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EP1576326B1 2017-07-19 REFRIGERATOR (en)

English Abstract:
A refrigerator door including an outer wall and an inner wall interconnected along longitu-
dinal edges thereof and including a closing element fixed on an upper horizontal edge of the
outer and inner walls. The interconnected closing element and the outer and inner walls delimit
an insulating inner space therebetween. At the upper edges the outer wall is longer than the
inner wall with the closing element bridging the difference in length between the walls. The
resulting structure forming a space for a control panel covered by the outer wall when the re-
frigerator door is closed.

Standardized Assignees: BSH HAUSGERATE

Original Assignees: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Carl-Wery-Strasse 34, 81739 München, Federal
Republic of Germany

Current Assignees: BSH HAUSGERAETE GMBH

Inventors: BAUER, Peter, Hippelstr. 55, 81827 München, Federal Republic of Germany;
BECKE, Christoph, Kolbermoorerstr. 15A, 83109 Grosskarolinenfeld, Federal Republic of Ger-
many;
GÖRZ, Alexander, Hochmeisterstr. 3, 73432 Aalen-Ebnat, Federal Republic of Germany;
JANSSEN, Hans-Reinhart, Albstr. 9, 89537 Giengen, Federal Republic of Germany;
SPILLER, Ralf, Teckweg 11, 89537 Giengen, Federal Republic of Germany

Application Number: EP03767742

Application/Filing Date: 2003-12-04

European Patent Office Register Plus

PCT Application: WOEP03013720 2003-12-04

Priority Number and Date: DE10259749 2002-12-19

Granted Publication Date: 2017-07-19

Designated Contracting States: AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR,
HU, IE, IT, LI, LU, MC, NL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR

Classifications:
CPC: F25D23/02 (2013-01-01; I 2013-01-01; B, H, EP)
CPC: F25D29/005 (2013-01-01; A 2013-01-01; B, H, EP)
CPC: F25D2201/126 (2013-01-01; A 2013-01-01; B, H, EP)
CPC: Y02B40/34 (2013-01-01; A 2013-01-01; B, H, EP)
IPC[8]: F25D23/02 (2006-01-01; A, F, I, 2004-07-15; B, H, EP)
IPC[8]: F25D29/00 (2006-01-01; A, , N, 2005-10-08; R, M, EP)

Patent References Cited-Backward:

Publication Number Cited By

Publication Number Cited By
FR2380004A1
GB699006A
JP48032348A
JP04174281A
JPS 559 331U
JPS5 357 369U
JPS5 554 878U
JPS5 556 386U
JPS6 416 588U
US1711381A
US2294686A
US2341924A
US2477055A
US3314196A
US5704107A

Non-Patent References Cited: PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 03, 30. März
2000 (2000-03-30) -& JP 11 351734 A (SHOWA ALUM CORP), 24. Dezember 1999
(1999-12-24)

Non-Patent References Cited: PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1998, no. 05, 30. April
1998 (1998-04-30) -& JP 10 009761 A (HITACHI LTD), 16. Januar 1998 (1998-01-16)

Non-Patent References Cited: PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1996, no. 09, 30. Sep-
tember 1996 (1996-09-30) -& JP 08 121946 A (HITACHI LTD), 17. Mai 1996 (1996-05-17)

Non-Patent References Cited: PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 017, no. 312 (M-1429),
15. Juni 1993 (1993-06-15) -& JP 05 026569 A (MATSUSHITA REFRIG CO LTD), 2. Februar
1993 (1993-02-02)

English Description:
The present invention relates to a refrigerating apparatus. The doors are constructed of an
outer wall of refrigeration devices conventionally, usually a metal sheet, to be produced in a
length corresponding to the height of the door cut from a roll and then is bent at a plurality of
locations, the front panel of the door to respectively, laterally on the longitudinal edges of the
front panel to the leg and then subsequent leg, inwardly bent to form tabs, and an inner wall,
the plastic sheet formed by deep drawing from and attached to the tabs of outer wall is fixed.
The cavity formed between the outer - and inner wall having upper and lower terminal element
is closed, each fixed to the transverse edges of the inner and outer wall is -, and filled with an
insulating foam material.
Figure. 1 a schematic partial section through a first example shows a conventional, with
such a door equipped refrigeration apparatus. The body 1 of the refrigerator, the door 2 is fas-
tened to the extends beyond, above the upper edge of the door, and a control panel 3 is
mounted above the door 2 on the body 1. The control panel serves, switch, button or other
control elements for adjusting an operating state of said refrigeration apparatus and display
elements give, on the operating parameters of the refrigeration apparatus information, ac-
commodate in a user accessible position well.
In order to achieve further collector circuits to satisfy the taste, it is desirable for the man-
ufacturers of refrigeration devices, to refrigerators can offer different apparent images, where-
in the door has a special significance than the most conspicuous part of the refrigeration ap-
paratus. Such a possibility, the modify appearance dung picture, is, so as to increase the door,
cover the body of the refrigeration apparatus in its entire height, possibly including a control
panel attached thereto. A possible solution to this problem is in Figure. 2 sketched. In a known
refrigerator outer wall and inner wall of the door 2 4 5 are extended to the height of the upper
edge of the body 1 and covered by a closure member 6 there. This solution is unsatisfactory
for several reasons. Since the control panel is no more space for, must be mounted at the front
edge of the body 1 either directly operating elements at the location, wherein the refrigerating
appliance from Figure. 1 the control panel has supported, which is a problem, since inner con-
tainer outer wall 7 and 8 of the body 1 are adjacent to one another in this area, or it must be a
completely different location are selected for operating elements, by major design changes
with respect to the refrigeration apparatus Figure. 1 accordingly requires and is costly. The
extension of the inner wall 5 also does it impossible, with the same deep-drawing tools such as
the inner wall of the door this Figure. 1 produce, according to the parallel production of refrig-
eration devices what Figure. 1 and Figure. 2 considerably more expensive.
Figure. 3 another known configuration of a refrigeration appliance housing shows in a
schematic cut analogous to the the Figures 1 and 2This differs from that of the housing. Fig-
ure. 1 characterized in, that the control panel 3 is omitted and instead the closure element 6,
the upper transverse edges and inner wall 4 - from the outside, the door 2 is 5 interconnects,
highly enlarged, so that it terminates with the upper edge of the body 1. This solution has the
advantage, that it is simple and inexpensive to implement, since body and inner and outer
walls of the door - with those of the device from Figure. 1 the differences can be identical and
essentially confine itself to the control panel 3 and the closure element 6. The width strip, the
upper edge of the door 2 occupies the broadened terminal element 6, gives the apparatus Fig-
ure. 3 but from a great similarity with Figure. 1.
Document THE IP S53 57369 OF U an appliance door having an outer wall on which a con-
trol disclosed - and display panel is mounted.
Document US 2,477,055 A IS a control/display panel or to a body - and teaches placing
this control - and/or to conceal and display panel by a door. The purpose of the invention is, to
provide a refrigerating apparatus, this giving an appearance, clearly from the device from the
Figure. 1 different, and the same components as the device of yet largely Figure. 1 can be as-
sembled or wherein the inevitably changing parts are cheap to implement. The problem is
solved by a refrigeration apparatus having the features of claim 1. The invention allows from, a
refrigerating, whose body the of the apparatus Figure. 1 corresponds, over its entire height by
a door cover continuous outer surface. A conspicuous visible control panel 3 of the device from
such as by the conclusion Figure. 1 the broadened terminal element 6 of the apparatus or from
Figure. 3 not applicable. Yet the door can be realized very inexpensively, since their inner wall
with that of the device from Figure. 1 can be identical. The preparation of the opposite Figure.
1 extended outer wall requires only a minimum additional cost, it is sufficient, the sheet, the
outer wall is formed from the cut, in a slightly altered length, and the steps of bending the
sheet are the same regardless of its length. It is also common in manufacturing now also,
plates for the outer wall of the door and in different lengths to tailor processing, since refriger-
ators are usually prepared in a plurality of models of different sizes, which differ only by the
height of the door, but not by their width, . The first closing element by its design the height
difference between the inner door wall therefore bridges and door outer wall. The attachment
position and provided to the door inner wall mounting system for a door seal can in analogous
to Figure. 1 arranged or be constructed represented.
The invention can by starting from a tool housing by the mounting different doors, namely
a door in the inner and outer walls have substantially identical height or generates a door,
wherein said interior wall is shortened relative to the outer wall, devices with different appear-
ance, namely when the door is closed and/or display elements are covered or free-access con-
trol -.
Preferably the first closure member has a stepped cross-section with a transverse edge of
the outer wall on the secured portion, a fixed portion and a rim of the inner wall on the trans-
verse connecting the portions, the inner and outer wall length difference of - compensating
flank. By the step-like space made by the application allows, at a door equipped with a refrig-
erating apparatus according to the invention for mounting a control panel on the body, the on-
ly slightly in its depth from the control panel of the Figure. 1 must differ.
The first closure element can particularly adapted quickly and cheaply on inner and outer
wall - be differences between different lengths, is provided when an advantageous manner,
that the flank is variably adjustable in its height.
A control panel having a vertical front end attaching to, it is desirable, to front and rear
side of the door parallel to the flank is -. The height of the sidewall or the difference in length
should be between further outer - and inner wall at least 2 cm, in order to accommodate a suf-
ficiently large control panel.
A second closure element, the opposite end of the space forming a first terminal element,
is preferably fixed in conventional manner to second transverse edges of outer - and inner wall
flush with each other. This second terminating element thus can be identical with a terminating
element, also according to the manufacturing of a door Figure. 1 is used. Further features and
advantages of the invention result from the following description of embodiments with refer-
ence to the accompanying Figures. It show:

Figure. 1
a schematic part section through a conventional cooling equipment housing;

Figure. 2
a schematic section through a possible modification of the housing Figure. 1;

Figure. 3
a section through a further conventional housing;

Figure. 4
a section through a housing according to a first embodiment of the invention re-
frigerators;

Figure. 5
a horizontal section through the door of the cooling equipment; and

Figure. 6
according to a second embodiment of the invention a section through a refrigerat-
ing apparatus.

Figure. 4 shows a vertical section through the upper portion of the body 11 and the door 12
of a refrigeration apparatus according to the invention. The body has a multi-layer structure
with an outer wall 18 known per se from sheet metal and an inner container 17 made of plas-
tic, with insulating foam defining a region of a front side of the body 11 and intermediate space
filled, the door is hinged to the, adjoin each other. Along the upper edge of the body 11 of the
inner container and outer wall 18 is covered by a boundary region between 17 shown sche-
matically plastic control panel 13, in the operating and display elements for displaying the op-
erating state of the refrigerator - interfere (not shown) are arranged.
 Figure. 5 a horizontal section through the door 12 to the body 11 shows broken. An outer
wall 14 and a deep-drawn sheet metal with insulating foam plastic inner wall 15 a 19 interme-
diate space filled limit. The plate is bent several times in the longitudinal direction, to form a
front panel 20, 21 and two lateral leg fastening tabs 22, representing longitudinal edges of the
sheet, on which the inner wall 15 is mounted. A peripheral frame is formed on the inner wall
15 by deep drawing, whose projecting vertical webs 23 serve for fixing (not shown) for stiffen-
ing and possibly door cancel buttons. Along the outer circumference of the inner wall 15 a cir-
cumferential seal 24 extends.
As in Figure. 4 seen, the inner wall 15 ranges not much further above the ceiling of the in-
ner container beyond 25 17, as required, to the circumferential seal 24, which rests on a front
edge of the inner container 12 when the door is closed at the lateral edges of the outer wall 17
or 18 declining, mounting on the inner wall 15. The outer wall 14 of the door extends upwardly
above the inner wall 15 but beyond, so that they practically completely concealed by the body
11.
The inner wall and outer wall 15 is balanced by a height difference between 14 of a plastic
closure element 26, the two horizontal portions connected by a vertical flank 27 28 has, upper
transverse edge of the outer wall 14 and one of which is connected to the other of the inner
wall 15 and the transverse edges sealing against the foaming heat insulation material.
To stabilize the attachment of the terminal element 26 on the walls of the door the closure
element 26 (not shown in the figFig. engaging) has 19 into the space on a back surface of
walls 14 and each, adjacent webs or projections 15, which are bonded to the walls 14, 15. Also
by the adhesive effect of the heat insulating material together with the inner and outer wall -
the terminal elements are connected to a rigid structure.
The lower horizontal section 28 and the edge 27 into the through the control panel 13 is
fitted limited recess. In the in Figure. 4 the control panel 13 by the door 12 is shown com-
pletely concealed state; when the door is open it is free is visible and accessible.
On into Figure. 4 the lower edge of the door 12 is closed space 19 not shown by a second
terminating element. Because the edges of the walls 14, 15 are flush at its lower edge of the
door 12, said second terminating element has the shape of the terminal element 6 from Figure.
1In order. Figure. 4 only three parts are shown to build refrigerating apparatus, required, ex-
tending from respective portions of the refrigeration apparatus of the Figure. 1 distinguish: the
control panel, wherein the refrigerator is reduced according to the invention whose depth
slightly, the plug member 26 and the outer wall 14 of the door slightly extended. All other
parts may be identical for both types of refrigerating apparatus are used.
Figure. 6 a modification of the refrigeration apparatus from shows Figure. 4, in particular
suitable for devices having large overall height the. In this modification the front of the control
panel 13 is not vertically, but obliquely, so that it is must for a user, the faces it and look to
their high, convenient to operate and read. The cross section of the closure element 26 is
adapted to the modified control panel, parallel to its front face is oriented obliquely by the
flank 27.

Number of Claims: 12

Number of Claims: 12

Number of Claims: 12

ENGLISH CLAIMS:
 Refrigerator having a carcass (11) and a door (12), which has an outer wall (14) and an
inner wall (15) which are interconnected along longitudinal edges, and a first closing element
(26) which is attached to a transverse edge of the outer wall (14) and a transverse edge of the
inner wall (15) and which together with the outer wall (14) and the inner wall (15) delimits an
insulating intermediate space, wherein the inner wall (15) is designed to be shorter than the
outer wall (14) in the longitudinal direction and said difference in length between the inner wall
(15) and the outer wall (14) is bridged by the first closing element (26), wherein the outer wall
(14) extends upwards over the inner wall (15) such that it practically completely covers the
carcass (11) and that an all-round seal (24) extends along the outer edge of the inner wall
(15), characterised in that a control and/or display panel (13) is fixed to the carcass (11) at
the height of the first closing element (26).
Refrigerator according to claim 1 , characterised in that the first closing element (26) has a
stepped cross-section with one section (28) attached to the transverse edge of the outer wall
(14), one section (28) fixed to the transverse edge of the inner wall (15) and a flank (27)
connecting the sections (28) and compensating for the difference in length.
Refrigerator according to claim 2 , characterised in that because of the stepped
cross-section a free space is created for mounting a control panel (13) on the carcass (11).
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 3 , characterised in that the flank (27) is paral-
lel to the front (20) and the rear of the door (12).
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 4 , characterised in that the height of the flank
(27) compensating for the difference in length is variably adjustable.
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 5 , characterised in that the height of the flank
(27) compensating for the difference in length is at least 2 cm.
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 6 , characterised in that the first closing ele-
ment (26) forms an upper closure of the door (12).
Refrigerator at least according to claim 2 , characterised in that the control panel (13) is
fitted into the recess delimited by the lower horizontal section (28) and the flank (27).
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 8 , characterised in that the control panel (13)
is completely covered when the door (12) is closed and is freely visible and accessible when
the door (12) is open.
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 9 , characterised in that to stabilise the at-
tachment of the closing element (26) to the walls (14, 15) of the door (12) the closing element
(26) has webs or projections which are bonded to the walls (14, 15) and which engage in the
intermediate space (19) and in each case abut a rear of one of the walls (14, 15).
Refrigerator according to claim 1 , characterised in that a second closing element is pro-
vided, which is attached in a conventional manner to second transverse edges of the outer wall
(14) and the inner wall (15) which are flush with each other.
Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 9 , characterised in that the first closing ele-
ment (26) has an obliquely oriented flank (27) which is arranged parallel to an obliquely ar-
ranged front of the control panel (13).