WO2013041679A2 - A cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted - Google Patents

A cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013041679A2
WO2013041679A2 PCT/EP2012/068653 EP2012068653W WO2013041679A2 WO 2013041679 A2 WO2013041679 A2 WO 2013041679A2 EP 2012068653 W EP2012068653 W EP 2012068653W WO 2013041679 A2 WO2013041679 A2 WO 2013041679A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shelf
pin
cooling device
height adjustment
adjustment mechanism
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2012/068653
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013041679A3 (en
Inventor
Kadir Ridvan Celik
Faik Emre Ozyuksel
Elif Altay
Ercan Akyuz
Original Assignee
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority to EP12766947.1A priority Critical patent/EP2766680B1/en
Priority to PL12766947T priority patent/PL2766680T3/en
Publication of WO2013041679A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013041679A2/en
Publication of WO2013041679A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013041679A3/en

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B57/00Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
    • A47B57/06Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B96/00Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
    • A47B96/06Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves
    • A47B96/063C-shaped brackets for gripping the shelf edge
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47FSPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/06Show cases or show cabinets with movable or removable shelves or receptacles
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00General constructional features
    • F25D23/06Walls
    • F25D23/065Details
    • F25D23/067Supporting elements
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/04Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by conveyors

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cooling Or The Like Of Electrical Apparatus (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3) and a rear wall (4), at least one shelf (5) whereon the items are placed and at least one height adjustment mechanism (6) that provides the changing of the height of the shelf (5).

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING A SHELF THE HEIGHT OF WHICH CAN BE ADJUSTED
The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted.
In cooling devices such as refrigerators and deep freezers, the foodstuffs and various containers are placed on the shelves. Depending on the needs of the user, the distance between the two shelves is required to be adjusted, in other words the height of the shelf is required to be changed in the body.
In some cooling devices, channels or rails that extend parallel to each other are disposed on the two opposite side walls of the body so that the height of the shelf can be changed. The user changes the height of the shelf by taking it out from the channels at one level and placing at another pair of channels at the desired level. However, for this operation the user has to first pull the shelf towards the outside of the body and push back towards the body rear wall after placing it in the channel pair at the desired height level. In order to perform this operation safely, at least some of the objects on the shelf have to be taken out and placed on the shelf again after the operation is completed.
For solving the said problem, shelf mechanisms are used in cooling devices that allow the height of the shelf to be changed without entirely taking the shelf out of the body by means of different channel structures on the side wall. Making operations on the side wall of the cooling device is difficult and costly.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1703238, a cooling device is described, comprising a drawer, the height of which can be adjusted. When the height of the drawer having two telescopic containers is desired to be changed, the inner container is pulled upwards so as to go up in the outer container. During this operation, the pin located on the outer surface of the inner container moves inside the channels arranged on the inner surface of the outer container.
In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US20110031863, a cooling device is described, comprising a shelf, the height of which can be changed. The shelf is seated from two sides onto the pins on the rotating discs disposed on the side wall, and the height of shelf is adjusted with the rotation of the discs.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO03095912, a cooling device is described which comprises a shelf that can move in the horizontal or vertical directions without being removed from inside the body by means of the channel structure on the side walls.
In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US3516369, a refrigerator is described wherein the shelf height can be changed by means of diagonal channels situated between two horizontal shelf channels at different heights inside the body. In this embodiment, the channels are provided to become suitable for passage or the shelf is provided to remain fixed in the changed place by means of the doors at the junctions of the diagonal channels.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a shelf, the height of which can be easily changed without being removed from inside the body.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a height adjustment mechanism that provides the height of the shelves in the body to be changed. The height adjustment mechanism comprises a connection member disposed on the shelf, that can rotate around itself, a pin disposed on the connection member and a heart mechanism disposed on a support member.
The heart mechanism comprises two channels that form a closed curve wherein the pin moves by being connected to each other from two ends, at least two housings that are arranged on the island-shaped wall located at the inner portions of the channels and that are disposed in the almost same vertical direction and at least two guiding members that provide the pin to move in the proper direction during the movement of the pin between the housings.
The lowermost of the housings is the lower housing, and the uppermost the upper housing. When the pin is in the lower housing, the shelf is in the low position, and when the pin is in the upper housing, the shelf is in the high position. The channel wherein the shelf moves while moving upwards from the lower housing is the outgoing channel, and the channel wherein the shelf moves while moving from the upper housing towards the lower housing is the return channel. All of the housings in the height adjustment mechanism are located on the outgoing channel.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one middle housing is arranged between the lower housing and the upper housing. When the pin is in the middle housing, the shelf is in the intermediary position. As the number of the intermediary positions between the low position and the high positions increases, the shelf is provided to be moved more precisely.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member is ring-shaped and the biasing means is wrapped around a shaft disposed in the center of the connection member. In this embodiment, one end of the biasing means extends towards the connection member, and the other end towards the bearing wherein the connection member is seated. The biasing means, preferably in spring form, activates while the pin arranged in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped cross-section of the connection member changes from the passive position to the active position wherein the pin moves between the housings, and the biasing means applies pressure to the connection member so as to bring the pin to the passive position. Thus, when freed from the guiding member after leveling with the housing, the pin is seated into the housing by itself thanks to the biasing means, thereby providing ease of utilization.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a groove is arranged at the end of the shaft extending towards the connection member, and a stopper at the end extending towards the bearing. One end of the biasing means extends from the shaft and enters into the groove located at the inner wall of the connection member. The movement of the other end thereof is limited to one direction by the stopper of the bearing. When the pin is in the passive position, one end of the biasing means bears against the stopper and the other against the side of the groove. While the height of the shelf is being increased, the pin moves so as to press the biasing means. While the height of the shelf is being decreased, one of the biasing means is freed by moving away from the stopper, and the other end thereof moves freely inside the groove. Thus, the biasing means is deactivated while the height of the shelf is being decreased.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism comprises a detent means arranged on the outer wall of the connection member and a latch extending from the bearing wherein the connection member is placed towards the connection member. When the pin is in the passive position, the detent means bears against the latch. While the height of the shelf is being increased, the detent means bears against the latch during the changing of the pin from the active position to the passive position and the pin is prevented from staying in a position different from the desired one. While the height of the shelf is being decreased, by means of the movement of the pin in the reverse direction, the detent means passes over the latch against which it bears in its passive position. At this time, the biasing means is deactivated. While the shelf changes to the low position, the pin changes once more to the passive position and thus continuity in terms of movement is provided.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism comprises at least two guides arranged on the support member and extending parallel to each other and at least two extensions arranged on the shelf, that are seated into the guides to move inside the guides. Thus, the shelf is provided to move only in the vertical direction and the movement is provided to be more easily controlled.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a retainer is disposed between the shelf and the support member. The retainer provides the shelf to be more easily placed to the body. In a derivative of this embodiment, the connection member and the extensions are also disposed on the retainer. In this embodiment, the shelf is attached to the surface of the retainer facing the interior of the body and the connection member is placed into the bearing arranged on the surface of the retainer facing the side wall. Thus, no movable part is present on the shelf and the shelf is more easily taken out of the body. Thus, the maintenance of the shelves and the height adjustment mechanism can be performed in a more convenient way.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one barrier is disposed at the joints of the channels. By means of the barriers preferably shaped as ramp, the pin is prevented from entering into the return channel when it is desired to be moved from the lower housing to the upper housings, and is prevented from entering into the outgoing channel when it is desired to be moved from the upper housing to the lower housing. By means of the ramp-like structure of the barriers, the pin is limited to a one-way movement when in the housings at the joints of the channels and the correctness of the movement is guaranteed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support member is detachably mounted onto the body. Thus, the height adjustment mechanism is provided to be adapted to the cooling device of which the height adjustment cannot be changed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanisms are disposed on opposite side walls and the shelf is seated between the height adjustment mechanisms. In this embodiment, one height adjustment mechanism is used on each of the two side walls. In a derivative of this embodiment, two height adjustment mechanisms are used on each of the two side walls.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism is disposed on the rear wall. The height adjustment mechanism of this embodiment comprises a retainer and a single height adjustment mechanism is sufficient to fix the shelf by means of the retainer grasping the shelf from two sides.
By means of the present invention, the positions of the shelves in the body can be changed and the interior volume of the cooling device can be efficiently used. Ease of utilization is provided since it is sufficient for the user to move the shelf upwards/downwards in order to adjust the height of the shelf. Moreover, the position of the shelf can be precisely adjusted by means of the middle housings arranged between the lower housing and the upper housing. Since the height adjustment mechanism is of completely mechanical and simple structure, it does not require any maintenance and can be used for a long time without malfunctioning.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a cooling device.
Figure 2 – is the partial view of the cooling device of the present invention.
Figure 3 – is the exploded view of the height adjustment mechanism.
Figure 4 – is the front view of the support member.
Figure 5 – is the perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism, the shelf and the retainer.
Figure 6 - is the rear view of the retainer when the pin is in the passive position.
Figure 7 - is the rear view of the retainer when the pin is in the outgoing channel.
Figure 8 - is the rear view of the retainer when the pin is in the return channel.
Figure 9 – is the front view of the height adjustment mechanism when the shelf is in the third position.
Figure 10 – is the front view of the height adjustment mechanism when the shelf is in the second position.
Figure 11 – is the front view of the height adjustment mechanism when the shelf is in the first position.
Figure 12 – is the front view of the support member relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 – is the perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism and the shelf relating to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 – is the perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism and the shelf relating to another embodiment of the present invention.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
  1. Cooling device
  2. Body
  3. Side wall
  4. Rear wall
  5. Shelf
  6. Height adjustment mechanism
  7. Connection member
  8. Pin
  9. Support member
  10. , 110. Channel
  11. , 111., 211. Housing
  12. , 112., 212. Guiding member
  13. Shaft
  14. Heart mechanism
  15. Biasing means
  16. Latch
  17. Detent means
  18. Guide
  19. Extension
  20. Retainer
  21. Barrier
  22. Groove
  23. Stopper
The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3) and a rear wall (4), at least one shelf (5) whereon the items are placed and at least one height adjustment mechanism (6) that provides the changing of the height of the shelf (5) (Figure 1, Figure 2).
The height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises a connection member (7) that is rotatably attached to the shelf (5), a pin (8) disposed on the connection member (7), a support member (9) disposed on the body (2) and a heart mechanism (14) disposed on the support member (9) and providing the pin (8) to be fixed at different heights (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5).
The heart mechanism (14) comprises;
  • two channels (10, 110) connected to each other from their ends, forming a closed curve wherein the pin (8) moves.
  • at least two housings (11, 111, 211) that are arranged on the channels (10, 110), that are disposed at the almost same vertical direction and at different heights and that provide the shelf (5) to be fixed at the position by the pin (8) being seated therein and
  • at least two guiding members (12, 112) that guide the pin (8) while the pin (8) leaves one housing (11) and passes to the other housing (111).
(Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5).
The shelf (5) has a low position (P1) wherein the pin (8) is in the lower housing (11) and a high position (P2) wherein the pin (8) is in the upper housing (111) (Figure 10, Figure 11).
When the shelf (5) is desired to be changed from the low position (P1) to the high position (P2), the user moves the shelf (5) in the upward direction. With the movement of the shelf (5), the pin (8) leaves the lower housing (11) and bears against the inclined guiding member (12) disposed over the lower housing (11). Although the horizontal position of the pin (8) changes during its movement along the guiding member (12), the shelf (5) does not move in the horizontal direction by means of the rotational movement of the connection member (7) whereto the pin (8) is connected, and moves only in the vertical direction. When aligned with the upper housing (111), the pin (8) is freed from the guiding member (12) and is seated into the upper housing (111) with the shelf (5) being pushed lightly by the user. Thus, the shelf (5) is brought to the high position (P2) and fixed in this position.
When the shelf (5) is desired to be changed from the high position (P2) to the low position (P1), the user moves the shelf (5) in the upward direction. With the movement of the shelf (5) in the upward direction, the pin (8) contacts with the guiding member (112) over the upper housing (111) to change direction, enters into the return channel (110) which is the continuation of the outgoing channel (10) wherein the the pin (8) moves while being brought to the upper housing (111) and moves in this channel (110) to enter into the lower housing (11). Thus, the shelf (5) is changed to the low position (P1) and fixed in this position.
Since no housing (11, 111) is arranged on the return channel (110), the pin (8) is not obstructed while the shelf (5) is brought from the high position (P2) to the low position (P1) and moves inside the return channel (110) to be seated into the lower housing (11). The guiding members (12, 112) guide the pin (8) to the correct channel (10, 110) depending on the direction wherein the shelf (5) is desired to be moved. Thus, problems that may occur during the adjustment of the shelf (5) height are prevented.
The pin (8) has a passive position (PP) wherein it is seated in the housings (11, 111) and an active position (PA) wherein it is changed between the housings (11, 111). When the pin (8) is in the passive position (PP), the shelf (5) is stationary. When the pin (8) is in the active position (PA), the shelf (5) moves in the vertical direction. While moving upwards, the pin (8) bears against the guiding members (12, 112) and provides the connection member (7) to rotate around itself (Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises at least one middle housing (211) arranged between the lower housing (11) and the upper housing (111). In this embodiment, the shelf (5) has an intermediary position (P3) wherein the pin (8) is in the middle housing (211). The lower housing (11), the middle housing (211) and the upper housing (111) are arranged in the almost same vertical direction. The pin (8) that moves starting from the lower housing (11) can be brought first to the middle housing (211), then to the upper housing (111) through the outgoing channel (10) and then returned to the lower housing (11) through the return channel (110). By means of the middle housing (211), the movement resolution of the shelf (5) is increased and the interior volume of the cooling device (1) is provided to be efficiently used by precisely adjusting the distance between the shelves (5) (Figure 9).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises the ring-shaped connection member (7) that is rotatably placed into a bearing (Y), a shaft (13) placed into the space in the center of the connection member (7) and a biasing means (15) wrapped around the shaft (13), one end of which is attached to the connection member (7) and the other end onto the bearing (Y) and that applies pressure so as to bring the pin (8) to the passive position (PP) when the pin (8) changes to the active position (PA). The biasing means (15) is preferably spring-shaped. While the shelf (5) is moved in the upward direction, the pin (8) that leaves the housing (11, 211) and bears against the guiding member (12, 212), moves and rotates the connection member (7), thus providing the biasing means (15) to be stressed. The pin (8) that is freed by leaving the guiding member (12, 212) when aligned with the housing (211, 111), changes to the passive position (PP) wherein it starts its movement with the pressure applied by the biasing means (15) and is seated into the housing (211, 111). Thus, the height of the shelf (5) is provided to be increased without the user making any movement other than pushing upwards (Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises a groove (22) that is arranged in the inner periphery of the connection member (7) and that bears one end of the biasing means (15) so that it can move therein, and a stopper (23) that is disposed on the bearing (Y) and that limits the movement of the other end of the biasing means (15) to one direction. When the biasing means (15) is free, one end thereof bears against the stopper (23), and the other end to the side of the groove (22). While the shelf (5) is being brought to position higher than a position it is in, the connection member (7) rotates. At this time, while one end of the biasing means (15) continues bearing against the stopper (23), the other end thereof moves together with the connection member (7) and provides the biasing means (15) to be pressed. The pin (8) that contacts with the guiding member (12, 212) throughout the movement of the shelf (5), is freed when aligned with the housing (111, 211) and the biasing means (15) pushes the pin (8) so that it is changed to the passive position (PP). When the height of the shelf (5) is desired to be decreased, the connection member (7) moves in the reverse direction. During this movement, the end of the biasing means (15) bearing against the stopper (23) moves away from the stopper (23) and the other end moves inside the groove (22). Thus, the biasing means (15) is deactivated and the shelf (5) is provided to be brought to the low position (P2) by the free movement of the pin (8) inside the return channel (110).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises a latch (16) that extends from the bearing (Y) wherein the connection member (7) is disposed towards the connection member (7) and a detent means (17) disposed on the connection member (7), that bears against the latch (16) when the pin (8) is in the passive position (PP). As the shelf (5) moves upwards, the biasing means (15) applies pressure to the pin (8) and the detent means (17) moves away from the latch (16). When freed, the pin (8) moves in the reverse direction with the effect of the biasing means (15) and stops with the detent means (17) hitting the latch (16). By means of the detent means (17) – latch (16) pair, the pin (8) is provided to stay always in the same passive position (PP). When the shelf (5) is desired to be brought from the high position (P2) to the low position (P1), the pin (8) hits a reversely-inclined guiding member (112) and the connection member (7) moves in the reverse direction. At this time, the detent means (17) passes over the latch (16) due to the elastic structure of the latch (16), providing the movement of the pin (8) in the reverse direction. The pin (8) moves freely in the return channel (110) with the deactivation of the biasing means (15). As the pin (8) hitting the guiding member (312) at the end of the return channel (110) moves towards the passive position (PP), the detent means (17) once again passes over the latch (16) and returns to its initial position. Thus, the operations of lowering and raising the shelf (5) are provided to be performed in a safe manner (Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises at least two guides (18) that extend along the support member (9) in the vertical direction so that the channels (10, 110) are therebetween and at least two extensions (19) disposed on the shelf (5), moving inside the guides (18) and providing the movement of the shelf (5) to be limited to the vertical direction. Thus, during the adjustment of the height of the shelf (5), the shelf (5) is prevented from moving forwards and backwards, thus from obstructing the movement (Figure 3, Figure 4).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises at least one retainer (20) arranged between the support member (9) and the shelf (5) and that carries the shelf (5). In this embodiment, the shelf (5) is slid forward after being placed into the spaces (S) arranged on the face of the retainer (20) facing the interior of the body (2). Thus, the shelf (5) is provided to be easily mounted to/dismounted from the body (2) (Figure 3, Figure 5).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the extension (19) and the connection member (7) are located on the face of the retainer (20) that faces the support member (9). The connection member (7) is placed into the bearing (Y) arranged on the retainer (20). The retainer (20) is grouped with the body (2) independently from the shelf (5) with the extensions (19) placed into the guides (18) and the pin (8) into the channels (10, 110). In this embodiment, no movable part is present on the shelf (5). Thus, the shelf (5) can be easily taken out of and put back into the body (2) and can be easily cleaned. When the height adjustment mechanism (6) is desired to be cleaned, first the shelf (5) and then the retainer (20) is taken out of the body (2), thereby providing ease of utilization (Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprises at least one barrier (21) disposed at the joints of the outgoing channel (110) and the return channel (110). The barrier (21) prevents the pin (8) from entering into the return channel (110) when in the lower housing (11), and from entering into the outgoing channel (10) when in the upper housing (111). In this embodiment, the barrier (21) is ramp-shaped. Thus, the barrier (21) prevents the movement of the pin (8) in one direction, and does not prevent its movement in the other direction (Figure 12).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support member (9) is detachably mounted onto the body (2). Thus, in case of any deformation occurring in the channels (10, 110), only the support member (9) is replaced instead of the body (2), and thus scrap costs are reduced. Moreover, the cost of mold that is required for forming the fine-tolerance channels (10, 110) is reduced. Furthermore, the support member (9) can be mounted to the shelf support units of the cooling devices (1) with the shelves (5) the height of which cannot be changed, thus enabling the height of the shelves (5) to be changed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) is disposed on the opposite side walls (3). In the preferred version of this embodiment, one height adjustment mechanism (6) is disposed at a portion close to the center of each of the two side walls (3). Since the shelf (5) is grasped from both sides, it can be solidly fixed to the body (2). In a version of this embodiment, two height adjustment mechanisms (6) are disposed on each of the two side walls (3) (Figure 13).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the height adjustment mechanism (6) is disposed on the rear wall (4). In this embodiment, one height adjustment mechanism (6) almost aligning with the center of the rear wall (4) is used. Thus, the interior volume of the body (2) is more efficiently used (Figure 14).
By means of the present invention, since the shelf (5) remains in the horizontal position during passage from the low position (P1) to the high position (P2) and from the high position (P2) to the low position (P1) and is not required to be taken out of the body (2) during the movement, the objects thereon are not required to be removed during height adjustment. Moreover, ease of utilization is provided since the height adjustment operation is performed only with the shelf (5) being moved in the vertical direction.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims (15)

  1. A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3) and a rear wall (4), at least one shelf (5) whereon the items are placed and at least one height adjustment mechanism (6) that provides the changing of the height of the shelf (5), characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) having
    - a connection member (7) that can be rotatably attached to the shelf (5),
    - a pin (8) disposed on the connection member (7),
    - a support member (9) disposed on the body (2) and
    - a heart mechanism (14) disposed on the support member (9) and that provides the pin (8) to be fixed at different heights.
  2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the heart mechanism (14) comprising two channels (10, 110) connected to each other from their ends, forming a closed curve wherein the pin (8) moves, at least two housings (11, 111, 211) that are arranged on the channels (10, 110), that are disposed at the almost same vertical direction and at different heights and that provide the shelf (5) to be fixed at the position by the pin (8) being seated therein and at least two guiding members (12, 112) that guide the pin (8) while the pin (8) leaves one housing (11) and passes to the other housing (111).
  3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the shelf (5) that has a low position (P1) wherein the pin (8) is in the lower housing (11) and a high position (P2) wherein the pin (8) is in the upper housing (111).
  4. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the pin (8) that has a passive position (PP) wherein it is seated in the housings (11, 111) and an active position (PA) wherein it is changed between the housings (11, 111).
  5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprising at least one middle housing (211) arranged between the lower housing (11) and the upper housing (111) and the shelf (5) that has an intermediary position (P3) wherein the pin (8) is in the middle housing (211).
  6. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) that comprises the ring-shaped connection member (7) that is rotatably placed into a bearing (Y), a shaft (13) placed into the space in the center of the connection member (7) and a biasing means (15) wrapped around the shaft (13), one end of which is attached to the connection member (7) and the other end onto the bearing (Y) and that applies pressure so as to bring the pin (8) to the passive position (PP) when the pin (8) changes to the active position (PA).
  7. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) that comprises a groove (22) that is arranged in the inner periphery of the connection member (7) and that bears one end of the biasing means (15) so that it can move therein, and a stopper (23) that is disposed on the bearing (Y) and that limits the movement of the other end of the biasing means (15) to one direction.
  8. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprising a latch (16) that extends from the bearing (Y) wherein the connection member (7) is disposed towards the connection member (7) and a detent means (17) disposed on the connection member (7), that bears against the latch (16) when the pin (8) is in the passive position (PP).
  9. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprising at least two guides (18) that extend along the support member (9) in the vertical direction so that the channels (10, 110) are therebetween and at least two extensions (19) disposed on the shelf (5), moving inside the guides (18) and providing the movement of the shelf (5) to be limited to the vertical direction.
  10. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprising at least one retainer (20) that is arranged between the support member (9) and the shelf (5) and that carries the shelf (5).
  11. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by the extension (19) and the connection member (7) that are disposed on the face of the retainer (20) that faces the support member (9).
  12. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) comprising at least one barrier (21) that is disposed at the joints of the outgoing channel (10) and the return channel (110).
  13. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the support member (9) that is detachably mounted onto the body (2).
  14. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) that is disposed on the opposite side walls (3).
  15. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the height adjustment mechanism (6) that is disposed on the rear wall (4).
PCT/EP2012/068653 2011-09-21 2012-09-21 A cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted WO2013041679A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12766947.1A EP2766680B1 (en) 2011-09-21 2012-09-21 A cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted
PL12766947T PL2766680T3 (en) 2011-09-21 2012-09-21 A cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR201109284 2011-09-21
TRA2011/09284 2011-09-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013041679A2 true WO2013041679A2 (en) 2013-03-28
WO2013041679A3 WO2013041679A3 (en) 2013-06-27

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PCT/EP2012/068653 WO2013041679A2 (en) 2011-09-21 2012-09-21 A cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which can be adjusted

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EP (1) EP2766680B1 (en)
PL (1) PL2766680T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2013041679A2 (en)

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CN104764280A (en) * 2015-03-31 2015-07-08 青岛海尔股份有限公司 Shelf assembly and refrigerator
EP2933590A1 (en) * 2014-04-18 2015-10-21 LG Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US9243839B2 (en) 2014-04-16 2016-01-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
WO2016070894A1 (en) * 2014-11-03 2016-05-12 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Improved shelf assembly and refrigeration appliance having the same

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CN104207507A (en) * 2013-05-28 2014-12-17 梅尧国际股份有限公司 Restraining device
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WO2016070894A1 (en) * 2014-11-03 2016-05-12 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Improved shelf assembly and refrigeration appliance having the same
US10006692B2 (en) 2014-11-03 2018-06-26 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Shelf assembly and refrigeration appliance having the same
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CN104764280A (en) * 2015-03-31 2015-07-08 青岛海尔股份有限公司 Shelf assembly and refrigerator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2766680B1 (en) 2021-05-12
PL2766680T3 (en) 2021-11-22
EP2766680A2 (en) 2014-08-20
WO2013041679A3 (en) 2013-06-27

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