DOOR FOR A HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATING APPLIANCE WITH SPECIFIC TOP FINISH, AND HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATING APPLIANCE

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a door for a household refrigeration appliance. Another aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with a corresponding door.

[0002] DE 10 2015 206 862 A1 discloses a door with a finishing strip. This strip defines a recessed handle at the top of one side of the door. The finishing strip is connected to a profile that defines the recessed handle.

[0003] From US 2010 / 0156260 A1 a household refrigeration appliance is known which has specific door elements for coupling to an external wall.

[0004] In Fig. 1 A perspective view of a known end strip 100 is shown. This is an upper end strip of a known door, viewed in the vertical direction. The end strip 100 has a longitudinal axis A'. The elongated component has a base part 101 along this longitudinal axis A'. Opposite ends 102 and 103 are shown. A coupling structure 104 and 105 is formed at each of these opposite ends 102 and 103. These are designed for mechanical coupling to an edge-side end profile of the door (not shown here). In this respect, the coupling structures 104 and 105 have very low contact walls 106 and 107, viewed in the vertical direction.

[0005] In addition, Fig. 1 It is also shown that the end strip 100 has slots 108 and 109. The end strip 100 has a front side 110 and a rear side 111. When the door is mounted and the door is closed, the rear side 111 faces a housing of the household refrigeration appliance or is closer to it than the front side 110.

[0006] In Fig. 2 An enlarged view of a portion of the end strip 100 is shown. As can be seen, the shaft 108 has a front wall 112 and an opposite rear wall 113. As can be seen, the system wall 106 is very low in this respect.

[0007] In Fig. 3 In this context, a perspective view of an assembled state between the end strip 100 and a separate end profile 114 of the door is shown. An outer wall 115 of the door is also shown. As can also be seen in this context, a transition area 116 between the system wall 106 and the shaft 108 is shown.

[0008] In Fig. 4 Another known upper end strip 100 is shown in a perspective view. The end strip 100 according to Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 is intended for a door in which the end profile 114 has an integrated boundary wall for a recessed handle. In this regard, the recessed handle is formed or integrated on the narrow vertical long side of such a door. The end strip 100 according to Fig. 4 In contrast, it is intended for a door that does not have such a recessed grip on the edge. The corresponding shaft 108 is also visible. Here, too, a corresponding wall 106 is designed to be correspondingly low.

[0009] The door of a household refrigerator is filled with thermally insulating foam. When this foam is inserted, it swells and can leak out at the interfaces between door components. Therefore, it is common practice to seal such interfaces with adhesive tape or other manufacturing aids to prevent the foam from escaping. This is sometimes only possible to a limited extent at complex interfaces. Such aids can also only be installed to a limited extent at interfaces that are difficult to access.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a door for a household refrigeration appliance in which interfaces between separate components are better coupled to achieve greater foam tightness. Accordingly, it is also an object to provide a household refrigeration appliance with such a door.

[0011] This object is achieved by a door and a household refrigeration appliance according to the independent claims.

[0012] One aspect of the invention relates to a door for a household refrigeration appliance. The door has an outer wall. In addition, the door has an edge-side finishing profile. This edge-side finishing profile extends in the vertical direction. It is therefore an elongated profile rail oriented in the vertical direction. In addition, the door has an end-side finishing strip that is separate from the finishing profile and the outer wall. The finishing strip has an elongated, bar-shaped base part. The finishing strip has a longitudinal axis. This longitudinal axis is oriented in the width direction of the door. The finishing strip therefore also represents an elongated component that extends in the width direction. In the direction of the longitudinal axis, this finishing strip has a first end and an opposite second end. At at least one end, a coupling structure is formed, in particular, integrally with the base part.This coupling structure is intended for direct mechanical coupling with the edge-side end profile. The coupling structure has a contact wall that extends from the base part upwards in the vertical direction of the door. The coupling structure is intended for at least partially attaching the end profile to it on the outside and / or for at least partially positioning the end profile directly adjacent to it. This means, in particular, that, viewed in the vertical direction of the door, the contact wall is to be dimensioned and understood to the extent that it is intended with regard to an intended overlap with the end profile in this vertical direction in the final assembled state.Areas of the base part and the end profile that are not arranged so as to overlap the system wall in this height direction when the end profile is in its final assembled state are also not to be counted as part of the system wall for the purposes of this understanding. Furthermore, it is intended that the system wall does not have to be in direct contact with the end profile over its entire surface when assembled, or that the end profile does not have to lie directly against the outside of this system wall over its entire surface. The system wall is also intended so that, in its final assembled state, there can be a small spacing between the system wall and the end profile, in particular at least in some areas.

[0013] The end strip has a shaft oriented in the vertical direction of the door. A front wall of the shaft forms a first wall section of the system wall. The shaft has a rear wall. The system wall has a second wall section that ends directly at the rear wall. The second wall section has a height measured in the vertical direction of the door that is at least 60%, in particular between 60% and 100%, of the height of the shaft.

[0014] Such a design achieves an improved design with regard to the height transition in specific end strips that have such an integrated shaft, in wall sections that are directly connected to it. This makes it possible to form a system wall area directly adjacent to this shaft that is correspondingly high compared to the shaft itself. This makes it possible to achieve improved foam tightness precisely at the interface between the shaft, in particular its rear wall, and an adjacent wall section of the system wall. Undesired leakage can be avoided precisely at this specified interface. Since a shaft in question, which could be a cable shaft or other line shaft, for example, is more exposed in terms of its height than neighboring components, unwanted leakage can occur more frequently in these areas.This is avoided by the inventive design of the system wall. Last but not least, this also increases the stability of the shaft itself. This is because it is better supported and stabilized by the second wall section directly adjacent to it, which is also very high. On the other hand, this relatively high design of the second wall section also achieves a direct connection to the shaft, so that this wall section, which is formed in the form of a plate or board, is also stabilized. In this regard, due to this very high height, no undesirable deformations occur when corresponding forces act on this second wall section when insulating foam is introduced. Overall, this creates a mechanically stable structure, especially at this interface, which can easily withstand the pressure of the insulating foam.

[0015] The system wall has a freely cantilevered wall section. This freely cantilevered wall section is an extension of the first wall section. The freely cantilevered wall section extends in the width direction of the door, projecting beyond the width of the shaft. This means that an additional wing is formed directly adjacent to this shaft. In one embodiment, it can be provided that an outer side of the first wall section is flush with an outer side of the freely cantilevered wall section. As a result, the first wall section and the freely cantilevered wall section create a surface area that is continuous at least on the outer side. In particular, this surface area is formed in a common plane or extends flatly in a common plane. In particular, this is formed over this entire surface area.This also allows for improved foam tightness at a second, specific location directly adjacent to the shaft. This can improve a critical interface for foam leakage directly adjacent to the shaft. Furthermore, the same stability considerations apply as already discussed above regarding the shaft and the second wall section.

[0016] In one embodiment, the shaft can be completely closed all the way around in a sectional plane perpendicular to the shaft's longitudinal axis. In this regard, the peripheral contour can be cornerless or angular. In particular, this peripheral contour can be square.

[0017] In this context, the shaft can also be referred to as a channel. In one embodiment, the rear wall extends in one plane. In one embodiment, the second wall section extends in one plane. The plane of the second wall section is arranged at an angle greater than 0° to the rear wall plane. This means that the rear wall and the second wall section are not oriented in the same common plane. The planes in which the second wall section, on the one hand, and the rear wall, on the other, extend are considered to be the planes.

[0018] In one embodiment, the height of the second wall part is between 90% and 100% of the height of the shaft.

[0019] This essentially creates a second wall section with the same or essentially the same height as the rear wall. This significantly contributes to the aforementioned advantages.

[0020] In one embodiment, the height of the second wall part is formed over the entire length of an upper edge of the second wall part. This means that the second wall part is formed with this height over its entire length. In this context, it is possible for the height to be the same over this entire height. In another embodiment, it is also possible for this height of the second wall part to vary at least once, but to be at least 60%, in particular between 60% and 100%, of the height of the shaft at each point. The height can also decrease continuously, starting from the connection point to the shaft. For example, a decrease starting from 100% of the height to a value between 60% and 90% of the height of the shaft can occur. The decrease can be formed by a convexly curved upper edge of the second wall part.

[0021] In one embodiment, the height of the second wall section is between 5 cm and 15 cm. In particular, this height is between 5 cm and 12 cm.

[0022] In one embodiment, the height of the cantilevered wall section, measured in the vertical direction, can be at least 60% of the shaft, in particular at least 60% of the front wall. In particular, this height of the cantilevered wall section is between 60% and 100% of the shaft, in particular of the front wall.

[0023] In one embodiment, the cantilevered wall part is arranged with a free wall edge facing the opposite end of the end strip.

[0024] In one embodiment, the system wall, viewed in a horizontal section, has a V-shaped wall section which directly adjoins the second wall section. The horizontal section extends in a plane spanned by the depth and width of the door. This design of the system wall stabilizes it on the one hand and provides improved foam tightness at other corresponding points on the other. It is therefore possible to form an improved labyrinth over a longer distance, particularly at this interface between the system wall and the end profile. By selecting the appropriate heights for one or the other design of a wall section, it can be ensured that even if insulating foam gets into a space between the system wall and the end profile during foaming, no foam will escape to the outside at this interface.Because of the aforementioned construction with the wall sections adjacent to the shaft, this foam will run dry if it enters this gap. This means that it will harden prematurely or stop flowing at this interface before it exits the door to the outside.

[0025] In one embodiment, the V-shaped wall part has the same height over its entire length.

[0026] In particular, one embodiment provides for the height of the V-shaped wall section to be smaller than the height of the second wall section. In particular, the height of the V-shaped wall section is between 60% and 90% of the height of the second wall section. This allows for a geometry specification that allows for greater foam tightness in this area of ​​the V-shaped wall section, while at the same time not requiring a height that is advantageous, for example, for the second wall section. This also allows for corresponding material savings for the system wall.

[0027] In one embodiment, a freely projecting V-shaped leg of the V-shaped wall section forms a rear wall section of the system wall. This rear wall section faces the opposite end of the end profile. In this context, the rear wall section forms, in particular, a rear or rear end of the system wall. "Rear or rear end" in this context means viewed along the horizontal axis, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end strip. In this respect, the rear wall section is closer to a housing of the household refrigeration appliance than a front wall section when the door is closed.

[0028] In one embodiment, the end strip is an upper end strip. It is known, especially with upper end strips, that such integrated channels or cable ducts are provided. This allows both electrical cables and, if necessary, cables for gaseous or liquid media to be routed from the outside via these end strips into the door or from the door to the outside in a space-saving and protected manner. However, since these ducts must be a certain length in order to be able to lay the corresponding lines or cables, etc., as required, these ducts are designed with a height that is exposed compared to other components of the end strip.

[0029] The directional specifications "in the width direction", "in the height direction", "in the depth direction", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "outside", "inside" etc. for the door and the household refrigeration appliance refer to the condition of a household refrigeration appliance installed for conventional use, the door of which is positioned at the front for an observer and the back at the rear.

[0030] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures.

[0031] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1a perspective view of a known upper end strip; Fig. 2an enlarged view of a partial area in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a partial area according to Fig. 2 with an arranged end profile; Fig. 4 a perspective view of another known upper end strip; Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance according to the invention with an embodiment of a door according to the invention; Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of an embodiment of a door according to the invention; Fig. 7 a perspective view of an embodiment of an end strip of the door according to Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 an exploded view of the end strip according to Fig. 7 with the separate end profile and an outer wall; Fig. 9 a partial view of the end strip according to Fig. 7 with a shaft and adjacent wall parts of a system wall; Fig. 10 a perspective view of the components according to Fig. 8 in one to Fig. 8 different perspective; Fig. 11 a perspective view of the end strip according to Fig. 7 in assembled condition with the end profile according to Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 ; and Fig. 12 a perspective sectional view of the arrangement in Fig. 11 .

[0032] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0033] In Fig. 5 A simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown. The household refrigeration appliance 1 can, for example, be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a refrigerator-freezer combination appliance. The household refrigeration appliance 1 is designed for storing and preserving food. It has a housing 2 in which at least one receiving space 3 for the food is formed. A door 4 is pivotably arranged on the housing 2, so that the receiving space 3 can be closed from the front.

[0034] Door 4 is constructed in several parts.

[0035] In Fig. 6 An embodiment of a door 4 is shown in a perspective partial view. The door 4 has an outer wall 5. The outer wall 5 can be made of sheet metal. The door 4 also has a Fig. 6 The door 4 has an inner wall 6 (not visible) provided with a reference symbol. The inner wall 6 can also be referred to as the inner lining of the door 4. When the door 4 is closed, it faces the receiving space 3. The outer wall 5 and the inner wall 6 are separate components. A thermally insulating material 8, in particular insulating foam, is introduced into a space 7 between the outer wall 5 and the inner wall 6.

[0036] Door 4 also has narrow side edges, of which Fig. 6 only one is shown as a narrow side edge 9. In the exemplary embodiment, this narrow side edge 9 is formed as an edge-side end profile 10. This delimits the space 7 laterally. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the end profile 10 is also a boundary wall 11 of a recessed handle 12. The recessed handle 12 is thus formed on this side edge 9 or integrated into it in this door.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the end profile 10 is formed integrally with the outer wall 5. It is a separate component from the inner wall 6. It is also possible for the end profile 10 and the outer wall 5 to be separate components.

[0038] The end profile 10 can be formed in one piece. For example, it can be made of sheet metal.

[0039] Door 4 also has a finishing strip 13. This is a lower finishing strip. This can be seen when viewed vertically along door 4. Door 4 also has another finishing strip 14. This is an upper finishing strip.

[0040] In Fig. 7 A perspective view of an embodiment of an upper end strip 14 is shown. The upper end strip 14 is formed in one piece. It is made, in particular, of plastic. It can, for example, be an injection-molded component. This end strip 14 is formed as an elongated component. It has a longitudinal axis A. This axis is oriented in the width direction (x-direction).

[0041] The end strip 14 has a base part 15. This is beam-shaped. It can also be referred to as a board-like component. In this respect, it can also be considered an elongated rail. The end strip 14 has a first end 16 and, viewed along the longitudinal axis A, a second end 17 opposite one another. In a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and thus here in the depth direction (x-direction), the end strip 14 has a front side 18 and a rear side 19. When the door 4 is closed, the rear side 19 is closer to the housing 2 than the front side 18. A coupling structure 20 is formed at the first end 16. This is designed for mechanical coupling to the end profile 10. The end profile 10 is shown here with the boundary wall for the recessed handle 12. In this regard, this boundary wall is groove-shaped as a corresponding depression.

[0042] As can also be seen, a vertically oriented shaft 21 is formed at the first end 16. This shaft can also be referred to as a channel or tube. It can be designed to accommodate lines or cables or the like. Thus, a corresponding line routing from the housing 2 to the door 4 or from the door 4 to the housing 2 can be achieved via this interface.

[0043] In addition, the coupling structure 20 has a contact wall 22. This is intended, at least in some areas, for the application of the end profile 10 and / or for the immediate adjacent positioning of the end profile 10. A contact wall 22 is one which, in the assembled state, is arranged so as to overlap with the end profile 10 in the vertical direction. This also creates a wall structure which overlaps in the vertical direction at this interface. In this regard, a corresponding interface can then also be formed more compactly in order to prevent foam leakage. The corresponding insulating foam is in an intermediate space 7, as already described in Fig. 6 explained.

[0044] The shaft 21 has a front wall 23. Viewed in the depth direction, the shaft 21 also has an opposite rear wall 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 21 is angular in cross-section, in particular square. In this respect, it has opposite side walls 25 and 26 in the width direction. The shaft 21 is completely closed all the way around, perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, which extends in the vertical direction. The front wall 23 of the shaft 21 forms a first wall section 27 of the support wall 22. In addition, the support wall 22 has a second wall section 28. This ends directly at the rear wall 26 of the shaft 21. The shaft 21 has a height h1. This is measured in the vertical direction. The longitudinal axis of the shaft 21 is also oriented in this vertical direction. As can be seen, the shaft 21 is designed with this height h1 on both the front wall 23 and the rear wall 24.The second wall part 22 has a height h2 measured in the vertical direction. This height h2 is at least 60%, in particular between 60% and 100%, of the height h1 of the shaft 21. In particular, this concerns the percentage relative to the rear wall 24. Preferably, the height h2 is between 90% and 100% of the height h1 of the shaft 21, in particular of the rear wall 24.

[0045] At the opposite end 17, a corresponding coupling structure and a corresponding shaft with a corresponding system wall are formed, as is the case on the opposite side at end 16. The explanations regarding the components at end 16 therefore apply analogously to the coupling structure at the opposite end 17.

[0046] As furthermore in Fig. 7 As can also be seen, the abutment wall 22 has a freely projecting wall part 29, which forms an extension of the first wall part 27. This freely projecting wall part 29 extends in the width direction of the door 4 beyond the width of the shaft 21. In particular, it is freely projecting towards the opposite end 17 and projects beyond the shaft 21. In one embodiment, this freely projecting wall part has a height that is at least 60%, in particular between 60% and 100% of the height of the shaft 21, in particular of the front wall 23. As in Fig. 9 is shown in which a Fig. 7 different perspective of the end 16 of the end strip 14 is shown, and as is generally true, the heights h1 and h2 end at the same height level at the lower end. The upper edge of the second wall part 28 is not at the same height over the entire length of the second wall part 28. In this regard, the upper edge is curved, in particular convex, rounded. The highest point of this upper edge of the second wall part 28 is the design basis for the height h2. In the exemplary embodiment, this is at the same height as the upper edge of the rear wall 24. Here, this second wall part 28 is therefore the same height as the rear wall 24 at this point.

[0047] The second wall part 28 and the rear wall 24 meet at an angle to one another. The contact wall 22 also has a V-shaped wall part which directly adjoins the second wall part 28. In one exemplary embodiment, this V-shaped wall part 30 has a constant height over its entire length. This height h3 is less than the height h1 and is less than the height h2. In particular, the height of the second wall part 28 transitions from the height h2, in particular continuously, to the height h3. The V-shaped wall part 30 has a first V-leg 31 and an adjoining second V-leg 32. The first V-leg 31 ends directly at the second wall part 28. The second V-leg 32 is oriented towards the opposite end 17. In particular, the height h3 is between 60% and 90% of the height h2. A freely projecting V-leg 32 forms in particular a rear wall part of the system wall 22.

[0048] In Fig. 10 is the representation of the components from Fig. 8 shown in a different perspective. Here, as in Fig. 8 , there is a web-like bend 33 on an upper edge of the outer wall 5. This is, in the assembled state, designed to engage in a receiving slot 34 ( Fig. 7 ) of the front side 18 of the base part 15. For this purpose, the bend 33 is inserted therein.

[0049] In Fig. 11 The assembled state between the system wall 5, the end profile 10 and the upper end strip 14 in the area of ​​the end 16 is shown in a perspective view.

[0050] In addition, Fig. 12 a perspective sectional view along the section line XII-XII in Fig. 11 shown. It can also be seen there that the second wall part 28 ends at an angle α on the rear wall 24. The angle α is greater than 90°, in particular between 40° and 90°, in particular between 60° and 80°. Bezugszeichenliste

[0051] 1 Household refrigeration appliance 2 Casing 3 Mounting space 4 Door 5 Outer wall 6 Inner wall 7 Intermediate space 8 Material 9 Side edge 10 End profile 11 Boundary wall 12 Grip recess 13 End strip 14 End strip 15 Base part 16 End 17 End 18 Front 19 Rear 20 Coupling structure 21 Shaft 22 Attachment wall 23 Front wall 24 Rear wall 25 Side wall 26 Side wall 27 Wall section 28 Wall section 29 Wall section 30 Wall section 31 V-leg 32 V-leg 33 Web 34 Mounting slot 100End strip 101Base part 102End 103End 104Coupling structure 105Coupling structure 106System wall 107System wall 108Shaft 109Shaft 110Front 111Rear 112Front wall 113Rear wall 114End profile 115Outer wall 116Transition area αAngle ALongitudinal axis A'Longitudinal axis h1Height h2Height h3Height xWidth direction yHeight direction zDepth direction

Claims

1. Door (4) for a household refrigeration appliance (1), with an outer wall (5), with an edge-side end profile (10) and with an end-side end plate (14) that is separate therefrom, wherein the end plate (14) has a bar-shaped base part (15) with a longitudinal axis (A, A'), and in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A, A') has a first end (16) and an opposite-lying second end (17), wherein embodied at at least one end (16, 17) is a coupling structure (20), which is coupled to the edge-side end profile (10), wherein the coupling structure (20) has a contact wall (22) which, starting from the base part (15), extends in the height direction (y) of the door (4) and is positioned, at least in regions, immediately adjacent to the end profile (10), wherein the end plate (14) has a shaft (21) oriented in the height direction (y) of the door (4), wherein a front wall (23) of the shaft (21) forms a first wall part (27) of the contact wall (22), and the shaft (21) has a rear wall (24), wherein the contact wall (22) has a second wall part (28) that ends directly at the rear wall (24) and directly abuts the shaft (21), wherein the second wall part (28) has a height (h2) that is measured in the height direction (y), which amounts to at least 60%, in particular between 60% and 100%, of the height (h1) of the shaft (21), wherein the contact wall (22) has a projecting wall part (29), which forms an extension of the first wall part (27) and protrudes over the width of the shaft (21) in the width direction (x) of the door (4).

2. Door (4) according to claim 1, characterised in that the height (h2) of the second wall part (28) amounts to between 90% and 100% of the height (h1) of the shaft (21).

3. Door (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the height (h2) of the second wall part (28) amounts to between 5 cm and 15 cm, in particular between 5 cm and 12 cm.

4. Door (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the projecting wall part (29) faces towards the end (17) of the opposite-lying end plate (14).

5. Door (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact wall (22), when viewed in a horizontal section, has a V-like wall part (30), which directly connects to the second wall part (28).

6. Door (4) according to claim 5, characterised in that the V-like wall part (30) has an even height (h3) when viewed over its entire length.

7. Door (4) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the height (h3) of the V-like wall part (30) is smaller than the height (h2) of the second wall part (28), in particular the height (h2) of the V-like wall part (30) amounts to between 60% and 90% of the height (h2) of the second wall part (28).

8. Door (4) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterised in that a projecting V-limb (32) of the V-like wall part (30) forms a rear wall part of the contact wall (22), which faces towards the opposite-lying end (17) of the end profile (10).

9. Door (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end plate (14) is an upper end plate.

10. Household refrigeration appliance (1) with a door (4) according to one of the preceding claims.