EP2724093B1

EP2724093B1 - A cooling device comprising an ice tray disposed on the door

Info

Publication number: EP2724093B1
Application number: EP12732620.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Timur TATAR; Kadir Ridvan Celik; Omer Alper MIRZA; Ibrahim Yanik; Osman Cihan DEMIREL; Ciprian Virgiliu PARCALABU; Faik Emre Ozyuksel
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2011-06-27
Filing date: 2012-06-27
Publication date: 2019-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-27
Also published as: EP2724093A2; CN103635766B; TR201106341A1; WO2013000979A3; TR201718149T3; CN103635766A; WO2013000979A2

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising an ice tray that is disposed on the door.
The ice trays used in refrigerators are generally disposed into the interior volume of the freezing compartment. This situation causes the space of the freezing compartment not to be used effectively.
In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20100060337 , a refrigerator is described which comprises an ice making unit placed on the door.
In the state of the art United States Patent Application No. US2005241329 , a refrigerator is described that comprises an ice cube making device which can be attached to the freezer compartment door.
In the state of the art United States Patent Application No. US20100126203 , a refrigerator is disclosed, comprising a freezing compartment wherein the foodstuffs desired to be frozen are placed and a door that provides access into the freezing compartment, wherein at least one casing is mounted on the door and configured as a box, having an ice tray disposed thereon, with more than one cell wherein water is filled and an arm connected to the ice tray, providing the ice cubes in the cells to fall out by being twisted. Further an ice storage container is disclosed, which is rotatable connected to the freezing compartment door and is rotated between a separated state and a mounted state.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising an ice tray that is disposed on the freezing compartment door.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises in particular an ice tray disposed in a casing that is attached to the freezing compartment door from one side, the position of which on the door can be changed by rotating around the axis whereto it is attached. The casing extends parallel to the plane of the door in the first position. In the first position, the rear wall of the casing almost rests on the inner surface of the door. The casing is changed from the first position to the second position by being rotated around the axis whereto it is attached. In the second position, the casing extends almost perpendicularly to the plane of the door. The first position of the casing is used for storing the ice tray on the door. The ice cubes in the cells of the ice tray are extracted by changing the casing to the second position and twisting the arm connected to the ice tray.
By means of placing the ice tray inside the casing disposed on the door, the ice tray is prevented from occupying space in the freezing compartment. Thus, the user is provided with the opportunity of using the space of the freezing compartment more effectively.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the casing is positioned under the shelf that is located on the freezing compartment door. The upper surface of the casing almost touches the base of the shelf. Thus, the ice cubes in the ice tray are provided to be protected by covering the top of the ice tray with the shelf.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing is placed on a supporting surface arranged on the door and which extends parallel to the shelf.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing is mounted on the door by means of the pin disposed on the supporting surface and the housing disposed on the casing. By means of fitting the housing over the pin, the mounting of the casing on the door so as to rotate around the pin is realized. The housing rotates around the pin while the casing is changed from the first position to the second position. Thus, the user is provided to move the casing conveniently.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a drawer is disposed that is placed into the casing so as to remain under the ice tray. The ice cubes extracted from the ice tray when the casing is changed to the second position and the arm is twisted are provided to fall into the drawer. Thus, the utilization of the ice tray is facilitated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the drawer is placed on the casing so as to move forwards/backwards with respect to the plane of the door. The drawer is placed on the casing by fitting the rails disposed on the exterior surfaces of the drawer side walls into the slides located on the interior surfaces of the casing side walls. By moving the slides forwards/backwards in the rails, the drawer can either be changed to embedded position in the casing or pulled outwards for providing access to the ice cubes fallen therein. Consequently, the need of the user for ice cubes is provided practically.
A more compact structure is obtained by placing both the ice tray and the drawer inside the casing. By means of the casing, both the ice tray and the drawer are provided to be supported more rigidly on the door. The drawer is pulled outwards along its short side when it is desired to take out the ice cubes from therein. The movement of the drawer is made easier by placing the casing on the door and the distance the drawer travels in its outwards motion is decreased due to the depth of the door being narrow.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a cover that is mounted on the casing so as to remain over the ice tray and to rotate around the axis whereto it is attached. By means of the cover, the water filled into the ice tray for making ice cubes is prevented from being agitated and spilling during opening/closing movements of the door.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a retainer is located on the casing having a bearing located at each of its two ends. The cover is mounted on the casing by rotatably bearing the shafts arranged at the ends of its rear side in the bearings. Thus, the cover moves upwards with the rotational movement the shafts make inside the bearing while the arm is twisted.
In another embodiment of the present invention, springs are mounted on the shafts. When the casing is in the first position, the cover is provided to stay closed continuously with the pressure force exerted by the spring.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a locking mechanism that provides the casing to remain at a fixed position on the door when the casing is in the first position. By means of the locking mechanism, the casing is prevented from moving during opening/closing of the door.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism comprises a recess arranged on the supporting surface and a detent means arranged on the casing and which is fitted into the recess when the casing is changed to the first position. While the casing is being changed from the first position to the second position, the detent means allows the casing to move freely by getting out of the recess.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a stopper is provided, that is located at the base of the drawer, and an opening is arranged, that is situated on the base of the casing, wherein the drawer is seated when placed into the casing. By means of the stopper and the opening, the drawer is provided to remain stationary when placed in the casing. However, in cases when the user pulls the drawer frontwards and outwards of the casing for taking ice cubes from there, the drawer is provided to move as the stopper is released from the opening.
In another embodiment of the present invention, two casings are mounted side by side on the freezing compartment door. The casings are mounted on the door from their side walls not facing each other. The casings are changed to the second position by being moved in opposite directions similar to swing doors.
By means of the present invention, the ice tray is prevented from occupying space in the interior volume of the freezing compartment by providing the ice tray to be mounted inside a movable casing on the freezing compartment door.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a casing when in the first position.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of a casing when in the second position.
Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a casing when the drawer is pulled outwards.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of a casing when in the first position.
Figure 6 - is the exploded view of a casing.
Figure 7 - is the partial exploded view of a door and a casing.
Figure 8 - is the perspective view of a casing when in the second position and the drawer is pulled outwards.
Figure 9 - is the perspective view of a casing when in the second position and the drawer is inside the casing.
Figure 10 - is the perspective view of a locking mechanism.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Cooling device
2.: Freezing compartment
3.: Door
4.: Ice tray
5.: Arm
6.: Casing
7.: Shelf
8.: Supporting surface
9.: Pin
10.: Housing
11.: Drawer
12.: Slide
13.: Rail
14.: Cover
15.: Shaft
16.: Bearing
17.: Spring
18.: Locking mechanism
19.: Recess
20.: Detent means
21.: Opening
22.: Stopper
23.: Retainer
24.: Hole

The cooling device (1) comprises a freezing compartment (2) wherein the foodstuffs desired to be frozen are placed and a door (3) that provides access into the freezing compartment (2).
The cooling device (1) of the present invention additionally comprises, in particular, at least one casing (6)

configured as a box,
having an ice tray (4) disposed thereon, with more than one cell wherein water is filled and an arm (5) connected to the ice tray (4), providing the ice cubes in the cells to fall out by being twisted,
mounted on the door (3) from its side wall to rotate around the axis whereto it is attached,
having a first position wherein it is almost parallel to the interior plane of the door (3) and a second position it is changed to by being rotated around the axis it is connected to the door (3), wherein its rear wall is almost vertical to the interior plane of the door (3) .

When the casing (6) is in the first position, the rear wall of the casing (6) almost rests on the interior plane of the door (3). In cases where use of ice cubes is not required, the casing (6) is in the first position. When the user desires to take ice cubes from the ice tray (4), he/she rotates the casing (6) around the axis wherefrom it is connected to the door (3) and provides the casing (6) to move outwards from the door (3). The casing (6) is changed from the first position to the second position by being rotated almost 90 degrees around the vertical axis whereto it is attached. The user is provided easy access to the ice tray (4) in the second position that the ice tray (4) is changed to. In the second position of the casing (6), the user provides the ice cubes in the ice tray (4) to fall out by twisting the arm (5) and takes the required amount of ice cubes.
By means of disposing the ice tray (4) inside the casing (6) and the casing (6) on the door (3), the ice tray (4) is provided not to occupy space inside the freezing compartment (2). By disposing the casing (6) on the door (3), the dead space on the door (3) is utilized. Consequently, the interior volume of the freezing compartment (2) is provided to be used more effectively.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises at least one shelf (7) disposed on the interior surface of the door (3) and whereon the foodstuffs to be frozen are placed. When the casing (6) is in the first position, the upper surface of the casing (6) almost contacts the base of the shelf (7). Thus, the top of the casing (6) is provided to be covered by the base of the shelf (7). Accordingly, the ice cubes in the ice tray (4) are provided to be protected from the exterior effects. Furthermore, when the casing (6) is in the first position, the front face of the casing (6) is in coplanar position with the front face of the shelf (7). Thus, the casing (6) is provided to be placed on the door (3) without distorting the esthetic appearance of the door (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a supporting surface (8) disposed on the door (3), whereon the casing (6) is placed and which extends vertically to the interior plane of the door (3). The supporting surface (8) extends parallel to the base of the shelf (7).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a pin (9) located on the supporting surface (8) and a housing (10) disposed on the casing (6) wherein the pin (9) is borne. The housing (10) rotates around the pin (9) while the casing (6) is being changed from the first position to the second position. The pin (9) forms the rotational axis while the casing (6) is being changed from the first position to the second position. The movement of the casing (6) is facilitated by means of the pin (9) and the housing (10).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a drawer (11), disposed on the casing (6) so as to remain under the ice tray (4) and wherein the ice cubes fall by twisting of the arm (5). When the casing (6) is in the second position, the ice cubes in the ice tray (4) are provided to fall into the drawer (11) by twisting the arm (5). The process of taking the ice cubes is made easier by means of the drawer (11).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises two slides (12) located oppositely on the interior surfaces of the casing (6) side walls and more than one rail (13) located on the exterior surfaces of the drawer (11) side walls, providing the drawer (11) to move forwards/backwards with respect to the plane of the door (3) by being fitted over the slides (12). When the casing (6) is in the second position, the ice cubes fall into the drawer (11) by twisting of the arm (5). By means of the rail (13) - slide (12) pair, access to the ice cubes in the drawer (11) is provided by pulling the drawer (11) outwards from the casing (6) in both the first position and the second position of the casing (6). The process of taking out the ice cubes is made easier by means of the drawer (11) that moves forwards/backwards with respect to the plane of the door (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a cover (14) mounted on the casing (6) so as to cover the ice tray (4) and to open by rotating around the axis whereto it is connected during twisting of the arm (5). By means of the cover (14), the water filled into the ice tray (4) to produce ice cubes is prevented from being agitated and spilling during opening/closing of the door (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises two shafts (15) disposed at two ends of the rear side of the cover (14) and a retainer (23) disposed on the casing (6) having two bearings (16) at both ends wherein the shafts (15) are rotatably borne. The cover (14) is placed on the ice tray (4) by bearing the shafts (15) in the bearings (16). The cover (14) is mounted on the casing (6) so as to rotate around the axis whereto it is connected, such that the movement of the arm (5) is not hindered while the ice cubes in the ice tray (4) are dislodged by the twisting motion of the arm (5).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises more than one spring (17), fitted on the shafts (15), that provide the cover (14) to remain closed by exerting pressure on the ice tray (4) when the casing (6) is in the first position. The springs (17) stay in compressed position while the cover (14) is closed and provide the cover (14) to exert force on the ice tray (4). Thus, the cover (14) is guaranteed to always remain closed when the casing (6) is in the first position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a hole (24) located on the cover (14) that is used for filling water into the ice tray (4). Water is filled into the ice tray (4) without the need to open the cover (14) by means of the hole (24). Consequently, the user is provided with the opportunity of filling the ice tray (4) in a practical manner.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a locking mechanism (18) that provides the casing (6) to remain stationary on the door (3) when the casing (6) is in the first position. By means of the locking mechanism (18), the casing (6) is provided to remain stationary on the door (3) during opening/closing movements of the door (3) and the casing (6) is prevented from making unwanted motions like swaying etc
In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (18) comprises a recess (19) arranged on the supporting surface (8) and a detent means (20) located on the casing (6) which is fitted into the recess (19) when the casing (6) is changed to the first position. When the casing (6) is changed from the second position to the first position, the detent means (20) provides the casing (6) to remain stationary on the supporting surface (8) by being seated into the recess (19). Thus, the casing (6) is provided to remain stationary on the door (3) when in the first position and not be affected by the opening/closing movements of the door (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises an opening (21) arranged on the base of the casing (6) and a stopper (22) disposed on the base of the drawer (11) that provides the drawer (11) to remain stable by being inserted into the opening (21) when the drawer (11) is placed into the casing (6). When the drawer (11) is placed inside the casing (6), the stopper (22) is seated into the opening (21). Thus, the drawer (11) is prevented from moving involuntarily during movements of both the door (3) and the casing (6). When the user pulls the drawer (11) out of the casing (6) for taking ice cubes from the drawer (11), the stopper (22) is dislodged from the opening (21) and moves forward together with the drawer (11). By means of the opening (21) and the stopper (22), the drawer (11) is provided to move outwards from the casing (6) only when desired by the user.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises two casings (6) that are disposed between the side walls of the door (3) facing opposite each other without any gap therebetween. While one of the casings (6) is changed from the first position to the second position in clockwise direction, the other casing (6) is rotated counterclockwise and changed from the first position to the second position. In this embodiment, the length of one of the casings (6) is almost half of the width of the door (3). Thus, the door (3) opening distance required while moving one of the casings (6) outwards from the door (3) for taking ice cubes from one of the ice trays (4) is decreased. The desired casing (6) is changed from the first position to the second position without requiring to open the door (3) entirely.
By means of the present invention, the ice tray (4) is provided to be disposed on the door (3). Convenience of utilization is provided for the user when he/she desires to take ice cubes from the ice tray (4) by providing the ice tray (4) that is disposed in the casing (6) to rotate together almost 90 degrees with respect to the plane of the door (3).
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a freezing compartment (2) wherein the foodstuffs desired to be frozen are placed and a door (3) that provides access into the freezing compartment (2), wherein at least one casing (6) is mounted on the door (3) and configured as a box, having an ice tray (4) disposed therein, with more than one cell wherein water can be filled and an arm (5) connected to the ice tray (4), providing the ice cubes in the cells to fall out by being twisted, wherein
- said at least one casing (6) is mounted on the door (3) from its side wall so as to rotate around an axis whereto it is attached,

- wherein said at least one casing (6) has a first position whereat it is almost parallel to the interior plane of the door (3) and a second position it is changed to by being rotated around the axis with which it is connected to the door (3), wherein its rear wall is almost perpendicular to the interior plane of the door (3),

- wherein in the first position of the at least one casing (6) the ice tray (4) is stored on the door and in the second position of the at least one casing (6) the ice cubes present in the cells of the ice tray (4) are extractable by twisting the arm (5).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by at least one shelf (7) disposed on the interior surface of the door (3) and whereon the foodstuffs to be frozen can be placed and the upper surface of the casing (6) almost contacting the base of the shelf (7) while in the first position.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a supporting surface (8) disposed on the door (3), whereon the casing (6) is placed and which extends perpendicularly to the interior plane of the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a pin (9) located on the supporting surface (8) and a housing (10) arranged on the casing (6) wherein the pin (9) is borne.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a drawer (11), disposed on the casing (6) so as to remain under the ice tray (4) and wherein the ice cubes in the ice tray (4) fall by twisting of the arm (5).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by two slides (12) located oppositely on the interior surfaces of the casing (6) side walls and more than one rail (13) located on the exterior surfaces of the drawer (11) side walls that provide the drawer (11) to move forwards - backwards with respect to the plane of the door (3) by being fitted over the slides (12).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a cover (14) mounted on the casing (6) so as to cover the ice tray (4) and to open by rotating around the axis whereto it is connected during twisting of the arm (5).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by two shafts (15) disposed at two ends of the rear side of the cover (14) and a retainer (23) disposed on the casing (6), having two bearings (16) at both ends wherein the shafts (15) are rotatably borne.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by more than one spring (17) fitted on the shafts (15), that provides the cover (14) to exert pressure on the ice tray (4) for remaining closed when the casing (6) is in the first position.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 7 to 9, characterized by a hole (24) located on the cover (14) that is used for filling water into the ice tray (4).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a locking mechanism (18) that provides the casing (6) to remain stationary on the door (3) when the casing (6) is in the first position.
A cooling device (1) as in Claims 3 and 11, characterized by the locking mechanism (18) having a recess (19) located on the supporting surface (8) and a detent means (20) located on the casing (6) and which is fitted into the recess (19) when the casing (6) is changed to the first position.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, or any one of the Claims 7-12 when dependent on Claim 5, characterized by an opening (21) arranged on the base of the casing (6) and a stopper (22) disposed on the base of the drawer (11) that provides the drawer (11) to remain stable by being inserted into the opening (21) when the drawer (11) is placed into the casing (6).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by two casings (6) that are disposed between the side walls of the door (3) facing opposite each other, without any gap therebetween.