EP3376145A1 - Refrigeration and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one refrigerated compartment and at least one freezer compartment, which is located above the refrigerator compartment, wherein between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer Isolatonsmaterial is located, and at least one illumination device, the at least one light source and at least one light guide, wherein the light source and the light guide are arranged so that the outgoing light from the light source is coupled into the light guide, wherein the light guide is at least partially disposed on the facing to the cooled interior of the cooling compartment side of the ceiling of the cooling compartment and wherein neither the light guide nor the light source are located in the region of the insulating material between the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one refrigerating compartment and at least one freezer compartment located above the refrigerating compartment, with an isolating material between the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment, and at least one illuminating device comprising at least one light source and at least one light guide, wherein the light source and the light guide are arranged so that the outgoing light from the light source is coupled into the light guide.

From the prior art, refrigerator / freezer combinations are known in numerous different embodiments, which have a lighting device that illuminates the refrigerated compartment.

In order to avoid a weakening of the insulation between the cooling compartment and the freezer compartment, the illumination device is arranged, for example, laterally on one or both of the side walls. Lighting devices are known from the prior art, which are arranged on the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment, as well as such lighting devices, in front of the door of the freezer compartment are arranged. These known embodiments are disadvantageous because of their positioning in that under certain circumstances no optimal lighting of the refrigerating compartment is possible.

The present invention has the object, a cooling and / or freezer of the type mentioned in such a way that optimal lighting of the refrigerator compartment is made possible.

This object is achieved by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, it is provided that the light guide is at least partially disposed on the side facing the cooled interior of the refrigerating compartment side of the ceiling of the refrigerating compartment and that neither the light guide nor the light source in the region of the insulating material between the refrigerator and freezer.

This makes it possible to achieve a homogeneous distribution of the light in the refrigerating compartment and at the same time to prevent the insulation between the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment being weakened, as would be the case if the light source were arranged in this insulating layer. Apart from this, in this case the lighting device has no influence on the winding of the freezer compartment evaporator.

The light guide comprises at least one region for the extraction of the light and its propagation into the cooling compartment.

It is preferably provided that the light source is at least partially disposed in a recess which is located in one or both side walls and / or in the rear wall of the cooling compartment. The resulting advantage is that an insulation weakening between the refrigerator and freezer, ie in the ceiling area of the refrigerator compartment is avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the light source is at least partially disposed on or in a slope which extends between a side wall of the refrigerating compartment and the ceiling of the refrigerating compartment. This results in the advantage that an insulation weakening of the side wall is avoided.

The slope can be secured by releasable connections.

Preferably, the slope may be e.g. be attached by guides at different positions, so that there is a different direction and position of the emitted light. Apart from that results from the removable slope of the advantage that the light source and / or the light guide can be easily replaced. It is conceivable to provide a locking mechanism which fixes the bevel (s) in the desired position.

At least two recesses may be provided. Thus, light sources can be positioned on different sides of the cooling compartment and the light guide can be supplied with light from both sides. It is conceivable that in each of said slopes at least one recess or light source arranged seat.

The light guide can be formed such that the light extraction takes place only in a partial region of the light guide or the entire length of the light guide takes place.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the light guide is designed such that the light emitted by this light is emitted in exactly one direction or in several directions.

The light source may be one or more LEDs, but other light sources may be used and encompassed by the invention.

The refrigerator and / or freezer may have a self-sufficient power supply for powering the light source, such as batteries or batteries. This results in the advantage that a laying of cables e.g. is not required by the foaming.

The light guide preferably extends at least partially parallel to the ceiling of the refrigerating compartment.

Preferably, the light source is arranged in the upper region of one or both side walls or on the rear wall of the cooling compartment. This results in the advantage that the one or more ends of the light guide into which the light is coupled, also in the upper part of the cooling compartment.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one light source or the light sources is in line with the light guide, so that the light does not have to change direction.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the light guide is arranged in or on a panel or forms this, the side edges are beveled and cooperate with the slope or bevels extending between the ceiling and one or both side walls of the refrigerating compartment.

The light sources can be combined in light units, which are aligned, for example, in different directions. This can also apply to the individual light sources.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Kühl-/Gefrierkombination mit einem Lichtleiter;

Figur 2:

eine Darstellung des oberen Bereiches des Kühlfachs mit einer Schräge für die Aussparung einer oder mehrerer Lichtquellen, sowie eine De-taildarstellung dieser Schräge;

Figur 3:

eine Rücksicht der Anordnung gemäß der Figur 2;

Figur 4:

eine Darstellung gemäß Figur 2 mit einem Paneel mit Lichtleiter,

Figur 5:

eine Darstellung der Anordnung gemäß Figur 4 mit montiertem Paneel,

Figur 6:

eine Unteransicht der Anordnung gemäß Figur 5 sowie Schnittansichten und

Figur 7:

schematische Ansichten eines Lichtleiters in unterschiedlichen Ausfüh-rungsformen.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a refrigerator / freezer combination according to the invention with a light guide;

FIG. 2:

a representation of the upper portion of the cooling compartment with a slope for the recess of one or more light sources, as well as a de-taildarstellung this slope;

FIG. 3:

a consideration of the arrangement according to the FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4:

a representation according to FIG. 2 with a panel with light guide,

FIG. 5:

a representation of the arrangement according to FIG. 4 with mounted panel,

FIG. 6:

a bottom view of the arrangement according to FIG. 5 as well as sectional views and

FIG. 7:

schematic views of a light guide in different embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator / freezer combination 10 according to the invention with a refrigerated compartment 20 and a freezer compartment 30 above the cooling compartment 20. Between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is an insulating material 11, for example in the form of a horizontal plate. On the side facing the cooled interior of the refrigerating compartment 20 side of the ceiling 202 of the cooling compartment 20, a light guide 40 is arranged, which by FIG. 1 not shown light sources 50 is fed. The reference numeral 201 denotes the side walls of the refrigerating compartment.

FIG. 2a shows an enlargement of the upper portion of the cooling compartment 20. Here is a recess 21 which is arranged in a slope 22. The slope 22 extends between one of the side walls 201 of the refrigerating compartment 20 and its ceiling 202.

FIG. 2b shows the slope 22 in an enlarged view. In the bevel 22 is a recess 21 for the arrangement of light sources 50. In the embodiment sketched here, the light sources 50 are strip-like LEDs arranged. In the slope 22 is also a recess 221 for the arrangement of the light guide 40th

In the embodiment according to the FIGS. 2a and 2b the reception of the light guide 40 by releasable locking connections, such as terminals or clips.

FIG. 3 shows a consideration of the FIG. 2a shown arrangement. Out FIG. 3 It follows how the slope 22 between the side wall 201 and the ceiling 202 of the cooling compartment 20 is arranged without the slope 22 protrudes into the insulating material 11 and that the slope 22 also has no influence on the not shown here winding of the freezer compartment evaporator.

FIG. 4 shows the top of the refrigerator compartment according to FIG. 2 in an enlarged view, and a light panel 60. In the light panel 60, the light guide 40 is arranged. The light panel 60 has beveled side walls 61 which cooperate with the slopes 22 when the light panel 60 is mounted. In addition, the panel 60 also has a plug connection 62, which cooperates with the recess 202 located in the ceiling 202 of the cooling compartment 20 and ensures a higher mechanical stability of the arrangement.

FIG. 5 shows the light panel 60 in an assembled state. In this case, the chamfered side walls 61 of the light panel 60 cooperate with the slopes 22.

FIG. 6a shows a bottom view of the arrangement according to FIG. 5 , The light panel 60 is disposed on the slopes 22. The light comes from the light guide 40, which is arranged in the light panel 60.

FIG. 6b shows a section of the FIG. 6a according to the section line AA. From this sectional view, the arrangement of the light guide 40 and the light panel 60 can be seen on the side facing the cooled interior of the refrigerating compartment 20 side of the ceiling 202 of the refrigerating compartment 20. The light light is not the insulation material 11, not shown here.

FIG. 6c shows a section along the line BB in FIG. 6a , The light conductor 40 is disposed in the panel 60. The chamfered sides 61 of the panel 60 cooperate with the slopes 22 so that the panel 60 is mechanically fixed to the structure. In addition, the panel 60 has a plug connection 62 which cooperates with the recess 23 in the ceiling 202 of the refrigerating compartment 20 in order to achieve a more stable attachment of the panel 60.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a light guide 40 in detail. The light guide 40 is fed by the light sources 50.

The light sources are in line with the light pipe so that the light does not have to change direction.

Preferably, the light guide lies in a plane.

The light beams from the light sources 50 are coupled into the light guide 40 and emitted from the light guide 40 into the cooling compartment 20 of the refrigerator 10 by means of light extraction areas 41 (light beams 51). The areas of the light extraction 41 can be defined by modifications of the light guide 40, such as coupling optics, imprints, matting, holograms or special plastics. The light-outcoupling regions 41 may be arranged arbitrarily in the light guide 40, so that propagation of the light into different regions and in multiple directions of the cooling compartment 20 is possible. However, it is particularly advantageous if the light is coupled out over the entire length of the light guide 40, so that a homogeneous and diffuse illumination of the cooling compartment 20 is achieved can. Different between the FIGS. 7a and 7b is the width of the area which serves to decouple the light: in the Figure 7a the extraction of light is only performed in the middle, while in the FIG. 7b the decoupling takes place over the entire length of the light guide.

Claims (12)

Refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one refrigerated compartment and at least one freezer compartment, which is located above the refrigerator compartment, wherein between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer Isolatonsmaterial is located, and at least one illumination device comprising at least one light source and at least one light guide , wherein the light source and the light guide are arranged so that the outgoing light from the light source is coupled into the light guide, characterized in that the light guide is at least partially disposed on the facing to the cooled interior of the cooling compartment side of the ceiling of the cooling compartment and that neither the light guide nor the light source are in the area of the insulation material between the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source at least partially disposed in a recess is, which is located in one or both side walls and / or in the rear wall of the cooling part. The refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light source is at least partially disposed on or in a slope which extends between a side wall of the refrigerating compartment and the ceiling of the refrigerating compartment Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 3, characterized in that the slope is fixed by releasable connections. Cooling and / or freezer according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least two recesses are provided. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide is designed such that the light extraction takes place only in a partial region of the light guide or the entire length of the light guide takes place. The refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide is designed such that the light emanating from this light is emitted in exactly one direction or in several directions. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is the light source to one or more LEDs. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling and / or freezing device has a self-sufficient power supply for powering the light source. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide extends at least partially parallel to the ceiling of the refrigerating compartment. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source is arranged in the upper region of one or both side walls or on the rear wall of the cooling part. Refrigerating and / or freezing appliance according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the light guide is arranged in a panel or forms this, whose side edges are chamfered and cooperate with the bevels.

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