Patent Application
20240060711
The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular to a refrigerator for cooling foodstuffs, or a fridge-freezer for cooling and freezing foodstuffs.
US2017/0122651 A1 suggests a domestic refrigeration appliance with a housing in which a receiving chamber for foodstuffs with an additional compartment is formed, wherein the additional compartment can be reversibly assembled and disassembled in the receiving chamber.
It is an object of the invention to provide a refrigeration appliance and a method with an increased flexibility in the arrangement of the drawers in the refrigerating compartment, in particular with in increased flexibility of storing foodstuff according to its preservation need.
The invention is defined in claims 1 and 15, respectively. Particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.
According to claim 1, a refrigeration appliance is provided, in particular a refrigerator or a fridge-freezer. The appliance comprises: a housing, a refrigerating compartment formed within the housing, a slidably and releasably supported first drawer having a first vertical extension, a second slidably and releasably supported second drawer having a second vertical extension being greater than the first vertical extension of the first drawer, and a first, a second and a third drawer support position, wherein in vertical direction the first drawer support position is higher than the second drawer support position and the second drawer support position is higher than the third drawer support position. An option A) for arranging and reconfiguring the drawers and an option B) for arranging and reconfiguring the drawers are provided. When in option A) the first or second drawer is supported at the first drawer support position the upper levels of the first and second drawers are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment, and when the first drawer is supported at the third drawer support position or when the second drawer is supported at the second drawer support position the lower levels of the first and second drawers are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment. When in option B) the first or second drawer is supported at the third drawer support position the upper levels of the first and second drawers are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment, and when the first drawer is supported at the second drawer support position or when the second drawer is supported at the first drawer support position the lower levels of the first and second drawers are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment.
By providing a refrigerating compartment with the first, second and third drawer support position and the first drawer and second drawer having the vertical extension being greater than the first vertical extension of the first drawer, the first and second drawers can be exchanged in their position and thus the volume for storing foods can be adjusted (e.g. the lower or larger volume drawer can be positioned in the vertically upper position) by the user according to her/his needs. This results in a user-selectable position of larger volume drawer.
Further drawers may be arranged above the vertically upper one of the first and second drawers and/or below the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers. Preferably, the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers is arranged immediately above the bottom of the refrigerating compartment without any further storage space between the bottom of the drawer and an inner bottom wall of the refrigerant compartment. Alternatively, the first and second drawers are arranged in an upper position of the refrigerating compartment, preferably at the top or middle of the refrigerating compartment, with further storage space (e.g. for further drawers) above the vertically upper one of the first and second drawers and/or below the bottom of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers.
Preferred, the second drawer has a volume capacity in the range between 20-23, 22-25, 24-27, or 26-29 liters and/or the first drawer has a volume capacity in the range between 10-13, 12-15, 14-17 or 16-19 liters. The ‘volume capacity’ may correspond to the inner volume of the drawer, in particular the volume that can be used for storing foodstuffs. The different volume capacities of the first and second drawers are the result of the different vertical extensions of the first and second drawers. Preferably the second drawer with the grater vertical extension has also the larger volume capacity, i.e. in this case the volume capacity of the second drawer is larger than the volume capacity of the first drawer. Preferably the difference in vertical extension and/or volume capacity is at least 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40% or 50%.
Preferably, in option B) the height difference between the first and second drawer support positions corresponds or substantially corresponds to the difference between the first and second vertical extensions of the first and second drawers. In option A) the height difference between the second and third drawer support positions may correspond or may substantially correspond to the difference between the first and second vertical extensions of the first and second drawers.
Preferably, the first drawer has a pair of bearing elements adapted to slidably support the first drawer at a pair of rail elements formed at side walls of the refrigerating compartment, and wherein the second drawer has a pair of bearing elements to slidably support the second drawer at a pair of rail elements formed at side walls of the refrigerating compartment.
A ‘rail element’ may be e.g. a horizontal protrusion on which the drawer is releasably mountable or it may be a recess formed within the side walls of the refrigerating compartment (e.g. at the inner liner) into which the bearing elements of the drawer can be inserted and releasably mounted.
Preferably, each bearing element of a pair of bearing elements of a drawer corresponds to a lateral protrusion (i.e. horizontal protrusion) pointing away from the drawer (i.e. facing the inner side walls of the refrigerating compartment)
The rail element and/or the bearing element is preferably configured in such a way that the drawer cannot be pulled out completely when the drawer is opened by pulling it out from the front. In particular, the rail element and/or the bearing element of the drawer comprise a stop element which ensures that the drawer does not fall completely out of the compartment when the user is pulling out the drawer.
Preferably, the refrigerating compartment has a plurality of pairs of rail elements provided at opposing lateral sides of the refrigerating compartment, wherein at least three pairs of rail elements are provided at different vertical levels within the refrigerating compartment and wherein a first pair of rail elements is provided at the vertical height of the first drawer support position, a second pair of rail elements is provided at the vertical height of the second drawer support position, and a third pair of rail elements is provided at the vertical height of the third drawer support position.
A pair of intermediate support elements for slidably supporting the drawer may be provided at opposing lateral sides of each of the first and second drawers between the pair of bearing elements of the drawer and a pair of rail elements. The pair of intermediate support elements is mounted at the drawer or at the pair of rail elements.
Preferably, the intermediate support element comprises a slide. The slides may be e.g. telescopic slides or slides with roller guides. Using the intermediate support elements may ensure an improved extraction range for the drawers, and may increase the durability due to less friction when moving the drawer which results in lower wear.
Preferably, each drawer further comprises a cover element mounted at the top of the drawer which is adapted to close the drawer (i.e. adapted to delimit the drawer volume from top). The cover element may be designed as a pivotable cover or as a slidable cover. The slidable cover may either be designed in one piece so that the top of the drawer can be opened and closed by sliding the one part back and forth, or it may be designed as a two-part element so that the top of the drawer can be opened and closed by sliding the two parts against each other.
Preferably the appliance further comprises an upper shelf mounted within the compartment, and a lower shelf mounted within the compartment at a vertical position below the upper shelf, wherein either A) the upper shelf is mounted in the compartment at the first drawer support position and the lower shelf is mounted releasably in the compartment (selectively) at the second or the third drawer support position.
Or in option B) the upper shelf is mounted releasably in the compartment (selectively) at the first or the second drawer support position and the lower shelf is mounted in the compartment at the third drawer support position. Preferably the first drawer is adapted to be slidably supported (selectively) below the upper shelf or below the lower shelf, and the second drawer is adapted to be slidably supported (selectively) below the upper shelf or below the lower shelf, wherein the first drawer fits into the compartment space between the upper and lower shelves when A) the lower shelf is mounted in the second drawer support position, or when B) the upper shelf is mounted in the second drawer support position, and wherein the second drawer fits into the compartment space between the upper and lower shelves when A) the lower shelf is mounted in the third drawer support position, or when B) the upper shelf is mounted in the first drawer support position.
The vertical positions of the upper shelf may correspond to the vertical positions of the upper level of the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers, and the vertical positions of the lower shelf may correspond to the vertical positions of the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers.
Preferably in A) the second and third drawer support position of the lower shelf are below the position of the upper shelf (e.g. below the first drawer support position), and in B) the first and second drawer support position of the upper shelf are above the position of lower shelf (e.g. above the third drawer support position).
Even in option A) the upper shelf may be releasable and optionally may be positioned at different vertical drawer support positions within the compartment (above the lower shelf). Even in option B) the lower shelf may be releasable and optionally may be positioned at different vertical drawer support positions within the compartment (below the lower shelf).
The ‘compartment space’ is a (specific) volume region within the refrigerating compartment having a vertical extension and being defined between the upper and lower shelves, in particular it is the volume enclosed by the upper shelf and lower shelf and the side walls and the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment.
‘Fits into compartment space’ means that size tolerance/play is provided for the drawers such that the drawer can be moved, in particular can be pulled out and pushed in, in the compartment space. There is no further (foodstuff) storage space between the upper end of the drawer arranged in the compartment space, in particular the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers, and the lower side of the upper shelf, and no further storage space between the bottom wall of the drawer and topside of the lower shelf.
Each drawer may comprise a handle for enabling access to the chamber arranged at the front of the drawer, respectively.
The first and second drawers are exchangeable, wherein the arrangement of the first and second drawer and the upper and lower shelf occupy the same vertical height within the refrigerant compartment independent whether the first or the second drawer is the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers (i.e. if the first drawer is arranged above the second drawer or vice versa). In particular, the vertical distance between the upper shelf and the bottom side of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers is always the same, independent whether the first or the second drawer is the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers.
Further drawers may be arranged above the upper shelf and/or below the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers. Preferably, the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers is arranged immediately above the bottom of the refrigerating compartment without any further storage space between the bottom of the drawer and an inner bottom wall of the refrigerant compartment. Alternatively, the lower and upper shelves and the first and second drawers are arranged in an upper position of the refrigerating compartment, preferably at the top or middle of the refrigerating compartment, with further storage space (e.g. for further shelves and/or drawers) above the upper shelf and/or between the bottom of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers and the inner bottom wall of the refrigerant compartment.
When exchanging the first and second drawers only the position of one of the two shelves has to be changed and not the position of both shelves. Preferably, when exchanging the drawers, the upper shelf remains in its position (e.g. first drawer support position) and the lower shelf is mounted at the second or third drawer support position. Alternatively, the lower shelf remains in its position (third drawer support position) and the upper shelf is mounted at the first or second drawer support position.
By using a drawer, the handling is simplified, in particular the loading and unloading of foodstuffs into the drawers. By changing the position of the first and/or second shelf, the first and second drawer having different vertical extensions can be exchanged in their position and thus the volume for storing foods can be adjusted (e.g. the lower or larger volume drawer can be positioned in the vertically upper position) by the user according to her/his needs. This results in a user-selectable position of the larger volume drawer.
In a retracted position of the drawer, the top of the respective drawer (i.e. the inner volume of the drawer) may be closed by the shelf. Alternatively (e.g. if no shelves are provided) or additionally, each drawer may comprise a separate cover element which is mounted at the top of the drawer for opening and closing of the top of the drawer.
Preferably, the ‘shelf’ has the function of slidably supporting the first and/or second drawer below the shelf and of being mountable at an inner wall of the refrigerating compartment. The shelf may comprise horizontal protrusions provided on opposing sides walls of the shelf which are mountable on a pair of rail elements formed in the refrigerating compartment. Additionally or alternatively, the shelf comprises a continuous recess from front to back of the shelf which can be inserted in a pair of rail elements formed in the refrigerating compartment.
Preferably, the upper and/or lower shelf comprises a pair of vertical side walls mounted at opposite side surfaces of the shelf for supporting slides. Each side wall may be arranged vertically on each side surface of the shelf (i.e. on the surface which is parallel to the side walls of the appliance) when seen the appliance from a front view. Both side walls may further comprise mounting elements at an outer surface (i.e. surface facing the inner side wall of the refrigerating compartment) for mounting the shelf to the inner surface of the refrigerant compartment. Preferably each side wall comprises a slide fixed horizontally and parallel to the side walls of the refrigerating compartment for detachably and slidably mounting of the drawer to the shelf. Each vertical side wall may comprise a horizontal protrusion facing each other on which the slide may be mountable. The slides may be e.g. telescopic slides or slides with roller guides. The side wall is preferably a continuous wall, e.g. extending along the whole side surface of the shelf, but may also be e.g. a wall with several window-shaped passages separated by ribs.
Preferably, the shelf and the pair of side walls are manufactured in a single piece construction. The shelf may be made of plastic, preferably manufactured by injection molding. Alternatively, the shelf and the side walls can be formed as separate elements, e.g. by injection molding, that are assembled afterwards, e.g. by gluing or welding. Preferably, the shelf, in particular the upper shelf, is made of a transparent material such as transparent plastic or glass. In view of the upper shelf and the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers, the consumer can thus at least partially see the foods stored in the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers without the need to open it.
The drawers are preferably made of plastic, in particular manufactured by injection molding. More preferably, the drawers are made of transparent plastic. The drawers and/or the cover element (and/or the upper and/or lower shelf in case of using shelves) may comprise insulated material to prevent temperature variations and undesirable heating of the food in the drawers. This improves the food shelf life of the foodstuffs stored within the drawers.
Preferably, in operation of the refrigeration appliance i) a first preservation condition is provided in an upper volume section, which is the volume section within the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers and/or between the upper level of the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers and the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers; and/or ii) a second preservation condition is provided in a lower volume section, which is the volume section within the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers and/or below the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers; and wherein the first and second preservation conditions are different to each other.
In particular, in case of the embodiment with shelves, the upper volume section may be the volume section within the compartment between the upper shelf and the lower shelf, and the lower volume section may be the volume section within the compartment in the compartment space below the lower shelf.
A further object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance with an increased flexibility in the arrangement of drawers with regard to different preservation conditions. This problem is solved by providing the first preservation condition in the upper volume section (i.e. around and/or within the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers) and the second preservation condition in the lower volume section (i.e. around and/or within the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers). By changing the drawers, the first (second) drawer previously supplied with the first preservation condition is then provided with the second preservation condition, and the second (first) drawer is then provided with the first preservation condition.
Due to the user-selectable position of the drawers, the user (consumer) can modify the drawer capacity (due to the different vertical extensions of the drawers) for the first and second preservation condition considering different needs in terms of quantity of different food typologies to be stored e.g. meat and fish or fruits and vegetables.
In operation of the appliance the storing space within the refrigerating compartment which may be provided for food to be stored in the refrigerating compartment above and/or below the first and second drawers may be different from the preservation conditions provided for the first and second preservations conditions.
Preferably, the first and/or second preservation condition comprises one or more of the following (a) the air temperature, (b) the air humidity, and (c) absorbing components of the air affecting the preservation of foodstuffs by using an absorbing material. The alternatives (a), (b), and/or (c) are the following and are disclosed herein. The first and/or second preservation condition may comprise (a), or (b), or (c), or (a) and (b), or (a) and (c), or (b) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c). In this or an analog way all and/or conjunctions mean this single or multiple combinations.
Preferably the first preservation condition in the upper volume section comprises the air humidity (i.e. regulating the humidity) within the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers and the second preservation condition in the lower volume section comprises the air temperature within the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers; in particular, the first drawer is a crisper (i.e. a maintenance of the humidity inside the drawer is obtained; if e.g. new vegetables are put in the drawer, a new high humidity value is maintained in the drawer, in particular by using a membrane as described further below) and the second drawer is a chiller (low-temperature).
The temperature within the upper volume section may be in the range of 2-4, 3-5 or 4-6° C. and/or the temperature within the lower volume section may be in the range of −3 to −1, −2 to 1, −1 to 2, 0 to 3 or 1 to 4° C. A temperature sensor may be arranged within the first and/or second drawer, at the cover element or in case of using shelves at the shelf for measuring the air temperature within the drawer.
Preferably, in operation of the appliance the air humidity within the first and/or second drawer is established by at least one membrane mounted (arranged) at the top of the first and/or second drawer. In particular, the membrane may be mounted (arranged) at a cover element provided at the top of the drawer, or in case of using a shelf, the membrane may be mounted (arranged) at the upper and/or lower shelf. In case of using shelves, the air humidity may remain unchanged in the upper and lower volume section when exchanging the first and second drawers.
The membrane may be designed in such a way that a higher humidity value is established inside the drawer by reducing the air exchange between the air inside the drawer and the remaining air in the refrigerant compartment. Preferably, the higher value of humidity is achieved by integrating a membrane at the top of the drawer.
The membrane is preferably arranged near or at the front wall of the drawer (i.e. at the front of the cover element or the shelf when seen the appliance from a front view). More preferably, the membrane extends along the whole or substantially the whole width of the cover element or the shelf when seen the appliance in a front view.
Alternatively, the humidity loss rate within the drawer can be varied with an input element, e.g. a slider or a button for (user-) adjusting the degree of an opening that provides an air-communication between the interior and exterior of the drawer), between a low and a high level of the humidity loss rate. Varying the humidity loss rate results in different values of humidity within the first and/or second drawers.
In particular, the humidity loss rate may be varied by adjusting the gap between the drawer and the cover element or the shelf (when using shelves in the appliance). A big gap corresponds to a high humidity loss rate as the air circulation through the drawer is increased. A small gap corresponds to a lower humidity loss rate as the air circulation through the drawer is decreased.
In addition to the low and high humidity level, the input may further comprise several intermediate levels between the low and high level representing different humidity loss rates. Preferably, the input has symbols for each humidity loss rate, wherein each symbol represents at least one foodstuff which indicates that this is the appropriate humidity loss rate for the foodstuff. A humidity sensor may be arranged within the first and/or second drawer, e.g. at a side wall or rear wall of the drawer or may be arranged at the cover element or at the shelf for measuring the humidity value within the drawer.
Preferably, the absorbing material is adapted to absorb odors and/or ethylene, in particular the absorbing material is a solid material such as e.g. oxygen and/or carbon dioxide absorbers. It may also be possible to use absorber materials that absorb any other gases affecting the preservation of foodstuff.
Preferably, the absorbing material is arranged within the first and/or second drawer, in particular at a cover element or at the upper and/or lower shelf, and/or at an inner wall of the refrigerating compartment surrounding the lower volume section and/or the upper volume section. Preferably, the absorbing material may be arranged at the inner rear wall of the refrigerating compartment, in particular at the rear wall of the lower volume section and/or the upper volume section.
The material may be positioned outside of the drawer, if the air entering the refrigerating compartment is fed directly into the drawer and thus components of the air flowing into the drawer, which affect the preservation of foodstuffs, can be absorbed before entering the drawer. Preferably, the absorbing material is positioned close to an air inlet at the inner rear wall of the refrigerating compartment for introducing cold air into the refrigerant compartment, but it may also be arranged at a position without any air circulation. If no air is fed directly into the drawer, the absorbing material is preferably positioned within the first and/or second drawer, in particular at a side or rear wall of the drawer, at the cover element of the drawer or in case of using shelves at the upper and/or lower shelf. If the absorbing material is arranged within the drawer or at the cover element mounted at the drawer, the absorbing material is also exchanged between the two drawers when exchanging the first and second drawers.
By setting specific temperatures, humidity values and/or absorption of odors and/or ethylene, in particular by absorbing gases such as e.g. CO2 or oxygen, the preservation of foodstuff stored in the upper and/or lower volume section, in particular in the first and/or second drawer, may be improved. The first drawer (e.g. crisper) may be used for preserving e.g. fruits and/or vegetables and/or the second drawer (e.g. low-temperature chamber/chiller) may be used for preserving e.g. meat and/or fish.
Preferably, the appliance comprises a control unit for controlling the temperatures and/or the humidity value within the drawers; the control unit may receive signals from temperature and/or humidity sensors arranged in or at the drawer and may adjust the temperature or humidity within the drawers by varying the fan speed and thus the amount of cold air fed into the lower volume section of the refrigerating compartment. Alternatively or additionally, in case of a fridge-freezer, the air temperature and/or humidity value may be adjusted by setting a flap position between the air supplies of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment such that cold air is guided from the freezer compartment to the lower volume section of the refrigerating compartment.
Preferably, in operation of the appliance, the difference in preservation conditions between the upper and lower volume section is established by cold air flowing towards the first and/or second drawer, and/or towards the compartment space below the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers and/or the compartment space below the upper level of the vertically positioned upper one of the first and second drawers.
The appliance may further comprise an air guide arrangement for introducing cold air into the refrigerating compartment comprising at least one air inlet arranged below the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers such that the air flows from below the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers to the top of the refrigerating compartment.
The air introduced into the refrigerating compartment through the air inlet is flowing from bottom to top of the refrigerating compartment wherein the cold air warms up more and more. This creates different temperature zones that cause, among others things, the first and second preservation conditions in the upper and lower volume section (i.e. within the first and/or second drawer).
The air guide arrangement may further comprise at least one fan for circulating the air, an air duct with an evaporator for cooling the air and/or a refrigerating system comprising the evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion device. Preferably, the warmed air is sucked off by at least one fan through an air outlet arranged at the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment (e.g. at the top or near the top of the rear wall). The fan is preferably arranged in front of or behind the air outlet.
Preferably, the air sucked off the refrigerating compartment is guided through an air channel arranged between the housing and the refrigerating compartment (e.g. between the rear wall of the housing and the refrigerating compartment) having an evaporator. The evaporator may extend in the air duct at the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment from top to bottom. The condenser may be arranged at the outside of the rear wall of the housing and preferably extends from top to bottom.
When passing the evaporator the warm air is cooled by transferring heat from the warm air to the cold refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. The cold air is re-introduced into the refrigerating compartment through the air inlet in the lower volume section (e.g. below lower shelf). A refrigerant may be circulated between the evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion device. The refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator by heat transfer from the warm air flowing past the evaporator. Then the refrigerant is fed to the compressor where it is raised to higher pressures and thereby becomes liquid again. From there the refrigerant is fed to the condenser where the refrigerant is cooled down again. Preferably, cold air from the outside of the appliance is used for cooling the refrigerant in the condenser. From there the refrigerant flows through the expansion device where it is expanded and then the refrigerant flows through the evaporator again. The compressor is preferably arranged at a lower region of the refrigerator appliance, preferably at a rear region at the bottom of the appliance.
Preferably, in operation of the appliance, cold air is introduced into the refrigerating compartment through at least one air inlet arranged at an inner wall of the refrigerating compartment below the upper level of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers, and wherein the difference in preservation conditions between the upper and lower volume section is established by one of the following: cold air introduced through the air inlet and flowing around the drawers, or cold air introduced through the air inlet and flowing into the vertically positioned lower and/or upper one of the first and second drawers, wherein each drawer comprises at least one recess arranged at a side wall and/or rear wall of the drawer, and wherein the air inlet and the recess of each drawer are configured such that the cold air introduced through the air inlet is guidable through the recess of the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers into the drawer.
In one case the air may be introduced into the refrigerating compartment by the air inlet arranged at an inner side wall of the refrigerating compartment (preferably at the bottom of the rear wall) and the drawers may not comprise any inlets for the air. Thereby, the cold air flows from the lower volume section (e.g. the bottom of the refrigerating compartment) to the top of the refrigerating compartment, wherein the drawers are cooled by the air flowing around them (i.e. no direct air flow into the drawers). As already mentioned above, in this case the absorbing material is preferably positioned in the drawers and not at the outside of the drawers, as no air is directly guided into the drawers. Due to the fact that cold air is supplied in the lower volume section, the lowest temperature is at the very bottom and the temperature rises accordingly towards the top.
Alternatively, the air may be fed through the air inlet into the refrigerant compartment and from there through a recess of the drawer directly into the vertically positioned lower drawer of the first and second drawers. After inserting the vertically positioned lower drawer of the first and second drawers, the drawer and the air inlet may be e.g. so close that the air can flow through the air inlet in form of a free air flow directly into the drawer, or alternatively, the air inlet may be provided with an elastic seal (e.g. gasket) forming an air channel between the air inlet and the recess of the drawer after insertion of the drawer.
The alignment of the recess of the vertically positioned lower drawer of the first and second drawers with the air inlet prevents the blocking of the air inlet and ensures an air supply no matter if the first or second drawer is arranged in the lower vertical position. Preferably, the air exits the vertically positioned lower drawer of the first and second drawers through a gap between the closed cover element arranged at the top of the drawer and the drawer or in case of using shelves in the appliance through a gap between the shelf and the drawer. More preferably, the drawers comprise slits or other small openings with a different shape arranged within the drawers, in particular at a side wall or a front wall of each drawer through which the air can exit each drawer.
Preferably the appliance comprises one air inlet arranged below the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers at an inner rear wall of the refrigerating compartment and the first and second drawer each comprises one recess arranged at the rear wall of the drawer, wherein each of the recesses of the first and second drawers is alignable with the air inlet arranged at the rear wall of the refrigerating compartment independent of which is the vertically positioned lower one of the first and second drawers. Thereby, the inside of the vertically positioned lower drawer of the first and second drawers is fed with cold air through the recess, wherein the vertically positioned upper drawer of the first and second drawers is cooled by the air flowing around the drawer.
In case of a fridge-freezer, in addition or as an alternative, cold air from the freezer compartment may be supplied to the region below the lower drawer of the first and second drawers (e.g. to the lower volume section) through a connection duct, which is preferably arranged at the bottom or rear wall of the refrigerating compartment. In another alternative, the upper and lower volume sections each have their own control systems with its own temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the air in each section, respectively. And/or the refrigerator appliance may comprise different evaporators, wherein the lower volume section (section below the lower drawer of the first and second drawers) may have its own evaporator. Each of the upper and lower volume section may have its own air inflow into each drawer having a recess positioned in the respective volume section.
In such an arrangement, the cold air may be supplied independently to the lower and/or upper volume section of the refrigerating compartment. In particular, by adjusting flaps positioned in the air duct ensuring that the air is directed to the lower volume section and/or the upper volume section. Preferably, the temperature sensors for each drawer are arranged within the drawer or in case of using shelves at the shelf.
In this alternative, it may be possible to control the preservation condition (e.g. temperature and/or humidity) of the upper and lower volume sections independently of each other. In particular, depending on the fan speed, the temperature of the air fed into the lower volume section of the refrigerating compartment may be adjusted. Alternatively or additionally in case of a fridge-freezer, the air temperature may be adjusted by setting a flap position such that cold air of the freezer compartment is guided from the freezer compartment to the lower volume section of the refrigerating compartment.
According to claim 15, a method for exchanging drawers in a refrigeration appliance, in particular in a refrigeration appliance as described above, is provided, wherein the refrigeration appliance comprises: a housing, a refrigerating compartment formed within the housing; a slidably and releasably supported first drawer having a first vertical extension, a second slidably and releasably supported second drawer having a second vertical extension being greater than the first vertical extension of the first drawer; and a first, a second and a third drawer support position, wherein in vertical direction the first drawer support position is higher than the second drawer support position and the second drawer support position is higher than the third drawer support position. The method comprises: A) removing the first or second drawer from the first drawer support position, and removing the second drawer from the second drawer support position or the first drawer from the third drawer support position, or B) removing the first or second drawer from the third drawer support position, and removing the second drawer from the first drawer support position or the first drawer from the second drawer support position; and A) mounting the first drawer at the third drawer support position and the second drawer at the first drawer support position or the first drawer at the first drawer support position and the second drawer at the second drawer support position, or B) mounting the first drawer at the second drawer support position and the second drawer at the third drawer support position or the second drawer at the first drawer support position and the first drawer at the third drawer support position.
If the first drawer is arranged between the upper and lower shelves, and the second drawer below the lower shelf, after changing of the drawers, the second drawer is arranged between the upper and lower shelves, and the first drawer below the lower shelf. If the second drawer is arranged between the upper and lower shelves, and the first drawer below the lower shelf, after changing of the drawers, the first drawer is arranged between the upper and lower shelves, and the second drawer below the lower shelf.
Each individual feature of the refrigeration appliance can be combined with the method, or any sub-group of features (e.g. any of the dependent claims) of the refrigeration appliance can be individually combined with the method. Vice versa any individual feature or sub-group of features of the method can be combined with the refrigeration appliance as a functional feature of the refrigeration appliance.
Any feature disclosed herein (for the above embodiments and/or configurations and from the below described detailed embodiments and modifications) can be combined with the claimed subject individually or in any sub-combination.
Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures, which show:
In the following main embodiments are described, a first embodiment represented by
The freezer compartment 10 may comprise at least one chamber 16 for storing foodstuffs in a frozen state. As shown in
The refrigerating compartment 6 may comprise at least one shelf 18 mounted within an upper region 6a of the compartment 6. As shown in
Preferably, in the compartment space between the upper shelf 22a and the lower shelf 22b a first preservation condition, and in the compartment space below the lower shelf 22b a second preservation condition is provided. The first and second preservation conditions may be different to each other. The preservation conditions may comprise air humidity, air temperature and/or absorbing material absorbing components of the air affecting preservation of foodstuffs by using an absorbing material absorbing e.g. oxygen or carbon dioxide. The remaining space of the compartment, i.e. above the upper shelf 22a, may be provided with a preservation condition which is different to the first and/or second preservation condition. The different preservation conditions are established by introducing cold air through an air inlet at the bottom into the refrigerating compartment 6 which is described in detail with respect to
Alternatively, the upper and lower shelves 22a, 22b and the drawers 20a, 20b may be arranged at the middle or upper region 6a, in particular at the middle or top of the upper region 6a, of the compartment 6. Thus, further storage space (e.g. for further shelves 18 and/or drawers) above the upper shelf 22a and/or below the bottom of the second drawer is provided.
As shown in
The first shelf 22a is configured for being mounted horizontally within the compartment 6 and for slidably supporting the upper one of the first and second drawers 20a, 20b. The first shelf 22a may comprise an elongated recess 49a, 49b (see
The top of the first shelf 22a may comprise a foodstuff stopper element 48 arranged at the rear of the first shelf 22a for preventing the foodstuff from touching the back wall of the compartment. The top of the first shelf 22a may further comprise a membrane element 46 which is preferably arranged at the front of the shelf. The membrane element 46 may extend along the entire or substantially entire width of the shelf 22a. The membrane element 46 is configured to adjust the amount of air circulating through the drawer arranged below the first shelf 22a and thus adjusts the humidity within the drawer. The membrane element 46 may comprise at least one membrane 46a (preferably only one membrane 46a as shown in
The first drawer 20a comprises two side walls 36a, a bottom wall 38a, a front wall 42a and a rear wall 40a. Each side wall 36a of the first drawer 20a may be configured for mounting on the drawer slides 50 at the first (or second) shelf 22a. In particular, the drawer slides 50 may comprise at the back a hook-in element 50a and at the front a snap-in element 50b, wherein the top of the side walls 44a of the first drawer 20a may comprise at the rear a hook-in counter element 52a and at the front a snap-in counter element 52b for releasably mounting the drawer on the drawer slides 50.
The design of the second shelf 22b mainly corresponds to the design of the first shelf 22a described with respect to
The second shelf 22b may comprise a shelf cover element 49 mountable at the top of the shelf 22b. As shown in
The second drawer 20b comprises two side walls 36b, a bottom wall 38b, a front wall 42b and a rear wall 40b. Each side wall 36b of the second drawer 20b may be configured for mounting on the drawer slides 50 at the second (or first) shelf 22b. In a closed position of the drawer arranged below the second shelf 22b, the second shelf 22b may form the top of the drawer.
Each of the first and second drawers 20a, 20b may have an insulated material included in a wall preferably in the bottom wall. In addition or alternatively, the first and/or second shelf 22a, 22b may have an insulated material included in the horizontal portion (when considering the mounted state of the fridge-freezer).
A pair of rail elements 68 may be provided at the side walls 60b of the compartment 6 for supporting the first and/or second shelves 22a, 22b. As shown in
As shown in
In the following two different possibilities for exchanging the positions of the first and second drawer and the shelves are described.
The compartment 6 may comprises a first, a second and a third drawer support position 72a, 74a, 76a, wherein the second position 74a is vertically lower than the first position 72b and the third position 76a is vertically lower than the second position 74a. As shown on the left side in
With respect to
In the embodiment described with respect to
Each drawer may comprise a cover element 80 arranged at the top of the drawer. The cover element 80 may be designed as a pivotable cover or as a slidable cover. The slidable cover may either be designed in one piece so that the top of the drawer can be opened and closed by sliding the one part back and forth, or it may be designed as a two-part element so that the top of the drawer can be opened and closed by sliding the two parts against each other.
Preferably, the drawers comprise slits or other small openings with a different shape arranged within the drawers, in particular at a side wall or a front wall of each drawer through which the air can exit each drawer.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/051874 | 1/27/2021 | WO |
