Device for illuminating the interior of a household appliance

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a household appliance, in particular to a cooling and/or freezing apparatus comprising a no-frost evaporating unit arranged in the upper section of a household appliance, such as cooler, freezer, combined cooler (having both the cooling and the freezing section), a cooling apparatus for beverages and, respectively, a wine cooler, and similar, and a device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance. It is provided for, according to the present invention, that a support (7) of an illuminating element is arranged in the spacing between a decorative band (6) and an evaporating unit (3) and spaced from the both, said support (7) being attached to a ceiling (4) of said wall (2). A through-opening (11) is provided in the decorative band (6) and/or in the protective cover (5) arranged in essence directly under said support (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a household appliance, in particular to a cooling and/or freezing apparatus comprising a no-frost evaporating unit arranged in the upper section of a household appliance, such as cooler, freezer, combined cooler (having both the cooling and the freezing section), a cooling apparatus for beverages and, respectively, a wine cooler, and similar, and a device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance.

[0002] Solutions how to illuminate the interior of the household appliance have been disclosed in patent applications No. DE 102005/057142 and W02010/091953, where a device to illuminate the interior of the household appliance is provided directly in the front area of the no-frost evaporating unit, in a manner that the light source is integrated into the front area of said evaporating unit. In order to remedy a malfunction of the potential light source it is required to remove the entire body of said evaporating unit which represents time and money consuming approach. In addition, with the solution disclosed in the patent applications No. WO 2010/091953 a depression to receive the light source is provided in the door of the appliance, said light source projecting out of the plane of said evaporating unit. Therefore, the insulation thickness of the appliance is reduced resulting in a lower energy efficiency thereof.

[0003] It is the object of the present invention to create a new device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance, which will remedy the drawbacks of the known solutions.

[0004] The object as set above is solved with characteristics as set forth in a characterising clause of claim 1. Details of the invention are disclosed in subclaims.

[0005] The invention is further described in detail by way of non-limiting preferred embodiment, and with a reference to the accompanying drawing, where

Fig. 1

shows a three-dimensional view of a part of a household appliance according to the invention in a vertical section,

Fig. 2

shows a three-dimensional view of a part of a household appliance according to the invention in direction towards the top and with a cover strip removed,

Fig. 3

shows installed device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance of Fig. 2.

[0006] A household appliance according to the invention is further described as an embodiment of a cooling apparatus. The cooling apparatus comprises a body 1 with an internal wall 2, in which a storage is provided for the goods to be cooled, said storage may be closed by a door not shown. In the upper area of the cooling apparatus an evaporating unit 3 is arranged, preferably a so called no-frost evaporating unit being in a manner known per se and, thus not shown in detail, thermally insulated against the ambient. Said evaporating unit 3 arranged in the upper area of said storage borders on a ceiling 4 and side-walls of said wall 2, while it is separated from the rest of the storage by means of a protective cover 5. At the side facing said door, the evaporating unit 3 is covered by means of a decorative band 6. Optionally, said protective cover 5 and said decorative band 6 preventing unauthorized access to the evaporating unit 3 are formed as a single integral part.

[0007] A support 7 of an illuminating element (not shown in Fig.) is arranged in the spacing between the decorative band 6 and the evaporating unit 3 and spaced from the both, said support 7 being attached to the ceiling 4 of said wall 2. Said attachment is selected in the embodiment as shown as a bolted joint between the support 7 and the ceiling 4. In the shown embodiment said illuminating element is selected as a LED element, however, it can also be any other light source, such as a laser source and similar. In order to fix and hold said support 7, said ceiling of said wall 2 is formed with a depression 8 to accommodate said support 7. According to the present invention, said support 7 of the illuminating element is formed and fixed in such a manner that it never and in no way comes in a contact with said evaporating unit 3 and/or said decorative band 6 and/or said protective cover 5.

[0008] The end of said support 7 averted from said ceiling 4 is formed with a holder 9 to accommodate said illuminating element. In the embodiment as shown said illuminating element is a printed circuit 10 with an integrated LED module. Said printed circuit 10 is connected with said holder in a snap-in manner.

[0009] In order for the illuminating element to illuminate the interior of the cooling apparatus according to the present invention a through-opening 11 is provided in the decorative band 6 and/or in the protective cover 5, said opening 11 being arranged in essence directly under said support 7 and, respectively, under illuminating element arranged in the holder 9.

Claims

1. A device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance, particularly in a cooling and/or freezing apparatus comprising a body (1) with an internal wall (2), in which a storage is provided for the goods to be cooled, said storage may be closed by a door, an evaporating unit (3) arranged in the upper area of the cooling apparatus bordering on a ceiling (4) and side-walls of said wall (2), while it is separated from the rest of the storage by means of a protective cover (5), and at the side facing said door, the evaporating unit (3) is covered by means of a decorative band (6), characterized in that a support (7) of an illuminating element is arranged in the spacing between a decorative band (6) and an evaporating unit (3) and spaced from the both, said support (7) being attached to a ceiling (4) of said wall (2), whereby a through-opening (11) is provided in the decorative band (6) and/or in the protective cover (5) arranged in essence directly under said support (7).

2. A device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the ceiling (4) of said wall (2) is formed with a depression (8) to accommodate said support (7).

3. A device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said illuminating element is selected as a LED light source, a laser light source and similar.

4. A device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of said support (7) averted from said ceiling (4) is formed with a holder (9) to accommodate said illuminating element.

5. A device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that said illuminating element is connected with said holder (9) in a snap-in manner.

Drawing