DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE APPARATUS

Abstract

A domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus has a storage unit which defines at least one storage chamber for storing food that is open in the direction of an upper face of the storage unit, a closing unit which in at least one first storage state closes the storage unit at least substantially in the direction of the upper face, and a ventilation unit which in at least one second storage state moves the closing unit relative to the storage unit to ventilate the storage chamber. In order to provide a generic apparatus with improves properties in respect of efficient ventilation of a storage chamber, it is proposed that the ventilation unit pivots the closing unit about at least one pivot axis relative to the storage unit to ventilate the storage chamber.

Claims

1. A domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, comprising: a storage unit defining at least one storage chamber for storing food and is open in a direction of an upper face of said storage unit; a closing unit which in at least one first storage state closes said storage unit at least substantially in the direction of said upper face; and a ventilation unit which in at least one second storage state moves said closing unit relative to said storage unit to ventilate said storage chamber, said ventilation unit pivoting said closing unit about at least one pivot axis relative to said storage unit to ventilate said storage chamber.

2. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation unit provides a lifting force acting on a side region of said closing unit for ventilation.

3. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said ventilation unit has a transmission unit which provides the lifting force by means of said transmission unit.

4. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said transmission unit has a cam transmission.

5. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cam transmission has at least one driven cam and at least one guide element driven by said driven cam.

6. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said ventilation unit has at least one motor unit which also drives said driven cam.

7. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said guide element is connected to said closing unit in at least one mounted state.

8. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said guide element has at least one helical path.

9. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining unit which at least substantially prevents movement of said closing unit at least in a horizontal direction at least when said storage unit is moved in the horizontal direction.

10. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said retaining unit has at least one retaining element which at least partially defines the pivot axis.

11. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one compartment base, to which said ventilation unit is at least partially fastened in at least one mounted state.

12. A domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, containing: a storage unit defining at least one storage chamber for storing food that is open in a direction of an upper face of said storage unit; a closing unit which in at least one first storage state closes said storage unit at least substantially in the direction of said upper face; and a ventilation unit which in at least one second storage state moves said closing unit relative to said storage unit to ventilate said storage chamber, said ventilation unit pivoting said closing unit about at least one pivot axis relative to said storage unit to ventilate said storage chamber.

13. A method for operating a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus with a storage unit which defines at least one storage chamber for storing food and is open in a direction of an upper face of the storage unit and a closing unit, which comprises the steps: moving the closing unit to at least one first storage state for closing the storage unit at least substantially in the direction of the upper face; moving the closing unit relative to the storage unit in at least one second storage state to ventilate the storage chamber; and pivoting the closing unit about a pivot axis relative to the storage unit to ventilate the storage chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a domestic refrigeration appliance with a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a compartment base, two storage units, two closing units, two ventilation units and two retaining units of the domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a side, perspective view of the compartment base, one of the storage units, one of the closing units, one of the ventilation units and one of the retaining units in a first storage state;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a side, perspective view of the compartment base, the storage unit, the closing unit, the ventilation unit and the retaining unit in a second storage state;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage unit, the closing unit and the ventilation unit in the first storage state;

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transmission unit of the ventilation unit and a motor unit of the ventilation unit;

[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cam of the transmission unit, a motor bearing element of the transmission unit and the motor unit;

[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the motor bearing element; and

[0041] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative domestic refrigeration appliance with the domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a domestic refrigeration appliance 38 with a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10. The domestic refrigeration appliance 38 is configured as a refrigerator and as a freezer, in particular as combined refrigerator/freezer appliance.

[0043] The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a domestic appliance carcass or body 40. The domestic appliance body 40 partially defines three refrigeration chambers 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Only one of the refrigeration chambers 42 is shown in the figures. The refrigeration chambers 42 are arranged one above the other in respect of a vertical direction 44 in an installed position. The vertical direction 44 is aligned substantially perpendicular to a base.

[0044] A first refrigeration chamber 42 of the refrigeration chambers 42 is configured as a first food receiving chamber (not shown). The first refrigeration chamber 42 is configured as a chiller chamber. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has two first appliance doors 46. Only one of any objects that are present a number of times in the figures is shown with a reference character. The first appliance doors 46 are supported in a pivotable manner relative to the domestic appliance carcass 40. In a closed state the first appliance doors 46 close the first refrigeration chamber 42. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has two first door handles 48. The first door handles 48 are provided to move the first appliance doors 46 relative to the domestic appliance body 40.

[0045] A second refrigeration chamber 42 of the refrigeration chambers 42 is configured as a second food receiving chamber (not shown). The second refrigeration chamber 42 is configured as a freezer chamber. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has two second appliance doors 50. The second appliance doors 50 are supported in a pivotable manner relative to the domestic appliance carcass 40. In a closed state the second appliance doors 50 close the second refrigeration chamber 42. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has two second door handles 52. The second door handles 52 are provided to move the second appliance doors 50 relative to the domestic appliance carcass 40.

[0046] A third refrigeration chamber 42 of the refrigeration chambers 42 is configured as a third food receiving chamber (see FIG. 1). The third refrigeration chamber 42 is configured as a keep-fresh chamber. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a third appliance door 54. The third appliance door 54 is mounted in such a manner that it can be moved, in particular displaced and/or pulled out, relative to the domestic appliance carcass 40 by a translatory movement. In a closed state the third appliance door 54 closes the third refrigeration chamber 42. The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a third door handle 56. The third door handle 56 is provided to move the third appliance door 54 relative to the domestic appliance carcass 40.

[0047] The second refrigeration chamber 42 is arranged below the first refrigeration chamber 42 in respect of the vertical direction 44 in an installed position. The third refrigeration chamber 42 is arranged between the first refrigeration chamber 42 and the second refrigeration chamber 42 in respect of the vertical direction 44 in the installed position.

[0048] The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has two storage units 12. In an operating state the storage units 12 are arranged within the third refrigeration chamber 42. The storage units 12 are arranged directly adjacent to one another (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0049] As an alternative to the configuration of the domestic refrigeration appliance according to FIG. 1 the domestic refrigeration appliance could be configured as an alternative domestic refrigeration appliance as shown in FIG. 9. The alternative domestic refrigeration appliance has a domestic appliance carcass, which partially defines two refrigeration chambers. A first refrigeration chamber of the refrigeration chambers is configured as a first food receiving chamber, which contains a chiller chamber and a keep-fresh chamber. A second refrigeration chamber of the refrigeration chambers is configured as a second food receiving chamber, which is configured as a freezer chamber. The storage units are arranged in the first refrigeration chamber.

[0050] Only one of the refrigeration chambers 42 and one of the appliance doors 46, 50, 54 is described in the following. Also only one of the storage units 12 and only one object relating to each described storage unit 12 is described in the following, for example a ventilation unit and/or a closing unit.

[0051] The storage unit 12 defines a storage chamber 14 for storing food that is open in the direction of an upper face of the storage unit 12. The storage chamber 14 is configured as a keep-fresh chamber. The storage unit 12 is configured as a drawer. In an operating state storage unit 12 is supported in such a manner that it can be pulled out.

[0052] The appliance door 54 is provided to move the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is coupled to a movement of the appliance door 54. In an operating state the storage unit 12 is arranged within the refrigeration chamber 42. The appliance door 54 is closed in the operating state. There are two different storage states in the operating state (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0053] The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a closing unit 16 (see FIGS. 2 to 5). The closing unit 16 is arranged above the storage unit 12 in respect of the vertical direction 44 in the installed position. In a first storage state the closing unit 16 substantially closes the storage unit 12 in the direction of the upper face. The closing unit 16 forms a lid for the storage unit 12. In the first storage state the closing unit 16 prevents an exchange of air between the storage chamber 14 and the refrigeration chamber 42.

[0054] The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a ventilation unit 18 (see FIGS. 2 to 8). In a second storage state the ventilation unit 18 moves the closing unit 16 relative to the storage unit 12 to ventilate the storage chamber 14. In the second storage state the ventilation unit 18 allows an exchange of air between the storage chamber 14 and the refrigeration chamber 42.

[0055] To ventilate the storage chamber 14 the ventilation unit 18 pivots the closing unit 16 about a pivot axis 20 relative to the storage unit 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The ventilation unit 18 acts on a side region of the closing unit 16.

[0056] In the present exemplary embodiment the ventilation unit 18 acts on a side region of the closing unit 16 facing a rear wall of the domestic appliance carcass 40 defining the refrigeration chamber 42. The ventilation unit 18 provides a lifting force acting on the side region of the closing unit 16 for ventilation. The lifting force and the vertical direction 44 are aligned substantially parallel to one another at least in the first storage state.

[0057] The ventilation unit 18 has a transmission unit 22 to provide the lifting force. The ventilation unit 18 provides the lifting force by means of the transmission unit 22. In the present exemplary embodiment the transmission unit 22 has a cam transmission.

[0058] The cam transmission has a cam 24 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The cam 24 has a substantially L-shaped configuration. The cam 24 has a first cam element 58 and a second cam element 60. The first cam element 58 has a main extension direction, which is aligned substantially perpendicular to a main extension direction of the second cam element 60. The first cam element 58 is provided to drive a guide element 26 of the cam transmission.

[0059] The cam transmission has the guide element 26, which is driven by the cam 24 (see FIGS. 2 to 6). The guide element 26 is provided for a connection to the closing unit 16. In a mounted state the guide element 26 is connected to the closing unit 16. In the present exemplary embodiment the guide element 26 is connected to the closing unit 16 by a latching connection in the mounted state.

[0060] The guide element 26 has a helical path. The guide element 26 provides a guide path to guide the cam 24 by means of the helical path. The cam 24 slides along the guide path defined by the helical path by means of the first cam element 58. The cam 24 drives the guide element 26 along the guide path of the guide element 26 by means of a movement.

[0061] The ventilation unit 18 has a motor unit 28 (see FIGS. 5 to 7). The motor unit 28 drives the cam 24. The cam 24 and the motor unit 28 are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The motor unit 28 and the second cam element 60 are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The motor unit 28 provides a rotation force to drive the cam 24.

[0062] The transmission unit 22 has a motor bearing element 62. The motor bearing element 62 is configured as substantially plate-like. In the mounted state the motor unit 28 is connected to the transmission unit 22. The motor unit 28 is connected to the motor bearing element 62 in the mounted state. In the installed position the motor unit 28 is arranged above the motor bearing element 62. The cam 24 is connected to the motor unit 28 by way of the motor bearing element 62.

[0063] The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a compartment base 36 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The compartment base 36 is provided to delimit different refrigeration chambers 42. In the present exemplary embodiment the compartment base 36 separates the first refrigeration chamber 42 and the third refrigeration chamber 42 from one another.

[0064] In the mounted state the ventilation unit 18 is partially fastened to the compartment base 36. The ventilation unit 18 has a fastening element 64 for fastening to the compartment base 36. The fastening element 64 is arranged on the motor bearing element 62. The fastening element 64 and the motor bearing element 62 are configured as a single piece.

[0065] The domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 has a retaining unit 30 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). In the mounted state the retaining unit 30 is fastened to the compartment base 36. When the storage unit 12 is moved in a horizontal direction 32, the retaining unit 30 substantially prevents movement of the closing unit 16 in the horizontal direction 32.

[0066] The retaining unit 30 has a retaining element 34. In the installed position the retaining element 34 extends parallel to the vertical direction 44 from the compartment base 36 in the direction of the closing unit 16. The retaining element 34 engages with the closing unit 16 in the mounted state.

[0067] The closing unit 16 has a coupling element 66. In the mounted state the coupling element 66 engages with the retaining element 34. The retaining element 34 partially defines the pivot axis 20, about which the closing unit 16 is pivotably supported. In the mounted state the coupling element 66 is supported by the retaining element 34 in a pivotable manner. The coupling element 66 and the retaining element 34 together define the pivot axis 20.

[0068] In a method for operating the domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus 10 the closing unit 16 is moved relative to the storage unit 12 in the second storage state to ventilate the storage chamber 14. In the method the closing unit 16 is pivoted about the pivot axis 20 relative to the storage unit 12 to ventilate the storage chamber 14.

[0069] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0070] 10 Domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus [0071] 12 Storage unit [0072] 14 Storage chamber [0073] 16 Closing unit [0074] 18 Ventilation unit [0075] 20 Pivot axis [0076] 22 Transmission unit [0077] 24 Cam [0078] 26 Guide element [0079] 28 Motor unit [0080] 30 Retaining unit [0081] 32 Horizontal direction [0082] 34 Retaining element [0083] 36 Compartment base [0084] 38 Domestic refrigeration appliance [0085] 40 Domestic appliance carcass [0086] 42 Refrigeration chamber [0087] 44 Vertical direction [0088] 46 First appliance door [0089] 48 First door handle [0090] 50 Second appliance door [0091] 52 Second door handle [0092] 54 Third appliance door [0093] 56 Third door handle [0094] 58 First cam element [0095] 60 Second cam element [0096] 62 Motor bearing element [0097] 64 Fastening element [0098] 66 Coupling element