FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a storage unit and a household appliance having
said storage unit, more particularly to a storage unit having a retractable guide
unit and a household appliance, such as a refrigeration appliance, having said storage
unit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A household appliance comprising a storage unit equipped with a retractable guide
unit is well-known in the prior art. For example, in a refrigerator, the retractable
guide unit can respectively be provided between both sides of a drawer-typed storage
container and the corresponding sides of a cabinet so as to guide the retracting movement
of the storage container. The guide unit generally comprises a fixing rail fixed at
a side of the cabinet, a moving rail fixed at a side of the storage container and
a rolling unit, such as a ball / a roller wheel, between the fixing rail and the moving
rail. In the prior art, in order to secure the fixing rail or the like, a through
hole is necessarily formed on an inner shell of the cabinet, such that a screw for
securing the fixing rail can be passed through the inner shell and then secures the
fixing rail on the inner shell. Before the foaming procedure of the cabinet is carried
out, the through hole must be sealed by the manufacturer such that the foaming agent
is prevented from leaking through the through hole.
[0003] Furthermore, Chinese patent application
CN1013243942A discloses a refrigeration appliance having an evacuable storing chamber (a low-pressure
chamber). A low-pressure storage unit defining the evacuable storing chamber can comprise
a low-pressure chamber main body secured in the storing chamber of the cabinet and
a drawer-typed container which is retractably received in the low-pressure chamber
main body. If a guide unit is provided on the low-pressure storage unit, a technical
problem confronted by the designer is how to ensure the air tightness of the low-pressure
chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an objective of the present invention to solve at least one of the above technical
problems so as to obtain a household refrigeration appliance with a storage unit,
in which the retractable guide unit can be reliably secured and meanwhile a securing
unit for securing the guide unit needs no additional sealing means. To this end, a
household refrigeration appliance according to claim 1 is proposed. Because the securing
unit implements the securing in such a way that the receiving space is not in fluid
communication with a fluid from the exterior, no additional sealing means needs be
adopted. The present invention is more reliable than the traditional technical solution
adopting sealing means. This advantage is more prominent for the storage unit having
a strict sealing requirement.
[0005] Other individual features or features which are combined with other features so as
to be considered as belonging to the characteristic of the present invention will
be described in the attached claims.
[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hole is a through
hole, both ends of the hole are exposed to the receiving space, and the hole is entirely
inside the receiving space.
[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wall is depressed
outwardly at a location corresponding to the mounting portion.
[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting piece
comprises a connection portion for connecting the wall with the mounting portion,
and the mounting portion is closer to the storage member than the connection portion.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion
is U-shaped.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting piece
is constructed independently from the wall and is then secured to the inner side of
the wall.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting piece
is welded or bonded to the wall.
[0011] In an alternative embodiment, the mounting piece is formed integrally on the wall.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing unit comprises
a guide hole provided in the guide unit, the insertion member is inserted through
the guide hole and then extends into the hole, and the securing unit secures the guide
unit to the main body in a screwed manner.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wall is made of
metal.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance
is a refrigeration appliance having a thermally insulated cabinet, and the storage
unit is constructed independently from the cabinet and is received in the cabinet.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the household refrigeration
appliance has a thermally insulated cabinet, and the wall is formed by the inner shell
of the cabinet.
[0015] The configuration of the present invention and other objectives and beneficial effects
thereof will be well understood by description of preferred embodiment in accompany
of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] As a part of the description and in order to provide further explanation of the present
invent, the drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and
together with the description are used to explain the principle of the present invention.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a door of the refrigeration
appliance is not shown;
Figure 2 shows a schematic assembled perspective view of a low-pressure storage unit
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view, showing that the low-pressure storage unit
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened;
Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view, showing a main body of the low-pressure storage
unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view along the direction A-A in figure
2;
Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a part of a main body according
to the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view, showing that a guide unit according
to the present invention is secured on the main body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As shown in figure 1, a refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a thermally insulated
cabinet 2, which cabinet 2 includes an outer shell 2a, an inner shell 2b and a thermal
insulation layer therebetween. The cabinet 2 defines a plurality of thermally insulated
storage compartments 3, 4 and 5 to store items such as foods. In the present embodiment,
these storage compartments are an upper refrigeration compartment 3, a lower freezing
compartment 5 and a preservation compartment 4 which is located between the upper
and lower compartments and is maintained at a temperature of slightly higher than
zero Degree Celsius. These storage compartments 3, 4 and 5 have front openings 3a,
4a and 5a respectively, which can be closed by respective doors (not shown).
[0018] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific
arrangement of the storage compartments of the refrigeration appliance. The present
invention can be applied for other types of refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator
having refrigerating and freezing compartments arranged one above the other, a side-by-side
combination refrigerator as well as a refrigerator having a drawer-typed door and/or
a French door refrigerator or the like.
[0019] The refrigeration appliance 1 has a close-looped evaporative refrigeration system.
The refrigeration system comprises at least a compressor (not shown), a condenser
(not shown), a throttling device (not shown) and an evaporator (not shown). Since
this kind of refrigeration system is well-known in the prior art, its detailed explanation
is omitted here.
[0020] The refrigeration appliance 1 is provided with a low-pressure storage unit 7, having
an evacuable storing chamber 32, and an evacuation device (not shown) for evacuating
gas out of the storing chamber 32. The evacuation device can comprise a vacuum pump
and a pipeline (not shown) connecting between the vacuum pump and the low-pressure
storage unit 7.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the low-pressure storage unit 7 is provided in the preservation
compartment 4. The low-pressure storage unit 7 is located at a bottom of the preservation
compartment 4, and is supported on a bottom wall of the preservation compartment 4.
In the present embodiment, a preservation container 6 is provided above the low-pressure
storage unit 7, which preservation container has a higher humidity and is adapted
for storing foods such as vegetables. It should be understood that, in an alternative
embodiment, the low-pressure storage unit 7 can be provided in other storage compartments,
such as the refrigerating compartment 3 or a variable compartment whose temperature
zone can be changed between a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature
zone.
[0022] Figurer 2 is a schematic assembly perspective view showing the low-pressure storage
unit 7 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a
schematic perspective view showing that the low-pressure storage unit 7 according
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened. As shown in figures
2 and 3, in this embodiment, the low-pressure storage unit 7 is generally in the form
of a flat rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a main body 8 being opened at one
end and a drawer-typed container 9 which is movably received in the main body 8.
[0023] The main body 8 defines a flat receiving space having a front opening. The drawer-typed
container 9, at its front wall, is formed with a door 10 for closing the front opening
of the main body 8. A tray-shaped container body 12 is connected at a rear side of
the door 10 for storing items. The main body 8 is received and secured in the cabinet
2. It is preferable that the main body 8 is detachably secured in the preservation
compartment 4. A user can draw out the draw-typed container 9 to have access to the
items in the low-pressure storage unit 7.
[0024] The main body 8 and the door 10 have widths which each are slightly less than the
width of the preservation compartment 4. Thus it is ensured that the main body 8 and
the door 10 can be inserted into the preservation compartment 4 or be pulled out of
the preservation compartment 4. Therefore, gaps can be formed between both sides of
the low-pressure storage unit 7 and the inner shell 2b of the preservation compartment
4 respectively. In order to shield these gaps, the low-pressure storage unit 7 can
comprise a deformable gap shielding member 50 which is provided at the front end of
the main body 8.
[0025] The low-pressure storage unit 7 has a housing 40 which is constituted by the main
body 8 and the door 10 of the drawer-typed container 9. The housing 40 defines the
evacuable storing chamber 32, wherein the tray-shaped container body 12 is located
in the storing chamber 32. In the present embodiment, the storing chamber 32 is essentially
formed by the receiving space of the main body 8.
[0026] When the storing chamber 32 is closed by the door 10 and the evacuation device is
switched on, gas in the storing chamber 32 is evacuated off and the storing chamber
32 is in a low-pressure state. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, after the evacuation procedure is completed, the storing chamber 32 has
a pressure therein, which pressure is between one standard atmospheric pressure and
the absolute vacuum (for example, the absolute vacuum being less than 690 millibars).
Because the gas pressure in the storing chamber 32 is less than one standard atmospheric
pressure, this chamber can also be called as "a vacuum chamber" by the skilled in
the art. In the present embodiment, the storing chamber 32 has a volume of about 20
L.
[0027] A sealing element (not shown) can be provided at the front end of the main body 8
and/or at the door 10, such that there is a gas tightness engagement formed between
the main body 8 and the door 10 after the drawer-typed container 9 is completely closed.
Therefore, gas is prevented from entering into the storing chamber 32 via the engagement
site between the main body 8 and the door 10.
[0028] A retractable guide unit 14 is provided between the drawer-typed container 9 and
the main body 8, such that the drawer-typed container 9 can be smoothly pulled out
of the main body 8 or pushed into the main body 8. The manner how the guide unit 14
is secured to the main body 8 will be particularly explained below.
[0029] The door 10 is provide with a gas filling passage (not shown), which gas filling
passage fluidly communicates with the interior and exterior of the storing chamber
32, and a gas filling valve (not shown) for opening or closing the gas filling passage.
When the gas filling passage is opened by the gas filling valve, gas from the exterior
can enter into the storing chamber 32 via the gas filling passage such that the low-pressure
state of the storing chamber 32 is released.
[0030] The door 10 is provided with a handle 13 at the front end. The user can operate the
drawer-typed container 9 by the handler 13. In one preferred embodiment, the gas filling
valve is provided in such a way that it is associated with the handle 13. That is,
when the handle 13 is operated, the gas filling valve is opened such that the storing
chamber 32 fluidly communicates with the exterior. Therefore, gas can enter into the
storing chamber 32 such that the low-pressure state of the storing chamber 32 is released.
In an alternative embodiment, the gas filling valve can be provided independently
from the handle 13. For example, the door 10 is provided with a button thereon. The
gas filling valve is opened by pressing the button. Then, the user can operate the
handle 13 to open the door 10.
[0031] The door 10, constituting the front wall of the storing chamber 32, is made of plastic
which is easily molded, because some complex structures such as the gas filling valve
and the handler 13 and so on will be formed. In the present embodiment, the door 10
is made of ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).
[0032] The inner surface of the door 10 is exposed to the storing chamber 32, and the outer
surface of the door constitutes a part of the external contour of the low-pressure
storage unit 7 so as to form a part of the wall of the storing chamber 32. When the
storing chamber 32 is in the low-pressure state, the door 10 must endure a pressure
difference between the interior and the exterior. However, the tray-shaped container
body 12 endures no pressure because it is located in the storing chamber 32. Therefore,
the door 10 has a thickness which is larger than the tray-shaped container body 12.
In the present embodiment, the thickness of the door 10 is 6 millimeters, and the
tray-shaped container body 12 can have a thickness of about 1 to 2 millimeters.
[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the main body 8 according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figures 2 and 3 by
combination with figure 4, the main body 8 comprises a box-shaped box body 11 which
is opened at front and rear ends, a rear cover 16 which is secured at the rear end
of the box body 11 to close a rear opening 26 of the box body 11, and a front jointing
unit 17, which is secured at an edge of a front opening 25 of the box body 11.
[0034] A sealing element 18 is provided between the box body 11 and the rear cover 16 as
well as between the box body 11 and the front jointing unit 17 respectively, such
that the box body 11 forms a gas tightness engagement with the rear cover 16 and a
gas tightness engagement with the front jointing unit 17 respectively.
[0035] In the present embodiment, the box body 11 comprises a top wall 21, a bottom wall
23, left and right side walls 22 which are connected between the top wall 21 and the
bottom wall 32. The top, bottom, left and right side walls are made of metal having
a larger material strength. In the present embodiment, the top wall 21, the bottom
wall 23 and the left and right side walls 22, all of which are made of metal, are
exposed at their inner sides to the storing chamber 32 respectively. Outer surfaces
of these walls constitute a part of the external contour of the low-pressure storage
unit 7, and constitute a majority of the upper wall, the lower wall and two side walls
of the storing chamber 32. The front jointing unit 17 is also exposed at its inner
side to the storing chamber 32. Therefore, it constitutes a minority of the upper
boundary, the lower boundary and the two side boundaries of the storing chamber 32.
When the storing chamber 32 is in the low-pressure state, the box body 11, the front
jointing unit 17 and the rear cover 16 endure a pressure caused by the pressure in
the storing chamber 32 being less than the pressure of the exterior. It should be
understood that, in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that all of the
upper, lower and two side walls of the storing chamber 32 are completely formed by
the box body 11 made of metal.
[0036] The top wall 21, the bottom wall 23 as well as the left and right side walls 22 can
be produced by a metal sheet, whose thickness is not more than 4 millimeters. Preferably,
the thicknesses of these walls 21 to 23 are 2 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters.
[0037] The top wall 21, the bottom wall 23 as well as the left and right side walls 22 of
the box body 11 are preferably formed in a one-piece structure, such that any jointing
seam between these walls can be reduced or even eliminated. In the present embodiment,
the top wall 21, the bottom wall 23 as well as the left and right side walls 22 are
formed by a piece of metal sheet (cold rolled plate), which is bent into a rectangular
shape and then is welded. As shown in figures 3 and 4, a welding seam 33 is located
at the middle site of the right side wall 22. On the one hand, because the side wall
22 endures a less pressure than the top wall 21 and the bottom wall 23, this may facilitate
reducing a possibility that air leakage occurs at the welding seam 33 under pressure.
On the other hand, this may also facilitate arranging a clamp during the welding procedure.
Furthermore, because the welding seam is located at a side wall which cannot be readily
noticed by the user, this may facilitate achieving a better aesthetic of the refrigeration
appliance 1.
[0038] It should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that
the top wall 21, the bottom wall 23 as well as the left and right side walls 22 of
the box body 11 are formed by a plurality of metal sheets, which are jointed (such
as welded) together.
[0039] Furthermore, the box body 11 can also be made of other metal such as aluminum. On
the case that the box body is made of aluminum, the box body is preferably achieved
by an integrally extruding procedure. Because the modulus of elasticity of aluminum
is less than that of steel, it is preferable that the box body made of aluminum has
a thickness of lager than 2 millimeters, for example being 4 millimeters.
[0040] In the present embodiment, the top wall 21 is symmetrical to the bottom wall 23.
The two walls constitute a majority of the total wall area of the box body 11. When
the low-pressure storage unit 7 is in a low-pressure state, the top wall 21 and the
bottom wall 23 endure more pressure than the other walls of the low-pressure storage
unit 7. In order to increase moments of inertia of the top wall 21 and the bottom
wall 23, the top wall 21 and the bottom wall 23 each are stamped with a plurality
of protruding zones 34 which protrude outwards.
[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figures
3, 4 and 5, mounting plates 27 are provided at the front and rear ends of the box
body 11 and at outer sides of the top wall 21, the bottom wall 23 as well as the left
and right side walls 22, such that no through hole needs be provided on the top wall
21, the bottom wall 23 as well as the left and right side walls 22 to secure the front
jointing unit 17 and the rear cover 6 to the box body 11. The mounting plates 27 can
be made of metal, for example made by steel sheets.
[0042] Each mounting plate 27 comprises a jointing foot 27a, which is horizontally secured
on a corresponding one of the walls 21 to 23. In the present embodiment, the mounting
plate 27 is secured on the box body 11 by welding the jointing foot 27a to the corresponding
one of the walls 21 to 23. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting plate 27 can
be secured on the box body 11 in other ways, for example is adhered on the box body
11.
[0043] The mounting plate 27 comprises an extension 27b, which folds from the jointing foot
27a and then extends outwards. In the present embodiment, the extension 27b is substantially
perpendicular to the corresponding one of the walls 21 to 23. The extension 27b has
a plate shape. It has planar front and rear surfaces. The extensions 27b at the front
and rear ends of the box body 11 each are at a distance from the front and rear end
faces of the box body 11.
[0044] In the present embodiment, the mounting plate 27 has an L-shape in its cross-section,
which is formed by the extension 27b and the jointing foot 27a. However, in an alternative
embodiment, the extension 27b can be formed integrally on the corresponding one of
the walls 21 to 23 such that the extension extends outwards directly from the corresponding
one of the walls 21 to 23 of the box body 11.
[0045] Each extension 27b is provided with a plurality of first holes 31a which extend all
the way through the front and rear surfaces of the extension. Preferably, the first
holes 31a of each extension 27b are arranged at a predetermined interval with each
other, and they are arrayed in a row. The first holes 31a located at the front and
rear ends of the box body 11 each form a rectangular frame, whose size is larger than
the front/rear opening 25, 26. The corresponding rectangular frame encloses the box
body 11 therein. The first holes 31a at the rear end of the box body 11 are threaded.
However, the first holes 31a at the front end of the box body 11 are not threaded.
[0046] The rear cover 16 and the front jointing unit 17 according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention are particularly explained in their structures in detail
below.
[0047] The rear cover 16 is connected to the rear opening 26 of the box body 11, constitutes
the rear wall of the housing 40 and delimits the rear boundary of the storing chamber
32. The rear cover 16 is in the form of a square plate, which corresponds to the rear
opening 26. The rear cover 16 has a size which is larger than that of the rear opening
26. The rear cover 16 extends beyond the rear opening 26.
[0048] The rear cover 16 is provided with an evacuation passage (not shown) extending through
the rear cover 16 and an evacuation valve unit 36 for selectively closing or opening
the evacuation passage. In the present embodiment, the evacuation valve unit 36 extends
above the top wall 21, and has a jointing opening 39 above the top wall 21. The low-pressure
storage unit 7 connects with a pipeline secured on the cabinet 2 via the jointing
opening 39, such that the low-pressure storage unit 7 can fluidly communicate with
the evacuation device.
[0049] The rear cover 16 comprises a main wall portion 20 constituting the most part of
the rear cover and a rear jointing portion 19, which is provided around the main wall
portion 20 and connects the rear cover 16 to the edge of the rear opening 26. The
rear jointing portion 19 connects with the entire edge of the rear opening 26.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the rear jointing portion 19 and the main wall portion
20 are produced by integral injection molding of plastic, whose modulus of elasticity
is less than metal. Preferably, the rear cover 16 is made of material having a larger
material strength, such as polycarbonate (PC). The main wall portion 20 made of PC
has a thickness of about 6 millimeters. In order to enhance the strength of the main
wall portion 20, the main wall portion 20 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing
ribs 35 on its rear surface.
[0051] It should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the rear jointing portion
19 and the main wall portion 20 can be provided independently with each other, and
then they are airtightly secured to form the rear cover 16. This will be particularly
beneficial in the case that the rear jointing portion 19 and the main wall portion
20 are made of different materials.
[0052] The front jointing unit 17 connects at the entire edge of the front opening 25, and
has a square framed structure forming a close-loop. The front jointing unit 17 has
an abutting face 37 for abutting with the door 10. In the present embodiment, the
abutting face 37 is planar, and is in the same longitudinal plane. When the door 10
is closed, the sealing element on the door 10 is pressed between the abutting face
37 and the door 10 to make a sealing effect.
[0053] In order that the front jointing unit 17 and the rear cover 16 are airtightly connected
on the box body 11 respectively, the front jointing unit 17 and the rear cover 16
each are provided with a ring-shaped groove 30 at a side facing the box body 11, which
groove is used to receive a ring-shaped sealing element 18. The front and rear ends
of the top wall 21, the side walls 22 and the bottom wall 23 of the box body 11 each
are inserted into the corresponding groove 30. The sealing element 18 is located between
the groove 30 and the box body 11.
[0054] Outside of the groove 30, the front jointing unit 17 and the rear cover 16 each are
provided with a plurality of second holes 31b. These second holes 31b are provided
on the outer surface portions of the front jointing unit 17 and the rear jointing
unit 19 beyond the top wall 21, the side walls 22 and the bottom wall 23, and are
located outside of the storing chamber 32. The second holes 31b on the front jointing
portion 17 and the rear cover 16 form rectangular frames respectively, each of which
rectangular frames has a size which is larger than the front/rear opening 25, 26.
[0055] In the present embodiment, the second holes 31b on the front jointing unit 17 extend
forwards from the rear side of the front jointing unit 17, do not extend through the
front jointing unit 17 and thus form blind holes, which are threaded therein for attaching
screws 29. The second holes 31b on the rear cover 16 extend forwards from the rear
side of the rear jointing portion 19 through the rear jointing portion 19 and form
through holes to be inserted by corresponding screws 29.
[0056] The front jointing unit 17 is formed by integral injection molding of plastic. In
the present embodiment, because the front jointing unit 17 is provided with the threaded
holes for attaching the screws 29, the front jointing unit 17 is formed from a mixture
of PC resin having a larger strength and ABS resin having a better toughness by injection
molding, such that the strength and the toughness of the unit is balanced.
[0057] The securing manner between the front jointing unit 17, the rear cover 16 and the
box body 11 will be particularly explained below.
[0058] The front jointing unit 17 and the rear cover 16 are secured on the front and rear
ends of the box body 11 by a plurality of first securing units respectively.
[0059] In the present embodiment, each first securing unit comprises the screw 29, the first
hole 31a provided on the mounting plate 27 of the box body 11 and the second hole
31b provided on the front jointing unit 17/the rear cover 16. By inserting the screw
29 into the first hole 31a and the second hole 31b and then screwing the screw 29
with the threaded first hole 31a or the threaded second hole 31b, the front jointing
unit 17/the rear cover 16 each can be reliably secured on the box body 11. By use
of the screw 29, the first securing unit provides a pretension force between the front
jointing unit 17 and the box body 11 as well as between the rear cover 16 and the
box body 11, such that the sealing elements 18 located between the front jointing
unit 17/the rear cover 16 and the box body 11 can be pressed and thus the sealing
effect between the front jointing unit 17/the rear cover 16 and the box body 11 can
be enhanced.
[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the first securing unit can adopt another securing
piece which can provide the pretension force. For example, the screw can be replaced
by a rod-shaped piece which is integrally injection molded on the front jointing unit
17 and the rear cover 16. In this case, the second holes 31b on the jointing frame
17 and the rear cover 16 can be omitted.
[0061] In the present embodiment, because all of the first holes 31a and the second holes
31b are located outside of the storing chamber 32, the interior of the storing chamber
32 cannot fluidly communicate with the exterior due to the arrangement of the first
holes 31a and the second holes 31b. Furthermore, because the first holes 31a and the
second holes 31b are located outside of the ring-shaped sealing element 18, the first
holes 31a and the second holes 31b is in fact separated from the storing chamber 32
and does not communicate with it. In this way, a possibility that gas from the exterior
enters into the storing chamber 32 via the first holes 31a and the second holes 31b
is eliminated. That is, these first and second holes 31a, 31b cannot have a negative
effect on the air tightness of the storing chamber 32, such that the air tightness
of the low-pressure storage unit 7 is improved.
[0062] In the embodiment of the present invention, the housing 40 of the low-pressure storage
unit 7 comprises a first member (such as the box body 11), which is made of metal
having a larger material strength, and a plurality of second members (such as the
front jointing unit 17, the rear cover 16 and the door 10), which are made of plastic,
which has a relatively smaller material strength and is easily molded. Therefore,
on the one hand, the first member can obtain a larger strength by a smaller thickness
to endure the exterior pressure, such that any deformation of the storing chamber
32 in the low-pressure state can be reduced so as to improve the air tightness of
the storing chamber 32. This advantage is particularly prominent in the case that
the walls (such as the top wall 21 and the bottom wall 23) of the storing chamber
32 occupying the largest area are mainly or completely made of metal. Especially,
when the housing 40 is mainly made of metal, this advantage is particularly prominent.
On the other hand, because the housing comprises the second members (such as the front
jointing unit 17, the rear cover 16 and the door 10), which are made of plastic and
endure the pressure when the storing chamber 32 is in the low-pressure state, provided
on these second members can be relatively complex, high accuracy requiring and perfect
air tightness requiring structures (such as a perfect air tightness requiring gas
filling valve, an evacuation valve unit and so on) so as to improve the air tightness
of the low-pressure storage unit. Further, because the first member made of metal
can have a smaller thickness and a good thermal conductibility, heat can be well conducted
between the exterior and the interior of the storing chamber even if the second member
has a larger thickness. Furthermore, when the second members constitute only a small
portion of the housing and especially they are not provided in a box-shaped structure,
the molding process of them is relatively easy. Meanwhile, because they are only the
small portion of the low-pressure storage unit 7, they do not have a significant effect
on the heat conducting between the exterior and the interior of the low-pressure storage
unit 7.
[0063] The manner how the retractable guide unit 14 according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention is secured on the box body 11 will be explained in detail
below.
[0064] As shown in figures 3, 6 and 7, each guide unit 14 comprises a fixing rail 14a fixed
to the box body 11, a moving rail 14b fixed to the drawer-typed container 9 and a
rolling unit disposed between the fixing rail 14a and the moving rail 14b. The rolling
unit can comprise several balls or one or more roller wheels or the like.
[0065] The guide unit 14 is located within the storing chamber 32 between an inner side
of a corresponding side wall 22 and an outer side of the tray-shaped container body
12. Particularly, the fixing rail 14a is fixed to the inner side of the box body 11,
and the moving rail 14b is fixed to the outer side of the tray-shaped container body
12.
[0066] The low-pressure storage unit 7 comprises a second securing unit for securing the
fixing rail 14a on the box body 11. In the present embodiment, the second securing
unit comprises a screw 41, a housing hole 42 on the box body 11 and a guide hole 43
on the fixing rail 14a. The housing hole 42 is threaded therein for securing the screw
41. In the present embodiment, the guide hole 43 is a through hole. The screw 41 is
inserted though the guide hole 43 and into the housing hole 42, and then is engaged
with the threaded housing hole 42, such that the fixing rail 14a is secured on the
inner side of the side wall 22 of the box body 11.
[0067] According to the present invention, although the securing device comprises the hole,
the hole is not provided to extend all the way through the side wall 22, that is,
the storing chamber 32 cannot be in fluid communication with the fluid from the exterior
due to the securing device.
[0068] For this reason, the second securing unit comprises a mounting piece 44 which is
secured to the inner side of the side wall 22 and is located in the storing chamber
32. The mounting piece 44 comprises a mounting portion 45 provided with the housing
hole 42. A gap is formed between the mounting portion 45 and the inner surface of
the side wall 22. Both ends of the housing hole 42 are exposed to the storing chamber
32, and are entirely located inside the storing chamber 32. Therefore, the storing
chamber 32 is not in fluid communication with the fluid from the exterior due to the
housing hole 42. According to the invention, an end of the screw 41 is protruded into
the gap between the side wall 22 and the mounting portion 45, but is not in contact
with the side wall 22.
[0069] The mounting piece 44 comprises a pair of feet 46 each of which is connected to each
corresponding side of the mounting portion 45. The mounting piece 44 is secured on
the inner surface of the side wall 22 by the feet 46. In the present embodiment, the
feet 46 are welded on the side wall 22. In an alternative embodiment, the feet 46
can also be secured on the side wall 22 in another manner such as bonded, such that
the side wall 22 is not penetrated. It should be understood that it is also possible
that the mounting piece is formed integrally on the side wall.
[0070] In order to enlarge the gap between the inner surface of the side wall 22 and the
mounting portion 45, it is preferable that the side wall 22, at a location corresponding
to the mounting portion 45, is provided with a depression 47 which is depressed outwardly
to form a depression space. Additionally, the mounting portion 45 can also be of a
thin U-shaped structure, such that the bottom of the U-shape of the mounting portion
45 is more far away from the corresponding side wall 22. According to the present
invention, the guide unit 14 is secured on the low-pressure storage unit 7 by the
second securing unit in such a way that the interior of the storing chamber 32 is
not in fluid communication with the exterior thereof. Therefore, any additional sealing
measure can be omitted, and the air tightness of the low-pressure storage unit is
improved by the guide unit. Furthermore, because the hole is provided at the mounting
piece at a distance from the inner wall of the storing chamber but is not provided
directly on the wall of the storing chamber, this is more beneficial for the inner
wall having a smaller thickness. Therefore, such an embodiment is more applicable
to the case that the wall of the storing chamber is made of metal.
1. A household refrigeration appliance in which a storage unit (7) comprises:
a main body (8) having a receiving space (32);
a storage member (9) movably received in the receiving space (32);
a retractable guide unit (14) connected between the main body (8) and the storage
member (9) for guiding the storage member (9) to insert into and retreat from the
receiving space (32); and
a securing unit for securing the guide unit (14) to an inner side of a wall (22) of
the receiving space (32), wherein the securing unit comprises a mounting piece (44)
located in the receiving space (32), the mounting piece (44) comprising a mounting
portion (45) provided with at least one hole (42), and an insertion member (41) passing
through and being secured to the hole (42), characterized in that the receiving space (32) is air-tightly closable and can be maintained in evacuated,
low-pressure state and that a gap is formed between the mounting portion (45) and
an inner surface of the wall (22) and that the insertion member (41) extends into
the gap and is at a distance from the wall (22), such that the interior of the receiving
space (32) is not in fluid communication with the exterior thereof.
2. The household refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the hole (42) is a through hole, both ends of the hole are exposed to the receiving
space (32), and the hole is entirely inside the receiving space (32).
3. The household refrigeration appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall (22) is depressed outwardly at a location corresponding to the mounting
portion (45).
4. The household refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the mounting piece (44) comprises a connection portion (46) for connecting the wall
(22) with the mounting portion (45), and the mounting portion (45) is closer to the
storage member (9) than the connection portion (46).
5. The household refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mounting portion (45) is U-shaped.
6. The household refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mounting piece (44) is constructed independently from the wall (22) and is then
secured to the inner side of the wall (22).
7. The household refrigeration appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting piece (44) is welded or bonded to the wall (22).
8. The household refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mounting piece is formed integrally on the wall.
9. The household refrigeration appliance according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the securing unit comprises a guide hole (43) provided in the guide unit (14), the
insertion member (41) is inserted through the guide hole (43) and then extends into
the hole (42), and the securing unit secures the guide unit (14) to the main body
(8) in a screwed manner.
10. The household refrigeration appliance according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the wall (22) is made of metal.
11. The household refrigeration appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a thermally insulated cabinet (2), and the storage unit (7) is constructed
independently from the cabinet (2) and is received in the cabinet (2).
12. The household refrigeration appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a thermally insulated cabinet, and the wall is formed by an inner shell of
the cabinet.
1. Haushaltskühlgerät, bei dem eine Aufbewahrungseinheit (7) Folgendes umfasst:
einen Hauptteil (8) mit einem Aufnahmebereich (32),
ein Aufbewahrungselement (9), das beweglich in dem Aufnahmebereich (32) aufgenommen
ist,
eine mit dem Hauptteil (8) und dem Aufbewahrungselement (9) verbundene, einfahrbare
Führungseinheit (14) zum Führen des Aufbewahrungselements (9) zwecks Einführens in
den und Herausziehens aus dem Aufnahmebereich (32) und
eine Befestigungseinheit zum Befestigen der Führungseinheit (14) an einer Innenseite
einer Wand (22) des Aufnahmebereichs (32), wobei die Befestigungseinheit in dem Aufnahmebereich
(32) ein Fixierstück (44), das einen Fixierabschnitt (45) umfasst, der mit mindestens
einem Loch (42) versehen ist, und ein Einführelement (41) umfasst, das durch das Loch
(42) hindurch verläuft und daran befestigt ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich der Aufnahmebereich (32) luftdicht verschließen und in einem evakuierten Niederdruckzustand
halten lässt und dass zwischen dem Fixierabschnitt (45) und einer Innenfläche der
Wand (22) ein Spalt ausgebildet ist und dass das Einführelement (41) in den Spalt
hinein verläuft und sich in einem solchen Abstand zu der Wand (22) befindet, dass
der Innenraum des Aufnahmebereichs (32) mit dessen Außenseite nicht fluidverbunden
ist.
2. Haushaltskühlgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem Loch (42) um ein Durchgangsloch handelt, wobei beide Enden des Lochs
zum Aufnahmeraum (32) hin offen sind und sich das Loch vollständig in dem Aufnahmeraum
(32) befindet.
3. Haushaltskühlgerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Wand (22) an einer Stelle, die dem Fixierabschnitt (45) entspricht, nach außen
hin vertieft ist.
4. Haushaltskühlgerät nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fixierstück (44) einen Verbindungsabschnitt (46) zum Verbinden der Wand (22)
mit dem Fixierabschnitt (45) umfasst und der Fixierabschnitt (45) näher an dem Aufbewahrungselement
(9) liegt als der Verbindungsabschnitt (46).
5. Haushaltskühlgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fixierabschnitt (45) U-förmig ist.
6. Haushaltskühlgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fixierstück (44) von der Wand (22) unabhängig konstruiert und dann an der Innenseite
der Wand (22) befestigt ist.
7. Haushaltskühlgerät nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fixierstück (44) mit der Wand (22) verschweißt oder verklebt ist.
8. Haushaltskühlgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fixierstück einstückig an der Wand ausgebildet ist.
9. Haushaltskühlgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Befestigungseinheit ein in der Führungseinheit (14) vorgesehenes Führungsloch
(43) umfasst, das Einführelement (41) durch das Führungsloch (43) eingeführt ist und
dann in das Loch (42) hinein verläuft und die Befestigungseinheit die Führungseinheit
(14) durch Verschrauben an dem Hauptteil (8) befestigt.
10. Haushaltskühlgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Wand (22) aus Metall hergestellt ist.
11. Haushaltskühlgerät nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es einen wärmeisolierten Schrank (2) aufweist und die Aufbewahrungseinheit (7) von
dem Schrank (2) unabhängig konstruiert und in diesem aufgenommen ist.
12. Haushaltskühlgerät nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es einen wärmeisolierten Schrank aufweist und die Wand von einem Innenmantel des
Schranks gebildet wird.
1. Appareil de réfrigération domestique dans lequel une unité de stockage (7) comprend
:
un corps principal (8) ayant un espace de réception (32) ;
un élément de stockage (9) reçu de manière mobile dans l'espace de réception (32)
;
une unité de guidage rétractable (14) connectée entre le corps principal (8) et l'élément
de stockage (9) en vue de guider l'élément de stockage (9) pour l'insérer dans et
le retirer de l'espace de réception (32) ; et
une unité de fixation destinée à fixer l'unité de guidage (14) à un côté interne d'une
paroi (22) de l'espace de réception (32), dans lequel l'unité de fixation comprend
une pièce de montage (44) située dans l'espace de réception (32), la pièce de montage
(44) comprenant une section de montage (45) dotée d'au moins un trou (42), et un élément
d'insertion (41) passant à travers le trou (42) et étant fixé à celui-ci, caractérisé en ce que l'espace de réception (32) est refermable de manière étanche à l'air et peut être
maintenu dans un état à faible pression évacué et en ce qu'un vide est formé entre la section de montage (45) et une surface interne de la paroi
(22) et en ce que l'élément d'insertion (41) s'étend dans le vide et se trouve à distance de la paroi
(22), de telle sorte que l'intérieur de l'espace de réception (32) n'est pas en communication
fluidique avec l'extérieur de celui-ci.
2. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le trou (42) est un trou débouchant, les deux extrémités du trou sont exposées à
l'espace de réception (32) et le trou est entièrement à l'intérieur de l'espace de
réception (32).
3. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la paroi (22) est enfoncée vers l'extérieur au niveau d'un emplacement correspondant
à la section de montage (45).
4. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de montage (44) comprend une section de connexion (46) destinée à connecter
la paroi (22) avec la section de montage (45), et la section de montage (45) est plus
proche de l'élément de stockage (9) que la partie de connexion (46).
5. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
4, caractérisé en ce que la section de montage (45) est en forme de U.
6. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
5, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de montage (44) est construite indépendamment de la paroi (22) et est ensuite
fixée au côté interne de la paroi (22).
7. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de montage (44) est soudée ou collée à la paroi (22).
8. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
5, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de montage est formée intégralement sur la paroi.
9. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que l'unité de fixation comprend un trou de guidage (43) prévu dans l'unité de guidage
(14), l'élément d'insertion (41) est inséré à travers le trou de guidage (43) et s'entend
ensuite dans le trou (42), et l'unité de fixation fixe l'unité de guidage (14) au
corps principal (8) d'une manière vissée.
10. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que la paroi (22) est constituée de métal.
11. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il a un meuble isolé thermiquement (2), et l'unité de stockage (7) est construite
indépendamment du meuble (2) et est reçue dans le meuble (2).
12. Appareil de réfrigération domestique selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il a un meuble isolé thermiquement, et la paroi est formée par une coque interne du
meuble.