This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of Turkish Patent Application TR 2014/15377, filed Dec. 18, 2014; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a domestic cooling appliance including a receiving space for foodstuffs, which is delimited by walls. The domestic cooling appliance further includes an illuminating device for illuminating the receiving space.
Domestic cooling appliances for receiving food are known in the form of refrigerators, freezers or refrigerator-freezers. The receiving space of the domestic cooling appliance, which is formed in a housing, can be closed by a door mounted on the housing. In order to also provide for improved and sufficient brightness in the receiving space with the door open, it is known to utilize illuminating devices which particularly illuminate the receiving space when the door of the domestic cooling appliance is open.
However, in that context there is the disadvantage that conventional and known constructions of such illuminating devices are disposed in such a way that they either blind a person looking into the receiving space and/or that their light emission is very uneven so that the receiving space is illuminated in a very uneven manner. Further, such illuminating devices are also disposed in such a way that they are disposed in the receiving space itself or that they extend into it so that on one hand available space of the receiving space is used up and on the other hand as a result of that configuration of the illuminating devices damage to the illuminating device might possibly occur simply by bumping against it.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a domestic cooling appliance with a specific receptacle for a light module, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known appliances of this general type and in which the illuminating device is improved with regard to an enhanced illumination of the receiving space and an individual configuration regarding positioning.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a domestic cooling appliance including a receiving space for foodstuffs which is delimited by walls. The domestic cooling appliance further includes an illuminating device for illuminating the receiving space. A core concept of the invention is to be seen in that a wall which delimits the receiving space has at least one receptacle for a light module of the illuminating device. The light module is disposed in the receptacle. This receptacle is spaced further from the receiving space than an inner side, facing the receiving space, of a wall region of the wall adjacent the receptacle. This consequently means that the receptacle for the light module is disposed to face away from the receiving space relative to the wall region and that consequently this receptacle is constructed to extend outward, as it were, from the wall region, thus facing away from the receiving space. Through the use of such an embodiment the light module can be disposed as it were outside the receiving space and thus does not restrict the receiving space with regard to its usable volume. Besides, this positioning also enables a more even illumination of the receiving space. Also, in consequence of this specific embodiment of the receptacle the light module can thus, to a certain degree, be disposed to be embedded with at least one partial area of the light module in a partial area of the wall so that furthermore a particularly stable mounting of the light module is enabled.
It is preferably provided that the receptacle is formed in one piece with the wall. Through the use of this embodiment the number of components is reduced and, specifically, a particularly secure positioning of the light module in relation to the wall can be achieved. Besides, such an embodiment is to be viewed as more robust and the light module can thus be attached to the receptacle in a more stable manner. Moreover, assembly work required to fasten a separate receptacle to the wall is unnecessary.
It is particularly preferably provided that the receptacle is formed as a stamping in the wall. Through the use of such an embodiment the construction of the receptacle can be particularly precise relative to the adjacent wall region and thus a highly form-precise hollow or recess for the light module can be created. In this context then, a receptacle having such a construction constitutes, viewed outward from the receiving space, a particularly advantageous bulge in this wall, which accommodates the light module in a particularly protected and mechanically stable manner and which is with regard to the distribution of the light emitted by the light module into the receiving space a particularly preferred embodiment.
It is preferably provided that with a front side facing the receiving space the light module in a mounted state is flush with an inner side of the wall region. Through the use of such an embodiment the above-mentioned advantages are, in particular, reinforced. Besides, a wall is created which also in the area of the receptacle and thus of the light module inserted therein appears as it were as the same continued plane so that in the transition between the wall region adjacent the receptacle and the light module inserted therein there is no offset as it were or break.
It can also be provided that with a front side facing the receiving space the light module in a mounted state is disposed in the receptacle with an outward offset relative to the inner side of the wall region. This embodiment is also advantageous in that a more homogenous light irradiation by the light module into the receiving space is enabled, while on the other hand the light module does not extend into the receiving space. It is thus provided in both advantageous embodiments that the light module does not extend from the receptacle into the receiving space.
It is preferably provided that the receptacle has a continuous hole which is delimited by a circumferential abutment flange of the receptacle. Through the use of this embodiment the installation of a larger light module is also enabled and the fastening facilitated. It is preferred that the flange is a stamping flange.
When looking from the receiving space in the direction of the receptacle, the abutment flange is constructed with an outward offset in relation to the inner side of the wall region and thus as it were further removed. Such an abutment flange which, in particular, completely encircles the continuous hole, despite permitting the light module to pass through, still enables a sufficiently stable mechanical attachment of the light module thereto and in addition also stabilizes the wall, in particular, in the area of the continuous hole so that an undesired twisting of the wall in this area is prevented, in particular when the light module is mounted.
It is preferably envisaged that the light module is disposed in such a way that it extends through the hole.
It is preferably provided that the light module has a housing with a front flange, wherein the front flange with an outer side in a mounted state of the light module in the receptacle is in contact with an inner surface of the abutment flange facing the receiving space or abuts thereon. Through the use of such an embodiment of the light module the abutment flange of the receptacle is enabled to abut over an area as large as possible so that also in a direction of rotation around a longitudinal axis of the hole and thus also, in particular, around a longitudinal axis of the light module a very even abutment is achieved and thus also an improved attachment. Due to the abutting of two flanges also a very extensive mechanical coupling and operative connection can be achieved which prevents an undesired tilting of the light module relative to the abutment flange. Thus, also a highly secure positioning of the light module is achieved, which in a particularly advantageous manner contributes to a permanently even illumination of the receiving space.
It is particularly envisaged that an inner side of the front flange which forms a front side of the light module is flush with the inner side of the wall region or set back from the inner side in an outward direction.
In an advantageous embodiment it is envisaged that at least one flange section of the abutment flange has at least one recess as an assembly coding for the light module. Thus, an incorrect installation of the light module in the receptacle can be prevented as well as undesired light irradiation into the receiving space. If the assembly coding is formed in the abutment flange itself, the assembly coding can feature a very simple form, yet be reliably effective as regards the prevention of an incorrect installation of the light module.
It is preferably provided that such an assembly coding is constructed according to the Poka Yoke principle.
In particular, the light module is non-destructively detachably disposed in the receptacle. Thus, for purposes of assembly, replacement or cleaning, the light module can be removed and afterwards installed again.
It is preferably provided that the light module has a housing on which latching elements are formed in one piece, which in a mounted state engage behind an abutment flange of the receptacle on an outer side facing away from the receiving space to enable retention through latching. Through the use of such an embodiment a very simple and quick assembly is rendered possible, which, however, still enables a stable retention of the light module in the receptacle. Besides, it is enabled precisely by using this embodiment in connection with the front flange of the light module that the abutment flange is contacted on both sides by components of the light module and thus, as it were, the front flange of the light module abuts on one side of this abutment flange and the latching element abuts on or is braced against the opposite other side. Thus to a certain degree a clamping engaging connection is created which is conducive to the exact fit of the light module.
It is preferably envisaged that the wall is a top wall which covers an evaporator of the domestic cooling appliance. The wall can be formed as a level plate. Preferably, however, it is formed to be uneven and, in particular, stepped like a flight of stairs. Thus, light modules can be installed in different steps, which is further conducive to a more homogenous illumination.
It is particularly provided that this wall thus features a stepped form and that the receptacle, viewed in a vertical direction of the domestic cooling appliance, is formed in an undermost or lowermost step and/or, viewed in a depth direction of the domestic cooling appliance, in a rearmost step.
It is advantageously provided that the light module has a plurality of light emitting diodes. These have a very space-saving and compact construction and besides enable high light density in conjunction with, by comparison, highly homogenous light emission.
It is preferably provided that the wall has at least one light transmission opening through which light of a further light module of the illuminating device can be irradiated into the receiving space. Adjacent the light transmission opening there is a distance adapter by using which the further light module disposed thereon is spaced from the wall outside the receiving space and by using which the light of the light module can be directed to the light transmission opening. This is a further highly advantageous embodiment, since with regard to the local position of the light module in a depth direction of the domestic cooling appliance and/or in a width direction of the domestic cooling appliance a covered configuration can be achieved. This means that when the door of the domestic cooling appliance is open and a user is looking into the receiving space from outside, by using such an embodiment of the specific positions of this wall also a concealed configuration, as it were, of the light module outside the receiving space is enabled, while still a light emission from this light module into the receiving space is achieved which contributes to a highly homogenous illumination of the receiving space. Thus, by using such a distance adapter, in particular, a considerably greater spacing apart of the light module and the light transmission opening is achieved than provided for the light module disposed in the receptacle.
In the embodiment with the distance adapter it is, in particular, provided that the front side of the light module is disposed to be considerably spaced apart from an inner side of the wall region of the wall adjacent the light transmission opening, that on the other hand the light module disposed in the receptacle with the front side of the light module is preferably flush with the inner side of the wall region adjacent the receptacle.
In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that an inner side of the distance adapter is stair-shaped. Thus improved light distribution can be achieved which enables individually required light irradiation into the receiving space.
It can be provided that these steps are disposed to be completely circumferential around a longitudinal axis of the distance adapter and that thus the steps are, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis, formed in the manner of a flight of stairs.
However, it can also be provided that the inner side of the distance adapter is flat and, as regards this context, stepless.
The distance adapter is preferably formed as a separate component, which is attached to the wall. In this context an adhesive or welded connection can be envisaged. However, a latching connection or an adhesive connection or a screw connection or the like can also be formed.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment it is provided that, viewed from the light module in the direction of the light transmission opening, an inner side of the distance adapter opens out like a funnel. Thus, the aspect of light irradiation from the light module into the receiving space in a manner as homogenous and extensive as possible is further improved.
Advantageously, it is provided that the distance adapter is made of plastic. Thus, it can be formed as a simple injection moulded component in one piece and is highly weight-minimized. Advantageously, in its bottom, which faces away from the receiving space, the distance adapter has a continuous hole, which is delimited by a circumferential abutment flange, wherein the light module is disposed on this abutment flange. This embodiment results in a preferred fastening option for the light module with regard to stable positioning and a robust attachment to the distance adapter.
It is preferably provided that a plane featuring the abutment flange delimiting the hole is parallel to a plane of a front flange of the distance adapter facing the wall.
Thus as it were a symmetrical structure of the distance adapter is formed and the light module attached to the distance adapter substantially as it were emits the light in a main radiation direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distance adapter.
In a further advantageous alternative embodiment it is provided that a plane featuring the abutment flange delimiting the continuous hole is not parallel to a plane of a front flange of the distance adapter facing the wall. In particular, in this embodiment it is provided that the planes are disposed at an angle of between 30° and 70°, in particular of between 30° and 50°, to each other. Through the use of such an asymmetrical construction of the distance adapter highly individual illumination directions and illumination scenarios can be achieved in the receiving space, which yet again contribute to homogenous light irradiation.
It is preferably provided that the light module is disposed in such a way that a main radiation direction of the light emitted by the light module is perpendicular to the abutment flange which delimits the continuous hole of the bottom of the distance adapter.
In particular, the light module is non-destructively detachably disposed at this abutment flange of the distance adapter, in particular disposed through latching.
Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or else alone, without leaving the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be regarded as included and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which derive and are producible from the illustrated explanations by separated feature combinations. Also, embodiments and feature combinations are to be regarded as disclosed which thus do not include all features of an originally formulated independent claim.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a domestic cooling appliance with a specific receptacle for a light module, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, in which identical or functionally identical elements bear the same reference numerals, and first, particularly, to
In the embodiment there is a plurality of compartment dividers or shelves 8, 9 and 10 in the receiving space 4. However, the number is to be regarded as merely exemplary.
The first receiving space 4 is delimited by vertical walls in the form of side walls 3a and 3b of the inner container 3 and by a rear wall 3c, a top wall 3d and a bottom wall 3e of the inner container 3. The inner container 3 moreover at the front has a charging aperture or loading opening closable by the door 6.
On an inner side of the door 6 there is a plurality of door racks 12 which are to be seen as merely exemplary with regard to their configuration in space and their number.
In addition, the domestic cooling appliance 1 has a cooling circuit which also includes at least one evaporator 13, which is disposed in an upper region of the first receiving space 4. This evaporator 13 is disposed in such a way that in the direction of the first receiving space 4 it is concealed from view by a further wall 14, which is an upper wall. In the embodiment this additional upper wall 14 is thus a covering wall for the evaporator 13 so that the evaporator 13 is, in particular, disposed between the top wall 3d and this upper wall 14.
Moreover, the domestic cooling appliance 1 includes an illuminating device 15 which is configured to illuminate the receiving space 4.
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The illuminating device 15 includes a light module 16, which in a vertical direction and thus in the y direction is disposed in an undermost or lowermost step 14a of the upper wall 14 and in a horizontal direction and thus in the z direction, which is the depth direction, in the rearmost step 14a. Besides, in this step 14a a further, in particular structurally identical light module 16 is installed.
Furthermore, the illuminating device 15 includes a further light module 17, which viewed vertically is disposed on a higher, in particular second middle step 14b and with regard to the depth direction is disposed in the middle step 14b. Moreover, the upper wall 14 includes a highest third step 14c, which also viewed in the depth direction is the foremost or frontmost step 14c and thus the step closest to the door 6.
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Through the use of the illuminating device 15 a very homogenous illumination of the receiving space 4 is achieved when the door 6 is open and yet an undesired blinding of a user who looks into the receiving space 4 is prevented. Also, the light modules 16 and 17 can thus be disposed in such a way that they are as it were concealed so that a user who normally looks into the receiving space in a horizontal direction or in a substantially horizontal direction does not immediately see the light modules 16 and 17.
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The receptacles 18 and 19 are formed in such a way that in a mounted state the light module 16 with a front side 16a facing the receiving space 4 is flush with an inner side 22 of a wall region 23 of the wall 14 adjacent the respective receptacles 18 and 19 or disposed in the respective receptacles 18 and 19 with an outward offset relative to this inner side 22. This means that the light modules 16 do not extend into the receiving space 4. For this purpose, the receptacles 18 and 19 are formed in such a way that they are spaced further from the receiving space 4 than the inner side 22 of the wall region 23 of the wall 14 facing the receiving space 4. Thus the receptacles 18, 19, viewed in an outward direction, are spaced further from the receiving space 4 than the wall regions 23 and are thus as it were structures which are oriented outwards and thus face away from the receiving space 4.
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Besides, it can also be gathered from
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The light module 16 as shown in a perspective view in
As can further be seen, at least one abutment flange section 25b, in the embodiment a first flange section 25b and an opposite second flange section 25c, each has a plurality of recesses 28 which by using their differing local positions form an assembly coding for the light module 16. For this purpose, as can also be gathered from
Besides, the housing 26 has on its narrow sides latching elements 30, each formed thereto in one piece, which in a mounted state snap behind the abutment flange 25 and, in particular, snap behind brackets 31 formed onto the opposing flange sections 25d and 25e and curved outwards. Thus the light module 16 is reliably held in the receptacle 18 so as to ensure a secure position. In particular, the light module 16 is non-destructively detachably disposed in the receptacle 18. Thus, in a mounted state of the light module 16 the latching elements 30 are disposed in such a way that they engage behind the abutment flange 25 of the receptacle 18 on an outer side 25f facing away from the receiving space 4 to enable retention through latching. Thus, precisely by using the mechanical interaction with the front flange 27 of the housing 26 and the abutting on the abutment flange 25 an abutment of the housing 26 on the abutment flange 25 on both sides is achieved and thus also to a certain degree a clamping connection on both sides.
Preferably the light module 16 has a plurality of light emitting diodes as light sources.
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As mentioned above, the distance adapter 20 is provided as a separate component, in particular made of plastic, and it is fastened to the wall 14 by using an adhesive connection or a welded connection or the like.
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In the embodiment shown it is provided that the abutment flange 36 of the distance adapter 20 extends in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which a front flange 39 extends. In a mounted state of the distance adapter 20 the front flange 39 faces the receiving space 4 and is thus closer to it than the bottom 34. Through the use of the front flange 39 the distance adapter 20 is assembled on the step 14b.
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In contrast to the embodiments of the distance adapter 20 illustrated above it can also be envisaged that the inner wall 32 is not stepped, but level.
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Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2014/15377 | Dec 2014 | TR | national |