Refrigerator and/or Freezer

• US 20100109497A1
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebherr-Hausgeraete Ochsenhausen GmbH
• Original Assignee: Liebherr-Hausgeraete Ochsenhausen GmbH
• Inventors: Weidelener, Oliver, Blersch, Dietmar
• Granted Patent: US 8,256,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/405
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/408 with sliding guides fixed to the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/18 with sliding pins or guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1253 with a compression spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1261 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1292 with a gas spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/027 with closing action
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/21 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/256 with pistons or vanes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/264 linear
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/412 for the final closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/488 Traction springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/31 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/024 Door hinges

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a door or flap for closing the appliance interior, with a hinge, by means of which the door or flap can be swivelled relative to the body of the appliance, wherein the hinge includes means for producing a closing force acting in closing direction of the door or flap, and with a damper which at least over a part of the closing movement of the door or flap applies a force directed against the closing movement of the door or flap, wherein the means for producing a closing force include an eccentric and means which exert a force that acts on the eccentric and is dependent on the opening angle of the door or flap.

Claims

1. A refrigerator and/or freezer appliance with a door or flap for closing an appliance interior, with a hinge, by means of which the door or flap can be swivelled relative to a body of the appliance, wherein the hinge includes a first means for producing a closing force acting in closing direction of the door or flap, and with a damper which at least over a part of a closing movement of the door or flap applies a force directed against the closing movement of the door or flap, wherein the first means for producing a closing force includes an eccentric and a second means which exerts a force that acts on the eccentric and is dependent on an opening angle of the door or flap.

2. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric includes a surface, and that the second means which produces the force acting on the eccentric is configured and arranged such that the second means exerts a compressive force on the surface of the eccentric.

3. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 2, wherein the hinge includes a first hinge lever and a second hinge lever, one of which is pivotally connected with the door or flap and the other one is pivotally connected with the body of the appliance, wherein the eccentric and the second means which produces the force acting on the eccentric each are pivotally arranged on a hinge lever, or both are arranged on a common hinge lever.

4. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a first hinge lever and a second hinge lever, one of which is pivotally connected with the door or flap and the other one is pivotally connected with the body of the appliance, and the hinge furthermore includes a tension lever which is pivotally arranged on the eccentric and on one of the hinge levers, wherein an axis on which the tension lever is pivotally attached to the eccentric does not coincide with an axis of rotation of the eccentric.

5. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 4, wherein the second means which produces the force acting on the eccentric includes one or more compression springs and a roller or a sliding element, which runs or acts on the surface of the eccentric.

6. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 5, wherein the second means which produces the force acting on the eccentric is configured in a form of one or more leaf springs, leg springs, spiral springs or coil springs.

7. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 6, wherein the damper includes a piston moving in a cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston, which is pivotally attached to the hinge.

8. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 6, wherein the damper includes a piston moving in a cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston, which is directly or indirectly acted upon by a damper lever pivotally connected with the hinge.

9. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 8, wherein the damper is arranged and configured such that independent of an opening angle of the door or flap it extends at least approximately parallel to a plane formed by the door or flap or to a plane formed by a front side of the body.

10. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 9, wherein one or more rollers are provided, which are arranged on the damper lever and which are configured such that they absorb forces acting transverse to the piston rod of the damper at least when the door or flap is closed.

11. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 10, wherein one or more sliding elements are arranged on the damper lever, which are guided in one or more grooves of a carrier.

12. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 11, wherein one or more spacers are provided for varying a damper stroke, the spacers arranged to vary a length of the grooves.

13. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of claim 12, wherein the damper lever is releasable from the piston rod such that the damper lever is coupled with the piston rod over a first opening angle of the door or flap and is uncoupled from the piston rod over a second opening angle of the door or flap.

14. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a connecting link guide in which the second means are guided, which exert a force acting on the eccentric.

15. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 14, wherein the hinge includes a first lever and a second lever, one of which is pivotally connected with the door or flap and the other one is pivotally connected with the body of the appliance, and the connecting link guide is arranged in one of the levers.

16. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the second means which exerts the force acting on the eccentric is pivotally arranged about a pivot point, which is variable in its position.

17. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 16, wherein the pivot point variable in its position is formed by an eccentric bolt.

18. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein the damper includes a piston moving in a cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston, and a pivotal attachment of the cylinder to a carrier and/or a pivotal attachment of the piston rod is variable in its position.

19. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein a carrier is provided, in which the damper is arranged, wherein the damper is connected with the carrier by a latching connection.

20. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, wherein a module is provided, which includes a carrier, in or on which the damper and the hinge are arranged and which is inserted into the door or flap or into the body of the appliance as a unit.

21. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 20, wherein the hinge and the damper and the module are arranged outside a cooled region of the appliance.

22. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 20, wherein the damper and the module are arranged in a side of the door facing the body or in a side of the body facing the door.

23. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 20, wherein the damper and the module are arranged substantially parallel to a plane formed by the door or substantially parallel to a plane formed by a front side of the body.

24. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 23, wherein the module is connected with the door or with the body of the appliance by a positive connection including a latching connection and/or a screw connection.

25. A refrigerator and/or freezer appliance with a door or flap for closing an appliance interior, with a hinge, by means of which the door or flap can be swivelled relative to a body of the appliance, wherein the hinge includes means for producing a closing force acting in closing direction of the door or flap, and with a damper which at least over a part of a closing movement of the door or flap applies a force directed against the closing movement of the door or flap, wherein the means for producing the closing force includes a tension cable, which is connected with the hinge and with one or more tension springs.

26. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 25, wherein the damper includes a piston moving in a cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston, which is pivotally attached to the hinge.

27. A refrigerator and/or freezer appliance with a door or flap for closing an appliance interior, with a hinge, by means of which the door or flap can be swivelled relative to a body of the appliance, wherein the hinge includes means for generating a closing force acting in closing direction of the door or flap, and with a damper which at least over a part of a closing movement of the door or flap applies a force directed against the closing movement of the door or flap, wherein the means for producing the closing force and the damper are formed by an electric drive.

28. (canceled)

29. A refrigerator and/or freezer appliance with a door or flap for closing an appliance interior, with a hinge, by which the door or flap can be swivelled relative to the body of the appliance, wherein the hinge includes means for producing a closing force acting in closing direction of the door or flap, and with a damper which at least over a part of a closing movement of the door or flap applies a force directed against the closing movement of the door or flap, wherein a module is provided, which includes a carrier, in or on which the damper and the hinge are arranged, wherein the module is inserted into the door or flap or into the body of the appliance as a unit.

30. (canceled)