HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATION APPARATUS WITH A DRAWER

Abstract

A household refrigeration apparatus includes a housing, in which a receiving space for food is formed, as well as a door for closing the receiving space and a functional compartment. The functional compartment is provided with an externally accessible drawer and a front wall of the drawer is provided with a viewing window.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A household refrigeration apparatus, comprising: a housing; a receiving space formed in said housing for receiving food; a door for closing said receiving space; and a functional compartment including an externally accessible drawer, said drawer having a front wall including a viewing window.

16. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said front wall is positioned without overlapping said door, as seen in a front view of the household refrigeration appliance.

17. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said viewing window includes an insulating glass assembly.

18. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said front wall includes a door sheet, and said viewing window is attached to said door sheet.

19. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said door sheet includes a front plate having a hole and side elements adjoining and angled relative said front plate.

20. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said side elements form external surfaces of said front wall.

21. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 19, which further comprises a shield covering a front side of said front plate and covering a partial area of a front side of said viewing window adjoining said front side.

22. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said front wall includes a connection frame connected to said viewing window.

23. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 22, which further comprises a frame support, said connection frame is connected to said frame support, and said drawer includes retaining rails attached to said frame support.

24. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 23, which further comprises a latching connection interconnecting said connection frame and said frame support.

25. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, which further comprises a thermally insulating material filling a chamber formed in said front wall.

26. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said front wall includes a lower termination bar, said lower termination bar having at least one of a cable channel or a light source chamber formed therein.

27. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said front wall includes an upper termination bar, and a recessed drawer handle is formed in said upper termination bar.

28. The household refrigeration apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said further functional compartment is a bottle storage compartment.

Description

[0036] Below, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail based on schematic drawings. There show:

[0037] FIG. 1 a perspective representation of an embodiment of a household refrigeration apparatus according to the invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 a perspective representation of partial components of a functional compartment of the household refrigeration apparatus according to FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 3 a representation of components according to FIG. 2 in a perspective different thereto;

[0040] FIG. 4 a perspective representation of an embodiment of a door sheet of the drawer of the functional compartment;

[0041] FIG. 5 a side view of partial components of the front wall of the drawer of the functional compartment;

[0042] FIG. 6 a partial representation of FIG. 5 in a perspective view;

[0043] FIG. 7 a perspective partial representation of elements of the implementation in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3;

[0044] FIG. 8 a perspective partial representation of partial components of the front wall of the drawer;

[0045] FIG. 9 a sectional representation through a front wall in partial representation;

[0046] FIG. 10 a perspective sectional representation through a further embodiment of a front wall of the drawer;

[0047] FIG. 11 a representation of an embodiment of a cable channel in a lower termination bar of the front wall and

[0048] FIG. 12 a side view of partial components of the front wall of the drawer of the functional compartment.

[0049] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.

[0050] In FIG. 1, an embodiment of a household refrigeration apparatus 1 is shown in a perspective representation. The household refrigeration apparatus 1, which is formed for storing and preserving food, comprises a housing 2. In the shown embodiment, a first receiving space 3 for food, which is a refrigerating compartment, is formed in the housing 2. In the embodiment, this first receiving space 3 is closable on the front side by two separate doors 4 and 5, which represent front-side outer parts or viewing components. The two doors 4 and 5, which are disposed without overlap in width direction (x-direction) and are disposed in the same height position in height direction (y-direction), are disposed at the housing 2 pivotable about vertical axes.

[0051] In the embodiment, it is provided that the household refrigeration apparatus 1 comprises a further receiving space 6 separate from the first receiving space 3, which can be a freezing compartment. This second receiving space 6 is closable on the front side by a separate door 7. The door 7 can be a constituent of a drawer, which characterizes the second receiving space 6. Preferably, the doors 4, 5 and 7 are disposed in one plane. In particular, the door 7 is also a front-side viewing component.

[0052] Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 comprises a functional compartment 8. The functional compartment 8 is formed for receiving food and forms a storage compartment separate from the first receiving space 3 and separate from the second receiving space 6. In the shown implementation, the functional compartment 8 is accessible by a drawer which is displaceable in linear direction in depth direction (z-direction). The drawer 9 comprises a front wall 10, in which a transparent area 11 is formed. Thereby, it can be looked into the functional compartment 8 even in the closed state of the drawer 9. The front wall 10 represents an outer part or a front-side viewing component such that it is no longer covered on the front side and is exposed on the front side in this respect in the closed state of the drawer 9.

[0053] In particular, the front wall 10 is disposed in the plane of the closed doors 4, 5 and 7 in the closed state of the drawer 9.

[0054] In the shown embodiment, the drawer 9 is formed between the two receiving spaces 3 and 6 in the housing 2 viewed in height direction (y-direction).

[0055] The functional compartment 8 is configured to the effect that different storage conditions can be adjusted compared to the receiving space 3 and to the receiving space 6, and this can also be effected independently of the storage conditions in the receiving space 3 and in the receiving space 6. Thus, an individual air humidity and/or an individual temperature can for example in particular be adjusted in the functional compartment 8.

[0056] The functional compartment 8 can be a bottle storage compartment, in particular a wine storage drawer. However, it can also be provided that meal is stored as food in the functional compartment 8 and this is for example a cheese counter or a meat counter.

[0057] Thus, it can be looked into the individual storage areas through the transparent area 11 even in the closed state of the drawer 9 and thus it can be simply recognized, what is stored in the drawer 9.

[0058] In particular, a presentation compartment is also provided by the functional compartment 9, in which the specific storage goods such as for example wine bottles or specific pieces of cheese or specific pieces of meat like a steak or the like can be presented, displayed and seen even if the drawer 9 is closed.

[0059] Depending on its storage functionality, the drawer 9 can comprise individual storage elements for the provided storage goods. For example, the drawer 9 can comprise bottle storage elements if it is formed as a wine bottle storage drawer. They can be elements, which can externally form-fit receive the bottles such as for example groove-like elements or round brackets. Furthermore, within the housing storage elements, e.g. shelves, can be provided in the functional compartment.

[0060] In FIG. 2, the drawer 9 is shown with partial components. Here, the front wall 10 is shown. The transparent area 11 is formed by a viewing window 12, which is formed as an own separate component. This viewing window 12 can for example be insulating glass assembly.

[0061] This front wall 10 comprises a frame 13, which is preferably multi-part formed. The front wall 10 comprises a door sheet 14, which, as it is illustrated in FIG. 4, is integrally formed, in particular of sheet metal. This door sheet 14 comprises a front plate 15, which comprises a recess or a hole 20, which is circumferentially closed or bounded. Through this hole 20, it can then also be looked through the viewing window 12 disposed behind.

[0062] In width direction on opposing edge sides, a support element 16 and 17 is respectively integrally formed adjoining to the front plate 15, in particular formed by bending.

[0063] It can be provided that a front panel 41 of the viewing window 12 is applied to a front side 18, which also represents an outer side, of the front plate 15. This front panel 41, which is formed as a plate, is at least partially transparent. It is particularly made out of genuine glass. The front panel 41 is a frontal viewing component and is dimensionally greater than the other elements of the viewing window 12. Moreover, the front panel 41 also covers the front side 18. The front panel is connected on its rear side to an further element of the viewing window 12. Moreover, it is preferably provided that rear side of the front panel 41 is connected with the front side 18, in particular by means of an adhesive bond (FIGS. 5 to 10). This adhesive bond can be a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0064] Preferably, it is provided that the front wall 10 comprises a shield 19. The shield 19 can be arranged on a front side of the front panel 41. The shield 19 can also be arranged on a rear side of the front panel 41. Preferably, the shield 19 is formed opaquely and therefore covers a partial area of front panel 41. By means of this, a partial area of the viewing window 12 is covered, in particular the area where the adhesive bond 42 is arranged. The shield 19 is in particular frame shaped. The shield 19 can preferably be a print layer or a glued film layer.

[0065] As is moreover apparent in FIG. 2, the front wall 10 comprises an upper termination bar 21. Preferably, a recessed drawer handle 22 is formed integrally in this upper termination bar 21, into which it can be gripped at least from the top, in particular from the top and from the front. This recessed drawer handle 22 is bounded by a rear wall 23, which is formed as an inclination. In an advantageous implementation, a display and/or operating unit 24 is disposed in this rear wall 23. It can be provided that the rear wall 23 itself is formed of transparent material, in particular real glass, or such real glass is applied to the rear wall 23.

[0066] In order to enable also front-side gripping of the recessed drawer handle 22, the front plate 15 of the door sheet 14 comprises a free cut 25 open towards the top, as it is apparent in FIG. 4.

[0067] Moreover, the drawer 9 also comprises two retaining rails 26 and 27 according to the representation in FIG. 2, which are fixed, in particular screwed, to the front wall 10. The retaining rails 26 and 27 are formed for coupling to non-illustrated slides, in particular telescopic slides, such that the drawer 9 can be correspondingly shifted back and forth in depth direction.

[0068] In FIG. 3, the component arrangement according to FIG. 2 is shown in a perspective different from FIG. 2. Moreover, the front wall 10 also comprises a frame support 28, which is an in particular integral separate component. The retaining rails 26 and 27 are preferably fixed to this frame support 28.

[0069] Moreover, the front wall 10 comprises a separate connection frame 29, which is indicated in FIG. 3. As it is shown in the representation in FIG. 5, the viewing window 12 is disposed between the shield 19 and the connection frame 29 viewed in depth direction. In this implementation, the door sheet 14 and the connection frame 29 are disposed without contact to each other. As is already apparent in FIG. 5, the connection frame 29 encompasses a portion of the viewing window 12 on at least two sides, on a narrow edge 30 on the one hand, on a rear side 31 on the other hand.

[0070] Moreover, it is apparent that the front wall 10 comprises a separate lower termination part or a lower termination bar 32. The lower termination bar 32 is connected to the frame support 28 and to the door sheet 14. Correspondingly, the upper termination bar 21 is also preferably connected to the door sheet 14 and the frame support 28. As is apparent in FIG. 5, the front wall 10 is at least partly hollowly formed, wherein a cavity 33 is bounded by the door sheet 14, the termination bars 21 and 32, as well as the rear part, namely the frame support 28. The viewing window 12 and the connection frame 29 are further closing the cavity 33. The cavity 33 is filled with a thermal insulating material, in particular an insulating foam 34 (FIG. 9). Thus, the viewing window 12 is circumferentially surrounded by the insulating foam 34. Correspondingly, insulating foam 34 is then also in contact with the connection frame 29.

[0071] The frame support 28 is formed as a completely closed rear wall, which stabilizes and rearwards covers the connection frame 29 such that the front wall 10 is thus also rearwards covered by this frame support 28 in this respect.

[0072] For introducing the thermally insulating material, in particular the insulating foam 34, the lower termination bar 32 comprises an injection opening 35 in an advantageous implementation, as it is shown in FIG. 6. This injection opening 35 can be closed by a specific cover element after introducing the insulating foam 34.

[0073] In FIG. 5, it is moreover also apparent that the frame support 28 is connected to the connection frame 29, in particular by at least one latching connection 36. This latching connection 36 is preferably formed at multiple locations viewed in circumferential direction of the connection frame 29.

[0074] Using holes 40 in the retaining rail 27, correspondingly also in the retaining rail 26, the retaining rails 26, 27 are fixed to the frame support 28, e.g. by using fasting elements such as screws or bolts (not shown). A cover (not shown) may be attached to the drawer 9 once the retaining rails 26, 27 are fixed to the front wall 10 to hide the fastening elements and holes 40.

[0075] In FIG. 7, a view of components according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the connection area of the retaining rail 27 to the frame support 28 is shown in a perspective sectional representation. In this horizontal sectional representation, the frame support 28 is V-shaped formed and a separate backing part 37 is disposed in the V. The retaining rail 27 is screwed thereto such that a bracket of the V-shape of the frame support 28 is disposed between the retaining rail 27 and the backing part 37. Correspondingly, screwing of the retaining rail 27 is formed on the opposing side.

[0076] In FIG. 8, it is shown in an enlarged perspective representation that a seal 38 is disposed between the rear side 31 of the viewing window 12 and the connection frame 29. Here, a bilaterally adhering adhesive tape can also be disposed.

[0077] In FIG. 9, a partial area of the front wall 10 is shown in a simplified sectional representation, wherein the already foamed state is here apparent. Thereby, a thermal bridge between the connection frame 29 and the door sheet 14 is in particular prevented.

[0078] In FIG. 10, an embodiment of the front wall 10 is shown in a further perspective sectional representation. Unlike the representation of the previous embodiments, here, it is provided that the connection frame 29 is also directly connected to the door sheet 14.

[0079] In FIG. 11, the lower termination bar 32 is moreover shown in a perspective detail representation. A cable channel 39 is integrally formed therein. In addition or instead, a light source chamber, which is here not explicitly shown, can also be formed integrated in this lower terminal bar 32. In an alternative embodiment, the cable channel 39 could be attached to the frame support 28 rather than the lower termination bar 32. In particular, the cable channel 39 could be formed by the frame support 28 as part of a single piece, e.g. when manufacturing the frame support 28 by plastic injection molding.

[0080] FIG. 12 shows a side view of partial components of the front wall of the drawer 9 of the functional compartment 8 similar to FIG. 5, whereas, however, portions of the housing 2 are shown. In particular, an upper wall 44, a lower wall 45 and a side wall 46 of the functional compartment 8 are depicted. The upper wall 44 and the lower wall 45 are part of the housing 2 and filled with insulation material to thermally insulate the functional compartment 8 with respect to the environment and/or further receiving spaces of the household refrigeration apparatus. The drawer 9 is depicted in the closed state, i.e. the drawer 9 is fully pushed into the housing 2.

[0081] A lighting unit 47 is arranged at the upper wall 44. In particular, the lighting unit 47 is fixed within a recess 48 of the upper wall 44. The lighting unit 47 may alternatively also partly of fully extend from the upper wall 44 downwards into the functional compartment 8. The arrangement depicted in FIG. 12, however, does not negatively affect the volume and usability of the functional compartment 8. A fully transparent or semi transparent window 49 allows light to be emitted from the lighting unit 47 to enter the functional compartment 8 and prevents damage to the lighting unit 47 and/or dirt entering the recess 48.

[0082] In the height direction (y-direction), i.e. in the vertical direction, the viewing window 12 has an upper boundary at a height level h1. When having a frontal view through the viewing window 12 into the functional compartment 8, this upper boundary defines the upper limit of the viewable region of the functional compartment 8. The lighting unit 47 is positioned in height direction at a height level h2, which lies above the height level h1. In this way, even a frontal view at the drawer 9 will not allow to directly look into the lighting unit 47. Adverse effects to the eye of the user can be prevented.

[0083] The front wall 10 comprises in depth direction behind the viewing window 12 an inclined surface 50. The inclined surface 50 is facing the functional compartment 8 and is positioned at a horizontal and upper part of the frame 13. In particular, the inclined surface 50 may be formed on an upper wall 51 of the frame 13, which upper wall 51 is facing downwards. In depth direction, the inclined surface 50 rises upwards. With respect to a horizontal plane, an angle of the inclined surface 50 is 45 degree. That angle may generally be between 20-70 degrees or between 30-60 degrees. The inclined surface 50 could be formed partly of fully by the connection frame 29 and/or the frame support 28. In the example sown in FIG. 12, the inclined surface 50 is completely formed by the frame support 28. The inclined surface 50 allows more light being emitted by the lighting unit 47 to pass through the viewing window 12. Therefore, even though, the lighting unit 47 is positioned above the upper boundary of the viewing window 12, the viewing window 12 itself and the front region of the functional compartment 8 are well and evenly illuminated.

[0084] The features discussed above with respect to the lighting unit 12 and inclined surface 50 can be employed in different embodiments of the present invention likewise.

[0085] The hole 20 of the door sheet 14 is encompassed by edges, namely two opposing horizontal edges and two opposing vertical edges. The edges are provided with flanges 51, which are bent backwards from the front side 18, i.e. are bent in depth direction. These flanges 51 could be bent backwards with respect to the front side 18 by an angle of 90 degrees or an angle between 30-60 degrees. In the example of FIG. 12, these flanges 51 are bent backwards by an angle of 45 degrees. An angle different from 90 degrees provides a space between the flanges 51 and the front panel 41 (and in this case also the viewing window 12). In this space a heating element 52 is positioned. The heating element 52 could be an electrical heating wire or a gas heating pipe. The heating element 52 may encompass the edges of the hole 20 in form of a frame. The heating element 52 may further prevent condensation taking place at the front of the viewing window 12.

[0086] The features discussed above with respect to the flanges 51 and heating element 52 can be employed in different embodiments of the present invention likewise.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0087] 1 household refrigeration apparatus [0088] 2 housing [0089] 3 first receiving space [0090] 4 door [0091] 5 door [0092] 6 second receiving space [0093] 7 door [0094] 8 functional compartment [0095] 9 drawer [0096] 10 front wall [0097] 11 transparent area [0098] 12 viewing window [0099] 13 frame [0100] 14 door sheet [0101] 15 front plate [0102] 16 support element [0103] 17 support element [0104] 18 front side [0105] 19 shield [0106] 20 hole [0107] 21 upper termination bar [0108] 22 recessed drawer handle [0109] 23 rear wall [0110] 24 display and/or operating unit [0111] 25 free cut [0112] 26 retaining rail [0113] 27 retaining rail [0114] 28 frame support [0115] 29 connection frame [0116] 30 narrow edge [0117] 31 rear side [0118] 32 lower termination bar [0119] 33 chamber [0120] 34 insulating foam [0121] 35 injection opening [0122] 36 latching connection [0123] 37 backing part [0124] 38 seal [0125] 39 cable channel [0126] 40 hole [0127] 41 front panel [0128] 42 adhesive bond [0129] 43 adhesive bond [0130] 44 upper wall [0131] 45 lower wall [0132] 46 side wall [0133] 47 lighting unit [0134] 48 recess [0135] 49 window [0136] 50 inclined surface [0137] 51 flange [0138] 51 heating element