EP2522938A2 - Household cooler with a self-closing hinge assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator (1) has a storage space (3) that is formed in thermally insulated inner container (2) of main portion (7) for to-be-cooled material. A self-closing hinge arrangement is provided to open and close the storage space. Radial forces (P2,P3) are acted on door leaf (4a) with respect to vertical axis of hinge arrangement, such that pivoting torque is generated in a closed position of door leaf.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising a body, a arranged in the body, a storage space for refrigerated goods thermally insulated inner container and at least one hinged about a vertical axis hinged to the body door leaf, which is mounted for opening and closing of the storage space by means of a self-closing hinge assembly is.

The US 7,555,815 B2 describes a door hinge assembly for a door of a so-called side-by-side refrigerator-freezer combination apparatus comprising a hinge bearing and a hinge pin. The hinge pin is rotatably mounted in the hinge bearing about a vertical axis. The hinge pin has a projecting cam extending perpendicular to the axis. The hinge bearing has a recess in a side wall that receives a portion of the cam when the hinge pin is in a closed position of the door leaf in a first angular position relative to the hinge bearing. When the hinge pin is rotated with respect to the hinge bearing in a second angular position, the cam presses against the recess, so that the hinge pin is pushed from a first axial position to a second axial position. Thus, due to its rotation, the hinge pin is first displaced laterally into the second axial position, and only then does the hinge pin continue to rotate in the second axial position. Thus, in such a side-by-side Kühlgefrierkombinationsgerätes initially the two closed door leaves in a plane of the door leaves laterally displaced during an opening process, whereby a door seal between the two door leaves is released and only then does the actual swinging of the door panel.

The object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance, in particular household refrigeration appliance, with an alternative, in particular simply constructed self-closing hinge arrangement.

A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to be a household refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance used for household purposes or possibly even in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or beverages in household quantities at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer , a fridge freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

The object is achieved by a refrigerator, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising a body, a arranged in the body, a storage space for refrigerated goods thermally insulated inner container and at least one hinged about a vertical axis hinged to the body door leaf, which opens and closes the storage space by means of a self-closing Hinge assembly is mounted, wherein the self-closing hinge assembly is formed from a resulting due to a weight force of the door leaf radial force which acts with respect to the vertical axis of the hinge assembly to generate a door pivoting the door in a closed position torque.

By means of the hinge assembly according to the invention, a door pivoting in a closed position torque can be generated solely from a radial force representing a reaction force in a bearing and resulting from the weight of the door leaf when the door leaf hinged about a vertical axis pivotally on the body, ie is mounted by hinges. According to the invention, the resulting from the weight of the door leaf radial force replaces an otherwise required tension spring. By an inventive design of the self-closing hinge assembly so a separate tension spring can be omitted. It also eliminates the door leaf height adjustable to strike the carcass, since no height mobility of the door leaf is required to produce a door pivoting the door in a closed position torque. The door leaf can thus be rigidly fixed in height with an inventively designed self-closing hinge arrangement, so that the door leaf during pivoting no height movement, ie no movement in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the vertical pivot axis must perform, in particular actually does not perform.

In order to generate from a resulting due to a weight force of the door leaf radial force acting on the hinge assembly with respect to the vertical axis, a door leaf in a closed position pivoting torque, suitable, per se known transmission, such as linkage, friction gear and / or gear transmission used become. The suitably designed and fulfilling the function of the invention gear arrangements may be designed in particular to be integrated into the self-closing hinge assembly.

The door leaf may be pivotally hinged to the body in a region of one of its vertical side edges by at least two vertically spaced hinges about the vertical axis, and at least one of the hinges may comprise the self-closing hinge assembly. In particular, a self-closing hinge arrangement arranged at the lower front end and / or upper front end of the door leaf may be provided. In order to be able to realize a suitable radial force in a simple manner from the weight force of the door leaf, at least one bearing, in particular a hinge for pivotally supporting the door leaf on the body, is to be arranged outside a line of gravity of the door leaf. In other words, the door leaf should protrude from the vertical pivot axis to one side, so that due to the gravity of the door leaf radial reaction forces arise in the hinges, and in particular in the self-closing hinge assembly.

The self-closing hinge arrangement may, in particular, comprise a cam mechanism which is designed to generate a torque which pivots the door leaf into a closed position from a radial force resulting from a weight force of the door leaf, which acts on the hinge arrangement with respect to the vertical axis. The cam gear can generally have a cam member and an engaging member which contact each other in a cam joint. The cam member and the engaging member may be formed, for example, as a cam and a cam follower.

The self-closing hinge assembly may include a cam gear having an engagement member and a cam member cooperating with the engagement member. which includes a radial slide on which the engagement member for generating the torque from the radial force along. The cam member and the engaging member thus contact each other along the Radialgleitbahn. The shape, shape and / or contour of the cam member and / or the engagement member define a door closing moment is generated in which pivot angle range of the swiveling or zuschwenkenden door leaf.

The self-closing hinge assembly may comprise a hinge bushing carrying the cam member and a hinge pin carrying the engagement member. The engagement member or the hinge pin penetrates into a cavity of the cam member or the hinge bushing. In that regard, the Radialgleitbahn is formed by an inwardly facing shell wall of the hinge bushing. The inner jacket wall of the hinge bush can have in cross-section a circular arc-shaped segment along which the engagement member or the hinge pin slides along, if no door closing moment is to be generated. Another segment of the inner jacket wall of the hinge bushing may, for example, have a projection or recess in cross-section which, in particular with respect to its cross-sectional contour, corresponds to the cross-sectional contour of the engagement member or of the hinge pin. If the engagement member or the hinge pin is designed in the manner of a cam, then a correspondingly shaped recess in the jacket wall of the hinge bushing is to be formed on the inner jacket wall of the hinge bushing in this segment. The recess may have two approximately V-shaped inclined flanks, which border each other on the head side rounded. The head side of the cam may, for example, be circular-arc-shaped in cross-section. The angular positions of the inclined flanks to one another thereby determine the pivoting angle range of the door leaf within which a door closing torque is generated from the radial force.

The cam member, in particular the hinge bush, may have a radially inwardly directed radial sliding track and the engagement member, in particular the hinge pin, a radially outwardly pointing radial sliding cam. The cam member and the engagement member may be so far formed as a cam and a cam follower.

The radial sliding track of the cam member and / or the engagement member, in particular the Radialgleitnocke may be formed, a door leaf in a closed position pivoting torque only up to an opening angle of the door leaf of at most 90 degrees to produce. In this case, a portion of the Radialgleitbahn, along which the engagement member, in particular the Radialgleitnocke up to an opening angle of the door leaf of at most 90 degrees to generate the torque from the radial force along, one of the Radialgleitnocke the engagement member have corresponding contour. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the Radialgleitbahn, along which the engaging member, in particular the Radialgleitnocke from an opening angle of the door leaf of more than 90 degrees without generating the torque from the radial force along, describe a circular arc.

This can ensure that if necessary by the user of the refrigerator, in particular household refrigeration appliance, the door leaf can remain in an open position without the door leaf pivots back automatically into its closed position. If a torque is generated exclusively at an opening angle of the door leaf of at most 90 degrees, the user can allow a continuous open the door leaf by swinging the door leaf by more than 90 degrees. A self-closing effect is then no longer given. In the case of a design of the cam member and the engagement member as a cam and a cam follower while the cam would be located in the region of the radial track of the cam follower, which has a circular arc-shaped contour in cross-section. If the door leaf is to close automatically, the user only has to bring the door leaf into an open position with an opening angle of less than 90 degrees and release, so that, for example, the engagement element, in particular the cam, abuts a sloping flank of the curve element, in particular the hinge bushing that due to the radial force of the weight of the door leaf, the engaging member presses against the cam member and as a result a torque acts on the door leaf, which can close the door leaf itself. In this case, the door leaf or the cam member, in particular the hinge pin and thus also the door leaf in a radial direction, i. slightly offset in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis. The door leaf, however, performs no vertical movement.

In order to ensure a clear seat of the door leaf in a defined altitude, a thrust bearing can be provided. The thrust bearing can in particular be formed by a pairing of an axial seating surface and an axial counter seating surface. The Axialsitzfläche and the Axialgegensitzfläche make sure that the door leaf performs no vertical movement. The movable hinge part, in particular the hinge bushing and / or the cam member may thus in all embodiments have a horizontally extending, even axial seating surface with an associated, horizontally extending, flat Axialgegensitzfläche the fixed hinge part, in particular the engaging member and / or the hinge pin Keeping the door leaf at a fixed height cooperates.

The cam member, in particular the hinge bush can be connected to a hinged on the door leaf, the movable hinge part and the engaging member, in particular the hinge pin can be connected to a hinged to the body, fixed hinge part.

Summarizing and with differently shown under the invention, inter alia, a self-closing hinge assembly can result, in which the door closing mechanism is integrated into a socket and a pin of a hinge assembly.

Depending on the embodiment, a journal may have a suitable shape and a bearing bush a corresponding counter-shape. When closing the door leaf, the sleeve slides due to a resultant radial force from the weight of the door leaf with respect to the pin side, in particular to the rear, so that the door leaf is forced to turn around the contour of the pin. The door leaf thus closes automatically due to the resulting radial force from the weight. When opening the door leaf, the bush or the door leaf is pushed out of the contour of the pin again. Shortly before a closed position of the door leaf, the socket begins to slip again on the contour of the pin and close automatically. Depending on the embodiment, the door closing mechanism for a user can be integrated into the hinge arrangement so that it can not be seen, i. be hidden in it. A self-closing hinge arrangement can be realized without additional, in particular without attached or attached additional components.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying Characters. Concrete features of this embodiment may represent general features of the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Haushaltskältegerätes mit zwei schwenkbar am Korpus angeschlagenen Türblättern, von denen jedes mit einer erfindungsgemäßen selbstschließenden Scharnieranordnung ausgestattet ist;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer selbstschließenden Scharnieranordnung an einer unteren Stirnseite eines der Türblätter gemäß Fig. 1 in einer explodierten Darstellung;

Fig. 3

eine Teilschnittansicht durch die selbstschließende Scharnieranordnung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer Schließstellung des Türblatts;

Fig. 4

eine Teilschnittansicht durch die selbstschließende Scharnieranordnung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer geringfügig geöffneten Stellung des Türblatts;

Fig. 5

eine Teilschnittansicht durch die selbstschließende Scharnieranordnung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer Offenstellung des Türblatts von ca. 90 Grad.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a household refrigerator with two hinged door hinged to the body, each of which is equipped with a self-closing hinge assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a partial perspective view of a self-closing hinge assembly on a lower end side of one of the door leaves according to Fig. 1 in an exploded representation;

Fig. 3

a partial sectional view through the self-closing hinge assembly according to Fig. 2 in a closed position of the door panel;

Fig. 4

a partial sectional view through the self-closing hinge assembly according to Fig. 2 in a slightly open position of the door panel;

Fig. 5

a partial sectional view through the self-closing hinge assembly according to Fig. 2 in an open position of the door leaf of about 90 degrees.

The Fig. 1 shows a household refrigerator 1 in the design of a Kühlgefrierkombinationsgerätes. The household refrigerator 1 has at least one heat-insulated inner container 2, in the illustrated embodiment, two heat-insulated inner container 2a, 2b. An upper heat-insulated inner container 2a forms a cooling space 3a as a storage space 3 for storing refrigerated goods above zero degrees Celsius, in particular between zero degrees and plus eight degrees Celsius. The upper heat-insulated inner container 2a is closed by a first door leaf 4a. A lower heat-insulated inner container 2b forms a freezer compartment 3b as a storage space 3 for storing refrigerated goods below zero degrees Celsius, in particular at about minus 18 degrees Celsius. The lower heat-insulated inner container 2b is closed by a second door leaf 4b.

Each of the two door leaves 4a, 4b is struck by means of an upper hinge 5a, 5b and a lower hinge 6a, 6b on a body 7 of the household refrigerating appliance 1, i. pivoted. The example of the upper door leaf 4a, the direction of gravity of the door panel 4a is shown by the arrow P1. Due to the hinges 5a, 6a, the door leaf 4a is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis A. Due to this bearing of the door leaf 4a and the gravity of the door leaf 4a, a first reaction force P2 in the upper hinge 5a and a second reaction force P3 in the lower hinge 6a result from the direction of gravity P1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lower hinge 6a has a self-closing hinge arrangement 8 according to the invention.

In the Fig. 2 the self-closing hinge assembly 8 is shown in an enlarged partial view. The self-closing hinge assembly 8 is formed from a resulting from the weight force P1 of the door leaf 4a radial force P3, which acts with respect to the vertical axis A on the hinge assembly 8, a door leaf 4a in a closed position ( Fig. 3 ) to generate pivoting torque D.

The door leaf 4a, as well as the door leaf 4b, which may be equipped with an identical self-closing hinge assembly 8, has an outer skin 9 and an inner skin 10. Between the outer skin 9 and the inner skin 10, an insulating layer 11 may be introduced. The door leaf 4a is as in Fig. 1 shown hinged in an area of one of its vertical side edges 12 by at least two vertically spaced hinges 5a, 6a about the vertical axis A pivotally mounted on the body 7. The self-closing hinge assembly 8 can, as in Fig. 2 shown to be integrated into a lower edge termination 13. The lower edge termination 13 may be, for example, a plastic component that is attached to lower edges of the inner skin 10 and the outer skin 9.

In the edge termination 13, which is connected to the door leaf 4a, a cam member 14 is integrated. The cam member 14 is part of a hinge bushing 15, which is also integrated in the edge termination 13. An engaging member 16 is formed as a hinge pin 17. The engaging member 16 is connected to a hinged to the body 7, fixed hinge part 21. The cam member 14 and the engaging member 16 form a cam gear 18th

The cam member 14 has a radial slide 19. The radial slide 19 causes the generation of the torque D from the radial force P2, P3, when the door leaf 4a, 4b is pivoted. In this case, a radial sliding cam 20 of the engaging member 16 slides on the radial sliding track 19 of the cam member 14 along.

Like from the Fig. 2 can be seen, a movable hinge part 22, which is formed in particular in the illustrated embodiment by the edge termination 13, the hinge bushing 15 with the cam member 14. An end face of the hinge bush 15 or of the cam member 14 has a horizontally extending, planar axial seating surface 23. The axial seating surface 23 cooperates with an associated horizontally extending planar axial counter seating surface 24 of the fixed hinge member 21. Through the Axialsitzfläche 23 and the Axialgegensitzfläche 24, the door leaf 4a, 4b held in a fixed altitude.

In the schematic representations according to the 3, 4 and 5 For example, the function of the self-closing hinge arrangement 8 according to the invention, of a radial force P2, P3 resulting from the weight force P1 of the door leaf 4a, 4b acting on the hinge arrangement 8 with respect to the vertical axis A, is a torque which pivots the door leaf 4a, 4b into a closed position D to produce, shown in more detail.

The Fig. 3 shows the self-closing hinge assembly 8 in a closed position of the door panel 4a.

The cam member 14 has a sidewall 25 of constant wall thickness. Along an inner jacket wall 26, the radial slide 19 extends. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial slide 19 is divided into a first portion 19 a and a second portion 19 b.

The radial slide track 19 is formed by means of the subdivision into the first section 19a and the second section 19b, a torque D pivoting the door leaf 4a, 4b into a closed position exclusively up to a specific opening angle of the door leaf 4a, 4b, in the illustrated embodiment up to an opening angle of 90 degrees.

The first portion 19a of the radial slide 19, along which the engagement member 16, in particular the Radialgleitnocke 20 up to an opening angle of the door leaf 4a, 4b of at most 90 degrees to generate the torque D from the radial force P2, P3 along, has in the embodiment of the Radial sliding cam 20 of the engaging member 16 corresponding contour. The second portion 19b of the radial slide 19, along which the engagement member 16, in particular the Radialgleitnocke 20 at an opening angle of the door panel 4a, 4b of more than 90 degrees without generating the torque D from the radial force P2, P3 along describes in the illustrated embodiment a arc.

The self-closing hinge assembly 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the hinge member 15 carrying the cam member 15 and the engaging member 16 bearing hinge pin 17. The engaging member 16 and the hinge pin 17 penetrates into a bay 27 of the cam member 14 and the hinge bushing 15 a. In that regard, the Radialgleitbahn 19 is formed by the inwardly facing shell wall 26 of the hinge bushing 15. The inner jacket wall 26 of the hinge bush 15 has in section 19b in cross-section on a circular arc-shaped segment along which the engaging member 16 and the hinge pin 17 slides along, if no door closing torque is to be generated. Another segment, ie the section 19a of the inner jacket wall 26 of the hinge bushing 15, has the bay 27, which corresponds in particular with regard to its cross-sectional contour to the cross-sectional contour of the engagement member 16 or of the hinge pin 17. Is the engaging member 16 and the hinge pin 17, as in the Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 formed in the manner of a Radialgleitnocke 20, the bay 27 is formed correspondingly shaped on the inner shell wall 26 of the hinge bushing 15 in this segment. The bay 27 has in the illustrated embodiment, two approximately V-shaped arranged inclined edges 28a, 28b, which border each other on the head side rounded. The head side of the Radialgleitnocke 20 may, for example, as shown, be formed in cross-section circular arc. The angular positions of the inclined flanks 28a, 28b relative to each other thereby determine the pivoting angle range of the door leaf 4a, 4b within which a door closing moment is generated from the radial force P2, P3.

Depending on the embodiment, the hinge pin 17 but also another suitable shape and the hinge bush 15 have a correspondingly different counter-shape. At the Closing the door leaf 4a, 4b slides the hinge bushing 15 due to the resulting radial force P2, P3 from the weight P1 of the door leaf 4a, 4b with respect to the hinge pin 17 laterally, in particular to the rear away, so that the door leaf 4a, 4b is forced to to screw in the contour of the hinge pin 17. The door leaf 4a, 4b consequently closes automatically, as a result of the resulting radial force P2, P3, from the weight P1, as in FIG Fig. 3 illustrated. When opening the door leaf 4a, 4b, as shown schematically in FIG Fig. 4 illustrated, the hinge bushing 15 and the door leaf 4a, 4b is pushed out of the contour of the hinge pin 17 again. Shortly before a closed position of the door panel 4a, 4b according to Fig. 3 The hinge bush 15 begins to slip again on the contour of the hinge pin 17, see again Fig. 4 , and self-closing. In the position of the door leaf 4a, 4b according to Fig. 5 is the door leaf 4a, 4b opened by about 90 degrees angular position. In this angular position of the hinge pin 17 from the first portion 19 a along which the engaging member 16, in particular the Radialgleitnocke 20 up to an opening angle of the door leaf 4a, 4b of at most 90 degrees to generate the torque D from the radial force P2, P3 runs along the second portion 19b, along which the engaging member 16, in particular the Radialgleitnocke 20 at an opening angle of the door panel 4a, 4b of more than 90 degrees without generating the torque D from the radial force P2, P3 along. In the Fig. 5 Thus, no closing moment is exerted on the door leaf 4a, 4b and the door leaf 4a, 4b can be inserted in the in Fig. 5 remain shown position without a closing torque from the radial force P2, P3 is generated.

Claims (10)

Refrigerating appliance, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising a body (7), a in the body (7) arranged, a storage space (3) for refrigerated goods forming thermally insulated inner container (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one about a vertical axis (A) pivotally mounted on the body (7) hinged door leaf (4a, 4b) which is mounted for opening and closing of the storage space (3) by means of a self-closing hinge assembly (8), characterized in that the self-closing hinge assembly (8) is formed from a due to a weight ( P1) of the door panel (4a, 4b) resulting radial force (P2, P3) acting on the hinge assembly (8) with respect to the vertical axis (A), a torque (D) pivoting the door panel (4a, 4b) to a closed position produce. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the door leaf (4a, 4b) in a region of one of its vertical side edges by at least two vertically spaced hinges (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) about the vertical axis (A) pivotally on the body (7) is struck and at least one of the hinges (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) has the self-closing hinge assembly (8). Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the self-closing hinge arrangement (8) has a cam mechanism (18) which has an engaging member (16) and a cam member (14) cooperating with the engaging member (16), which has a radial sliding track (16). 19) on which the engagement member (16) for generating the torque (D) from the radial force (P2, P3) along. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the self-closing hinge arrangement (8) has a cam member (14) carrying the hinge bushing (15) and the engagement member (16) carrying the hinge pin (17). Refrigerating appliance according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the cam member (14), in particular the hinge bush (15) has a radially inwardly directed Radialgleitbahn (19) and the engaging member (16), in particular the hinge pin (17) pointing radially outward Radial sliding cam (20). Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the Radialgleitbahn (19) of the cam member (14) and / or the engaging member (16), in particular the Radialgleitnocke (20) is formed, the door leaf (4a, 4b) in to generate a closing position pivoting torque (D) exclusively up to an opening angle of the door leaf (4a, 4b) of at most 90 degrees. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that a portion of the Radialgleitbahn (19), along which the engaging member (16), in particular the Radialgleitnocke (20) up to an opening angle of the door leaf (4a, 4b) of at most 90 degrees for generating the torque (D) from the radial force (P2, P3) along, one of the Radialgleitnocke (20) of the engaging member (16) has corresponding contour. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a portion of the Radialgleitbahn along which the engaging member (16), in particular the Radialgleitnocke (20) from an opening angle of the door leaf (4a, 4b) of more than 90 degrees without generating the torque ( D) from the radial force (P2, P3) along, describes a circular arc. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cam member (14), in particular the hinge bush (15) with a on the door leaf (4a, 4b) posted, movable hinge part (22) and the engaging member (16), in particular the hinge pin (17) is connected to a fixed hinge part (21) attached to the body (7). Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the movable hinge part (22), in particular the hinge bushing (15) and / or the Cam member (14) has a horizontally extending planar axial seating surface (23) which communicates with an associated horizontally extending planar axial counter seating surface (24) of the fixed hinge member (21), in particular the engagement member (16) and / or the hinge pin (17 ) for holding the door leaf (4a, 4b) in a fixed height position cooperates.

Images