CN116481229A - Refrigeration appliance and door thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a door (3) of a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance (1) comprising the door (3). Wherein, door (3) include be located door (3) one side handle groove (4) and be located at least handle groove (4) the place ahead tongs portion (5), wherein, door (3) are including being used for forming tongs portion (5) handle piece (10), handle piece (10) are by the first side (3 a) of door (3) extends to front (3 b) of door (3) and extends in succession to door (3) second side (3 c), wherein first side (3 a) with second side (3 c) are relative.

Description

Refrigeration appliance and door thereof

[ field of technology ]

The invention relates to the field of refrigeration appliances, in particular to a door of a refrigeration appliance with a handle piece and the refrigeration appliance comprising the door.

[ background Art ]

Refrigeration appliances such as refrigerators extend the life or avoid spoilage of food or other items by keeping them cold. With the progress of technology, the refrigeration appliance is mature in refrigeration function, and can meet the general demands of wide consumers. Thus, the unique product design and better operating experience of refrigeration products is an important factor in consumer purchase decisions. Because most purchasing decisions are made in the store, rather than in advance, these visual, touch-and-feel designs and tangible operating experiences are more touching to the consumer. How to have unique product characteristics and improve the operation experience of consumers is a technical problem which manufacturers strive to solve.

[ invention ]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refrigeration appliance and door therefor, in view of at least one of the above technical problems.

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to a door of a refrigeration appliance, the door of the refrigeration appliance comprising a handle slot on one side of the door and a grip portion at least in front of the handle slot, wherein the door comprises a handle member forming the grip portion, the handle member extending from a first side of the door to a front side of the door and continuously to a second side of the door, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite.

The advantage of the scheme is that the handle piece extends from the first side face of the door to the front face of the door and continuously extends to the second side face of the door, so that the handle groove has the longest extending length of the door on the side, a larger grasping range can be provided for a user, the user can open the door from positions at different angles of the refrigerator, and the door opening operation experience of the user is improved.

At the same time, since the handle slot has the longest extension of the door on that side, it is possible to integrate more functions into the handle slot. For example, a User Interface Module (UIM) is disposed within a handle socket that integrates handle functions and user interface functions.

In one or more embodiments, the handle member includes a body portion extending along a length direction of the handle slot and two leg portions extending rearward from both ends of the body portion, the body portion and the two leg portions defining a front boundary and two side boundaries of the handle slot, respectively. The front boundary and both side edges of the handle slot are defined by the handle piece, which allows the handle slot to obtain the longest extension at that side of the door. In particular, when the handle member is made of a stronger metal, the handle groove can have a larger volume at the same time.

In one or more embodiments, the leg portion extends perpendicular to the body portion. Thus, the construction of the handle member is easier to integrate with the structure of the door.

In one or more embodiments, the handle member is formed from an elongated metal member by bending. The handle piece made of metal pieces such as aluminum alloy pieces is higher in strength and is not easy to deform in the use process. In addition, the handle piece made of metal has metal touch different from that of the plastic handle, so that better operation touch can be provided for a user, and operation experience of the user is improved. The metal bending process can ensure the continuity and fluency of the exposed surface of the handle piece, and meanwhile, the visual effect of the appearance of the handle piece is more obvious and concise.

In order to make the outer surface of the handle member exposed to the door outer surface full and smooth at the bending position without appearance flaws such as collapse, stacking and the like, in one or more embodiments, the elongated metal member forms two cuts, and the metal member is bent at the cuts to form a main body part extending along the length direction of the handle groove and two leg parts extending backwards from two ends of the main body part.

In one or more embodiments, the incision is closed after the handle member is formed.

In one or more embodiments, the handle member includes opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface being exposed to an exterior surface of the door, the second surface facing the handle slot, the cutout being formed in the second surface, and the cutout having opposing first and second edges along which the first edge contacts after the handle member is formed in an unbent state of the metal member.

In one or more embodiments, the door includes a closed insulating space filled with an insulating layer, and at least a portion of the handle member extends into and is coupled to the insulating layer.

In one or more embodiments, the door includes a door end cap defining one side surface of the door in use, and the handle member is connected to the door end cap and circumscribes the handle slot.

In one or more embodiments, the door includes a door end cap defining one side surface of the door in use, the handle member being connected to the door end cap and circumscribing the handle slot; the door further includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the handle member and the door end cap, the positioning mechanism including a positioning projection located at one of the leg portion and the door end cap and a receiving portion located at the other of the leg portion and the door end cap.

In one or more embodiments, the handle member is configured as a hollow handle member, the handle member comprising a cavity extending in the direction of extension of the handle member, the receiving portion being formed by the cavity.

In one or more embodiments, the handle member comprises a corner portion at which the direction of extension of the handle member changes, the corner portion being fitted with a reinforcement member which is hidden in the handle member in the condition of use.

In one or more embodiments, the end face of the corner portion facing away from the handle groove is provided with an L-shaped extending mounting groove, in which the reinforcement is mounted.

In one or more embodiments, the door includes a door panel defining a front surface of the door, an outer surface of the handle member facing the front surface protruding from the door panel; and/or the outer surface of the handle member facing the first side and/or the second side protrudes from the outer surface of the main portion of the door on the respective side, respectively.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a refrigeration appliance comprising a cabinet having at least one refrigeration compartment and a door of the refrigeration appliance as described in any of the above embodiments for opening and closing the at least one refrigeration compartment.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. Features and feature combinations previously named in the description and features and feature combinations named in the following description of the drawings and/or shown solely in the drawings may be used not only in the correspondingly indicated combinations but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention will also be considered to include and disclose what is not explicitly shown or described in the drawings, but is derived from and can result from separate combinations of features in the described embodiments. The embodiments and combinations of features should also be considered as disclosed and thus not include all the features of the independent claims originally presented.

[ description of the drawings ]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention at another view angle;

fig. 4 is an exploded view illustrating a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3, taken along line A-A;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3 taken along line B-B;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a handle member prior to bending in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a handle member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial bottom view of a handle member according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a handle member according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a handle member and door end cap during mutual approaching in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a handle member and door end cap coupled together in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of FIG. 12 at another view angle;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a handle member and door end cap after the handle member and door end cap are coupled together in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is another enlarged fragmentary view of an embodiment of the present invention after the handle member and door end cap are coupled together;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a grounding terminal according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 17 is an exploded view of a door of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 is a partial sectional view of a door of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals:

1-a refrigerator; 2-a box body; 3,3' -gate; 3 a-a first side; 3 b-front side; 3 c-a second side; 4-a handle slot; 5-a grip portion; 6-door panels; 6 a-a front surface of the door panel; 7-a door frame; 7a,7b,7c,7 d-door end caps, 7 dd-flaps; 8-a rear cover; 9-a heat insulation layer; 10-a handle member; 10' -metal piece; 10A-a first surface; 10B-a second surface; 10C-incision; 10C 1-a first edge; 10C 2-second edge; 11-a body portion; 12-leg; 20-a functional module; 60-folding ends; 61-a main board portion; 62-side plate portions; 71-a first wall; 72-a second wall; 73-a top cover portion; 74-extending walls; 75-slots; 77-receiving notch; 71 a-a recess; 80-a ground terminal; 81-contact portions; 82-wire harness portion; 100-grooves; 101-marking; 102-an illumination device; 110-corner sections; 111-mounting slots; 112-a stiffener; 113-an adhesive; 120-cavity; 121-a guide groove; 125-connection structure; 130-a first connecting wall; 131-a hook; 131 a-a first incline; 132-ground connection; 140-a second connecting wall; 141-a connection groove; 150-notch; 160-a receiving groove; 200-a main board body; 700-mounting cavity; 701-outlet; 710-gap; 711-clamping hook; 711 a-a second ramp; 712-guiding ribs; 741-a first portion of the extension wall; 742-a second portion of the extension wall; 743-a step; 770-positioning the protrusions; 811-contact pads; s-insulating space; 10B 1-a first portion of the second surface; 10B 2-a second portion of the second surface.

[ detailed description ] of the invention

For a further understanding of the objects, construction, features, and functions of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

The refrigeration appliance 1 of the present invention may be one of a refrigerator, a freezer, a wine cabinet, or the like, which keeps food or other articles in a low temperature state. The present invention will be described with reference to a refrigerator as an example and the accompanying drawings show a refrigerator 1. In the following description, reference numeral "1" corresponds to a refrigerator.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a cabinet 2 having a refrigerating compartment (not shown because it is hidden by a door) and a door 3 to open and close the refrigerating compartment.

The refrigerated compartment may be used to store items to be cooled. Wherein the door 3 is rotatably coupled to the front side of the cabinet 2 such that the door 3 is configured to rotatably open and close the refrigerating compartment. Alternatively, the door 3 is configured as a drawer type door that can be pulled out in the thickness direction Y of the door to open the refrigerating compartment or pushed in to the front side of the cabinet 2 to close the refrigerating compartment. In this embodiment, the uppermost two doors in fig. 1 are rotatably opened and closed, and the two doors are adjacently disposed to jointly close the uppermost refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator 1. The door 3 in the middle of fig. 1 and the door 3' below are drawer-type doors. The scheme of the embodiment to be described later may be applied to each door of the refrigerator 1, or may be applied to only one or a few of the doors.

The refrigerating compartment may be one of a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, a zero-degree compartment, or a variable-temperature compartment. For example, in this embodiment, the refrigeration compartment for closing and opening the uppermost two doors of fig. 1 is a refrigerated compartment having a temperature range of, for example, 4 ℃ to 8 ℃. The refrigeration compartment for opening and closing the door 3 in the middle of fig. 1 is a temperature change compartment, the temperature of which can be in the range of-20 c to 8 c. The lowest door 3' is used to close and open the refrigerated compartment, which is a freezer compartment, the temperature of which is for example around-18 c. The temperature change range of the temperature change chamber is large so as to meet different requirements of users, and the users can set the temperature of the temperature change chamber according to the requirements of the users, so that the temperature change chamber can be used as a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber or a zero-degree chamber.

The refrigerator 1 may include another door 3' adjacent to the door 3. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the door 3 may be adjacent to another door 3' in the height direction Z of the refrigerator. The door may be adjacent to another door in the width direction (or referred to as the left-right direction) X of the refrigerator 1, such as the left door located uppermost in fig. 1 and another right door located right in the width direction X of the refrigerator.

Referring to fig. 2 to 6 again, fig. 2 is a perspective view of a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; fig. 3 is a perspective view of a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention at another view angle; fig. 4 is an exploded view illustrating a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3, taken along line A-A; fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of a door of the refrigerator shown in fig. 3 along line B-B.

The door 3 of the present embodiment includes a door panel 6, a rear cover 8 located at the rear side of the door panel 6, and a door frame 7 located between the door panel 6 and the rear cover 8. Wherein the door panel 6, the door frame 7 and the rear cover 8 define a closed insulating space S for receiving an insulating material having insulating properties. The liquid heat insulating material is injected into the heat insulating space S, and the heat insulating layer 9 is formed after foaming and curing, so that the door 3 has good heat insulating performance.

In this embodiment, the front surface 6a of the door panel 6 defines the front surface of the door 3. The door panel 6 of this embodiment may be made of glass. In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 17 and 18, the door panel 6 may be made of metal. The door panel referred to in the present invention is understood to be a panel located in front of the insulating layer 9 and defining the front surface of the door. In some embodiments, the door panel may further include a decorative panel disposed in front of the door panel in fig. 4 and 17.

The rear cover 8 may be formed of ABS plastic through a plastic suction molding process.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the door frame 7 is composed of four door end caps 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d. The four door end covers are connected end to end and combined to form a rectangular door frame 7 with an opening in the middle. The door frame 7 includes door end caps 7a, 7c extending in the width direction X of the refrigerator 1 and door end caps 7b, 7d extending in the height direction Z of the refrigerator 1. The door frame 7 defines a side surface of the door 3, and each of the door end caps 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d defines one side surface of the door 3, respectively.

Each door end cap 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d in turn defines part of the boundary of the insulating space S. Each door end cap may be used to close one side surface of the door 3. That is, the door end cap 7a located at the upper end of the door 3 is used to close the upper side of the door 3, the door end cap 7c located at the lower end of the door 3 is used to close the lower side of the door 3, the door end cap 7b located at the left side of the door 3 is used to close the left side of the door 3, and the door end cap 7d located at the right side of the door 3 is used to close the right side of the door 3.

Wherein the door end caps 7a, 7c extending in the width direction X of the refrigerator 1 may be manufactured by injection molding using a plastic material. The door end caps 7b, 7d extending in the height direction Z of the ice bin 1 may be formed by extrusion of a metal such as an aluminum alloy.

As shown in fig. 3, the door 3 may include a handle groove 4 at one side of the door 3 and a grip portion 5 at least in front of the handle groove 4. The user's hand may extend into the handle slot 4 to operate (e.g., grasp or pull) the grip portion 5 to open the door 3.

The handle slot 4 of the present embodiment is located at the upper side of the door. In other embodiments, the handle slot 4 may be located on the left, right or underside of the door.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the door 3 of the present embodiment includes a handle member 10 to form the grip portion 5. The handle member 10 extends from the first side 3a of the door 3 to the front face 3b of the door 3 and continuously to the second side 3c of the door 3. Wherein the first side 3a and the second side 3c are opposite.

Wherein the front face 3b of the door can be understood as the surface of the door 3 facing the user in case the user stands directly in front of the refrigerator 1. The first side 3a or the second side 3c is a side surface of the door 3 extending rearward from the front face 3b, for example, the first side 3a is a left side of the door 3 in the present embodiment, and the second side 3c is a right side of the door. In other embodiments, the first side may also be the upper side of the door and the second side may be the lower side of the door.

The handle piece independently bearing the function of the handle part 5 extends continuously on the three surfaces of the door, so that the refrigerator of the scheme has unique characteristics different from similar products, and the identification degree of the product of the scheme and other products is increased. The handle member not only can independently take on the handle function, but the bar-shaped extended handle member 10 as shown in fig. 1 to 3 can decorate the door 3, so that the door 3 can obtain a unique visual effect of appearance.

Specifically, the handle member 10 includes a main body portion 11 extending along the length direction of the handle groove 4 and two leg portions 12 extending rearward from both ends of the main body portion 11. Wherein the body 11 is located in front of the handle slot 4. The legs 12 are located at both ends of the handle slot 4, respectively. The main body 11 defines the front boundary of the handle slot 4 and the two leg portions 12 define the left and right boundaries of the handle slot 4, respectively.

The main body 11 of this embodiment may be used for grasping by a user to open the door, and the leg 12 may also be used for grasping by a user. Thus, the handle member of the present embodiment provides a greater gripping range for a user to open the door from a position at a different angle to the refrigerator, for example, when the user is positioned directly in front of the refrigerator, the user can grasp the main body portion of the handle member to open the door. When the user is located at the side front of the refrigerator, the user can grasp the leg portion of the handle member to open the door, which provides more convenience to the user's opening operation.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the handle member 10 of the present embodiment defines the front boundary, the left side boundary, and the right side boundary of the handle groove 4 such that the handle groove 4 has the longest extension length of the door 3 at that side. Part of the space in the handle slot 4 may be used for other purposes, for example, to arrange the functional module 20 in the handle slot. In particular, when the handle member 10 is made of a stronger metal, the handle slot may have both the longest extension and a larger volume.

Wherein the functional module 20 may perform at least one of display, operation, control, prompting, etc. The functional module 20 includes, for example, one or more of a display unit, a control unit, and an operation unit. The user may obtain information and/or operations about the refrigerator through the function module 20 to set the refrigerator, for example. In some embodiments, the mode of operation of the refrigerated compartment closed by the door 3 may be set by the functional module 20. Accordingly, the function module 20 includes at least one display unit and/or an operation unit to indicate information of the refrigerator, so that a user can obtain information about the refrigerator from the function module 20 and/or operate the display unit to input signals to the refrigerator.

In the present embodiment, the handle member 10 is connected to the door end cover 7a located at the upper side of the door 3. In the use state of the door 3, the length direction of the handle groove 4 is the width direction X of the door 3, and the width direction of the handle groove 4 is the thickness direction Y of the door 3. In other embodiments, the handle member 10 may be attached to one of the door end caps 7b, 7c or 7d of the door 3.

The handle member 10 of the present embodiment is a metal handle member made of metal. The metal handle member may have a higher strength at the same thickness. Under the condition that the thickness of the door 3 is fixed, the metal handle piece occupies smaller space in the thickness direction Y of the door, so that more space can be vacated for the handle groove, the handle groove can obtain larger width in the thickness direction Y of the door so as to fully accommodate fingers of a user, and better experience is obtained when the hand of the user stretches into the handle groove 4.

Fig. 7 and 8 show a schematic view of a handle member before bending according to an embodiment of the present invention; fig. 8 is a perspective view of a handle member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the handle member 10 of the present embodiment is formed of an elongated metal member 10' by a bending process. The elongated metal member 10' is formed by an extrusion molding process.

The surface of the handle member 10 made of metal can be subjected to surface treatment such as polishing, wiredrawing, sand blasting or anodic oxidation dyeing to obtain different colors or surface characteristics so as to be applied to refrigerators of different materials and/or colors, and the overall colors and/or materials and/or design styles of the handle member and the refrigerator or the living room are kept in harmony.

The surface of the metal grip member 10 may be machined to form a plurality of structures, for example, as shown in fig. 2, to form a groove 100 extending along the length of the main body 11 on the surface of the main body 11 in this embodiment.

As shown in fig. 5, in the present embodiment, the groove 100 penetrates through the wall of the main body 11 at the front face 3b of the door 3 to allow light to be emitted from the groove 100. The handle member 10 of the present embodiment may have the lighting device 102 embedded therein.

In other embodiments, the groove 100 may not penetrate the wall of the main body 11 on the front face 3b of the door 3, and the groove 100 may be a highlight groove machined on the surface of the main body 11, so as to have a stronger light reflection capability, thereby increasing the identification of the product.

In some embodiments, the surface of the body portion 11 may also form a logo 101, and the logo 101 may be located beside one end of the groove 100. The identifier 101 may be a brand identifier or an avatar identifier. Of course, the identifier 101 may also be a functional identifier, for example, the identifier on the different door is one of "variable temperature chamber", "zero degree chamber", "cold room", or "freezer chamber", respectively, to explicitly indicate the corresponding cold room to the user.

The handle piece made of metal not only makes the refrigerator demonstrate a metal feel in appearance, can help promoting the quality feel of whole refrigerator. And the user can also experience a metal touch sense with cool sense when using the handle piece, can promote user's operation experience sense.

Referring now to fig. 7 and 8, fig. 7 is a schematic view of a handle member before bending according to an embodiment of the present invention; fig. 8 is a perspective view of a handle member according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an aluminum alloy is used, an elongated metal member 10 'is formed by an extrusion process, and then two cutouts 10C are formed in the elongated metal member 10' by a tool, as shown in fig. 7.

The metal piece 10' is bent at the notch 10C to form a main body portion 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the handle groove 4 and two leg portions 12 extending rearward from both ends of the main body portion 11. Thereby, a U-shaped aluminum alloy handle member 10 is formed.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the metal piece 10' includes opposing first and second surfaces 10A, 10B, the first surface 10A facing outwardly and the second surface 10B facing the handle slot 4 when the handle piece is formed.

The cutout 10C shown in fig. 7 is formed in the second surface 10B of the metal piece 10'. The notch 10C has a first edge 10C1 and a second edge 10C2 facing each other in a state where the metal member 10' is not bent. After the metal piece 10' is bent at the notch 10C to form the handle piece 10, the first edge 10C1 contacts the second edge 10C2. Theoretically, the first edge 10C1 contacts the second edge 10C2, so that the notch 10C is closed, that is, the handle member 10 formed by bending the metal member 10' is not visible to the notch 10C in appearance, as shown in fig. 8, so that the handle member obtains a more beautiful appearance effect. However, due to manufacturing tolerances or machining processes, the first edge 10C1 formed on the handle member 10 may partially contact the second edge 10C2, or a slight gap, e.g., within 1mm, may exist between the first edge 10C1 and the second edge 10C2, and the cut-out 10C is essentially intended to be closed, and such actual manufacturing or machining errors should be included in the solution of the present invention.

The vertical cross section of the slit 10C of the present embodiment is V-shaped, that is, the slit 10C is vertically cut along the length direction of the metal member 10', and the cross section of the slit is V-shaped. The V-shaped notch 10C is formed in the second surface 10B of the metal member 10' without penetrating the first surface 10A, and the first surface 10A of the handle member 10 facing outward as shown in fig. 1 to 3 is formed to extend continuously.

As shown in fig. 8, the metal member 10' of the present embodiment is bent at 90 ° at the notch 10C, so that the leg portion 12 of the obtained handle member 10 extends perpendicularly to the main body portion 11.

This embodiment is required for the depth of the slit 10C. If the depth of the notch 10C is too small, the strength of the formed handle member may be satisfactory, but the first surface 10A of the handle member may easily collapse inwardly at the bent portion, and the appearance surface may be insufficient and smooth, and may not satisfy the requirements of industrial design. If the depth of the slit 10C is increased, the surface problem of the handle at the bent portion can be solved, but the strength of the handle is difficult to meet the requirement, especially when the door 3 is used as a door of a freezing chamber, since the temperature of the freezing chamber is as low as about-18℃, a larger negative pressure is generated, and a larger force needs to be applied to the handle when the door is opened.

Referring to fig. 6 and referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a partial bottom view of a handle member according to an embodiment of the invention. In order to increase the strength of the handle member at the bend, the handle member 10 is provided with a reinforcement member 112. Specifically, the reinforcement 112 of the present embodiment is mounted at the corner of the handle member 10 extending from the first side 3a of the door to the front face 3b of the door and at the corner of the handle member 10 extending from the front face 3b of the door to the second side 3 c.

For convenience of description, a corner of the handle member 10 extending from the first side 3a to the front face 3b of the door and a corner of the handle member 10 extending from the front face 3b to the second side 3c of the door are referred to as corner portions 110. The corner portion 110 is not limited to the case shown in the drawings, and the corner portion 110 is located at a position where the extending direction of the handle member 10 is changed, or the extending direction of the handle member 10 is changed at the corner portion 110.

The end surface of the corner portion 110 facing away from the handle groove 4 is provided with an L-shaped extending mounting groove 111, and the reinforcing member 112 is mounted in the mounting groove 111.

The mounting groove 111 may be formed by machining the mounting groove 111 in the corner portion with a tool after the metal member 10' is bent to form the handle member 10, for example, milling the mounting groove in the bottom end surface of the corner portion 110 with a milling cutter.

In order to make the reinforcing member have sufficient strength, the reinforcing member 112 of the present embodiment is a metal reinforcing member. The metal reinforcement extends in an L-shape. Accordingly, the mounting groove 111 extends in an L-shape on the bottom end surface of the corner portion 110.

The stiffener 112 may be pressed into the mounting slot 111. The reinforcing member 112 does not protrude from the mounting groove 111 to reduce the influence of the reinforcing member on the fitting of the handle member, such as interference with the door end caps 7b and 7 d. Of course, in order to reduce the possibility of the reinforcement member being separated from the handle member during the actual manufacturing process, the reinforcement member may be adhered to the mounting groove 112 by the adhesive member 113. In some embodiments, the adhesive 113 is a 3M tape or a hot melt adhesive.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the handle member 10 of the present embodiment is located at the door 3 so as to protrude forward and/or to both sides.

Specifically, the first surface 10A of the main body 11 protrudes from the front surface 6a of the door panel 6. Meanwhile, the outer surfaces of the first and second sides 3a, 3c of the handle member 10 facing the door respectively protrude from the first and second sides 3a, 3c, that is, the first surfaces 10A of the leg portions 12 respectively protrude from the first and second sides 3a, 3c.

In this embodiment, the front surface 10A of the handle member 10 protrudes from the front surface 6a of the door panel in a range of 1mm to 2mm. The outer surfaces of the first and second side surfaces 3a, 3c of the handle member 10 facing the door protrude from the first and second side surfaces 3a, 3c, respectively, in the range of 1mm to 3mm. Thus, the flatness of the outer surface of the door 3 is ensured, so that the arrangement of the handle member does not cause damage to the smoothness of the outer surface of the door.

Moreover, the handle member 10 protrudes slightly from the door panel and the door frame, so that the requirement of assembly tolerance between the handle member 10 and the door panel 6 can be reduced, and the influence of the connecting gap between the handle member 10 and the door panel 6 on the front surface of the door 3 can also be reduced, thereby facilitating the manufacture and improving the texture of the door 3.

In addition, the scheme of the embodiment enables the corner portion 110 of the handle member 10 to cover the corner of the door panel, thereby reducing the risk of scratching or bruising the user at the corner of the door panel, and being beneficial to improving the safety of the product.

It is further contemplated that in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the second surface 10B of the handle member 10 facing the handle slot 4 includes a first portion 10B1 proximate the entrance of the handle slot 4 and a second portion 10B2 proximate the bottom wall of the handle slot 4. Wherein the second portion 10B2 extends along the depth direction F of the handle groove 4 and the first portion 10B1 extends obliquely from inside to outside of the handle groove 4 toward the first surface 10A near the handle member 10. Thus, the handle groove 4 of the present embodiment is horn-shaped from inside to outside. The thickness of the upper portion of the handle member 10 is thinner and the thickness of the lower portion is thicker. On the one hand, more abundant holding space of the handle groove is provided as much as possible, so that the user can have better experience when fingers of the user extend into the handle groove, and no sense of restriction or squeezing is caused. On the other hand, the design may be such that the handle member 10 has a certain thickness to provide a cavity for accommodating components such as lighting devices, etc., so that the handle member or door has more functions such as lighting or reminding or displaying functions.

The first portion 10B1 and the second portion 10B2 are smoothly connected, thereby providing a smooth touch feeling to the user when operating the handle member 10, which is advantageous for improving the user's use experience.

The handle member 10 of the present embodiment participates in the foaming process of the door 3. The handle member 10 includes a portion that protrudes into the insulating space S to be combined with the insulating layer 9. Thus, the handle member 10 is non-detachably provided to the door 3, which is advantageous in that the strength of the handle member 10 on the door 3 is increased, and it becomes possible to form a part of the grip portion 5 without requiring the door end cover 7 a. In particular, when the grip member 10 is made of metal, the grip portion 5 may be made of at least a majority of metal to enhance the user's use experience.

The door end cover 7a of the present embodiment may have a stepped shape. The door end cap 7a includes intersecting first and second walls 71, 72. Wherein the first wall 71 is configured as a bottom wall of the handle groove 4 in the use state. The second wall 72 is configured in the use state as a rear side wall of the handle groove 4.

The first wall 71 may extend in a horizontal direction. The second wall 72 may extend perpendicular to the first wall 71 or may have an angle greater than 90 ° with the first wall 71 to obtain a larger accommodation space for a user's hand to extend into the handle slot 4 to grasp the grip portion 5 for a better handling experience.

In one embodiment, the rear end of the door end cap 7a is connected to the rear cap 8 of the door 3. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the door end cover 7a further includes a top cover portion 73 connected to the upper end of the second wall 72 and extending rearward. In the use state of the door 3, the top cover portion 73 is higher than the handle member 10. The top cover 73 is connected to the rear cover 8.

The handle slot 4 is located between the handle piece 4 and the door end cap 7 a. In other words, the handle groove 4 of the present embodiment is formed by the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a being surrounded.

The door end cap 7a is connected to a region of the handle member 10 near the bottom of the handle groove 4. Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, 8, 10, 13 and 14, the handle member 10 includes a first connection wall 130 connected to the door end cover 7a, and the first connection wall 130 may extend against the bottom wall of the handle groove 4, i.e., the inner surface of the first wall 71.

For connection with other structures of the door 3, such as the door end cap 7a and the door panel 6, the handle member 10 includes a connection structure 125. The connection structure 125 extends along the length direction of the main body 11 of the handle member 10, and a notch 150 is formed between both ends of the connection structure 125 and the leg portion 12 of the handle member 10. That is, the connecting structure 125 is not directly connected to the leg 12. The connecting structure 125 is formed while extruding the elongated metal member 10' from a metal material, and then a tool is used to cut away a portion of the connecting structure at the end of the metal member 10', thereby forming the notch 150, which facilitates the subsequent bending of the metal member 10' to form the handle member 10 of the present embodiment.

The connection structure 125 includes a first connection wall 130 connected to the connection door end cap 7a and a second connection wall 140 connected to the door panel 6. The extending direction of the first connection wall 130 is different from the extending direction of the second extension wall 140. The first connecting wall 130 may form an angle with the second connecting wall 140.

As in the present embodiment, the first connecting wall 130 extends along the thickness direction Y of the door 3. The second connecting wall 140 extends parallel to the direction of the door panel 6. Specifically, the first connection wall 130 may extend against an inner surface of the bottom wall of the handle groove 4. The second connecting wall 140 may extend against the inner surface of the door panel 6.

The first and second connection walls 130 and 140 extending in different directions are respectively fitted to the inner surfaces of different boundary walls (the first wall 71 and the door panel 6) defining the insulation space S, and the different boundary walls are located on different portions (the door end cover 7a and the door panel 6, respectively), which is advantageous not only in enhancing the stability of the assembly of the handle piece and other components before the foaming process of the door 3, but also in enhancing the strength of the handle piece on the door 3, and in reducing the possibility of the handle piece being turned over during use.

In the use state of the door 3, the extending direction of the first connection wall 130 is parallel to the thickness direction Y of the door 3, and the extending direction of the second connection wall 140 is parallel to the height direction Y of the door. The first connection wall 130 extends perpendicular to the second connection wall 140. Further, the first connecting wall 130 and the second connecting wall 140 of the present embodiment are in the shape of a sheet.

The first and second connection walls 130 and 140 protrude into the insulation space S. The liquid foaming material fills the heat insulation space S to foam and form the heat insulation layer 9, and the first connecting wall 130 and the second connecting wall 140 are respectively combined with the heat insulation layer 9, so that the connection firmness of the handle piece and other parts can be further improved, the strength of the handle piece on the door 3 is further improved, and the possibility that the handle piece is overturned in the use process is further reduced.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the stop of the first wall 71 against the first connecting wall 130, the blocking of the insulating layer 9 against the second connecting wall 140 and the holding-down of the first connecting wall 130 can reduce the possibility of the handle element 10 being turned over.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 10 to 14 are views illustrating a process of approaching a handle member and a door end cap according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a handle member and door end cap coupled together in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a schematic view of FIG. 12 at another view angle; FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention after the handle member and door end cap are coupled together.

The first connection wall 130 includes a first connection portion and the first wall 71 includes a second connection portion. The first connecting portion is automatically connected with the second connecting portion as the handle member 10 and the door end cap 7a approach each other in the first direction D and constitute the handle groove 4. The first direction D is the width direction of the handle groove 4. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can prevent the handle member 10 from being separated from the door end cover 7a in the connected state.

As shown in fig. 5, 13 and 14, the first connection portion of the present embodiment includes a hook portion 131 at the free end of the first connection wall 130. The second connection part of the present embodiment includes a catch 711 provided on an inner surface of the first wall 71 facing the insulation space S.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14, in one embodiment, the hook 131 may extend along the entire length of the first connection wall 130. The hook portion 131 may form an integral metal structure with the first connection wall 130. For example, the first connection wall 130 and the hook 131 are formed while extruding a long strip-shaped metal member 10' as shown in fig. 7 using an aluminum alloy.

The first wall 71 of the door end cover 7a is provided with a plurality of hooks 711 on an inner surface facing the heat insulation space S. As shown in fig. 13, the plurality of hooks 711 are uniformly distributed on the first wall 71 along the length direction of the handle groove 4. The plurality of hooks 711 may form an integral structure with the first wall 71. For example, the first wall 71 and the plurality of hooks 711 are formed while the door end cover 7a is injection-molded using a plastic material. Thus, in one embodiment, the catch 711 may have a good elastic deformability.

The hook portion 131 has a first inclined surface 131a, and the first inclined surface 131a extends obliquely downward from the end of the first connecting wall 130 toward the start of the first connecting wall 130. The catch 711 has a second inclined surface 711a, the second inclined surface 711a being configured such that a tapered opening is formed between the catch 711 and the first wall 71 for guiding the hook 131 into engagement with the catch 711 from the opening. Wherein the first inclined surface 131a may be parallel to the second inclined surface 711a. The first inclined surface 131a may have an angle smaller than 45 ° with the second inclined surface 711a.

As the handle member 10 approaches the door end cover 7a in the first direction D, the hook 131 enters the opening formed by the second inclined surface 711a and the inner surface of the first wall 71. As the handle member 10 further approaches the door end cover 7a along the first direction D, the first inclined surface 131a of the hook 131 abuts against the hook 711 and presses the hook 711 toward a direction away from the first wall 71, and the hook 711 is elastically deformed toward a direction away from the first wall 71 until the hook 131 passes over an enlarged end of the hook 711 to be hooked with the hook 711. At this time, the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a are surrounded to form the handle groove 4.

The hooks 131 automatically engage with the respective hooks 711 during the approaching of the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a in the first direction D. So that the handle member 10 and the door end cap 7a can be accurately positioned before the foaming process of the door 3 to facilitate the improvement of the strength of the handle member 10 on the door 3 after foaming.

The assembly of the handle piece and the door end cover is simple and labor-saving, and has satisfactory yield. During assembly, the handle member and the door end cap are brought closer together in the first direction D, and the hook 711 and the hook 131 can be automatically hooked together as long as a force in the first direction D is applied to the handle member and/or the door end cap.

When all hooks 711 and hooks 131 are hooked together before door foaming, the handle member 10 and door end cap 7a are connected together before door foaming. The hook 711 and the hook 131 are located in the heat insulation space S, and during foaming of the door, liquid foaming liquid contacts with the hook 711 and the hook 131 which are hooked together, and when the foaming liquid is solidified to form the heat insulation layer 9, the hook 711 and the hook 131 are combined with the heat insulation layer 9, so that the connection strength of the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a and the strength of the handle member 10 on the door 3 are further greatly enhanced.

In order to guide the handle member 10 and the door end cap 7a towards each other in the first direction D and around the handle slot 4, the door 3 comprises in one embodiment a guide structure. The guide structure includes a first guide piece located on the handle member 10 and a second guide piece located on the door end cover 7a, one of which enters the other structure when the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a are brought close in the first direction D, and it is seen that the guide structure can improve the positioning accuracy of the leg portion 12 and the door end cover 7a in the length direction of the handle groove 4.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, the first guide includes a guide groove 121 in the leg portion 12, the guide groove 121 extending in the first direction D, i.e., the width direction of the handle groove 4. The second guide includes guide ribs 712 (shown in fig. 11) located at the door end cover 7a, the guide ribs 712 being located at both ends of the door end cover 7a in the length direction thereof, although only one guide rib 712 is labeled in fig. 11, it is conceivable that the other end of the door end cover 7a has guide ribs as well. The guide rib 712 is adapted to be inserted into the guide groove 121 and relatively move along the guide groove 121. When the guide rib 712 moves relatively along the guide groove 121, the handle member 10 moves relatively with the door end cover 7a in the first direction D.

Therefore, during assembly, the guide protrusion 712 is inserted into the guide groove 121, and then only the handle member 10 and/or the door end cap 7a need be forced to approach each other, and naturally approach each other along the first direction D until the hook 711 and the hook 131 are automatically connected. The scheme is convenient for operators to assemble the handle piece and the door end cover, saves labor in assembly and omits complex operation of screw connection.

In one embodiment, the guide rib 712 is configured as a rim of the first wall 71, in particular a rim of both ends of the first wall 71 in the length direction of the handle groove 4. That is, in the use state of the door 3, the edges of the first wall 71 facing the first side 3a and the second side 3c of the door 3 are inserted into the guide groove 121 of the handle member 10, and it can be seen that the guide structure can restrict the handle member 10 from being separated from the door end cover 7a in the depth direction F of the handle groove.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, in order to further improve the positioning accuracy of the leg portion 12 and the door end cover 7a in the length direction of the handle groove 4, a positioning mechanism adapted to be plug-connected in the thickness direction Y of the door 1 is included between the door end cover 7a and the leg portion 12. The positioning mechanism may include a positioning projection 770 located at one of the door end cap 7a and the leg 12 and a receiving portion located at the other of the door end cap 7a and the leg 12.

In one embodiment, the door end cover 7a is provided with positioning projections 770 at both ends in the length direction thereof. The free ends of the legs 12 may be grooved, dimpled or perforated as receptacles. In the embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 9, the handle piece 10 is constructed solid. The free ends of the legs of the solid construction may be grooved or dimpled as a receiving portion.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in fig. 5, 6, 10 to 12 and 18, the handle part 10 is constructed to be hollow. The handle member 10 includes a cavity 120 extending along the direction of extension of the handle member 10. The cavity 120 is configured to receive at least a portion of the lighting device 102. The lighting device 102 includes a strip positioned within the cavity 120 of the body portion 11 and extending along the length of the body portion 11. The strip may include a light guide strip and/or a light emitting assembly. It is contemplated that the illumination device 102 may be configured to function as ambient and/or indicator illumination, as desired. Whether for ambient lighting or status indication lighting of a refrigerator, light is emitted from the handle member 10, which is advantageous for improving the lighting and/or indication effect of the lighting device 102.

In the above-described embodiments, the receiving portion may be formed by the cavity 120 located in the leg portion 12. The positioning projection 770 protrudes into the cavity 120 in the leg portion 12 when the handle member 10 and the door end cap 7a are moved closer to each other in the first direction D.

At the same time, the cooperation of the positioning projection 770 with the receiving portion can be used to detect whether the handle member 10 is manufactured as desired. If the positioning projection 770 does not smoothly enter the leg cavity 120 during the approaching of the handle member 10 and the door end cap 7a to each other, it can be determined that the handle member 10 is problematic, for example, the metal member 10' does not achieve a 90 degree bend.

As shown in fig. 11, the door end cover 7a is formed with a receiving notch 77 at both ends thereof to at least partially match the vertical cross section of the handle member 10, and a positioning projection 770 is provided on the rear wall of the receiving notch 77, the rear wall of the receiving notch 77 being held against the leg 12 after the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a are assembled.

With continued reference to fig. 5, the second connecting wall 140 of the handle member 10 engages the inner surface of the door panel 6. During foaming of the door, the foaming liquid in the liquid state contacts the second connection wall 140, and when the foaming liquid is solidified to form the heat insulation layer 9, the second connection wall 140 is combined with the heat insulation layer 9.

The handle member 10 includes first and second connection walls 130 and 140 having different extending directions, the first connection wall 130 extending to be bonded to the inner surface of the bottom wall of the handle groove 4, and the second connection wall 140 extending to be bonded to the inner surface of the door panel 6. And, the first connection wall 130 and the second connection wall 140 extend into the insulation space S and are combined with the insulation layer 9, respectively. Thus, when the user's hand is inserted into the handle groove 4 to grasp the grip portion 5 and apply an external force to the handle member 10, the first connecting wall 130 can be restrained by the first wall 71 of the door end cover and the insulating layer 9, and the second connecting wall 140 can be restrained by the insulating layer 9, so that the handle member 10 can be forcefully restrained from turning over during use.

The door panel 6 is attached to the second attachment wall 140 of the handle member 10 using, for example, tape or adhesive prior to foaming the door 3. To prevent foaming fluid from leaking from the gap 150 during foaming, the door end cap 7a includes an extension wall 74. The extension wall 74 extends from the first wall 71 toward the heat insulation space S along the depth direction F of the handle groove 4.

In one embodiment, the extension walls 74 are located at both ends of the door end cover 7a in the length direction. The extension wall 74 comprises a first portion 741 facing the door panel 6 and a second portion 742 facing the first side 3 a/second side 3 c. When the handle member 10 and the door end cap 7a are assembled together, the first portion 741 is juxtaposed with the second connecting wall 140. The door panel 6 is connected to the first portion 741 and the second connecting wall 140 using, for example, tape or adhesive.

In one embodiment, to improve the tightness of the insulating space S, a sealing member such as a foam tape is provided between the door panel 6 and the first and second connection walls 741 and 140.

In order to prevent leakage of part of the foaming liquid from the gap between the first portion 741 and the second connecting wall 140, the first portion 741 includes a stepped portion 743 extending rearward, and the stepped portion 743 overlaps the second connecting wall 140 in the thickness direction Y of the door 3 to facilitate prevention of leakage of the foaming liquid from between the first portion 741 and the second connecting wall 140 during foaming of the door 3.

The second connection portion 742 is overlapped with the door caps 7b and 7d on the left and right sides of the door 3, respectively, so that the possibility of leakage of the foaming liquid can be reduced.

To facilitate connection of door end cap 7a and door end caps 7b, 7d, a slot 75 is formed between extension wall 74 and first wall 71, slot 75 extending not only between first portion 741 and first wall 71, but also between second portion 742 and first wall 71. The ends of the door end caps 7b, 7d may be inserted into the slots 75. As shown in fig. 6, wherein fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of a door of the refrigerator shown in fig. 3 taken along line B-B, the insulating layer is omitted in fig. 6. The door end cap 7d is made of metal, and the end of the door end cap 7d is provided with a turnover edge 7dd, and the turnover edge 7dd is inserted into the slot 75 to realize connection of the door end cap 7a and the door end cap 7d before the door 3 is foamed.

Next, referring again to fig. 5, 6, 10 and 17, the handle member 10 includes a receiving groove 160. The edge of the first wall 71 of the door end cap 7a is inserted into the receiving groove 160. In one embodiment, the receiving groove 160 extends along the extension direction of the handle member 10. Also, the receiving groove 160 in the present embodiment is located above the first connection wall 130. As shown in fig. 5, in this embodiment, the first connection wall 130 is configured as one groove wall of the receiving groove 160. The receiving groove 160 may be formed when extruded into the elongated metallic member 10' used to construct the handle member 10. Thus, the receiving groove 160 may extend along the entire extending direction of the handle member 10, including along the body portion 11 and along the leg portion 12.

In one embodiment, the receiving groove 160 at the leg portion may be configured as the aforementioned guide groove 121.

Three edges of the first wall 71 facing the first side 3a, the front 3b, and the second side 3c of the door 3 are inserted into the receiving groove 160, respectively.

The effective effects of the improvement are as follows: on the one hand, accurate positioning of the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a in a plurality of directions, such as in the depth direction F of the handle groove and in the width direction D of the handle groove 4, is facilitated. On the other hand, the handle member 10 can be restricted from being detached from the door end cover 7a in the use state. Furthermore, the insertion of the rim of the first wall 71 into the receiving groove 160 of the handle member may be advantageous in preventing the handle member 10 from tipping outwardly during use.

At the same time, the edges of the first wall 71 extend into the receiving groove 160 of the handle member 10, concealing the edges of the first wall 71. In this way, the apparent connection between the first wall 71 and the handle member 10 due to manufacturing tolerances is not visible in appearance, which is advantageous for improving the aesthetic appearance of the door and reducing the tolerance requirements for the door end cap and the handle member.

Referring now also to fig. 3, 11 and 12, in one embodiment, the door 3 includes a mounting cavity 700 for receiving the functional module 20. The mounting cavity 700 is located in the handle slot 4. In the case of the handle groove 4 including the installation cavity 700, the effective space of the handle groove 4 for accommodating the finger is the space of the handle groove 4 surrounded by the handle member 10 and the door end cover 7a minus the space of the installation cavity 700.

The functional module 20 may be located at one end of the handle slot 4. In the thickness direction Y of the door 3, a mounting cavity 700 for accommodating the functional module 20 may be located between the handle member 10 and the second wall 72 for defining the rear wall of the handle groove 4. The functional module 20 and the handle slot 4 are located on the same side of the door 3 and have the same orientation. Specifically, the functional module 20 and the entrance of the handle slot 4 face the same direction of the door 3. For example, the main board body 200 of the function module 20 having the display unit and/or the operation unit is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, and the handle groove 4 is opened toward the upper side of the door 3, so that when the user's finger is inserted into the handle groove 4 to open the door, the adjacent function module 20 can be easily viewed and/or operated.

In one embodiment, the mounting cavity 700 is integrally formed on the door end cap 7a, such as by forming the mounting cavity 700 at the same time that the door end cap 7a is formed from plastic by an injection molding process. The function module 20 may be a user interface module (user interface module, hereinafter UIM) in one embodiment, and the UIM may include an input unit for receiving user input instructions and/or an output unit for displaying information to a user.

The present embodiment integrates the user interface module and the handle functionality within the same handle slot, thereby forming the user interface module and the handle functionality into one visible integral unit, as shown in fig. 3. Further, when the same handle pocket is used to carry out the handle function and UIM function, the number of parts of the preassembled unit involved in the foaming process can be reduced, and thus leakage of foaming liquid from between the housing for accommodating the UIM and the handle member 10 and/or the cap 7a can be more easily prevented.

In some embodiments, the functional module 20 is disposed in the handle slot 4 surrounded by the metal handle member 10 and the plastic door end cover 7a, and since the functional module 200 includes electronic components, the distance between the handle member 10 and the functional module 20 is very short, and the handle member 100 includes metal materials, when static electricity is conducted through the handle member 10, the electronic components in the mounting cavity 700 disposed in the handle slot 4 may break down, causing malfunction or malfunction of the functional module 20.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in some embodiments, the door 3 further includes a grounding terminal 80 connected to the handle member 10 made of metal, as shown in fig. 15 and 16, wherein fig. 15 is another enlarged partial view of the handle member and the door end cover after being connected together, and fig. 16 is a schematic view of the grounding terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ground terminal 80 is disposed at a position of the handle member 10 near the functional module 20 such that the ground terminal 80 is disposed near the mounting cavity 700. The advantage of this arrangement is that it facilitates the cable arrangement in the door. The cable of the ground terminal 80 may be wired together with the connection line of the functional module 20 led out from the outlet 701 of the installation cavity 700, and in particular may be connected into the case 2 using the same cable connection device.

The first connecting wall 130 of the handle member 10 is provided with a ground connection 132. In the present embodiment, the ground connection portion 132 is formed by cutting a groove in the continuously extending hook portion 131. As shown in fig. 16, the ground terminal 80 includes a contact portion 81 and a harness portion 82. Wherein the contact portion 81 is U-shaped and includes two contact pieces 811 spaced apart by a certain distance. The ground connection 132 is connected to the U-shaped contact 81 by plugging. One of the contact pieces 811 contacts one of the surfaces of the ground connection portion 132, and the other contact piece 811 contacts the other surface of the ground connection portion 132. The cable connected to the ground terminal 80 is led out to the insulating layer of the door 3 after being tied up by the harness 82, and finally ground connection is achieved. Thus, the solution of the above embodiment makes it possible to achieve a grounding connection of the metallic handle member, thereby ensuring a safe and reliable operation of the functional module 20 in the handle slot 4.

Since the first connection wall 130 is extended against the first wall 71 for constructing the bottom wall of the handle groove 4, the inner surface of the first wall 71 has a partially recessed portion 71a recessed toward the inlet direction of the handle groove 4, so that there is a gap 710 between the first wall 71 and the first connection wall 13 of the handle member 10 where the recessed portion 71a is formed, to accommodate a portion of the ground terminal 80. I.e. one 811 of the two contact pieces 81 is located in the gap 710. The cable connected to the ground terminal 80 may be received in the gap 710 and extend a distance into the insulating layer 9 within the gap 710 to near one end of the handle slot 4.

Next, please refer to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 17 and 18, wherein fig. 17 is an exploded view of a door of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention; fig. 18 is a partial sectional view of a door of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, a heat insulating layer not being shown. In this embodiment, compared with the previous embodiment, the same or similar structures are denoted by the same or similar symbols, and the functions or actions thereof are the same or similar, and will not be described herein. The present embodiment is different from the foregoing embodiment in that the door panel 6 in the present embodiment is a metal door panel. The door panel 6 includes a main plate portion 61 for defining a front surface of the door and side plate portions 62 for defining the first side surface 3a and the second side surface 3c of the door. The two side plate portions 62 define side surfaces of the door together with the door end cover 7a located on the upper side of the door and the door end cover 7c located on the lower side of the door, respectively.

In one embodiment, the side plate portion 62 is formed by bending a metal door plate rearward. The main plate portion 61 and the side plate portion 62 are an integral structural member.

As shown in fig. 18, in the present embodiment, the second connection wall 140 includes a connection groove 141 recessed toward the heat insulating space S, and the connection groove 141 extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle groove 4 in the main body portion 11 of the handle member 10. The upper end of the main plate portion 61 has a rearward turned end 60, and the turned end 60 is adapted to be inserted into the connection groove 141 to be connected with the second connection wall 140, so that the door panel 6 and the handle member 10 can be connected together before foaming the door.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the door panel further includes a decorative panel (not shown) such as glass, ceramic, marble, wood, or the like, provided in front of the door panel 6 shown in fig. 17 and 18. The decorative sheet is applied, for example by means of adhesive, to the front of the door panel 6.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of some embodiments of the invention, and many more embodiments of the invention are possible by way of modification and combination.

For example, in the foregoing embodiment, the U-shaped handle member 10 and the elongated door end cap 7a are surrounded to form the handle groove 4. In another embodiment, the handle member may be elongated and the door end cap may be U-shaped, with the elongated handle member and the U-shaped door end cap enclosing a handle channel.

In the foregoing embodiment, the handle groove 4 and the grip portion 5 are located on the upper side of the door 3, and the handle groove 4 is opened upward. It is to be easily understood that the present invention should not be limited thereto, and the scheme of the embodiment may be applied to a case where the handle groove 4 and the grip portion 5 are located at other sides, for example, the handle groove 4 and the grip portion 5 may be located at the lower side, left side or right side of the door 1.

The various embodiments of the individual components described in connection with fig. 1-18 may be combined with each other in any given manner to achieve the advantages of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) comprising a handle slot (4) at one side of the door (3) and a grip portion (5) at least in front of the handle slot (4), characterized in that,

the door (3) comprises a handle member (10) for forming the grip portion (5), wherein the handle member (10) extends from a first side surface (3 a) of the door (3) to a front surface (3 b) of the door (3) and continuously extends to a second side surface (3 c) of the door (3), and the first side surface (3 a) is opposite to the second side surface (3 c).

2. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the handle member (10) comprises a main body portion (11) extending in a length direction of the handle groove (4) and two leg portions (12) extending rearward from both ends of the main body portion (11), the main body portion (11) and the two leg portions (12) defining a front boundary and two side boundaries of the handle groove (4), respectively.

3. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein said leg portion (12) extends perpendicularly to said main body portion (11).

4. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said handle member (10) is formed by bending an elongated metal member (10').

5. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said elongated metal member (10 ') is formed with two slits (10C), said metal member (10') being bent at said slits (10C) to form a main body portion (11) extending in the length direction of the handle groove (4) and two leg portions (12) extending rearward from both ends of said main body portion (11).

6. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein said cutout (10C) is closed after the formation of said handle member (10).

7. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said handle member (10) comprises a first surface (10A) and a second surface (10B) opposite, said first surface (10A) being exposed to the exterior of said door (3), said second surface (10B) facing said handle slot (4), said cutout (10C) being formed in said second surface (10B), and said cutout (10C) having, in the unbent condition of said metal member (10'), a first edge (10C 1) opposite a second edge (10C 2) along which said first edge (10C 1) contacts said second edge (10C 2) after said handle member (10) is formed.

8. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said door (3) comprises a closed insulating space (S) filled with an insulating layer (9), at least part of said handle member (10) extending into said insulating space (S) and being associated with said insulating layer (9).

9. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a door end cap (7 a) defining one side surface of the door (3) in use, said handle member (10) being connected to said door end cap (7 a) and circumscribing said handle slot (4).

10. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2, 3, 5-7, comprising a door end cap (7 a) defining one side surface of said door (3) in use, said handle member (10) being connected to said door end cap (7 a) and circumscribing said handle slot (4); the door (3) further comprises a positioning mechanism for positioning the handle member (10) and the door end cap (7 a), the positioning mechanism comprising a positioning projection (770) located at one of the leg (12) and the door end cap (7 a) and a receiving portion located at the other of the leg (12) and the door end cap (7 a).

11. Door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the handle member (10) is configured as a hollow handle member (10), the handle member (10) comprising a cavity (120) extending in the direction of extension of the handle member 10, the receiving portion being formed by the cavity (120).

12. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the handle member (10) comprises a corner portion (110), the direction of extension of the handle member (110) being changed at the corner portion (110), the corner portion (110) being fitted with a reinforcement member (112), the reinforcement member (112) being hidden in the handle member (10) in a state of use.

13. Door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the end face of the corner portion (110) facing away from the handle slot (4) is provided with an L-shaped extending mounting slot (111), the reinforcement (112) being mounted in the mounting slot (111).

14. A door (3) of a refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a door panel (6) defining a front surface of the door (3), an outer surface of the handle member (10) facing the front face (3 b) protruding from the door panel (6); and/or the outer surface of the handle element (10) facing the first side (3 a) and/or the second side (3 c) protrudes from the outer surface of the main part of the door (3) on the respective side.

15. A refrigeration appliance (1), characterized by comprising a cabinet (2) with at least one refrigeration compartment and a door (3) of the refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said door (3) being intended to open and close said at least one refrigeration compartment.