WO2016156111A1

WO2016156111A1 - A cooling device comprising a height adjustable shelf

Info

Publication number: WO2016156111A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/056255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cagatay Buyuktopcu; Yagiz TEZEL; Hakan Ozkahraman
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-04-03
Filing date: 2016-03-22
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: EP3278043A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2); a door (8) providing access into the body (2); more than one shelf (3) that is placed into the body (2) and whereon foodstuffs are placed and the vertical position of which can be changed; at least one compartment (4) that is situated between two shelves (3) or between the base of the body (2) and one shelf (3) or between the ceiling of the body (2) or one shelf (3); a motor (5) that provides the drive required for the movement of the shelf (3), a control unit (6) that provides the detection of the position of the shelf (3) in the body (2), and a display device (7) that is disposed on the body (2) and that provides the transmission of the data received from the control unit (6) to the user.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING A HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SHELF

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a height adjustable shelf.

In cooling devices such as refrigerators and deep freezers the foodstuffs and various containers are placed on the shelves. However, while the tall objects are placed on the shelf, problems are encountered such as the object hitting the upper shelf and therefore not being able to be placed on the shelf or the object on the shelf hitting the upper shelf and other articles while being taken out. Depending on the needs of the user, the distance between the two shelves can be required to be changed, in other words the height of the shelf in the body can be required to be adjusted.

In the state of the art, various embodiments are known wherein the height of the shelf is changed as a result of the user turning an arm or pressing a button by means of a movement transmission means.

In the state of the art United States Patent Application No US2005062380, for refrigerators, a height adjuster which comprises gear portions on opposite side surfaces of the refrigerating chamber, height adjustment gears which are fastened to the gear portions and a stopper located on the shelf and providing the height adjustment gear to rotate in a controlled manner, is described.

In the state of the art United States Patent Document No US5913584 a shelf for refrigerators, wherein the height can be adjusted by connecting the gears attached to a support assembly mounted thereon to an arm extending to the front side of the shelf and thus rotating by means of the arm, is described.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a shelf the height of which is easily adjustable without requiring the opening of the door.

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 body; a door providing access into the body; at least one shelf whereon the foodstuffs are placed, that is placed in the body, the vertical position of which can be changed; a motor that provides the drive for the movement of the shelf; a control unit that provides the detection of the position of the shelf in the body, and a display device that is disposed on the body and that provides the transmission of the data received from the control unit to the user. The motor can be a synchronous, asynchronous, AC or DC motor.

The cooling device of the present invention comprises the control unit that enables the user to move the shelf in the vertical direction according to the data received from the display device when the door is closed. The display device can be TFT or LEC display. Thus, when the user opens the door to place the foodstuffs into the body, he/she can place the foodstuffs more quickly and the energy loss from the cooling device due to the door remaining open while the foodstuffs are being placed is decreased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a button that is disposed on the body and the control unit that enables the shelf to be moved in the vertical direction after the button is triggered. By means of the button disposed on the body, the user can move the shelf upwards/downwards without opening the door of the cooling device. The user follows the movement of the shelf in the body via the display device and can stop the movement of the shelf by stopping to press the button when the shelf reaches the desired position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises the display device that is a touch screen and that comprises a shelf indicator for each shelf, showing the position of the shelf in the body, and the control unit that enables the shelf to be moved in the vertical direction with the shelf indicator being moved in the vertical direction. When the user touches the shelf indicator, the control unit determines the relevant shelf, and in the case the user moves the shelf indicator he/she touches upwards/downwards, the control unit enables the relevant shelf to be moved in the same direction in proportion to the distance the shelf indicator moves. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shelf indicators can be moved after the user continuously touches the shelf indicator for a time predetermined by the producer. By touching the shelf indicator for the predetermined time, the user enables the same to move upwards/downwards on the display device. Thus, the shelf is prevented from being moved without user intervention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises the display device that is a touch screen and that comprises a compartment indicator for each compartment and the control unit that enables the shelf to be moved so as to increase the height of the compartment selected by the user pressing on the desired compartment indicator. The user selects the compartment wherein he/she desires to place the foodstuff via the display device and the control unit moves the shelves below the selected compartment downwards and the shelves thereabove upwards. Thus, the idle volume between the foodstuffs in the other compartments and the shelves is transferred to the selected compartment, thus increasing the usable volume of the selected compartment. In an embodiment of the present invention, after the user touches continuously to the compartment indicator for a time predetermined by the producer, the compartment is selected and the relevant compartment indicator is illuminated in a different color, thus assuring the user that he/she has selected the correct compartment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises the control unit that detects the height of the compartment, that assigns a symbol to each compartment height so as to correspond to the certain compartment height ranges predetermined by the producer and that enables the symbol to be displayed on the display device. In this embodiment, the compartment height ranges and the symbols representing these ranges are predetermined by the user. The determined symbols are also defined on the display device. The control unit compares the detected compartment height with the compartment height ranges predetermined by the producer and determines the value range corresponding to the detected compartment height and the relevant symbol. Only the determined symbol is enabled to be illuminated on the display device. If the compartment height is decreased and falls below the determined value range as a result of the movement of the shelf, the illumination of the relevant symbol is stopped. Thus, the user is enabled to be informed about the compartment height and it is easily detected if the shelf is required to be moved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a receiver and a transmitter that are disposed on the opposite two sides of the shelf and the control unit that enables the energy delivered to the motor to be interrupted and the movement of the shelf to be terminated according to the data received from the receiver and the transmitter. The signal transmission between the receiver and the transmitter is interrupted if an object gets close to the foodstuffs during the movement of the shelf. In this case the control unit decides that the shelf gets close to an obstacle and terminates the movement of the shelf in order to prevent the shelf from impacting this obstacle. Thus, both the shelf and the foodstuffs are prevented from being damaged.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit enables the user to be informed by visual and/or audio warning that he/she gets close to the foodstuff in the compartment according to the data received from the receiver and the transmitter. Thus, the user is informed that the shelf gets close to the foodstuffs during the movement of the shelf.

By means of the present invention, a cooling device is realized, wherein the shelf heights are easily changed without requiring to unload and load again the foodstuffs.

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 schematic view of a cooling device.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the cooling device in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the schematic view of the display device in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the schematic view of the display device in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooling device
Body
Shelf
Compartment
Motor
Control unit
Display device
Door
Button
Shelf indicator
Compartment indicator
Receiver
Transmitter

The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2); a door (8) providing access into the body (2); more than one shelf (3) that is placed into the body (2) and whereon foodstuffs are placed and the vertical position of which can be changed; at least one compartment (4) that is situated between two shelves (3) or between the base of the body (2) and one shelf (3) or between the ceiling of the body (2) or one shelf (3); a motor (5) that provides the drive required for the movement of the shelf (3), a control unit (6) that provides the detection of the position of the shelf (3) in the body (2), and a display device (7) that is disposed on the body (2) and that provides the transmission of the data received from the control unit (6) to the user (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises the control unit (6) that enables the user to move the shelf (3) in the vertical direction according to the data received from the display device (7) when the door (8) is closed. The control unit (6) determines the position of the shelf (3) in the body (2) in the vertical direction. The position of the shelf (3) is transmitted to the user via the cooling device (1) shape generated on the display device (7). Thus, the user is informed about the positions of the shelves (3) and the heights of the compartments (4) without opening the door (8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a button (9) that is disposed on the body (2) and the control unit (6) that enables the shelf (3) to be moved in the vertical direction after the button (9) is triggered. The user checks the positions of the shelf (3) by looking at the display device (7) and can change the position of the shelf (3) in the vertical direction by means of the button (9) on the body (2) without opening the door (8) of the cooling device (1). As the user presses on the button (9) in the upwards/downwards direction, the control unit (6) enables the motor (5) to drive the shelf (3) and thus the shelf (3) to be moved in the direction the user presses on the button (9). When the user stops pressing the button (9), the control unit (6) enables the energy supplied to the motor (5) to be interrupted and the movement of the shelf (3) to be terminated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the display device (7) that is a touch screen and that comprises a shelf indicator (10) for each shelf (3), showing the position of the shelf (3) in the body (2), and the control unit (6) that enables the shelf (3) to be moved in the vertical direction with the shelf indicator (10) being moved in the vertical direction. By means of the touch screen, the user presses the shelf indicator (10) on the display device (7) corresponding to the shelf (3) the position of which he/she desires to change, and afterwards drags the shelf indicator (10) to the desired position on the display device (7). The control unit (6) evaluates the movement of the shelf indicator (10) and enables the relevant shelf (3) to be moved upwards/downwards so that the shelf (3) is brought to the same position in the body (2). Thus, the user can easily determine the shelf (3) the position of which he/she desires to change on the display device (7) and easily control the movement of the shelf (3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the display device (7) that is a touch screen and that comprises a compartment indicator (11) for each compartment (5) and the control unit (6) that enables the shelf (3) to be moved so as to increase the height of the compartment (5) selected by the user pressing on the desired compartment indicator (11). When the user desires to place a foodstuff into the cooling device that is higher than the height of the compartment (5), he/she selects the compartment (5) wherein he/she will place the foodstuff on the display device (7) and enables the control unit (6) to move the shelf (3) upwards/downwards so as to increase the height of the compartment (5). The control unit (6) adjusts the heights of the compartments (5) apart from the compartment (5) selected by the user at most as much as the height of the foodstuff in the compartment (5). Thus, by decreasing the heights of the other compartments (5), the height of the compartment (5) selected by the user is enabled to be increased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the control unit (6) that detects the height of the compartment (5), that assigns a symbol to each compartment (5) height so as to correspond to the certain compartment (5) height ranges predetermined by the producer and that enables the symbol to be displayed on the display device (7). In this embodiment, the compartment (5) height ranges and the symbols representing these ranges are predetermined by the user. The control unit (6) compares the detected compartment (5) height with the compartment (5) height ranges predetermined by the producer and determines the value range corresponding to the detected compartment (5) height. The symbol corresponding to the determined value range is shown by the control unit (6) in the relevant compartment (5) on the display device (7). The symbols that are shown on the display device (7) can be foodstuffs with different heights, such as pot, bottle, etc. Thus, the user is enabled to be informed about the foodstuffs that can be placed on the shelf (3). By looking at the display device (7), the user gets information about the heights of the compartments (5) and enables the relevant shelf (3) to be moved upwards/downwards as required (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a receiver (12) and a transmitter (13) that are disposed on the opposite two sides of the shelf (3) base and the control unit (6) that enables energy delivered to the motor (5) to be interrupted and the movement of the shelf (3) to be terminated according to the data received from the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13). The foodstuffs getting close to the shelf (3) base during the upwards-downwards movement of the shelf (3) interrupts the signal transmission between the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13). When the signal transmission between the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13) is interrupted, it is detected that the shelf (3) is close to the foodstuffs, thus, the control unit (6) enables the energy supplied to the motor (5) to be interrupted and the movement of the shelf (3) to be terminated. Thus, the shelf (3) is prevented from impacting the foodstuffs.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (6) enables the user to be informed by visual and/or audio warning that he/she gets close to the foodstuff in the compartment (5) according to the data received from the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13). The user is warned by audio and/or visual means if the signal transmission between the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13) is interrupted. Thus, the user is not required to check the distance between the shelf (3) and the foodstuffs during the movement of the shelf (3), thus improving user satisfaction.

In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the user checks the position of the shelf (3) by looking at the display device (7) on the body (2) and can change the position of the shelf (3) in the upwards/downwards direction without opening the door (8). Thus, the user can quickly place the foodstuff into the compartment (5) after opening the door (8) and by shortening the time the door (8) stays open, the cool air flow from the cooling device (1) towards the outer environment is decreased, thus preventing energy consumption.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2); a door (8) providing access into the body (2); more than one shelf (3) that is placed into the body (2) and whereon foodstuffs are placed and the vertical position of which can be changed; at least one compartment (4) that is situated between two shelves (3) or between the base of the body (2) and one shelf (3) or between the ceiling of the body (2) or one shelf (3); a motor (5) that provides the drive required for the movement of the shelf (3), a control unit (6) that provides the detection of the position of the shelf (3) in the body (2), and a display device (7) that is disposed on the body (2) and that provides the transmission of the data received from the control unit (6) to the user,

characterized by the control unit (6) that enables the user to move the shelf (3) in the vertical direction according to the data received from the display device (7) when the door (8) is closed.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a button (9) that is disposed on the body (2) and the control unit (6) that enables the shelf (3) to be moved in the vertical direction after the button (9) is triggered.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the display device (7) that is a touch screen and that comprises a shelf indicator (10) for each shelf (3), showing the position of the shelf (3) in the body (2), and the control unit (6) that enables the shelf (3) to be moved in the vertical direction with the shelf indicator (10) being moved in the vertical direction.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the display device (7) that is a touch screen and that comprises a compartment indicator (11) for each compartment (5) and the control unit (6) that enables the shelf (3) to be moved so as to increase the height of the compartment (5) selected by the user pressing on the desired compartment indicator (11).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the control unit (6) that detects the height of the compartment (5), that assigns a symbol to each compartment (5) height so as to correspond to the certain compartment (5) height ranges predetermined by the producer and that enables the symbol to be displayed on the display device (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a receiver (12) and a transmitter (13) that are disposed on the opposite two sides of the shelf (3) base and the control unit (6) that enables energy delivered to the motor (5) to be interrupted and the movement of the shelf (3) to be terminated according to the data received from the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the control unit (6) that enables the user to be informed that he/she gets close to the foodstuff in the compartment (5) by visual and/or audio warning according to the data received from the receiver (12) and the transmitter (13).