Pivoting device

Abstract

A pivoting device (1) for a built-in refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body (8) and a furniture body, wherein a refrigerator door (4) is pivotably mounted on the refrigerator body (8) via at least one hinge (3), and the hinge (3) comprises a side part (5) fixed to the refrigerator body (8) and a pivotable hinge part (7), to which the refrigerator door (4) is fixed, wherein a supporting means (10, 10') is fixed to a side wall (2) of the furniture body, wherein the supporting means (10, 10') is arranged below the side part (5) of the hinge (3), wherein the supporting means (10, 10') supports the side part (5), and the supporting means (10, 10') has a holding part (11, 11'), which is fixed to the side wall (2), and a supporting element (20, 20'), which is held on the holding part (11, 11') and the height of which can be adjusted in infinitely variable manner relative to the holding part (11, 11'). As a result, lowering of the door (4) during opening can be reduced.

Description

[0001] Swivel device

[0002] The present invention relates to a pivoting device for a built-in refrigerator with a refrigerator body and a furniture body, wherein a refrigerator door is pivotably mounted on the refrigerator body via at least one hinge, and the hinge comprises a side part fixed to the refrigerator body and a pivotable hinge part to which the refrigerator door is fixed, wherein a support device is fixed to a side wall of the furniture body, wherein the support device is arranged below the side part of the hinge, wherein the support device supports the side part.

[0003] DE 10 2019 211 686 A1 discloses a built-in household appliance with a body on which a door is pivotably mounted via a hinge. The hinge is connected to a support body that supports the hinge on an underside and is secured to a furniture wall. While such a support body can reduce the door's sagging due to weight forces, it is only arranged on the hinge in a form-fitting manner or with some play during installation, so that support only occurs when the hinge deforms to a certain extent. Furthermore, precise installation of the support body is difficult.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pivoting device for furniture or household appliances which limits a reliable lowering of the hinge by weight forces.

[0005] This object is achieved with a pivoting device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The pivoting device according to the invention for a built-in refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body and a furniture body, wherein a refrigerator door is pivotably mounted on the refrigerator body via at least one hinge, and the hinge comprises a side part attached to the refrigerator body and a pivotable hinge part to which the refrigerator door is fixed, wherein a support device is attached to a side wall of the furniture body, wherein the support device is arranged below the side part of the hinge, wherein the support device supports the side part, wherein the support device has a holding part fixed to the side wall and a support element held on the holding part, which support element is continuously adjustable in height relative to the holding part. As a result, after assembly of the support device, the support element can be aligned relative to the holding part.The support element contacts the side part of the hinge and thus acts as a bearing to absorb forces. Preferably, support is achieved across the entire range of motion of the hinge, with the forces acting on the side part being greatest in the open position. This allows, using simple means, the support element to at least partially absorb any load on the side part resulting from weight loads, thus counteracting any deformation of the side part.

[0007] The support element preferably rests against the side panel in a force-fitting, form-fitting, or clamping manner. After the support device has been installed, the support element can be adjusted relative to the holding part. The support element can rest against the side panel with a preload and thus pre-tension it upwards against the force of gravity, which prevents or reduces the door from lowering as a result of weight forces. This means that the hinge can also absorb high weight loads from the door. Optionally, the support element can additionally or exclusively rest against a fastening tab integrally formed on the side panel of the hinge, for example, with pins engaging in openings in a fastening tab, which increases stability and simplifies installation. The support by the support part on the side panel can be achieved directly or optionally through the interposition of at least one further component.

[0008] The optional pins on the support element can have various advantageous shapes, e.g., cylindrical or conical, or even multiple sections with different shapes. Selecting a suitable shape can facilitate assembly and increase the force input into the support element. Preferably, the diameter of the pins is smaller than the diameter of the openings in the mounting tabs. This ensures secure contact between the support element and the side panel, preventing it from being hindered by tolerances. Furthermore, this allows for retrofitting of an already deformed side panel.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the holding part is designed as a guide rail on which the support element is mounted for linear displacement. The guide rail can have guide webs and / or other guide means to ensure linear guidance of the support element. For effective adjustment, an adjustment mechanism with an adjustment element, e.g., a rotatable worm, an eccentric, a spindle, or a rack, can be provided between the holding part and the support element. The adjustment mechanism is preferably self-locking, so that the support element is held at least force-fittingly on the holding part in an adjustment position via the adjustment by means of the adjustment mechanism.

[0010] For a compact construction, the support element is preferably essentially plate-shaped and projects beyond the holding part on an upper side.

[0011] For optimal mechanical support of the side part, a contact point of the support element is arranged on the side part at a distance from the side wall. The contact point is formed here by a bearing surface on the support element for the side part. The distance between the side wall and the contact point can be between 1 mm and 10 mm, in particular 2 mm and 6 mm. There can also be multiple contact points between the support element and the side part. As a result, the side part is preferably supported in the region of or in the extension of at least one axis of rotation which is mechanically loaded by the hinge part. At least one axis of rotation for levers of a joint mechanism can be provided on the side part. The support element can be arranged at least partially below the at least one axis of rotation.At least one rotational axis thus extends onto the support element or is arranged directly adjacent to the support element, ensuring reliable support. A contact point between the support element and the side part preferably has a distance of less than 10 mm from the at least one rotational axis and is thus arranged in the region of the rotational axis.

[0012] The holding part preferably comprises a lower fastening section which is fixed to a side wall via fastening means, for example screws, and an upper guide section on which the support element is slidably held. Preferably, the support element is at least partially received in an envelope surface of the holding part. This allows the support device to be fixed to the side wall in a flat design. In the region of the holding part in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the side wall, the support device preferably has a height of between 2 mm and 8 mm, in particular 3 mm to 6 mm. To manufacture the adjustment mechanism with only a few components, an adjustment element, for example a worm or an eccentric, can be rotatably mounted on the support element. Alternatively, the adjustment element can also be rotatably mounted on the holding part.

[0013] Optionally, a cover can be provided, which is attached either to the support element or to the holding part. This can achieve a uniform and visually appealing appearance.

[0014] The pivoting device is preferably mounted on a built-in refrigerator, for example, with a fridge-freezer combination. The support device is preferably arranged only under an upper hinge of a door. Optionally, a support device can be provided under each of the upper and lower hinges. In another embodiment, a center door hinge can be provided that forms a hinge part for an upper door and a hinge part for a lower door. When using a support device, the lower hinge of the upper door and the upper hinge of the lower door are supported by one support device.

[0015] The refrigerator door is preferably designed in several parts and can comprise a furniture panel, in particular made of a wood material, and a door of the refrigerator.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inventive

[0018] Swivel device in the mounted position;

[0019] Figures 2A and 2B show two views of the support device during assembly;

[0020] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a support device of the

[0021] Swivel device of Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3B is an exploded view of the support device of Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the adjustment mechanism of the support device; Figures 5A and 5B show two views of a screw of the support device;

[0024] Figure 6 is a view of the holding part of the support device;

[0025] Figures 7A and 7B show two views of the support element of the support device;

[0026] Figure 8 is a plan view of the support device;

[0027] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified support device;

[0028] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the modified support device of Figure 9;

[0029] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the holding part of the support device of Figure 9;

[0030] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the support element of the

[0031] Support device of Figure 9;

[0032] Figures 13A to 13C show several views of the eccentric of the support device of Figure 9, and

[0033] Figures 14A to 14C show several views of the support device of Figure 9.

[0034] A pivoting device 1 for a built-in refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body 8 and a furniture body with a side wall 2. A refrigerator door 4 is pivotally mounted on the refrigerator body 8 via at least one hinge 3. Preferably, two hinges 3 are mounted on the refrigerator body 8. Each hinge 3 is attached to the refrigerator body 8 via a side part 5 and comprises a joint mechanism 6, via which a hinge part 7 is pivotally mounted. The refrigerator door 4 is fixed to the hinge part 7. The hinge 3 can be designed as a multi-joint hinge, preferably a four-joint or seven-joint hinge. In order to be able to absorb high weight loads on the door 4 via the hinge 3 and to prevent or reduce the door 4 from sagging, a support device 10 is provided below the hinge 3.The support device 10 comprises a holding part 11 which is fixed to the side wall 2 and which is secured to the side wall 2 of the furniture body at a lower fastening section via a plurality of fastening means 12, in particular screws. A support element 20 is arranged on an upper guide section of the holding part 11 and is height-adjustable relative to the holding part 11 via an adjustment mechanism. The support element 20 rests against an underside of the side part 5 and supports it when subjected to a weight load from the door 4. A contact point of the support element 20 can be arranged in the extension of or in the region of at least one rotational axis of the joint mechanism 6 in order to achieve the most favorable leverage ratios possible.

[0035] Figure 2A shows the support device 10 prior to installation on the side wall 2. A web-shaped fastening tab 9 with mounting openings 90 protrudes from the side part 5 of the hinge 3. These mounting tabs can be used for screwing to the side wall 2 if no support device 10 is to be installed. In the embodiment according to the invention, however, a support device 10 is mounted below the hinge 3, with protruding pins 27 being provided on the support element 20, which engage in mounting openings 90 on the fastening tab 9. The support element 20, with at least one upwardly projecting projection 28 resting against the underside of the side part 5, is not arranged directly on the side wall 2, but rather at a predetermined distance X, for example, between 1 mm and 10 mm away from the side wall 2, as can be seen from the installed position of the support device 10 shown in Figure 2B.

[0036] Figure 3A shows the support device 10 in detail. The support device 10 comprises the holding part 11, which is designed like a guide rail and comprises a base 14. Two strip-shaped webs 15 extend at right angles from the base 14 and are aligned parallel to a longitudinal direction. The support element 20 is slidably guided between the webs 15 and slides against the base 14 with a guide section 21. The support element 20 comprises, adjacent to the guide section 21, a step 22 and a base section 23, which is arranged at a distance from the base 14 of the holding part 11. An adjusting element 30 is rotatably mounted on the base section 23 and can be used to adjust the height of the support element 20 relative to the holding part 11. The adjusting element 30 is designed here as a worm. Openings 35 in the support element 20 can be used for fixing an optional cover cap.

[0037] Figure 3A also shows that the support element 20 is at least partially received in the envelope surface of the holding part 11 in the region of the holding part 11. This results in a compact structure perpendicular to the side wall 2. Advantageously, the height Y of the support device 10, measured in the region of the holding part 11 perpendicular to the side wall, is 2 mm to 8 mm, more preferably 3 mm to 6 mm.

[0038] Figure 3B shows an exploded view of the support device 10. The holding part 11 comprises a plurality of openings 13 for fastening means 12 on the lower fastening section. Two elongated holes 18 are provided on the upper guide section, into which pins 29 are inserted in order to guide the support element 20 linearly on the holding part 11. Furthermore, recesses 17 are provided on the guide section, which are essentially slot-shaped, with a longitudinal direction of the recess 17 extending parallel to the sliding direction of the support element 20. To guide the support element 20, inwardly projecting guide webs 16 are also provided on the two webs 15. In the mounted position, these guide webs rest against a narrow side of the support element 20 and thus prevent transverse displacement of the support element 20.

[0039] For the adjustment mechanism, the holding part 11 comprises cams 19, which protrude from the base 14 in the form of raised portions and are, for example, integrally formed. The cams 19 interact with an adjustment element 30, which is rotatably mounted on an opening 24 of the support element. Two pins 29 are guided through the support element 20 and are movable in the elongated holes 18.

[0040] The support element 20 has two strip-shaped guide elements 25 for guidance, each of which engages in one of the recesses 17. Furthermore, webs 26 protrude laterally, which are gripped by the guide webs 16 in the mounted position. This also prevents the support element 20 from lifting off the holding part 11.

[0041] The support element 20 has a section protruding beyond the holding part 11, on which the pins 27 are provided, which engage with the fastening tab 9. The support element 20 is arranged with an upper side at a distance from the side wall 2. Projections 28 are arranged on an upper side of the support element 20, which abut against the side part 5 of the hinge 3. Optionally, these projections 28 can also be omitted, so that an end face 55 of the support element 20 abuts against the side part 5, or a contact surface in the region of the end face 55 of the support element 20 is omitted entirely.

[0042] In Figure 4, the adjusting element 30 is mounted on the cams 19. By rotating the adjusting element 30, their position relative to the holding part 11 can be continuously changed, whereby the support element 20 is also displaced relative to the holding part 11.

[0043] Figures 5A and 5B show in detail the adjusting element 30, designed as a worm. The worm comprises a flat thread 31 that can be inserted between two cams 19. The flat thread 31 is formed on a disc 32, in which an opening 33 is formed for a tool insert. On the side facing away from the flat thread 31, a ring 34 is formed on the disc 32 and is rotatably mounted in the opening 24 of the support element 20.

[0044] Figure 6 shows the retaining part 11 with the side that rests against the side wall 2. The openings 13 in the lower fastening section are visible, as well as the recesses 17 and the elongated holes 18. The retaining part 11 rests against the side wall 2 with a flat surface.

[0045] Figures 7A and 7B show the support element 20, which has an opening 24 for rotatably supporting the adjustment element 30 on the plate-shaped base section 23. Furthermore, the strip-shaped guide elements 25 and the webs 26 protrude from the base section 23. On the side facing the side wall 2, the pins 27 are provided on the section that projects beyond the holding part 11.

[0046] The shape of the pins 27 is clearly visible in Figure 7B. In this design, the pins 27 consist of two sections: a cylindrical base section 61 and a conical head section 62. This design simplifies assembly because the head section 62 serves as a guide surface and improves the force transmission into the support element 20 due to the larger contact surface of the mounting openings 90 on the base section 61. Preferably, the diameter of the pins 27 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting openings 90.

[0047] Figure 8 shows the support device 10 in its assembled position. The support element 20 is largely accommodated in the holding part 11 and can be displaced relative to the holding part 11 via the adjustment element 30. This results in a flat design of the support device 10, which is advantageous for the limited installation space. In the region of the holding part 11 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the side wall 2, the support device 10 preferably extends only between 2 mm and 8 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 6 mm.

[0048] Figure 9 shows a modified support device 10', in which a support element 20' is displaceably mounted on a holding part 11'. Adjustment is effected via an adjusting element 40. The adjusting element 40 is designed as an eccentric. The eccentric is preferably designed as a constant-thickness eccentric. The support element 20' has a section that protrudes from the holding part 11' and, in the mounted position, rests against the side part 5 of the hinge 3 or engages it.

[0049] Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the modified support device 10'. The eccentric comprises a cylindrical pin 41, which is inserted into an elongated hole 51 on a pocket-shaped receptacle 24' of the support element 20'. Furthermore, the pin 41 is rotatably mounted in an opening 50 on the holding part 11'. The pin 41 is arranged off-center on the eccentric, so that by rotating the eccentric, the support element 20' is displaced relative to the holding part 11'. A lower section of the holding part 11' is provided with openings 13 for fastening means 12, and in an upper region, recesses 17 are provided, as in the previous exemplary embodiment, into which guide elements 25 of the support element 20' engage.

[0050] The holding part 11' shown in Figure 11 has a flat surface on the side facing the side wall 2, which is pierced by the openings 13 and the recesses 17. Furthermore, the opening 50 can be seen as a bearing for the adjusting element 40.

[0051] The support element 20' shown in Figure 12 comprises the elongated hole 51 on the pocket-shaped receptacle 24' at the bottom, wherein an edge of the pocket-shaped receptacle 24' engages with an edge of the eccentric. The support element 20' is essentially strip-shaped and comprises a base section 52 which is connected to a support section 54 via a step 53. Pins 27 can be formed on the support section 54, which engage in openings 90 of the fastening tab 9. The side part 5 can be supported via the end face 55 of the support element 20' and / or via the pins 27. Optionally, projections can also be formed on the end face 55 of the support element 20', as in the first embodiment, which serve to support the side part 5.

[0052] Figures 13A to 13C show in detail the adjustment element 40, which comprises a cylindrical pin 41 arranged off-center. The constant-thickness eccentric comprises a circumferential edge that rests against the edge of the pocket-shaped receptacle 24' on opposite sides in each adjustment position. A tool insert 42 is formed in the adjustment element 40 so that it can be easily rotated.

[0053] In Figures 14A to 14C, the support device 10' is shown in the assembled position, in which the support element 20' is slidably arranged on the holding part 11'. By rotating the adjusting element 40, the relative position of the support element 20' to the holding part 11' can be changed. Two pins 27 are provided on the upper support section 54, which projects upwards beyond the holding part 11'.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiments, the adjusting element 30 is arranged as a worm gear, and the adjusting element 40 is arranged as an eccentric on the support element 20 or 20', respectively. It is, of course, also possible to provide a worm gear or an eccentric on the holding part 11 or 11', by means of which the support element 20 or 20' is then displaced. In addition, a rack, a spindle, or another adjusting mechanism can be provided for adjusting the support element 20 or 20'. List of Reference Symbols

[0055] 1 swivel device

[0056] 2 side wall

[0057] 3 hinge

[0058] 4 refrigerator door

[0059] 5 side panel

[0060] 6 Joint mechanism

[0061] 7 Hinge part

[0062] 8 Refrigerator body

[0063] 9 mounting tabs

[0064] 10, 10' support device

[0065] 11 , 11 ' holding part

[0066] 12 fasteners

[0067] 13 Opening

[0068] 14 Floor

[0069] 15 jetty

[0070] 16 Guide bridge

[0071] 17 Recess

[0072] 18 slot

[0073] 19 cam

[0074] 20, 20' support element 21 guide section 22 step

[0075] 23 Base section

[0076] 24 Opening 24' Receptacle 25 Guide element

[0077] 26 jetty

[0078] 27 cones

[0079] 28 lead

[0080] 29 pen

[0081] 30 adjustment element

[0082] 31 rib

[0083] 32 discs

[0084] 33 Opening

[0085] 34 rings

[0086] 35 Opening

[0087] 40 Adjustment element 41 Pin

[0088] 42 Tool insert

[0089] 50 opening

[0090] 51 slot

[0091] 52 Base section

[0092] 53 level

[0093] 54 support section

[0094] 55 front side

[0095] 61 Base Section

[0096] 62 head section

[0097] 90 mounting opening

[0098] X distance

[0099] Y height

Claims

Claims 1 . Pivoting device (1) for a built-in refrigerator with a refrigerator body (8) and a furniture body, wherein a refrigerator door (4) is pivotably mounted on the refrigerator body (8) via at least one hinge (3), and the hinge (3) comprises a side part (5) fixed to the refrigerator body (8) and a pivotable hinge part (7) to which the refrigerator door (4) is fixed, wherein a support device (10, 10') is fixed to a side wall (2) of the furniture body, wherein the support device (10, 10') is arranged below the side part (5) of the hinge (3), wherein the support device (10, 10') supports the side part (5), characterized in that the support device (10, 10') comprises a holding part (11, 11') fixed to the side wall (2) and a support element held on the holding part (11, 11'). (20, 20') which is continuously adjustable in height relative to the holding part (11, 11').

2. Pivoting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element (20, 20') rests against the side part (5) in a force-fitting, form-fitting or clamping manner.

3. Pivoting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding part (11, 11') is designed as a guide rail on or in which the support element (20, 20') is linearly displaceable.

4. Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjusting mechanism with an adjusting element (30, 30'), e.g. a rotatable worm, an eccentric, a spindle or a displaceable rack, is provided between the holding part (11, 11') and the support element (20, 20').

5. Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (20, 20') is substantially plate-shaped and projects beyond the holding part (11, 11') on an upper side.

6. Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact point of the support element (20, 20') is arranged on the side part (5) at a distance from the side wall (2).

7. Pivoting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact point has a distance (X) from the side wall (2) of 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 6 mm.

8. Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (10) in the region of the holding part (11, 11') in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the side wall (2) has a height (Y) between 2 mm and 8 mm, in particular 3 mm to 6 mm.

9. Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one axis of rotation for levers of a joint mechanism (6) is provided on the side part (5) and the support element (20, 20') is arranged in extension and / or in the region of the at least one axis of rotation.

10. Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part (11, 11') comprises a lower fastening section which is fixed to the side wall (2) via fastening means (12), and an upper guide section on which the support element (20, 20') is slidably held. 11 . Pivoting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a worm or an eccentric is rotatably mounted in the support element (20, 20').

12. Built-in refrigerator with a pivoting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support device (10, 10') is arranged under an upper hinge (3).

Images