HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATOR DEVICE

Abstract

A household refrigerator device has at least one closure unit for closing at least one storage space in the direction of an upper side. The closure unit has at least one ventilation recess for at least partial ventilation of the storage space, at least one closure element for closing the ventilation recess and at least one actuating element for actuating the closure element. The actuating element has at least one control for operation by way of a user and at least one actuating part connected to the control and which operatively connects the control to the closure element and which pushes the closure element over the ventilation recess as a function of a movement of the control.

Claims

1. A household refrigerator device, comprising: at least one closure unit for closing at least one storage space in a direction of an upper side, said closure unit having at least one ventilation recess formed therein for at least partial ventilation of said storage space, at least one closure element for closing said ventilation recess and at least one actuating element for actuating said closure element, said actuating element having at least one control for operation by way of a user and at least one actuating part connected to said control and which operatively connects said control to said closure element and which pushes said closure element over said ventilation recess in dependence on a movement of said control.

2. The household refrigerator device according to claim 1, wherein said control and said actuating part are latched together.

3. The household refrigerator device according to claim 1, wherein said closure unit has at least one front element through which said control at least partially penetrates.

4. The household refrigerator device according to claim 3, wherein said control and said actuating part are disposed at least partially on different sides of said front element.

5. The household refrigerator device according to claim 3, wherein said actuating part at least essentially prevents a movement of said control relative to said front element in at least one direction.

6. The household refrigerator device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating element is moveably mounted in at least one width direction.

7. The household refrigerator device according to claim 1, wherein said closure element is moveably mounted in at least one depth direction.

8. The household refrigerator device according to claim 1, wherein said closure unit has at least one movement converter unit for converting a movement of said actuating element in at least one width direction into a movement of said closure element in at least one depth direction.

9. The household refrigerator device according to claim 8, wherein said movement converter unit contains at least one sliding block guide which has at least one guide track and at least one sliding block element guided along said guide track.

10. The household refrigerator device according to claim 9, wherein said guide track is disposed on said closure element.

11. The household refrigerator device according to claim 9, wherein said sliding block element is disposed on said actuating element.

12. The household refrigerator device according to claim 8, wherein said movement converter unit is configured at least partially in one piece with said actuating element and/or said closure element.

13. The household refrigerator device according to claim 1, wherein said closure unit has at least one basic body which is at least partially transparent and which has at least one at least essentially non-transparent concealing region which at least partially conceals at least said closure element and/or said actuating part.

14. A household refrigerator, comprising: at least one storage space; and a household refrigerator device containing at least one closure unit for closing said at least one storage space in a direction of an upper side, said closure unit having at least one ventilation recess formed therein for at least partial ventilation of said storage space, at least one closure element for closing said ventilation recess and at least one actuating element for actuating said closure element, said actuating element having at least one control for operation by way of a user and at least one actuating part connected to said control and which operatively connects said control to said closure element and which pushes said closure element over said ventilation recess in dependence on a movement of said control.

15. A method for assembling at least one household refrigerator device, which comprises the steps of: providing at least one closure unit for closing at least one storage space in a direction of an upper side; forming at least one ventilation recess in the closure unit for at least partial ventilation of the storage space; providing the closure unit with at least one closure element for closing the ventilation recess; and providing the closure unit with at least one actuating element for actuating the closure element, the actuating element having at least one control for operation by way of a user and at least one actuating part connected to the control and which is provided for operative connection of the control to the closure element, wherein the actuating part is connected to the control.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a household refrigerator with the household refrigerator device in a closed state;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the household refrigerator with the household refrigerator device in a partially open state;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closure unit of the household refrigerator device;

[0040] FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the closure unit;

[0041] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the closure unit in a closure state viewed from a lower side;

[0042] FIG. 6 is an enlarged, plan view of the closure unit in the closure state viewed from a lower side;

[0043] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, plan view of the closure unit in a ventilation state viewed from a lower side;

[0044] FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of a control and an actuating part of an actuating element of the closure unit;

[0045] FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of the control and the actuating part; and

[0046] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the control and the actuating part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a household refrigerator 40 in a closed state. The household refrigerator 40 is configured as a fridge and as a freezer, in particular as a fridge-freezer. The household refrigerator 40 has a household refrigerator device 10. The household refrigerator device 10 has an appliance body 42.

[0048] The appliance body 42 partially defines a cold chamber 44 (see FIG. 2). The cold chamber 44 is configured as a refrigerating zone. The household refrigerator device 10 has an appliance door 46. The appliance door 46 is mounted so it can pivot relative to the appliance body 42a. In a closed state, the appliance door 46 seals the cold chamber 44.

[0049] The appliance body 42 partially defines a further cold chamber (not shown). The further cold chamber is configured as a freezer compartment. The household refrigerator device 10 has a further appliance door 48. The further appliance door 48 is mounted so it can pivot relative to the appliance body 42. In a closed state, the further appliance door 48 seals the further cold chamber. In a fitting position, the further cold chamber is arranged below the cold chamber 44.

[0050] The household refrigerator device 10 has at least one door tray 50 (see FIG. 2). Where objects are present several times, only one of them is provided with a reference numeral in the figures. In the present exemplary embodiment, the household refrigerator device 10 has three door trays 50. Only one of the door trays 50 will be described below. The door tray 50 is secured to the appliance door 46. In an operating state, the door tray 50 is provided for receiving food.

[0051] The household refrigerator device 10 has at least one shelf 52 (see FIG. 2). In the present exemplary embodiment, the household refrigerator device 10 has two shelves 52 (see FIG. 2). The shelves 52 are essentially arranged uniformly distributed in the cold chamber 44 in respect of a vertical direction 54. The vertical direction 54 is oriented essentially perpendicularly to a level surface, in particular to a base and/or floor. Only one of the shelves 52 will be described below.

[0052] The household refrigerator device 10 has at least one storage unit 56 (see FIG. 2). In the present exemplary embodiment, the household refrigerator device 10 has exactly one storage unit 56. Alternatively, the household refrigerator device 10 could have a different number of storage units 56, such as for example at least two storage units 56, which could be arranged side by side in particular in respect of a width direction 28. The width direction 28 is oriented essentially parallel to a level surface. The width direction 28 is oriented essentially parallel to a back wall of the appliance body 12.

[0053] The storage unit 56 defines a storage space, which is open in the direction of an upper side of the storage unit 56, for storing food. The storage unit 56 is configured as a crisper compartment. The storage unit 56 is configured as a pull-out shelf and/or a drawer.

[0054] The storage unit 56 is arranged inside the cold chamber 44. In a fitting position, the storage unit 56 is arranged below a closure unit 12. The household refrigerator device 10 has the closure unit 12 (see FIGS. 2 to 8). In a fitting position, the closure unit 12 is arranged above the storage unit 56. In a fitting position, the closure unit 12 closes the storage unit 56 and therewith, in particular, the storage space in the direction of the upper side of the storage unit 56. The closure unit 12 is provided for closing the storage space in the direction of an upper side.

[0055] The closure unit 12 has an essentially plate-like form. The closure unit 12 is provided for placement of at least one chilled item. The closure unit 12 is configured as a tray and/or a shelf that can, in particular, be slid in.

[0056] The closure unit 12 has a basic body 58. The basic body 58 is partially transparent. The basic body 58 has at least one viewing area 68. In the present exemplary embodiment, the basic body has two viewing areas 68. Only one of the viewing areas 68 will be described below. In the present exemplary embodiment, the basic body 58 is to a large extent made of glass in the region of the viewing area 68.

[0057] The basic body 58 has an essentially non-transparent concealing region 66. In a fitting position, the concealing region 66 is arranged between the viewing areas 68 in respect of the width direction 28. In a fitting position, the concealing region 66 extends essentially over the entire extent of the basic body 58 in a depth direction 30. In respect of the width direction, the concealing region 66 is essentially centrally arranged on the basic body 58.

[0058] The basic body 58 has a further essentially non-transparent concealing region 70. In a fitting position, the further concealing region 70 is arranged in a front region of the basic body 58 in respect of the depth direction 30. In a fitting position, the further concealing region 70 extends essentially over the entire extent of the basic body 58 in the width direction 28.

[0059] In the present exemplary embodiment, the closure unit 12 has a cover unit 60. The cover unit 60 frames the basic body 58 in respect of the depth direction 30 in a front region and in a back region of the closure unit 12.

[0060] The closure unit 12 has a front element 24. The front element 24 is part of the cover unit 60. The front element 24 frames the basic body 58 in the front region of the closure unit 12 in respect of the depth direction 30. In an assembled state, the front element 24 is put on the basic body 58.

[0061] The closure unit 12 has a rear element 62. The rear element 62 is part of the cover unit 60. The rear element 62 frames the basic body 58 in the back region of the closure unit 12 in respect of the depth direction 30. In the assembled state, the rear element 62 is put on the basic body 58.

[0062] The closure unit 12 has a connecting element 64. The connecting element 64 is part of the cover unit 60. The connecting element 64 connects the rear element 62 and the front element 24 together. In a fitting position, the connecting element 64 is arranged on a lower side of the closure unit 12. In a fitting position, the connecting element 64 is arranged below the basic body 58. In respect of the width direction 28, the connecting element 64 is essentially centrally arranged on the closure unit 12.

[0063] The closure unit 12 has a plurality of ventilation recess 14 for partial ventilation of the storage space. Only one of the ventilation recess 14 will be described below. In a fitting position, the ventilation recess 14 is arranged in a back region of the closure unit 12 in respect of the depth direction 30. In respect of the width direction 28, the ventilation recess 14 is essentially centrally arranged on the closure unit 12. The ventilation recess 14 is arranged on the rear element 62 and is configured in particular as a recess of the rear element 62.

[0064] For closing the ventilation recess 14, the closure unit 12 has a closure element 16 (see FIGS. 4 to 7). In the present exemplary embodiment, the closure element 16 extends essentially over the entire extent of the closure unit 12 in the depth direction 30. The closure element 16 projects from the ventilation recess 14 toward an actuating element 18 of the closure unit 12.

[0065] For actuating the closure element 16, the closure unit 12 has the actuating element 18. In a fitting position, the actuating element 18 is arranged in a front region of the closure unit 12 in respect of the depth direction 30. In the present exemplary embodiment, the actuating element 18 is configured in two parts (see FIGS. 4 and 8).

[0066] The actuating element 18 has a control 20 for operation by a user. In a fitting position, the control 20 is arranged in the front region of the closure unit 12 in respect of the depth direction 30, so as to be accessible for a user.

[0067] The actuating element 18 has an actuating part 22 connected to the control 20 and which operatively connects the control 20 to the closure element 18. In the present exemplary embodiment, the closure element 16 is configured in two parts. The closure element 16 has a closure part 76 for closing the ventilation opening 14. The closure element 16 has a coupling element 78. The coupling element 78 operatively connects the closure part 76 to the actuating part 22 of the actuating element 18. In an assembled state, the coupling element 78 transfers a movement of the actuating element 18 to the closure part 76.

[0068] In a fitting position, the actuating part 22 is arranged below the basic body 58. In a fitting position, the actuating part 22 is arranged between the basic body 58 and the connecting element 64 in respect of the vertical direction 54.

[0069] In a fitting position, the connecting element 64 is arranged below the concealing region 66. In an assembled state, the concealing region 66 conceals the connecting element 64.

[0070] In a fitting position, the closure element 16 is arranged below the concealing region 66. In an assembled state, the concealing region 66 partially conceals the closure element 16.

[0071] In a fitting position, the actuating part 22 is arranged below the concealing region 66. In an assembled state, the concealing region 66 partially conceals the actuating part 22.

[0072] The closure unit 12 has a display unit 72. The display unit 72 is provided for displaying a position of the actuating element 18. The display unit 72 has a display window 74. The display window 74 is arranged in the further concealing region 70. In respect of the width direction, the display window 74 is arranged essentially centrally on the basic body 58.

[0073] In the assembled state, the control 20 and the actuating part 22 are latched together (see FIGS. 8 to 10). The actuating element 18 has a latching unit 82. The latching unit 82 latches the control 20 and the actuating part 22 together.

[0074] The latching unit 82 has four latching elements 84. The latching unit 82 has four latching elements 86 that correspond with the latching elements 84. Only one of the latching elements 84 and the corresponding latching elements 86 respectively will be described below.

[0075] The latching element 84 is arranged on the control 20. In the present exemplary embodiment, the latching element 84 is configured in one piece with the control 20. The latching element 84 is configured as a recess.

[0076] The corresponding latching element 86 is arranged on the actuating part 22. In the present exemplary embodiment, the corresponding latching element 86 is configured in one piece with the actuating part 22. The corresponding latching element 86 is configured as a projection. In an assembled state, the corresponding latching element 86 engages partially in the latching element 84.

[0077] The actuating part 22 partially delimits a receiving space 88 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The corresponding latching element 86 is arranged on a wall delimiting the receiving space 88 and in a force-free state projects partially into the receiving space 88. The receiving space 88 is provided for partially receiving the control 20. In the present exemplary embodiment, the control 20 engages partially in the actuating part 22, and, more precisely, in particular in the receiving space 88 of the actuating part 22.

[0078] The control 20 penetrates partially through the front element 24. The front element 24 has a recess 80 (see FIG. 4). In an assembled state, the control 20 penetrates partially through the recess 80 of the front element 24. The recess 80 of the front element 24 has a slotted form. In the assembled state, the control 20 and the actuating part 22 are arranged partially on different sides of the front element 24.

[0079] In the assembled state, the actuating part 22 essentially prevents movement of the control 20 relative to the front element 24 in a direction 26. The direction 26 is oriented essentially antiparallel to the depth direction 30.

[0080] The actuating element 18 is mounted so as to move in the width direction 28. The actuating element 18 is mounted so as to move in the width direction 28 between a closure position (see FIG. 6) and a ventilation position (see FIG. 7). In the closure position of the actuating element 18, the closure element 16 essentially closes the ventilation recess 14. In the ventilation position of the actuating element 18, the closure element 16 essentially opens the ventilation recess 14.

[0081] The closure element 16 is mounted so as to move in the depth direction 30. The closure element 16 is guided with a movement of the closure element 16 in the depth direction 30. The closure unit 12 has a closure element guide 90 (see FIGS. 4 to 7). The closure element guide 90 has a closure element guide element 92. The closure element guide element 92 is arranged on the rear element 62. In the present exemplary embodiment, the closure element guide element 92 is configured in one piece with the rear element 62. The closure element guide element 92 guides the closure element 16, and, more precisely, in particular the closure part 76 of the closure element 16, with a movement of the closure element 16 in the depth direction 30.

[0082] The closure element guide 90 has a further closure element guide element 94. The further closure element guide element 94 is arranged on the connecting element 64. In the present exemplary embodiment, the further closure element guide element 94 is configured in one piece with the connecting element 64. The further closure element guide element 94 guides the closure element 16, and, more precisely, in particular the coupling element 78 of the closure element 16, with a movement of the closure element 16 in the depth direction 30.

[0083] The closure element 16 and the actuating element 18 are operatively connected together. The closure unit 12 has a movement converter unit 32 for converting a movement of the actuating element 18 in the width direction 28 into a movement of the closure element 16 in the depth direction 30 (see FIGS. 4 to 7).

[0084] In the present exemplary embodiment, the movement converter unit 32 has a sliding block guide 34. The sliding block guide 34 has a guide element 36. The guide track 36 is arranged on the closure element 16. In the present exemplary embodiment, the guide track 36 is configured in one piece with the closure element 16. The movement converter unit 32 is configured partially in one piece with the closure element 16.

[0085] The movement converter unit 32 has a sliding block element 38 guided along the guide element 36. The sliding block element 38 is arranged on the actuating element 18, and, more precisely, in particular on the actuating part 22 of the actuating element 18. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sliding block element 38 is configured in one piece with the actuating element 18, and, more precisely, in particular with the actuating part 22 of the actuating element 18. The movement converter unit 32 is configured partially in one piece with the actuating element 18, and, more precisely, in particular with the actuating part 22 of the actuating element 18.

[0086] In a method for assembly of the household refrigerator device 10, the actuating part 22 is connected to the control 20. The control 20 is partially pushed through the front element 24 and latches with the actuating part 22.

[0087] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0088] 10 household refrigerator device [0089] 12 closure unit [0090] 14 ventilation recess [0091] 16 closure element [0092] 18 actuating element [0093] 20 control [0094] 22 actuating part [0095] 24 front element [0096] 26 direction [0097] 28 width direction [0098] 30 depth direction [0099] 32 movement converter unit [0100] 34 sliding block guide [0101] 36 guide track [0102] 38 sliding block element [0103] 40 household refrigerator [0104] 42 appliance body [0105] 44 cold chamber [0106] 46 appliance door [0107] 48 further appliance door [0108] 50 door tray [0109] 52 shelf [0110] 54 vertical direction [0111] 56 storage unit [0112] 58 basic body [0113] 60 cover unit [0114] 62 rear element [0115] 64 connecting element [0116] 66 concealing region [0117] 68 viewing area [0118] 70 further concealing region [0119] 72 display unit [0120] 74 display window [0121] 76 closure part [0122] 78 coupling element [0123] 80 recess [0124] 82 latching unit [0125] 84 latching element [0126] 86 corresponding latching element [0127] 88 receiving space [0128] 90 closure element guide [0129] 92 closure element guide element [0130] 94 further closure element guide element