WO2016107746A1

WO2016107746A1 - A home appliance comprising a container having a movable cover

Info

Publication number: WO2016107746A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/080003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gokhan-Hasan APAYDIN; Hüseyin Sen
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2015-12-16
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Also published as: CN208312857U; DE112015005841T5

Abstract

The present invention is a home appliance (1), particularly a domestic refrigerator, comprising a container (10); a cover (20) for the container (10) which is hung in an adjustable manner between an open position where it is lifted on the container (10) and a closed position where it is lowered onto the container (10); a hanger bearing (40) which converts a linear horizontal motion of the cover (20) into upward or downward motion; a hanger (70) which is hung to the hanger bearing (40) in a connected manner to the cover (20); an extension (73) provided in the hanger (70) in order to hang the hanger (70) to the hanger bearing (40); and a bearing element (30) with fixed position and having hanger bearing (40), characterized in that the extension (73) of the hanger (70) has a horizontally flattened upper section (74).

Description

SPECIFICATION

A HOME APPLIANCE COMPRISING A CONTAINER HAVING A MOVABLE COVER TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a home appliance, particularly a domestic refrigerator comprising a container, and a cover for the container, and which stays hung in an adjustable manner between an open position where the cover is lifted on the container and a closed position where the cover is lowered to the container.

STATE OF THE ART

In a home appliance comprising container, particularly in a domestic refrigerator, in general, there is a container in drawer form. In the container, particularly in the container used in the refrigerator, fresh foodstuff like vegetable and fruit is kept.

The fresh foodstuff begins releasing the humidity thereof after being harvested. This leads to deterioration of the fresh foodstuff, rendering foodstuffs inedible at the end. The cool ambiance provided in the refrigerator decelerates the deterioration. However, humidity control is realized in the ambiance where the fresh foodstuff is kept, and if a suitable humidity proportion is preserved, the humidity loss of the fresh foodstuff can be decelerated or stopped. Thus, the lifetime of the fresh foodstuff can be extended.

Therefore, a cover is used which is hung in an adjustable manner for providing humidity control in said containers. These covers are covered by means of lowering onto the container manually, or they are opened by means of lifting from the container. Said motions are realized by moving the cover in the horizontal direction by means of a control element and converting said horizontal motion of the cover into upward and downward motion. The conversion of the horizontal motion into vertical motions is realized by means of hanger bearings keeping the cover in a hung manner.

An exemplary home appliance is disclosed in the patent application document with publication number WO201 1026750A2. Said invention is a cooling device. There is a container in the cooling device. The container has a cover which is displaced between an open and a closed position. The cover is positioned in a hung manner to a horizontal wall. There are profiles on said horizontal wall. Vertical plates extend downwardly from the profiles, and the front profiles of these plates have slits which are inclined downwardly. Pins are provided at the front corners of the cover. By means of the downwardly inclined slits, the pins convert a linear motion of the cover into a lifting motion for opening and closing the cover. Therefore, the cooling device has a manually controlled slider which can move along the front edge of the container. The slider provides the cover to make the mentioned linear motion by means of a section thereof inside an inclined horizontal slit provided on the cover.

The invention provides an additional improvement, an additional advantage or an alternative to the present art described above.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a home appliance comprising a covered container having an improved covering system.

In order to achieve the abovementioned object, the present invention is a home appliance, particularly a domestic refrigerator, comprising a container; a cover for the container which is hung in an adjustable manner between an open position where it is lifted on the container and a closed position where it is lowered onto the container; a hanger bearing which converts a linear horizontal motion of the cover into upward or downward motion; a hanger which is hung to the hanger bearing in a connected manner to the cover; an extension provided in the hanger in order to hang the hanger to the hanger bearing; and a bearing element with fixed position and having hanger bearing. The extension of the hanger has a horizontally flattened upper section. Thus, the extension can rise inside the hanger bearing more than an extension having a circular upper section. Therefore, the hanger bearing and thus the bearing element occupy less volume when compared with a bearing element where an extension having circular upper section is used. By means of this, moreover, the material amount required for obtaining the bearing element can be reduced.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the extension has a circular lower section which is in contact with the hanger bearing. Thus, the surface area of the lower section which contacts the hanger bearing can be reduced. Therefore, the friction force can be kept low, and the cover can be moved by exerting less force. In other words, the motion of the cover can be facilitated.

For this purpose, for instance, the extension may have a semi-circular cross section or it may be in the form of a cut-circle which has been cut by a straight line passing through a point existing on the radius thereof; or the extension may have a half ring cross section or it may be in the form of a partial ring which has been cut by a straight line passing through a point existing on the radius thereof.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the bearing element has an insertion opening which guides the hanger towards the hanger bearing. Thus, there may remain no need to bend the hanger and/or the cover for providing placement of the hanger to the hanger bearing. This may facilitate hanging of the cover to the bearing element.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the bearing element has an insertion opening facing downwardly towards the cover. Thus, the raising of the cover which is brought under the bearing element may be sufficient for hanging the hanger to the hanger bearing. Thus, the hanging process can be facilitated.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the bearing element has a vertical insertion wall which guides the hanger vertically to the hanger bearing. Thus, the user who fixes the cover can be guided by the vertical insertion wall even if he/she does not see or partially sees the hanger and the hanger bearing. Thus, the cover hanging process can be facilitated.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the bearing element has a horizontal insertion wall which guides the hanger horizontally to the hanger bearing. Thus, the user who fixes the cover can be prevented from lifting the cover excessively even if he/she does not see or partially sees the hanger and the hanger bearing. Thus, the cover hanging process can be facilitated.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the hanger bearing has a lower wall and an upper wall, extending in a manner forming a motion line for the hanger, on a vertical wall of the bearing element. Thus, a hanger bearing, which has a motion line where the hanger is restricted, can be obtained. This may provide that the cover moves smoothly and stably. Moreover, the accidental removal of the hanger from the hanger bearing can also be prevented. Thus, the cover can realize its function without interruption and without failure. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the lower wall has a lower housing wherein the hanger is placed at a closed position of the cover. Thus, when the cover is in closed position, the accidental motion of the cover due to undesired impacts can be prevented. Moreover, the possible noises occurring due to a cover making unintentional motion can also be reduced or completely eliminated.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the lower housing has a stop wall provided on the side opposite to the motion direction defined by the movement of the hanger towards the lower housing on the hanger bearing during the motion of the cover. In particular, the stop wall has the function to restrict the motion of the hanger after the hanger has reached the lower housing or the upper housing, respectively, i.e. an end position. In particular, the lower housing defines an end position of the hanger, in which the cover is in a closed position. In particular, the upper housing defines an end position of the hanger, in which the cover is in an opened position.

Thus, the hanger can be prevented from removing from the hanger bearing in case where excessive force is applied for moving the cover and/or in case of unintentional impacts and/or in case the cover tends to move as a result of its own weight. On the other hand, the hanger, which tends to continue its motion as a result of inertia rule, can be stopped by the stop wall. Keeping the hanger inside the hanger bearing may extend the usage lifetime of the system. Additionally, the failure risk can be reduced.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the lower wall has an inclined section acting as a rail for the hanger between the lower housing and the upper wall. Thus, a restrictive motion line can be obtained for the hanger together with the inclined section of the lower wall. By means of this, cover moves smoothly and stably. Moreover, the accidental removal of the hanger from the hanger bearing can also be prevented. Thus, the cover can realize its function without interruption and without failure.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the upper wall has an upper inclined section in a manner forming a motion line for the hanger, together with the inclined section of the lower wall. Thus, a hanger bearing, which has a motion line where the hanger is restricted, can be obtained. By means of this, cover is moved smoothly and stably. Moreover, the accidental removal of the hanger from the hanger bearing can also be prevented. Thus, the cover functions without interruption and without failure. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the upper wall has an upper flat wall which determines the final point to be reached by the hanger in the open position of the cover. Thus, the accidental removal of the hanger from the hanger bearing can also be prevented. Thus, the cover functions without interruption and without failure.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the cover (20) comprises two hangers (70) at its rear end; In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the bearing element (30) comprises two hanger bearings (40) at its rear end. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the cover (20) comprises two hangers (70) at its front end, In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the bearing element (30) comprises two hanger bearings (40) at its front end.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, an upper face of the cover and the extension can be vertically spaced apart from each other. Thus, a clearance can be provided between the container and the bearing element where the cover is hung. By means of this clearance, during the removal of the container from the home appliance or during the placement of the container into the home appliance, the container is prevented from being obstructed by the bearing element or from damaging the bearing element and/or from leading to noise as a result of contact of the container to the bearing element.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the hanger can have a hanger wall provided on the upper face of the cover and whereon an extension is provided. Thus, the advantages of the clearance between the extension and the cover can be provided by a robust hanger embodiment. The hanger wall can support a heavy cover by means of a wide surfaced wall, or it can support the cover for long time duration. This may extend the usage lifetime of the home appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is the perspective view of a possible home appliance where the front door is open. Figure 2 is the perspective view of a possible container where the cover and plate provided thereon are moved away from each other.

Figure 3 is the perspective view of a possible bearing element.

Figure 4 is the perspective view of a possible cover.

Figure 5 is the Detail A view of a possible hanger given in Figure 4. Figure 6 is the Detail B view of a possible hanger given in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is the perspective view of another possible cover.

Figure 8 is the Detail C view of a possible hanger given in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is the perspective view of the hanger bearings provided in another possible bearing element.

THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All directional references such as front, top and bottom are based on reference to the cooling device (1 ) shown in Figure-1 , where the section provided at the upper side is described as "top", the right side where a door (3) is provided is described as "right". For instance, the door (3) of the home appliance (1 ) is illustrated where the door (3) is connected to the right side of the front wall of the home appliance (1 ) and opened towards the right side. One or more of possible embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples in detail below. The home appliance (1 ) is a domestic refrigerator as shown in Figure 1 . In a liner (2) of the home appliance (1 ), there is a container (10) wherein products like vegetable, fruit, milk products and/or meat products are placed. The container (10) has a base (1 1 ), and four side walls (12) rising from the base (1 1 ) (Figure 2). The upper section of the container (10) has an opening (13) for providing access to the inner space defined. The container (10) can be drawn out of the home appliance (1 ) and it can be pushed into its place again. When the container (10) is inside the home appliance (1 ), there is a plate (14) thereon. The plate (14) can be used as a shelf. Therefore, the plate (14) is obtained from glass or from a different material like plastic whose load resistance is high.

There is a cover (20), for closing the container (10) in a controlled manner, between the container (10) and the plate (14). The cover (20) is hung on a bearing element (30). There is a slider (16) at the front edge (15, 33) on the plate (14) and on the bearing element (30). When the slider (16) is slid to the right or to the left along the front edge (15, 33), the cover (20) lowers towards the container (10) or it rises upwardly with respect to the container (10).

For providing said motion transfer, said bearing element (30) is used. The bearing element (30) is fixed to the plate (14) in a manner staying under the plate (14). Afterwards, the bearing element (30) is connected to the liner (2) of the home appliance (1 ) together with the plate (14) in a manner staying fixed. The bearing element (30) is in the form of a frame with three edges where it has two mutual side edges (32) and a front edge (33) (Figure 3). It has no rear edge. However, optionally, it can also be designed as a quadrangular frame (Figure 9) having rear edge (35). The bearing element (30) has one or more than one hanger bearing (40) thereon. The hanger bearing (40) is provided on a vertical wall (31 ) of the bearing element (30). The bearing element (30) illustrated in Figure 3 comprises four hanger bearings (40) such that there are two hanger bearings (40) at the rear ends and such that there are two hanger bearings (40) at positions close to the front corners. The front hanger bearings (40) illustrated in the figure are under the slits (34) viewed at the front corners of the bearing element (30) and inside the profile forming the bearing element (30).

The cover (20) is in the form of a flat plate as exemplified in Figure 4. Thus, in the closed position, the cover (20) may cover the opening (13) of the container (10) which is in a box form. In a position of the cover (20) which is close to the slider (16), this position is the middle region of the front section of the cover (20), and it comprises a slider housing (22). Thus, the cover (20) realizes linear motion by the slider (16). The slider housing (22) illustrated in the figure is an inclined channel provided on the upper face (21 ) of the cover (20) and provided in a form diverging gradually from the front edge of the cover (20). The slider housing (22) can be a hole provided on the upper face (21 ) of the cover (20) and which is close to the front edge of the cover (20) as illustrated in Figure 4. The slider housing (22) can be in the form of a housing in shaft cross section for a shaft (Figure 7); or it can be a linear channel which is parallel to the front edge.

One each hanger (70) is provided at the four corners of the cover (20). The hanger (70) has a hanger wall (71 ) extending upwardly from the upper face (21 ) of the cover (20) in a vertical manner. The hanger wall (71 ) faces the right or left of the cover (20). In other words, the hanger wall (71 ) faces towards the side edges (32) of the bearing element (30) whereon the hanger bearing (40) is provided. On the hanger wall (71 ), one or more than one support walls

(72) can be provided in a combined manner vertically with respect to the hanger wall (71 ) (Figure 8).

On the hanger wall (71 ), there is an extension (73) extending towards the side edges (32) of the bearing element (30). The extension (73) in Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a pin. The extension

(73) can be separated into an upper section (74) and a lower section (75). The lower section (75) has a circular form. The upper section (74) can be horizontally flattened. Accordingly, the cross sectional shape of the pin can be a semi-circle, a semi-ring, a semi-circle which has been cut by a straight line passing through a point existing on the radius thereof, or a partial ring which has been cut in the same manner. Two alternatives mentioned in the figures are the cut-circle (Figure 5 and Figure 6) and a cut ring (Figure 8).

In an embodiment of the bearing element (30) illustrated in Figure 9, there are hanger bearings (40) on the front and on the rear in the same manner. The hanger bearing (40) has a lower wall (46) and an upper wall (47) as shown in the figure. Both of them extend from a vertical wall (31 ) of the bearing element (30).

The lower wall (46) has an inclined section (44) from the front side towards the rear side, and from the upper side towards the lower side. At the lower end of the inclined section (44), there is a lower housing (41 ) for the extension (73) of the hanger (70). The lower housing (41 ) consists of a horizontal wall. In a similar manner to the first embodiment, a stop wall (42) extends upwardly from the rear end of said horizontal wall.

The upper wall (47) comprises an upper inclined section (49) in a parallel manner with respect to the inclined section (44) of the lower wall (46). A clearance, through which at least one extension (73) can pass, is left between the upper inclined section (49) and the inclined section (44). Thus, a motion line is formed for the extension (73). At the upper end of the upper inclined section (49), there is a horizontal upper flat wall (48). The upper flat wall (48) extends between the upper ends of the inclined section (44) and the upper inclined section (49). Thus, the end of the motion line, formed for the extension (73), is formed. The extension (73) stops onto the upper flat wall (48), and it finishes the rising motion of the cover (20).

When the cover (20) is desired to be hung to the bearing element (30), the cover (20), brought under the bearing element (30), is moved upwardly. The extension (73) passes through an insertion opening (60) provided at the bearing element (30), and it is placed to the hanger bearing (40).

In the hanger bearing (40) embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the insertion opening (60) is provided between a stop wall (42) and a vertical insertion wall (61 ) formed behind the hanger bearing (40) in a spaced apart manner to the stop wall (42). In the second embodiment, moreover, there is a horizontal insertion wall (62) extending from the lower end of the upper inclined section (49) towards the vertical insertion wall (61 ). Thus, the extension (73) can be directly guided to the hanger bearing (40).

In an alternative embodiment, the insertion opening (60) is also formed on the front side of the hanger bearing (40). Thus, an insertion opening (60) can be provided between the front end of the hanger bearing (40) and a vertical insertion wall (61 ) provided in a spaced apart manner to the front end. A similar horizontal insertion wall (62) can also be provided in this embodiment. For instance, a horizontal insertion wall (62) can extend from the vertical insertion wall (61 ) towards the hanger bearing (40). A width, through which the extension (73) can pass, may be provided between the front end of the hanger bearing (40) and the horizontal insertion wall (62).

After the cover (20) is hung to the bearing element (30), fixed to the liner (2) of the home appliance (1 ), by means of the hanger (70) and the hanger bearing (40), the container (10) is placed to the home appliance (1 ) in a manner corresponding under the cover (20). When the container (10) is drawn out of the home appliance (1 ), the cover (20) continues to preserve its position. In other words, the container (10) can move independently from the cover (20).

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Home appliance 46. Lower wall

2. Liner 47. Upper wall

3. Door 48. Upper flat wall

49. Upper inclined section

10. Container

11. Base 60. insertion opening

12. Side wall 61. Vertical insertion wall

13. Opening 62. Horizontal insertion wall

14. Plate

15. Front edge 70. Hanger

16. Slider 71. Hanger wall

72. Support wall

20. Cover 73. Extension

21. Upper face 74. Upper section

22. Slider housing 75. Lower section

30. Bearing element

31. Vertical wall

32. Side edge

33. Front edge

34. Slit

35. Rear edge

40. Hanger bearing

41. Lower housing

42. Stop wall

44. Inclined section

Claims

1. A home appliance (1 ), particularly a domestic refrigerator, comprising

a container (10);

a cover (20) for the container (10) which is hung in an adjustable manner between an open position where it is lifted on the container (10) and a closed position where it is lowered onto the container (10);

at least one hanger bearing (40) which converts a linear horizontal motion of the cover (20) into upward or downward motion;

at least one hanger (70) which is hung to the hanger bearing (40) in a connected manner to the cover (20);

an extension (73) provided on the hanger (70) in order to hang the hanger (70) to the hanger bearing (40); and

a bearing element (30) with fixed position and having hanger bearing (40), characterized in that

the extension (73) of the hanger (70) has a horizontally flattened upper section (74).

2. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the extension (73) has a circular lower section (75) which is in contact with the hanger bearing (40).

3. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension (73) has a semicircular cross section or it is in the form of a cut-circle which has been cut by a straight line passing through a point existing on the radius thereof.

4. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension (73) has a half ring cross section or it is in the form of a partial ring which has been cut by a straight line passing through a point existing on the radius thereof.

5. A home appliance (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing element (30) has an insertion opening (60) which guides the hanger (70) towards the hanger bearing (40).

6. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the bearing element (30) has an insertion opening (60) facing downwardly towards the cover (20).

7. A home appliance (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing element (30) has a vertical insertion wall (61 ) which guides the hanger (70) vertically to the hanger bearing (40).

8. A home appliance (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing element (30) has a horizontal insertion wall (62) which guides the hanger (70) horizontally to the hanger bearing (40).

9. A home appliance (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger bearing (40) has a lower wall (46) and an upper wall (47), extending in a manner forming a motion line for the hanger (70), on a vertical wall (30) of the bearing element (30).

10. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the lower wall (46) has a lower housing (41 ) wherein the hanger (70) is placed at a closed position of the cover (20).

11. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the lower housing (41 ) has a stop wall (42) provided on the side opposite to the motion direction defined by the movement of the hanger (70) towards the lower housing (41 ) on the hanger bearing (40) during the motion of the cover (20).

12. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the lower wall (46) has an inclined section (44) acting as a rail for the hanger (70) between the lower housing (41 ) and the upper wall (47).

13. A home appliance (1 ) according to claim 12, wherein the upper wall (47) has an upper inclined section (49) in a manner forming a motion line for the hanger (70), together with the inclined section (44) of the lower wall (46).

14. A home appliance (1 ) according to any one of the claims between 9 and 13, wherein the upper wall (47) has an upper flat wall (48) which determines the final point to be reached by the hanger (70) in the open position of the cover (20).

15. A home appliance (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the cover (20) comprises two hangers (70) at its rear end; and/or the bearing element (30) comprises two hanger bearings (40) at its rear end.