Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator (50, 50') comprises an appliance body (51, 51') and at least one door (55, 56) which is mounted pivotably on the appliance body (51, 51') and which is held, by means of at least one multi-joint hinge (1), in such a way that it is pivotable between a closed position and a maximum opening position, and which in the closed position bears against the appliance body (51, 51') by means of at least one seal (57), wherein the at least one multi-joint hinge (1) has an assembly element (2) that is held on the appliance body (51, 51') and a hinge part (3) that is secured to the door (55, 56), these being held pivotably on one another by means of a joint mechanism having multiple levers (4, 5, 6, 7) connected in articulated fashion, wherein an adjustment device is provided on the assembly element (2), which adjustment device has a securing part (24) secured to the appliance body (51, 51') and an adjustment element (20), by means of which the position of the assembly element (2) relative to the securing part (24) can be adjusted in at least one spatial direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator with an appliance body and at least one door pivotably mounted on the appliance body, which is pivotably held between a closed position and a maximum open position by means of at least one multi-joint hinge and rests against the appliance body by means of at least one seal in the closed position, wherein the at least one multi-joint hinge comprises a mounting element held on the appliance body and a hinge part fixed to the door, which are pivotably held relative to each other by means of a joint mechanism with several pivotally connected levers and the levers are nested within each other in a folded closed position and the multi-joint hinge is box-shaped, wherein an adjustment device is provided on the mounting element, which comprises a fastening part fixed to the appliance body and an adjustment element.by means of which the position of the mounting element relative to the fastening part is adjustable in at least one spatial direction, and the mounting element has a U-shaped cross-section, with two axes fixed to opposite legs of the mounting element.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2006 018 290 discloses a refrigerator with a height-adjustable door, in which a bearing for the door incorporates an adjustment mechanism. The bearing is formed by a pin, allowing the door to pivot about a vertical axis. Such refrigerators have the disadvantage that the door only rotates when opened, but does not move forward, making it impossible to integrate the door into a cabinet. The side walls of a cabinet protrude beyond the front of the appliance body, thus preventing the refrigerator shown in the patent from being integrated into a cabinet.

[0003] Furthermore, multi-joint hinges, as disclosed in WO 2008 / 119647, are used for suspending refrigerator doors. In these hinges, a hinge component is connected to a mounting plate on the appliance body via a lever mechanism with several pivotally connected levers. With such multi-joint hinges, the door can perform a translational forward movement in addition to a rotational movement when pivoting, allowing the refrigerator to be integrated into a furniture unit. These multi-joint hinges sometimes have to support considerable weight, which can cause the door to sag during a pivoting movement. Additionally, manufacturing tolerances can cause problems during installation.

[0004] DE 29 04 397 discloses a refrigerator door that is pivotally mounted on the inside of a refrigerator housing via a hinge. The hinge has a hinge cup that is fixed in a receptacle on the refrigerator door.

[0005] DE 36 24 965 apparently a hinge for furniture in which a pivotable hinge part is fixed to a recess of a door and is fixed to a side part on a wall of the furniture via levers.

[0006] CN 211 144 123 U discloses a hinge with an adjustment mechanism for setting the position of a refrigerator door. The hinge comprises a plate that can be fixed to a body, on which a stationary hinge part is adjustable via an eccentric. The joint mechanism and the movable hinge part of the door are mounted on the stationary hinge part.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a refrigerator in which a multi-joint hinge can be better adapted to the respective installation situation.

[0008] This problem is solved with a refrigerator having the features of claim 1.

[0009] In the refrigerator according to the invention, the pivotable door is pivotably held by at least one multi-joint hinge, which is fixed to the appliance body via a mounting element. The mounting element is provided with an adjustment device comprising a fastening part fixed to the appliance body and an adjustment element by means of which the position of the mounting element relative to the fastening part can be adjusted in at least one spatial direction. This allows adjustment to be made during the installation of the multi-joint hinge, so that manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for or a sagging of the door after a certain period of operation can be compensated for. This allows the positioning of the door to be adjusted, particularly with regard to a reliable seal against the appliance body when the door is closed.Furthermore, the joint pattern can be precisely adjusted and a collision with nearby components can be prevented.

[0010] Preferably, the adjusting element allows for a rotary movement, and this rotary movement can be used to effect a translational movement of the mounting element. The adjusting element can include a threaded section that has at least one thread from the group consisting of flat threads, cylindrical threads, or tapered threads. This allows the mounting element to be continuously adjustable. Fine adjustment can thus be achieved by rotating the adjusting element.

[0011] The adjusting element is preferably rotatable but axially fixed. It can be arranged in engagement with an internally threaded insert that is fixed to the fastening part. By rotating the adjusting element, the internally threaded insert can be axially displaced relative to the adjusting element, thus effecting the adjustment. Instead of a threaded section, an adjusting worm or an eccentric can also be used.

[0012] The adjustment device preferably serves to adjust the height of the mounting element relative to the fastening part on the device housing. This height adjustment allows the door to be aligned vertically. The adjustment element is preferably also rotatable about a vertical axis to achieve this height adjustment. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment device can also effect lateral or depth adjustment, optionally incorporating multiple adjustment mechanisms as part of the overall adjustment device. Instead of linear adjustment of the mounting part, a pivoting adjustment can also be provided, for example, to change the inclination of the hinge part in the open position and within the pivoting range.

[0013] For stable door mounting, the mounting element is preferably U-shaped in cross-section, with the fastening part being adjustable between two legs of the mounting element. The mounting element can, for example, be manufactured as a U-shaped bent sheet steel part.

[0014] According to the invention, the mounting element has an elongated hole that is aligned longitudinally parallel to the adjustment direction. This allows the mounting element to be fixed to the fastening part in the mounted position and, at the same time, to be secured directly to the device body via a further fastening means, in order to ensure a backlash-free installation despite the adjustment mechanism.

[0015] According to the invention, at least one multi-joint hinge is arranged on the mounting element, optionally also two multi-joint hinges, in order to pivot two different doors.

[0016] The adjusting element preferably has a tool holder, such as an Allen key or slot, for adjusting the position of the mounting element.

[0017] The multi-joint hinge for holding the door can, for example, be designed as a seven-joint hinge with four levers that are articulated together. A four-joint hinge or one with a different number of pivot points is also possible.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the multi-link hinge comprises at least one linear damper with a damper housing and a movable piston rod. The damper housing can be fixed in a receptacle on a retaining element on a lever of the hinge mechanism. The piston rod can then be inserted into the damper housing via an actuating element, which is arranged on another lever of the hinge mechanism. The contact between the actuating element and the piston rod can occur within a damping range that extends between the closed position of the door and an angle of 20° to 30°, in order to decelerate the door before it reaches the closed position during a closing movement. The remaining opening range of the door can then occur freely relative to the linear damper.

[0019] The retaining element for fixing the linear damper preferably has a receptacle for the damper housing, on which a stop is provided to support the damper housing. This allows high damping forces to be transmitted even in confined installation spaces.

[0020] The multi-joint hinge can also be used without a damper.

[0021] For a stable design of the multi-joint hinge, levers can be used which are particularly U-shaped in cross-section and, in a closed position, at least partially overlap or interlock each other.

[0022] Preferably, the adjustment device comprises at least one rotatable worm gear which moves the mounting element translationally by turning it. This allows a comparatively large adjustment range to be achieved, for example between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0023] For optimized positioning of the refrigerator door, the adjustment mechanism can allow the mounting element to be adjusted in at least two different directions. For example, the adjustment mechanism can be used for both height and lateral adjustment to optimally position the door relative to the appliance body, especially with regard to the closed position.

[0024] For a compact design, the adjustment mechanism can have a base plate fixed to the device housing and at least one adjustment element between the mounting element and the base plate. The mounting element can be guided around the adjustment element and slidably held against it. Alternatively, the adjustment element can be guided around the mounting element and moved longitudinally. If the adjustment element and mounting element are held linearly slidably against each other, the mounting element can have at least one opening on its base in which a worm gear or other adjustment element is rotatably mounted. The mounting element can then be moved relative to the adjustment element by rotating the worm gear. Additionally, the adjustment element can be moved relative to the device housing via another worm gear or other adjustment element to allow adjustment in different directions.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show: Figures 1A and 1B: two views of a refrigerator according to the invention with two doors; Figures 2A and 2B: two views of a refrigerator according to the invention with four doors; Figures 3A and 3B: two views of a refrigerator in the area of ​​a multi-joint hinge; Figure 4: an exploded view of the multi-joint hinge; Figures 5A to 5D: several views of the multi-joint hinge of the Figure 4in different positions; Figures 6A and 6B two views of the multi-link hinge with the adjustment device; Figures 7A to 7C several views of the multi-link hinge in different positions of the adjustment device, and Figures 8A to 8C several views during assembly of the multi-link hinge; Figure 9 a perspective view of a non-inventive embodiment of a multi-link hinge with an adjustment device; Figures 10A and 10B two exploded views of the adjustment device of the multi-link hinge Figure 9 Figures 11A and 11B show two views of the adjustment mechanism of the Figure 9 in different lateral positions; Figures 12A and 12B show two views of the adjustment mechanism. Figure 9 in different height positions; Figures 13A to 13D show several views during the assembly of the multi-joint hinge with the adjustment device. Figure 9Figure 14: a perspective view of a multi-link hinge with a modified adjustment mechanism; Figures 15A and 15B: two exploded views of the adjustment mechanism of the Figure 14 Figures 16A and 16B show two views of the adjustment mechanism of the Figure 14 in different lateral positions; Figures 17A and 17B show two views of the adjustment mechanism. Figure 14 in different height positions, and Figures 18A to 18C show several views of the multi-joint hinge of the Figure 14 during assembly.

[0026] A refrigerator 50 comprises a housing 51 containing an upper compartment 52 and a lower compartment 53, separated from each other by a base 54. The upper compartment 52 can be closed by an upper door 55, while the lower compartment 53 can be closed by a lower door 56. The doors 55 and 56 may, on the side facing the compartments 52 and 53, have not only insulation but also compartments and retaining elements for storing items. Each door 55 and 56 also has a circumferential seal 57, which, in the closed position, creates a seal against the compartments 52 or 53.

[0027] The upper door 55 is pivotally mounted on the appliance housing 51 via an upper multi-joint hinge 1 and an upper hinge mechanism on a double hinge 60. The lower door 56 is pivotally mounted at the top via a lower hinge mechanism on the double hinge 60 and at the bottom via another multi-joint hinge 1.

[0028] In the Figures 2A and 2BA modified refrigerator 50' is shown, comprising a cabinet 51' to which two upper doors 55 and two lower doors 56 are pivotally mounted. The two upper doors 55 enclose an upper interior compartment 52' within the cabinet 51', and the two lower doors 56 enclose a lower interior compartment 53'. The interior compartments 52' and 53' are separated from each other by a base 54'. The upper doors 55 are pivotally mounted at the top by a multi-joint hinge 1 and at the bottom by a double hinge 60. The lower doors 56 are pivotally mounted at the top by the double hinge 60 and at the bottom by another multi-joint hinge 1.

[0029] It is of course possible to mount the doors 55 and 56 without double hinge 60 only via two or more multi-joint hinges 1 on the device body 51 or 51'.

[0030] The refrigerators 50 or 50' can be installed as freestanding units or integrated into a cabinet. To prevent collisions with the side walls of a cabinet, the multi-joint hinges 1 and the double hinge 60 are designed so that, during a pivoting movement, one hinge component on the doors 55 and 56 is simultaneously removed from the appliance body 51 or 51'.

[0031] Figures 3A and 3B Figure 3B shows the multi-joint hinge 1 in a mounted position. The mounting element 2 is fixed to a front end face of the appliance housing 51. The hinge part 3 is inserted into a recess 58 in the door 55, which is located outside the circumferential seal 57. The recess 58 allows the multi-joint hinge 1 to be at least partially integrated within the door 55 in the closed position (Figure 3B). One upper surface of the door 55 is flush with the upper surface of the multi-joint hinge 1.

[0032] In Figure 4 The multi-joint hinge 1 is shown in an exploded view. The joint mechanism comprises four levers 4, 5, 6 and 7, which establish a connection between the mounting element 2 and the hinge part 3.

[0033] The mounting element 2 is attached to the body 51 via a slot 28 using fasteners such as screws and comprises a first axis A1 to which a first lever 4 is articulated. In addition to the first axis A1, the first lever 4 has a second axis A2 and a fifth axis A5. A second lever 5 is articulated to the mounting element 2 at a third axis A3. At its opposite end, the second lever 5 has a fourth axis A4, which is articulated to a third lever 6. The third lever 6 has the fourth axis A4 in its central region and is connected at one end to the first lever 4 via axis A2. On the opposite side, the third lever 6 is connected to the hinge part 3 at the sixth axis A6. The hinge part 3 is articulated to the fourth lever 7 at a seventh axis A7, and the fourth lever 7 is articulated at its opposite end to the fifth axis A5, which is articulated to the first lever 4.All levers 4, 5, 6 and 7 are manufactured as U-shaped parts in cross-section from a bent sheet of steel.

[0034] The mounting element 2 has a height adjustment feature. For this purpose, an axis A20 is formed by a screw 20, which extends through two legs of the mounting element and has a threaded section 21. An internal thread insert 22 is mounted on the threaded section 21 and is rotationally fixed to a fastening part 24. The internal thread insert 22 includes two projections 23 as stops, which are inserted into receptacles 25 of the fastening part 24. By turning the screw 20, the screw 20 and the mounting element 2 can be axially displaced relative to the internal thread insert 22. The internal thread insert 22 is fixed to the fastening part 24, which is fixed to a device housing 51 by fasteners such as screws that pass through an opening 26 in the fastening part 24. By turning the screw 20, the height of the mounting element 2 relative to the fastening part 24 can thus be adjusted.The projections 23 on the internal thread insert 22 act as a stop against the mounting element 2 when adjusted to the end position, so that even in the maximum adjusted position, it is still possible to attach and detach it from the fastening part 24. In the mounted position, the projections 23 extend axially beyond the fastening part 24.

[0035] The joint mechanism of the multi-link hinge 1 further comprises a spring 10. The spring 10 is held between a first guide element 11 and a second guide element 12. The first guide element 11 is pivotally connected to the insert element 9 via an axis A11, and the second guide element 12 is pivotally connected to a guide lever 13. The guide lever 13 is pivotally connected to the fourth lever 7 and carries a guide roller 15, which is movable along a cam track 18 on a guide element 16. The guide element 16 is fixed to the fourth lever 7 via an axis through an opening 17.

[0036] The fourth lever 7 includes an insert element 9, which, together with the fourth lever 7, can be pivoted about the fifth axis A5. The insert element 9 is fixed to the fourth lever 7 via a further axis A13. The fourth lever 7 and the insert element 9 thus form a unit that can be moved together, whereby the insert element 9 can optionally also be integrally formed with the fourth lever 7.

[0037] An axis A14 is formed on the insert element 9, into which an actuating element 14 in the form of a pin is inserted. In the assembled position, the actuating element 14 can act on the end faces of piston rods 32, which can then be inserted into damper housings 31.

[0038] The multi-joint hinge 1 comprises two linear dampers 30, each with a damper housing 31 and a piston rod 32. It is also possible for only one linear damper 30 to be provided. The linear damper(s) 30 are arranged within a U-shaped lever 4. The linear damper(s) 30 are at least partially concealed laterally by the legs of the U-shaped lever 4. The linear dampers 30 are fixed to a retaining element 33, which has two adjacent receptacles 35 into each of which a part of a damper housing 31 is inserted. The insertion depth of the damper housings 31 is limited by a stop 34. The stop 34 is designed as a stop pin and is inserted into an opening 37 of the retaining element 33. The stop 34 is held at opposite ends on the first lever 4, for which openings 36 are provided on the first lever 4 for inserting one end of the stop 34.The stop 34 can also be held on the first lever 4 by other fastening means. Furthermore, the stop 34 does not have to pass through the opening 37 in the retaining element 33, but can also extend adjacent to the retaining element 33.

[0039] The retaining element 33 is fixed via an opening on the fifth axis A5 and, in the installed position, is supported on the first lever 4 and can be moved together with it.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge part 3 has an L-shaped cross-section, with a mounting part 103 fixed to the hinge part 3 so that the sixth axis A6 and the seventh axis A7 can run between a wall of the hinge part 3 and the mounting part 103.

[0041] The multi-joint hinge 1 further comprises covers 8 which, in an open position, cover gaps between the third lever 6 and the fourth lever 7, thereby forming a safety guard. The covers 8 can be pivotally held on the stop 34 and have a slotted guide that interacts with a guide pin fixed to the hinge part 3.

[0042] In the Figures 5A to 5D The multi-joint hinge 1 is shown in different positions. In the folded closed position ( Figure 5A ) the levers 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the joint mechanism are nested inside each other, and the multi-joint hinge 1 is box-shaped.

[0043] When the hinge part 3 is pivoted relative to the mounting element 2, the joint mechanism unfolds, and the levers 4, 5, 6 and 7 pivot relative to each other, as shown in the Figures 5B and 5C is shown. 5D FigureThe maximum opening position of the hinge part 3 is shown, which, for example, lies between 100° and 150° from the closed position. The opening angle can be determined based on two surfaces of the mounting element 2 and the hinge part 3 that are parallel in the closed position.

[0044] In the Figures 6A and 6BThe adjustment mechanism is shown on the mounting element 2. The mounting element 2 has a U-shaped cross-section, with axes A1 and A3 fixed to opposite legs of the mounting element 2. The screw 20, acting as the adjustment element, is also held between the two legs, being axially fixed but rotatable. The internal threaded insert 22 is mounted on the threaded section 21 of the screw 20. The adjusting screw 20 is inserted into the receptacles 25 of the fastening part 24 and rotatably held. When the screw 20 is turned, the mounting element 2 shifts axially along the screw 20, while the internal threaded insert 22 remains stationary on the fastening part 24.

[0045] The internal thread insert 22 has two radially projecting flanges 29. The flanges 29 prevent rotation relative to the mounting element 2 and form a contact surface with the two webs of the fastening part 24. The projections 23 of the internal thread insert 22 limit the axial adjustment. Even in the maximum adjustment positions, the mounting element 2 can still be installed and removed.

[0046] In Figure 6A The mounted position is shown, in which the fastening element 24 is penetrated by a fastening element in the form of a screw 27. A slot 28 on a base of the mounting element 2 is also penetrated by a screw 27. The slot 28 extends longitudinally parallel to the axial direction of the screw 20.

[0047] In the Figures 7A to 7C Different positions of the fastening part 24 on the mounting element 2 are shown. Figure 7AA central position is shown in which the U-shaped fastening part 24, with its two webs spaced apart from the two legs of the mounting element 2, is arranged. The fastening part 24 can be lowered by turning the screw 20, as shown in Figure 7B as shown, so that the fastening part 24 is arranged adjacent to the lower leg of the mounting element 2. If the screw 20 is turned in the opposite direction, the fastening part 24 can be arranged adjacent to the upper leg, as shown in Figure 7C The fastening part 24 does not come into direct contact with the mounting element 2 and only has contact with the adjusting screw 20 and the internal threaded insert 22. The end stop of the adjustment is formed, as described above, by the projections 23 on the internal threaded insert 22.

[0048] In Figure 8AThe assembly of the multi-joint hinge 1 is shown. In a first step, the mounting part 24 is fixed to the device body 51 using a screw 27. The multi-joint hinge 1 can now be attached to the mounting part 24, with the internal threaded insert 22 being inserted between the two webs with the receptacles 25 of the mounting part 24. Height adjustment can now be made, as shown with reference to the Figures 7A to 7C As shown. After aligning the mounting element 2 at the desired height, the set position is now fixed by screwing a fastener in the form of a screw 27 into the elongated hole 28 to secure the mounting element 2 to the device housing 51. Furthermore, the door 55 can be fixed to the hinge part 3.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism serves to adjust the height of the multi-joint hinge 1. It is of course also possible to adjust the mounting element 2 in a different direction relative to the fastening part 24, for example, for depth adjustment or lateral adjustment. Such adjustment mechanisms can also be provided in addition to height adjustment.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening part 24 and the internal thread insert 22 are designed as two separate components. It is also possible to combine these two components into one.

[0051] In Figure 9The multi-joint hinge 1 is shown with a modified adjustment device that can adjustably fix the mounting element 2 of the multi-joint hinge 1 to a device housing 51. The adjustment device allows the mounting element 2 to be adjusted in two different directions, in particular for height and lateral adjustment.

[0052] The adjustment mechanism is in the Figures 10A and 10B shown in detail. The adjustment device comprises a mounting plate 40, which can be fixed to a device housing 51 by means of fastening elements 41, in particular screws. Openings 42 are provided on the mounting plate 40 for this purpose. The mounting plate 40 has bent guide ribs 43 on opposite sides, which are integrally formed with a locking rib 44 at one end.

[0053] A base plate 45 can be fixed to the mounting plate 40. The base plate 45 has several projections 46 on a plate-shaped section, which can be engaged with an adjusting element. Recesses 47 are provided on opposite longitudinal sides of the base plate 45. Bent guide elements 48 and 49 are provided on opposite end faces. A plate-shaped adjusting element 64 can be guided on the guide elements 48 and 49. The adjusting element 64 has guide strips 67 on opposite longitudinal sides, which are spaced apart from the longitudinal edges of the base plate 45. The adjusting element 64 has several projections 66, which can be engaged with an adjusting element. The adjusting element 64 has an edge 68 and 69 on each of its opposite end faces, which, in the mounted position, are engaged by the guide elements 48 and 49 of the base plate 45.This ensures that the adjusting element 64 is guided linearly on the base plate 45, although other guiding means may also be provided.

[0054] An opening 65 is recessed in the adjusting element 64, in which an adjusting element 61 with a tool insert 62 is rotatably mounted. On the side of the adjusting element 61 facing the base plate 45, one or more worm gears 63 are formed, which engage with the projections 46 on the base plate 45, so that by rotating the adjusting element 61 the adjusting element 64 can be moved parallel to the guide elements 48 and 49.

[0055] Between the adjusting element 64 and the mounting element 2, a further adjusting element 70 is provided, which is rotatably mounted in an opening 81 on a base 80 of the mounting element 2 by means of a tool insert 71. The mounting element 2 has a U-shaped cross-section, and in addition to the opening 81, the base 80 also has an elongated hole 82 through which the tool insert 62 of the adjusting element 61 is accessible. On the side of the adjusting element 70 facing the adjusting element 64, at least one worm gear 72 is formed, which engages with the projections 66, so that by rotating the adjusting element 70 the mounting element 2 can be displaced along the guide rails 67 on the adjusting element 64. Figures 11A and 11B show two positions of the mounting element 2 to illustrate the lateral adjustment.For lateral adjustment of the mounting element 2, the installer can use a tool to rotate the adjusting element 70 via the tool insert 71, which is rotatably held in the opening 81. By rotating the adjusting element 70, the mounting element 2 is moved laterally via the engagement with the projections 66, whereby the mounting element 2 engages the guide rails 67 on the adjusting element 64 via guide elements 83. The guide elements 83 are hook-shaped ribs, but can also be formed by other guide elements.

[0056] In the Figures 12A and 12BThe height adjustment for the mounting element 2 is shown as an example. For height adjustment, the installer can use a tool to engage the tool insert 62 of the adjusting element 61 through the elongated hole 82 in order to rotate the adjusting element 61, thus rotating the worm gear 63 relative to the projections 46 on the base plate 45. This moves the mounting element 2 vertically. By rotating the adjusting elements 61 and 70, an adjustment range of 2 mm to 20 mm, and in particular 4 mm to 10 mm, can be achieved.

[0057] The assembly of the multi-joint hinge 1 with the adjustment device is described below. Figure 9 with reference to the Figures 13A to 13Dexplained. The mounting plate 40 is fixed to the device body 51 via the fastening means 41. The adjusting element 64 and the base plate 45 are pre-assembled on the mounting element 2 of the multi-joint hinge 1, and the base plate 45 is now placed onto the mounting plate 40, with the recesses 47 being positioned on the thickenings on the guide webs 43, as shown in Figure 13B. In the next step, the base plate 45 is moved between the two guide webs 43 so that the locking webs 44 are deflected until the locking webs 44 engage behind the guide elements 48, as shown in Figure 13C As shown. By sliding the base plate 45, the guide ribs 43 engage the base plate 45 and secure it against lifting. The locking ribs 44 prevent the base plate 45 from sliding to the right. Figure 13C, and the guide element 49 can engage with the thickening on the guide web 43, so that the base plate 45 is secured against lifting and displacement.

[0058] The installer can now make lateral and vertical adjustments by turning the adjusting elements 61 and 70, as described above. In addition, the door 55 is fixed to the hinge part 3, which is positioned in a recess 58 outside a circumferential seal 57.

[0059] In Figure 14 A multi-joint hinge 1 with a modified adjustment device is shown. The adjustment device is arranged on the mounting element 2 and in the Figures 15A and 15B shown in detail.

[0060] Instead of the two-part design of mounting plate 40 and base plate 45, a base plate 40' is provided, which on one side has openings 42 that can be fixed to a device body by means of fastening elements 41, and on the other side has projections 46 that can be brought into engagement with the adjusting element 61. The base plate 40' has guide elements 48 and 49 on opposite end faces for guiding the plate-shaped adjusting element 64, the edges 68 and 69 of which are encompassed by the guide elements 48 and 49. The adjustment of the mounting element 2 relative to the cover element 64 via the adjusting element 70 is designed as in the preceding embodiment.

[0061] In the Figures 16A and 16BThe lateral adjustment of the mounting element 2 relative to the base plate 40' is shown as an example. By rotating the adjusting element 70, the mounting element 2 moves relative to the adjusting element 64, with the guide elements 83 engaging the guide rails 67.

[0062] In the Figures 17A and 17B The height adjustment of the adjusting device is shown, in which a relative movement takes place between the adjusting element 64 and the mounting plate 40' by turning the adjusting element 61.

[0063] In the Figures 18A to 18C The assembly of the adjustment device with the multi-joint hinge 1 of the Figure 14As shown, in a first step, the modified base plate 40' is fixed to the device housing 51 using fasteners 41. The mounting element 2, with the pre-assembled adjustment element 64, is then placed onto the mounting plate 40' from above and moved along the guide elements 48 and 49 until the adjustment element 61 abuts the projections 46. The guide rails 48 and 49 engage the edges 68 and 69 of the adjustment element 64 and prevent it from lifting off. In the next step, the adjustment element 61 can be rotated to align the mounting element 2 with the adjustment element 64 vertically. Once the desired vertical position is reached, the adjustment element 70 can be rotated to optionally make a lateral adjustment. Finally, the door 55 is mounted to the hinge part 3. The door 55 can also be aligned in its mounted position.

[0064] The exemplary implementations according to the Figure 9 and14 can also be used with the adjustment device according to Figure 4 They can be combined; for example, only one adjusting element can be designed as a worm gear, while the other adjusting element is designed as a screw or spindle. It is possible to adjust the height according to Figure 4 to add a side adjustment. Reference symbol list

[0065] 1 Multi-joint hinge 2 Mounting element 3 Hinge part 4 Lever 5 Lever 6 Lever 7 Lever 8 Cover 9 Insert element 10 Spring 11 Guide element 12 Guide element 13 Guide lever 14 Actuating element 15 Guide roller 16 Guide element 17 Opening 18 Curved guide 20 Screw 21 Threaded section 22 Internal thread insert 23 Projection 24 Fastening part 25 Receptacle 26 Opening 27 Screw 28 Slotted hole 29 Flange 30 Linear damper 31 Damper housing 32 Piston rod 33 Retaining element 34 Stop 35 Receptacle 36 Opening 37 Opening 40 Mounting plate 40 Base plate 41 Fastener 42 Opening 43 Guide bar 44 Detent bar 45 Base plate 46Protrusion 47Recess 48Guide element 49Guide element 50, 50'Refrigerator 51, 51'Appliance body 52, 52'Interior 53, 53'Interior 54,54'Bottom 55Door 56Door 57Seal 58Recess 60Double hinge 61Adjusting element 62Tool insert 63Worm 64Adjusting element 65Opening 66Protrusion 67Guide rail 68Edge 69Edge 70Adjusting element 71Tool insert 72Worm 80Bottom 81Opening 82Oblong hole 83Guide element 103Mounting part A1 axis A2 axis A3 axis A4 axis A5 axis A6 axis A7 axis A11 axis A13 axis A14 axis A20 axis

Claims

1. Refrigerator (50, 50') with an appliance body (51, 51') and at least one door (55, 56) which is pivotably mounted on the appliance body (51, 51') and which is held pivotably between a closed position and a maximum opening position via at least one multi-joint hinge (1) and in the closed position bears against the appliance body (51, 51') via at least one seal (57), wherein the at least one multi-joint hinge (1) comprises a mounting element (2) held on the appliance body (51, 51') and a hinge part fixed to the door (55, 56), which are supported pivotably against one another via a joint mechanism with a plurality of joint levers (4, 5, 6, 7), and the joint levers (4, 5, 6, 7) are nested together in a folded position, and the multi-joint hinge is box-shaped, wherein an adjusting device is provided on the mounting element (2), which device comprises a fastening part (24) fixed to the appliance body (51, 51') and an adjustment element (20) by means of which the position of the mounting element (2) relative to the fastening part (24) can be adjusted in at least one spatial direction, the mounting element (2) is U-shaped in cross-section, wherein two axles (A1, A3) are fixed to opposite legs of the mounting element (2), wherein the mounting element (2) comprises an elongated hole (28) which is aligned parallel to the direction of adjustment, characterized in that in the mounted position the mounting element (2) is fixed to the fastening part (24) on the one hand and on the other hand is fixed directly to the appliance body (51, 51') by means of a further fastening part, so as to provide a play-free assembly in spite of the adjustment mechanism.

2. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that a rotational pivoting motion can be executed with the adjustment element (20) and a translational motion of the mounting element (2) can be effected via the rotational motion.

3. Refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting device is self-locking.

4. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment element (20) comprises a threaded portion (21) which comprises at least one thread from the group of thread types of flat thread, cylindrical thread or conical thread and the mounting element (2) is continuously adjustable.

5. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment element (20) is rotatable but axially non-displaceable, and the adjustment element (20) preferably comprises a tool receptacle for adjusting the position of the mounting element (2).

6. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an internally threaded insert (22) is arranged on the adjustment element (20) and is held in a rotationally fixed manner on the fastening part (24).

7. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device is formed for height adjustment of the mounting element (2) relative to the fastening part (24).

8. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting element (24) is adjustable between two legs of the mounting element (2).

9. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fastening means (27) passes through the elongated hole (28) in the mounted position.

10. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-joint hinge (1) is formed as a seven-joint hinge with four levers (4, 5, 6, 7).

11. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-joint hinge (1) comprises at least one linear damper (30) with a damper housing (31) and a displaceable piston rod (32), which is arranged on a lever (4) of the joint mechanism via a holding element (33) and the piston rod (32) can be pushed into the damper housing (31) via an actuating element (14).

12. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-joint hinge (1) comprises a spring (10) which biases the hinge part (3) in a contraction range in the closing direction.

13. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device enables the mounting element (2) to be adjusted in at least two different directions.

14. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device comprises at least one rotatable worm (63, 72).

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