slightly reversing, the plunger can be positioned directly behind the door.

[0054] Starting from this position, the door gap at which the plunger must be held for some time to equalize the pressure can be determined.

[0055] The determination can be made by • Determination of travel times (travel time for door opening, ie slightly shorter return travel time) • Position measurement of the plunger • Length measurement • Rotation measurement of rotating parts between motor axis and actuating plunger

[0056] The opening times and the gap size could be controlled depending on the ambient temperature, the internal temperature of the device or the ambient humidity in order to prevent the door gap from icing up.

Claims

[1] A refrigerator and / or freezer with a refrigerated interior and with a closure element by means of which the refrigerated interior can be closed, characterized by that a holding means is provided which, in a first position, counteracts a complete closing of the closure element, so that the closure element is open by a gap, and which, in a second position, enables the complete closing of the closure element, wherein the holding means is designed such that it automatically assumes the second position after a period of time has elapsed, starting from the first position. [2] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1, characterized by that the holding means is or comprises a spring, in particular a gas pressure spring, which is designed to exert on the closure element a force directed counter to the closing direction of the closure element. [3] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the holding means is or comprises a movable plunger and / or an actuator. [4] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an actuator is present which cooperates with the holding means and which is designed to move the holding means from the first to the second position or which itself forms the holding means. [5] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first position of the holding means is variable or fixed. [6] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding means follows the movement of the closure element over the entire opening path of the closure element or only over a part of it. [7] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the device has determination means which are designed to determine the first position of the holding means and / or the beginning of the time period from the travel path and / or from the travel time of the holding means and / or the closure element and / or via an angle or rotation measurement of movable actuator parts which serve to drive the holding means and / or the closure element. [8] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device has determining means which are designed to determine the first position of the holding means and / or the beginning of the time period by means of pressure point detection. [9] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding means and / or the closure element has a switch which is arranged such that it is actuated when the closure element touches the holding means. [10] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding means and / or the closure element has a pressure sensor which is arranged such that it is acted upon when the closure element touches the holding means. [11] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that there is a current source which supplies the holding means with current, and that the determining means is designed to determine the current profile over time. [12] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a measuring device is provided for measuring at least one parameter and that the holding means are directly or indirectly connected to the measuring device. [13] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 12, characterized bythat a control device is provided which is connected to the measuring device and to the holding means in such a way that it adjusts the holding means as a function of the parameter value(s) determined by the measuring device with regard to the time period and / or the first position.

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