REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE HANDLE MECHANISM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance handle mechanism and more particularly to a handle mechanism effective in overcoming the vacuum effect when opening a refrigeration appliance door, therefore providing a conveniently usable opening mechanism.

[0002] When a refrigeration appliance door is closed, a vacuum effect occurs due to the suction created when the warm air outside the refrigeration appliance moves inside. After the door is closed, the warm air contracts as is cools, and thus creates a vacuum in the refrigeration appliance. To this end, users may face difficulty in opening the door as a result of the created vacuum.

[0003] A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as WO2007113230, disclosing a door opening mechanism comprising a handle attached to the door. The disclosure teaches a mechanism activated by two cams connected to the handle, making a rotational movement around an axis when the handle is pushed or pulled.

[0004] Another prominent prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as WO2009062921 disclosing two lean members disposed oppositely one on the door and the other on the cabin of the refrigeration appliance. A pusher then exerts a pushing force by moving in the gap therebetween such that the distance thereinbetween gradually gets narrower in the movement direction of the pusher. When the pusher moves from the top downwards in the gap between the lean members, it pushes both of the lean members to effect opening of the door.

[0005] DE 10 2007 021948 A1 discloses a refrigeration appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The present invention on the other hand provides a more compact arrangement in terms of mechanical complexity of the door opening mechanism such that a reduced number of essential mechanical parts with a structurally improved mechanical design is obtained. The structural advantage of the mechanical design of the present invention originates from the fact that it incorporates a movement translation means operative to translate movement of the handle directly in a more efficient manner.

[0007] The present invention provides a refrigeration appliance handle mechanism, which is defined by the characterizing features as defined in Claim 1.

[0008] Primary object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance handle mechanism by means of which the vacuum effect can be easily overcome when opening the appliance door.

[0009] The present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance typically having a cabin, a door and a door opening mechanism with a handle. The door opening mechanism comprises an impact imparting means with a first end pushing against the cabin while actuated.

[0010] The impact imparting means is linearly guided in a guiding means when actuated. The guiding means is fixedly attached to the door of the refrigeration appliance so that the impact imparting means has a trajectory between two predetermined extremities.

[0011] A movement translation means is provided inside a housing portion of said guiding means. The movement translation means is fixed to the handle and is in mechanical engagement with the remote end of the impact imparting means from the first end pushing against the cabin.

[0012] The second remote end of the impact imparting means is a linear catch arm engaging with a catch arm slot of the movement translation means.

[0013] The movement translation means is pivotally rotatable around a pin disposed in the housing; said pin is fixed along the central axis of a hollow cylindrical portion of the movement translation means. A torsion spring is fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion such that the movement translation means takes its original position back after opening the door.

[0014] Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a refrigeration appliance handle mechanism whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

[0015] The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a general perspective view of a refrigeration appliance having the handle mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates a side view of the refrigeration appliance handle mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 demonstrates a front view of the refrigeration appliance handle mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 demonstrates a top view of the refrigeration appliance handle mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 demonstrates a perspective view of disassembled components making up the refrigeration appliance handle mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 demonstrates a perspective view of the movement translation means cooperating with the impact imparting means according to the present invention.

[0016] The following numerals are used in this detailed description:

1. Refrigeration appliance

2. Cabin

3. Door

4. Handle

5. Door opening mechanism

6. Movement translation means

7. Impact imparting means

8. Guiding means

9. Guiding means housing

10. Pin

11. Spring

12. Catch arm

13. Catch arm slot

14. Cylindrical portion

[0017] The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance (1) having a cabin (2) for preserving food items to be cooled or frozen, a door (3) mounted to the cabin (2) to provide access thereinto and a door opening mechanism (5) with a handle (4) attached to the door (3) for opening the same. The door opening mechanism (5) of the invention is structurally advantageous in that it incorporates a movement translation means (6) operative to translate movement of the handle (4) in a more efficient manner as explained hereinafter.

[0018] Fig. 1 demonstrating a situation where the handle (4) bar is raised, the door opening mechanism (5) of the present invention comprises an impact imparting means (7) having a first end bearing against the cabin (2) of the refrigeration appliance (1) in response to actuation of the door opening mechanism (5), thereby effecting separation of the door (3) from the cabin (2), to be conventionally opening around an axis of opening. The door (3) can therefore be opened conveniently with ease while the vacuum effect is overcome.

[0019] The impact imparting means (7) according to the present invention is movably guided in a guiding means (8) along its longitudinal direction. It is therefore operable in a linearly restricted displacement zone within the guiding means (8) as the latter is fixedly attached to the door (3) of the refrigeration appliance (1) by appropriate fixing means.

[0020] Further, a movement translation means (6) is provided inside a housing (9) portion of the guiding means (8). The housing (9) constitutes an enlarged end portion of the guiding means (8), enclosing the movement translation means (6) in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the impact imparting means (7) is guided.

[0021] The movement translation means (6) is fixedly secured to the handle (4) so that when the handle (4) is raised, the movement translation means (6) then executes a rotational movement in the housing (9), which in turn advances the impact imparting means (7) in the guiding means (8).

[0022] The second end of the impact imparting means (7) in the form of a rod extended in the direction of the housing (9), is in mechanical engagement with the movement translation means (6) such that it extends linearly as a catch arm (12) engaging with a catch arm slot (13) of the movement translation means (6). Rotation of the movement translation means (6) therefore displaces the impact imparting means (7) in the linear trajectory thereof.

[0023] The movement translation means (6) is pivotally rotatable around a pin (10) disposed in the housing (9), in response to displacement of the handle (4). The pin (10) extends along the central axis of a hollow cylindrical portion (14) of the movement translation means (6) integral thereto. The pin (10) is fastened to the housing (9) portion of the guiding means (8).

[0024] A torsion spring (11) is fixedly wrapped around the hollow cylindrical portion (14) of the movement translation means (6) such that the movement translation means (6) takes its original position subsequent to actuation of the door opening mechanism (5).

[0025] The present invention provides a compact door opening mechanism (5) involving a limited number of essential mechanical parts exhibiting a structurally more efficient operation. To this end, while a structurally simpler mechanical design is obtained, which is advantageous for cutting manufacturing costs, the movement translation means (6) of the invention provides that pivoting movement of the handle (4) arm at the first end is translated into a substantially linear movement at the second end.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance (1) having

- a cabin (2) for preserving food items to be cooled or frozen,

- a door (3) mounted to the cabin (2) to provide access thereinto,

- a door opening mechanism (5) with a handle (4) attached to said door (3) for opening the same (3), said door opening mechanism (5) further comprising an impact imparting means (7) having a first end bearing against said cabin (2) of said refrigeration appliance (1) in response to actuation of said door opening mechanism (5), thereby effecting separation of the door (3) from the cabin (2) to be opening around an axis of opening,
wherein

- said impact imparting means (7) is movably guided in a guiding means (8) along its longitudinal direction, the guiding means (8) being fixedly attached to the door (3) of the refrigeration appliance (1),

- a movement translation means (6) is provided inside a housing (9) portion of the guiding means (8) and the movement translation means (6) being fixedly attached to the handle (4) and being in mechanical engagement with the impact imparting means (7),

characterized in that

- a second end of the impact imparting means (7) in the form of a rod extends linearly as a catch arm (12), said catch arm engaging mechanically with a catch arm slot (13) of the movement
translation means (6),

- the catch arm (12) extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the impact imparting means (7) is guided,

- the movement translation means (6) is pivotally rotatable around a pin (10) disposed in the housing (9), in response to displacement of the handle (4),

- the catch arm (12) extends in the housing (9) and in parallel with the pin (10).

2. The refrigeration appliance (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the pin (10) extends along central axis of a hollow cylindrical portion (14) of the movement translation means (6).

3. The refrigeration appliance (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the pin (10) is fixedly secured to the housing (9) portion of the guiding means (8).

4. The refrigeration appliance (1) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a torsion spring (11) is wrapped around the hollow cylindrical portion (14) of the movement translation means (6) such that the movement translation means (6) takes its original position subsequent to actuation of the door opening mechanism (5).

Ansprüche

1. Kühlgerät (1), aufweisend

- eine Kabine (2) zum Aufbewahren von Lebensmitteln, die gekühlt oder gefroren werden sollen,

- eine Tür (3), die an der Kabine (2) angebracht ist, um Zugriff auf diese bereitzustellen,

- einen Türöffnungsmechanismus (5) mit einem Griff (4), der an der Tür (3) angebracht ist, um diese (3) zu öffnen, wobei der Türöffnungsmechanismus (5) ferner ein Stoßmittel (7) mit einem ersten Ende umfasst, das in Reaktion auf Betätigung des Türöffnungsmechanismus (5) an der Kabine (2) der Kühlvorrichtung (1) in Anlage gelangt, wodurch ein Trennen der Tür (3) von der Kabine (2) zum Öffnen um eine Öffnungsachse bewirkt wird,
wobei

- das Stoßmittel (7) von einem Führungsmittel (8) in seiner Längsrichtung beweglich geführt wird, wobei das Führungsmittel (8) fest an der Tür (3) der Kühlvorrichtung (1) angebracht ist,

- ein Bewegungsübertragungsmittel (6) innerhalb eines Gehäuseabschnitts (9) des Führungsmittels (8) vorgesehen ist und das Bewegungsübertragungsmittel (6) fest an dem Griff (4) angebracht ist und in mechanischem Eingriff mit dem Stoßmittel (7) steht,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

- ein zweites Ende des Stoßmittels (7) in der Form einer Stange sich linear als ein Hakenarm (12) erstreckt, wobei der Hakenarm mechanisch mit einem Hakenarmschlitz (13) des Bewegungsübertragungsmittels (6) in Eingriff steht,

- der Hakenarm (12) sich in einer Richtung senkrecht zu der Längsachsenrichtung erstreckt, an der das Stoßmittel (7) geführt wird,

- das Bewegungsübertragungsmittel (6) in Reaktion auf Verlagerung des Griffs (4) schwenkend um einen Zapfen (10) drehbar ist, der in dem Gehäuse (9) angeordnet ist,

- der Hakenarm (12) sich in das Gehäuse (9) und parallel zu dem Zapfen (10) erstreckt.

2. Kühlvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zapfen (10) sich an einer Zentralachse eines hohlen zylindrischen Abschnitts (14) des Bewegungsübertragungsmittels (6) erstreckt.

3. Kühlvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zapfen (10) fest an dem Gehäuseabschnitt (9) des Führungsmittels (8) gesichert ist.

4. Kühlvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Drehfeder (11) um den hohlen zylindrischen Abschnitt (14) des Bewegungsübertragungsmittels (6) gewickelt ist, derart, dass das Bewegungsübertragungsmittel (6) nach dem Betätigen des Türöffnungsmechanismus (5) seine ursprüngliche Position einnimmt.

Revendications

1. Un dispositif de refroidissement (1) présentant

- un corps (2) dans lequel les aliments à refroidir ou congeler sont stockés,

- une porte (3) qui est montée au corps (2) pour y donner accès,

- un mécanisme d'ouverture de porte (5) comprenant une poignée (4) fixée à ladite porte (3) pour ouvrir la porte (3), ledit mécanisme d'ouverture de porte (5) comprenant en outre un moyen de transmission d'impact (7) présentant une première extrémité s'appuyant sur ledit corps (2) dudit dispositif de refroidissement (1) en réponse à l'actionnement dudit mécanisme d'ouverture de porte (5), donc effectuant la séparation de la porte (3) du corps (2) pour s'ouvrir autour d'un axe d'ouverture,
où

- ledit moyen de transmission d'impact (7) est guidé de manière mobile dans une moyen de guidage (8) le long de sa direction longitudinale, le moyen de guidage (8) étant fixé à la porte (3) du dispositif de refroidissement (1),

- un moyen de transfert de mouvement (6) qui est disposé dans une partie de logement (9) du moyen de guidage (8), le moyen de transfert de mouvement (6) étant fixé à la poignée (4) en communication mécanique avec le moyen de transmission d'impact (7),

caractérisé en ce que

- une deuxième extrémité du moyen de transmission d'impact (7) en forme d'une tige s'étend linéairement comme un bras d'arrêt (12), ledit bras d'arrêt s'engageant mécaniquement avec une fente de bras d'arrêt (13) du moyen de transfert de mouvement (6),

- le bras d'arrêt (12) s'étend dans une direction perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal le long duquel le moyen de transmission d'impact (7) est guidé,

- le moyen de transfert de mouvement (6) peut tourner de manière pivotante autour d'un goupille (10) disposée dans le logement (9), en réponse au déplacement de la poignée (4),

- le bras d'arrêt (12) s'étend dans le logement (9) et parallèlement à la goupille (10).

2. Un dispositif de refroidissement (1) selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la goupille (10) s'étend le long de l'axe central d'une partie cylindrique creuse (14) du moyen de transfert de mouvement (6).

3. Un dispositif de refroidissement (1) selon la Revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la goupille (10) est fixée à la partie de logement (9) du moyen de guidage (8).

4. Un dispositif de refroidissement (1) selon la Revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'un ressort de torsion (11) est enroulé autour de la partie cylindrique creuse (14) du moyen de transfert de mouvement (6) de telle sorte que le moyen de transfert de mouvement (6) reprend sa position initiale après l'actionnement du mécanisme d'ouverture de porte (5).

Drawing