Closure element having a joint axis mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure element (1) in the form of a window or a door. The invention also relates to a joint axis mechanism (9) for such a closure element. The closure element (1) has a liquid crystal film (5) which is connected to cables (26) that are connected to other cables (22) via sliding contacts of an electrical connecting unit (16).

Claims

1. A closure element (1) in the form of a door or a window, comprising: at least one first transparent pane element (2), and at least one second transparent pane element (3), wherein: at least one liquid-crystal film (5), which can be activated, is arranged between the first transparent pane element (2) and the second transparent pane element (3), the closure element (1) has at least one articulation axis mechanism (9), the articulation axis mechanism (9) has at least one articulation axis element (14) and at least one retaining element (13), wherein the closure element (1) can be rotated about a first axis (28) of the articulation axis mechanism (9), the articulation axis element (14) is arranged on the retaining element (13), the retaining element (13) is arranged between the first transparent pane element (2) and the second transparent pane element (3), the articulation axis element (14) has at least one opening for at least one first electrical line (22) to pass through, the articulation axis element (14) has at least one receiving unit (15), at least one electrical connecting element (16) for electrically connecting the first electrical line (22) to a second electrical line (26) is arranged in the receiving unit (15), the electrical connecting element (16) has at least one first connecting unit (17) and at least one second connecting unit (18), wherein the second connecting unit (18) is designed such that it can be rotated relative to the first connecting unit (17) about a second axis (28), the second connecting unit (18) is fixedly arranged on the receiving unit (15) in order to prevent relative movement of the second connecting unit (18) in relation to the receiving unit (15), the first connecting unit (17) has at least one first contact element (21) which is connected to at least one first sliding contact (24) and on which the first electrical line (22) is arranged, the second connecting unit (18) has at least one second contact element (25) which is connected to at least one second sliding contact (27) and on which the second electrical line (26) is arranged, the first sliding contact (24) is arranged on the second sliding contact (27), and the second electrical line (26) is connected to the liquid-crystal film (5), which can be activated.

2. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the retaining element (13) has at least one first retaining element part (13A) and at least one second retaining element part (13B), the second retaining element part (13B) is arranged between the first transparent pane element (2) and the second transparent pane element (3), the first retaining element part (13A) is arranged on the articulation axis element (14), and the first retaining element part (13A) and the second retaining element part (13B) are arranged at an angle, which is different from 0 and 180, in relation to one another.

3. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle is 90.

4. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first axis (28) and the second axis (28) are identical.

5. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first axis (28) and the second axis (28) are oriented vertically.

6. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the closure element (1) has at least one third transparent pane element (4), and at least one intermediate space (29) for receiving an insulating medium is arranged between the second transparent pane element (3) and the third transparent pane element (4).

7. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second transparent pane element (3) and the third transparent pane element (4) have at least one cutout in which the articulation axis mechanism (9) is arranged.

8. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the second transparent pane element (3) has a first edge (11A), and the third transparent pane element (4) has a second edge (11B), and at least one spacer (6, 7) is arranged between the second transparent pane element (3) and the third transparent pane element (4), said spacer not adjoining the first edge (11A) and not adjoining the second edge (11B).

9. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the second transparent pane element (3) is designed without a frame, and/or the third transparent pane element (4) is designed without a frame.

10. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first transparent pane element (2) is designed without a frame.

11. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the retaining element (13) is fixedly adhesively bonded to the first transparent pane element (2) and/or to the second transparent pane element (3); and/or the retaining element (13) is laminated to the first transparent pane element (2) and/or to the second transparent pane element (3).

12. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the following features is provided: the closure element (1) is in the form of a refrigerator door; the closure element (1) is in the form of a door to a room or a building; the first transparent pane element (2) is formed from glass; or the second transparent pane element (3) is formed from glass.

13. The closure element (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third transparent pane element (4) is formed from glass.

14. An articulation axis mechanism (9) for a closure element (1) in the form of a door or a window, comprising: at least one articulation axis element (14) and comprising at least one retaining element (13) for arranging the closure element (1), wherein: the articulation axis element (14) is arranged on the retaining element (13), the articulation axis element (14) has at least one opening for at least one first electrical line (22) to pass through, the articulation axis element (14) has at least one receiving unit (15), at least one electrical connecting element (16) for electrically connecting the first electrical line (22) to a second electrical line (26) is arranged in the receiving unit (15), the electrical connecting element (16) has at least one first connecting unit (17) and at least one second connecting unit (18), wherein the second connecting unit (18) is designed such that it can be rotated relative to the first connecting unit (17) about one axis (28), the second connecting unit (18) is fixedly arranged on the receiving unit (15) in order to prevent relative movement of the second connecting unit (18) in relation to the receiving unit (15), the first connecting unit (17) has at least one first contact element (21) which is connected to at least one first sliding contact (24) and on which the first electrical line (22) is arranged, the second connecting unit (18) has at least one second contact element (25) which is connected to at least one second sliding contact (27) and on which the second electrical line (26) is arranged, and the first sliding contact (24) is arranged on the second sliding contact (27).

15. The articulation axis mechanism (9) as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the retaining element (13) has at least one first retaining element part (13A) and at least one second retaining element part (13B), the second retaining element part (13B) is intended to be arranged on the closure element (1), the first retaining element part (13A) is arranged on the articulation axis element (14), and the first retaining element part (13A) and the second retaining element part (13B) are arranged at an angle, which is different from 0 and 180, in relation to one another.

16. The articulation axis mechanism (9) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the angle is 90.

17. A closure element (100) in the form of a door or a window, comprising: at least one first transparent pane element (103), and at least one second transparent pane element (107), wherein: at least one liquid-crystal film (104), which can be activated, is arranged between the first transparent pane element (103) and the second transparent pane element (107), the closure element (100) has at least one articulation axis mechanism (112, 113), the articulation axis mechanism has at least one opening (114) for at least one electrical line (115, 116) to pass through, the articulation axis mechanism has at least one first articulation axis unit (112) and at least one second articulation axis unit (113), the closure element (100) has at least one third transparent pane element (110) which is arranged at a distance from the second transparent pane element (107) in such a way that an intermediate space (111) is arranged between the second transparent pane element (107) and the third transparent pane element (110), the first transparent pane element (103) is arranged on the first articulation axis unit (112) and/or on the second articulation axis unit (113), and the second transparent pane element (107) and the third transparent pane element (110) are arranged between the first articulation axis unit (112) and the second articulation axis unit (113).

18. The closure element (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein a gas or a gas mixture is arranged in the intermediate space (111).

19. The closure element (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the liquid-crystal film (104), which can be activated, is arranged between a first PVB film (105) and a second PVB film (106).

20. The closure element (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein: at least one first sealing unit (117) is arranged between the first articulation axis unit (112) on the one hand and the second transparent pane element (107) and/or the third transparent pane element (110) on the other hand, and/or at least one second sealing unit (118) is arranged between the second articulation axis unit (113) on the one hand and the second transparent pane element (107) and/or the third transparent pane element (110) on the other hand.

21. The closure element (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the electrical line is a first electrical line, and the closure element additionally has the following features: the articulation axis mechanism has at least one receiving unit; at least one electrical connecting element for electrically connecting the first electrical line to a second electrical line is arranged in the receiving unit, the electrical connecting element has at least one first connecting unit and at least one second connecting unit, wherein the second connecting unit is designed such that it can be rotated relative to the first connecting unit about one axis, the second connecting unit is fixedly arranged on the receiving unit in order to prevent relative movement of the second connecting unit in relation to the receiving unit, the first connecting unit has at least one first contact element which is connected to at least one first sliding contact and on which the first electrical line is arranged, the second connecting unit has at least one second contact element which is connected to at least one second sliding contact and on which the second electrical line is arranged, the first sliding contact is arranged on the second sliding contact, and the second electrical line is connected to the liquid-crystal film, which can be activated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a lower region of a closure element in the form of a refrigerator door;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the closure element according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further side view of the closure element which is rotated through 90 with respect to the side view according to FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the lower region of the closure element and an upper region of the closure element in a view which is sectioned along line A-A according to FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a partially sectioned schematic illustration of an electrical connecting element;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a view of a top face of the electrical connecting element, said view being tilted through 90 in relation to FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a view of a bottom face of the electrical connecting element, said view being tilted through 90 in relation to FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through the electrical connecting element along line A-A according to FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a sectional view through the electrical connecting element along line B-B according to FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a detail view of the region Z according to FIG. 8;

(12) FIG. 11A shows a schematic view of a further closure element;

(13) FIG. 11B shows sectional views through parts of the closure element according to FIG. 11A; and

(14) FIG. 11C shows a schematic view for illustrating the arrangement of a liquid-crystal film, which can be activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) In the text which follows, reference will first be made to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a lower region 12 of a closure element 1 in the form of a refrigerator door. FIG. 2 is a side view of the closure element 1 according to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a further side view which is rotated through 90 with respect to the side view according to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows the lower region 12 of the closure element 1 and an upper region 8 of the closure element 1 in a view which is sectioned along line A-A according to FIG. 2. For reasons of clarity, the upper region 8 and the lower region 12 of the closure element 1 are illustrated in a manner in which they are not connected to one another in FIG. 4. However, it is pointed out that the upper region 8 and the lower region 12 of the closure element 1 are connected to one another and therefore form one unit.

(16) The closure element 1 has a first transparent pane element 2, a second transparent pane element 3 and a third transparent pane element 4. All three abovementioned transparent pane elements 2 to 4 are formed from glass. As an alternative to this, at least one of the three abovementioned transparent pane elements 2 to 4 can be formed from another transparent material, for example from Plexiglas. The first transparent pane element 2 is directed toward the outside. The third transparent pane element 4 is directed toward an interior of a refrigerator (not illustrated).

(17) A liquid-crystal film 5, which can be activated, is arranged between the first transparent pane element 2 and the second transparent pane element 3. By applying a voltage to the liquid-crystal film 5 and by switching the voltage on or off, poles of liquid crystals are oriented, so that the liquid-crystal film 5 becomes opaque or transparent. As a result, it is possible to look into the interior of the refrigerator (not illustrated) without opening the closure element 1. The activation of the liquid-crystal film 5 will be discussed in even greater detail further below.

(18) Spacers are arranged between the second transparent pane element 3 and the third transparent pane element 4 in such a way that there is a sealed-off intermediate space 29 between the second transparent pane element 3 and the third transparent pane element 4. The intermediate space 29 is bounded on all sides by spacers. A first spacer 6 in the lower region 12 of the closure element 1 and a second spacer 7 in the upper region 8 of the closure element 1 are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. All of the spacers, that is to say including the first spacer 6 and including the second spacer 7, are arranged at a distance from a first edge 11A of the second transparent pane element 3 and from a second edge 11B of the third transparent pane element 4. Therefore, the spacers do not adjoin the first edge 11A of the second transparent pane element 3 and do not adjoin the second edge 11B of the third transparent pane element 4. The intermediate region 11C between the spacer (the second spacer 7 in FIG. 4, for example) and the first edge 11A or the second edge 11B can be filled, for example, with silicone in such a way that a particularly good esthetic impression is achieved.

(19) The first transparent pane element 2, the second transparent pane element 3 and the third transparent pane element 4 are designed without a frame in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here. Reference is made to the text further above in respect of the meaning of the term without a frame.

(20) The intermediate space 29 serves to receive an insulating medium between the second transparent pane element 3 and the third transparent pane element 4. The insulating medium provided is, for example, air or another insulating gas.

(21) An articulation axis mechanism 9 is arranged in a cutout 10 in the second transparent pane element 3 and the third transparent pane element 4. The articulation axis mechanism 9 has a retaining element 13 which is formed from a first retaining element part 13A and a second retaining element part 13B. The first retaining element part 13A and the second retaining element part 13B are arranged at an angle of 90 in relation to one another. The second retaining element part 13B is fixedly arranged between the first transparent pane element 2 and the second transparent pane element 3. The second retaining element part 13B is, for example, fixedly adhesively bonded to the first transparent pane element 2 and laminated to the second transparent pane element 3. However, it should be pointed out that the invention is not restricted to this manner of fastening the second retaining element part 13B. Rather, any suitable manner of fastening can be used.

(22) The first retaining element part 13A has an opening at which an articulation axis element 14 is arranged. The articulation axis element 14 is formed from a first articulation axis element part 14A and a second articulation axis element part 14B. The first articulation axis element part 14A and the second articulation axis element part 14B are screwed to one another, wherein the first articulation axis element part 14A is arranged on that side of the first retaining element part 13A which is directed away from the cutout 10, and wherein the second articulation axis element part 14B is arranged on that side of the first retaining element part 13A which is directed toward the cutout 10.

(23) The second articulation axis element part 14B has a receiving unit 15 in the form of a recess in which an electrical connecting element 16 is arranged. The electrical connecting element 16 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG. 5 shows a partially sectioned schematic illustration of the electrical connecting element 16. FIG. 6 shows a view of the top face of the electrical connecting element 16, which view is tilted through 90 in relation to FIG. 5. In contrast, FIG. 7 shows a view of the bottom face of the electrical connecting element 16, which view is tilted through 90 in relation to FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through the electrical connecting element 16 along line A-A according to FIG. 5. FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the electrical connecting element 16 along line B-B according to FIG. 8. FIG. 10 further shows a detail view of the region Z according to FIG. 8.

(24) The electrical connecting element 16 has a first connecting unit 17 and a second connecting unit 18. The second connecting unit 18 is fixedly arranged on the receiving unit 15 (cf. FIG. 4). The second connecting unit 18 is, for example, fixedly adhesively bonded in the receiving unit 15. However, the invention is not restricted to this. Rather, any suitable manner of fastening can be selected in order to fixedly fasten the second connecting unit 18 to the receiving unit 15. The objective is to prevent relative movement of the second connecting unit 18 in relation to the receiving unit 15.

(25) However, the second connecting unit 18 is designed such that it can be rotated relative to the first connecting unit 17. To this end, a first ball bearing 19 is arranged at a first end of the first connecting unit 17 and a first end of the second connecting unit 18. A second ball bearing 20 is further arranged at a second end of the first connecting unit 17 and a second end of the second connecting unit 18.

(26) The first connecting unit 17 has numerous first contact elements 21 on which ends of first electrical lines 22 are respectively arranged. The first electrical lines are routed from the bottom face of the first articulation axis element part 14A, through a hole, into an interior 23 of the first connecting unit 17. In each case one first electrical line 22 is arranged on a first contact element 21. Furthermore, the first connecting unit 17 has numerous first sliding contacts 24 on a side which is directed toward the second connecting unit 18. In each case one first sliding contact 24 is connected to a first contact element 21.

(27) The second connecting unit 18 can be of two-part design. A first part of the second connecting unit 18 and a second part of the second connecting unit 18 encapsulate the first connecting unit 17 in this exemplary embodiment. As an alternative to this, the second connecting unit 18 can be of integral design. The second connecting unit 18 has numerous second contact elements 25 on which ends of second electrical lines 26 are respectively arranged. The second electrical lines 26 are routed from a top face of the second connecting unit 18 to the liquid-crystal film 5. The second electrical lines 26 are connected to the liquid-crystal film 5. The manner in which the second electrical lines 26 are routed can be freely selected in this case. By way of example, the second electrical lines 26 can be routed through a hole in the second transparent pane element 3. As an alternative or in addition to this, provision is made for the second electrical lines 26 to be routed in grooves which are arranged at the edge of the second transparent pane element 3.

(28) In each case one second electrical line 26 is arranged on a second contact element 25. Furthermore, the second connecting unit 18 has numerous second sliding contacts 27 on a side which is directed toward the first connecting unit 17. In each case one second sliding contact 27 is connected to a second contact element 25. In each case one of the first sliding contacts 24 is in sliding contact with in each case one of the second sliding contacts 27.

(29) The first articulation axis element part 14A is incorporated into the floor of a housing (for example a refrigerator housing) such that it can rotate. When the closure element 1 is moved from a first position to a second position by rotation about one axis 28 (cf. FIG. 2), the second connecting unit 18 rotates together with the closure element 1. However, the first connecting unit 17 performs a relative movement in relation to the second connecting unit 18. An adequate electrical connection to the liquid-crystal film 5 is always ensured on account of the first sliding contacts and the second sliding contacts 27. The exemplary embodiment illustrated here further has all of the advantages which have already been mentioned further above.

(30) FIG. 11A shows a schematic view of a further closure element 100 in the form of a refrigerator door. The closure element 100 has a door handle 101. FIG. 11B shows sectional views of parts of the closure element 100, specifically of regions A to C which are identified in FIG. 11A. The region A is the upper region of the closure element 100. The region B is the middle region of the closure element 100. The region C is further the lower region of the closure element 100. FIG. 11C shows a schematic view from above for explaining the arrangement of a liquid-crystal film, which can be activated, which arrangement will be discussed in greater detail further below.

(31) The door handle 101 is arranged on a first transparent pane element 103 by means of a clamping connection 102. The first transparent pane element 103 is, in principle, the front pane of the closure element 100 and is formed, for example, from a single-pane safety glass (SPSG).

(32) The closure element 100 further has a second transparent pane element 107. A liquid-crystal film 104, which can be activated, is arranged between the first transparent pane element 103 and the second transparent pane element 107. A first PVB film 105 is arranged between the first transparent pane element 103 and the liquid-crystal film 104, which can be activated, in order to protect the liquid-crystal film 104, which can be activated. A second PVB film 106 is further arranged between the second transparent pane element 107 and the liquid-crystal film 104, which can be activated.

(33) Furthermore, the closure element 100 has a third transparent pane element 110 which is arranged at a distance from the second transparent pane element 107 in such a way that an intermediate space 111 is arranged between the second transparent pane element 107 and the third transparent pane element 110. In order to ensure a secure arrangement, a first spacer 108 and a second spacer 109 are arranged between the second transparent pane element 107 and the third transparent pane element 110. A gas or a gas mixture is arranged in the intermediate space 111. The gas or the gas mixture is in the form of, for example, an insulating medium. Air or an inert gas is arranged in the intermediate space 111 for example.

(34) The further closure element 100 according to the invention has at least one articulation axis mechanism. The articulation axis mechanism serves to arrange the closure element 100 in an articulated manner on a component, for example a floor of a room or of a device, or for example a floor panel of a room or of a device. The closure element 100 can be moved from a first position (for example an open position) to a second position (for example a closed position) by rotation about one axis for example.

(35) The articulation axis mechanism is provided with a first articulation axis unit 112 and a second articulation axis unit 113. The first articulation axis unit 112 is arranged in the upper region A of the closure element 100. In contrast, the second articulation axis unit 113 is arranged in the lower region C of the closure element 100. The first articulation axis unit 112 and/or the second articulation axis unit 113 are/is in the form of bearings which are composed of VA material for example.

(36) In the exemplary embodiment of the closure element 100 illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11C, a passage 114 is formed in the second articulation axis unit 113. A first electrical line 115 and a second electrical line 116 are routed through this passage. Said electrical lines are connected to the liquid-crystal film 104, which can be activated, in order to activate the liquid-crystal film 104, which can be activated.

(37) As is particularly clear from FIG. 11B, the first transparent pane element 103 is arranged both on the first articulation axis unit 112 and on the second articulation axis unit 113. Provision is made, for example, for the first transparent pane element 103 to directly adjoin both the first articulation axis unit 112 and the second articulation axis unit 113. The second transparent pane element 107 and the third transparent pane element 110 are further arranged between the first articulation axis unit 112 and the second articulation axis unit 113.

(38) A first sealing unit 117 is arranged between the first articulation axis unit 112 on the one hand and the second transparent pane element 107 and the third transparent pane element 110 on the other hand. In addition, a second sealing unit 118 is arranged between the second articulation axis unit 113 on the one hand and the second transparent pane element 107 and the third transparent pane element 110 on the other hand. The first sealing unit 117 and the second sealing unit 118 serve, in particular, to seal off the intermediate space 111 between the second transparent pane element 107 and the third transparent pane element 110.

(39) The features disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential for implementing the invention in its various embodiments both on their own and in any desired combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(40) 1 Closure element 2 First transparent pane element 3 Second transparent pane element 4 Third transparent pane element 5 Liquid-crystal film 6 First spacer 7 Second spacer 8 Upper region 9 Articulation axis mechanism 10 Cutout 11A First edge 11B Second edge 11C Intermediate region 12 Lower region 13 Retaining element 13A First retaining element part 13B Second retaining element part 14 Articulation axis element 14A First articulation axis element part 14B Second articulation axis element part 15 Receiving unit 16 Electrical connecting element 17 First connecting unit 18 Second connecting unit 19 First ball bearing 20 Second ball bearing 21 First contact elements 22 First electrical lines 23 Interior 24 First sliding contacts 25 Second contact elements 26 Second electrical lines 27 Second sliding contacts 28 Axis 29 Intermediate space 100 Closure element 101 Door handle 102 Clamping connection of the door handle 103 First transparent pane element 104 Liquid-crystal film, which can be activated 105 First PVB film 106 Second PVB film 107 Second transparent pane element 108 First spacer 109 Second spacer 110 Third transparent pane element 111 Intermediate space 112 First articulation axis unit 113 Second articulation axis unit 114 Passage 115 First electrical line 116 Second electrical line 117 First sealing unit 118 Second sealing unit A Region B Region C Region Z Region