DE102020109934A1 - Fridge and / or freezer with exterior lighting concept - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer, with a light guide plate attached to the front of the appliance door, which extends over a substantial part of the width and / or over a substantial part of the height of the door and is designed to emit light via decoupling contours output at least two opposite door edges, the light guide plate having a coupling contour arranged at a distance from the corresponding door edges for coupling in light, the device also having at least one light source whose light can be coupled into the light guide plate via the coupling contour, and the light guide plate on its front is covered by a panel.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with a special exterior lighting concept.

The “Ambilight” concept of the Philips company is known from the field of television screens, whereby the screen has several light sources on the back, which illuminate the wall behind the screen in such a way that the viewer perceives the screen framing with soft and indirect light will. In this way, the device's field of vision should be enlarged in the viewer's perception and, in addition to protecting the eyes, an attractive design should be achieved.

It is also known in the furniture industry to use indirect lighting as design elements. In this context, pedestal lighting should be mentioned in particular.

In the patent application DE 10 2019 116 794.9 a concept for framing the device with a light contour is disclosed which provides light guides on the edges to be illuminated. The disadvantage of this solution is the installation space required in the appliance door and, in particular, the necessary structural redesign of existing appliance doors.

The object of the invention is to provide an exterior lighting concept for framing the device with a light contour which overcomes these disadvantages.

Against this background, the invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with a thermally insulated device body that encloses an interior space, with a removal opening being provided on the front of the device body to bring goods into and out of the interior space, with a thermally insulated door is provided to close the removal opening reversibly.

According to the invention it is provided that a light guide plate is attached to the front of the door, which extends over a substantial part of the width and / or over a substantial part of the height of the door and is designed to emit light via decoupling contours at at least two opposite door edges, wherein the light guide plate has a coupling contour arranged at a distance from the corresponding door edges for coupling light, that the device also has at least one light source, the light of which can be coupled into the light guide plate via the coupling contour, and that the front of the light guide plate is covered by a panel .

The opposite door edges can be the left and right side edges or the top and bottom edges of the door. When a substantial part of the width or height of the door is mentioned in the present context, this is to be understood as an extension over at least 70% and preferably at least 85% of the width or height. It is important that the door is framed with a light contour, with a few centimeters of space between the actual lower edge of the door and the lower decoupling contour of the light guide plate, for example, on the underside. It is preferably provided that the light guide plate extends over the entire width and / or over the entire height of the door.

In one embodiment it is provided that the light guide plate extends over the entire surface of the door and is designed to emit light on all door edges. In this way, the entire door can be framed with light with a sharp contour.

The light source is preferably attached to the front of the door or directly to the light guide plate. The light source is preferably arranged in the center of the door or halfway between the two relevant door edges.

The light source can have one or more LEDs, for example RGB LEDs, RGBW LEDs or RGBWW LEDs.

In one embodiment, the coupling-in contour can comprise a vertically or horizontally running notch with inclined side edges, which is worked into the rear side of the light guide plate. The notch is preferably machined into the front surface of the light guide plate. It preferably extends linearly from its upper to its lower or from its left to its right edge. It can preferably be arranged halfway, that is to say in the middle between the two opposite door edges at which light emission is intended. It preferably extends over the entire width or height of the light guide plate. If light is to be emitted both on the side edges and on the upper and lower edges of the door, a cross-shaped arrangement of two grooves can be envisaged.

In a further embodiment, the coupling-in contour can comprise at least one conical recess. The depressions are preferably machined into the front surface of the light guide plate. There can also be several such Depressions can be arranged at a distance from one another, wherein it is preferably provided that the plurality of such depressions are arranged along a line, the course of which can be as it has just been described in connection with the notch.

In a variant of the invention, the light sources can be arranged within a receptacle in the light guide plate and preferably held there in a form-fitting manner. The receptacle can be open towards the rear of the light guide plate or closed as a whole. It preferably extends linearly from its upper to its lower or from its left to its right edge. In particular, the course of the receptacle can correspond to that of the notch or the imaginary line of the conical depressions. The receptacle can represent a rail structure for the light sources, into which the light sources and the associated circuit board can be inserted. This can be realized in particular when the light guide plate is manufactured by means of injection molding or extrusion.

A plurality of individual light sources are preferably provided, which are arranged in such a way that they illuminate the same coupling-in contour at preferably regular intervals or illuminate different coupling-in contours in each case. For the properties and the arrangement of the multiple light sources, reference can be made to the above description of the one light source.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the light guide plate has a bevel on the at least two opposite sides, which lie on the two opposite door edges of the light output. Chamfers are preferably provided on all four sides of the light guide plate. Light can be decoupled from the light guide plate at the inclined surfaces of the bevels and the bevels represent the decoupling contours. In particular, 45 ° bevels can be involved, with other angles of in particular between about 30 ° and about 60 ° being suitable. The chamfers preferably run over the entire length of the edge and extend over the entire thickness of the light guide plate. The inclined surfaces of the bevels are preferably directed forward and not covered by the panel, so that they serve as visible edges. In this way, the light is coupled out of the light guide plate forwards or at an angle.

In one embodiment, the screen can be held in a form-fitting manner on the light guide plate. For example, the light guide plate can have guides on the left and right which overlap the edges of the diaphragm. This can be realized in particular when the light guide plate is manufactured by means of injection molding or extrusion.

In one embodiment variant, the surface of the outcoupling contour can be structured in order to increase the homogeneity of the emitted light. For example, the corresponding surface can be sandblasted or etched.

The aperture is preferably non-transparent. It preferably extends over essentially the entire surface of the light guide plate and consequently, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the door. For example, the screen can be a vapor-coated, foiled, sand-blasted or otherwise non-transparent glass plate. Other suitable materials include treated or untreated wood, metal, or plastic.

• 1: einen horizontalen Querschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Kühl- und/oder Gefriergerät in einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2: perspektivische Ansichten auf eine Lichtleiterplatte eines solchen Geräts von vorne und von hinten;
• 3: eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht des zentralen Bereichs einer solchen Lichtleiterplatte;
• 4: eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht eines Befestigungsbereichs einer solchen Lichtleiterplatte;
• 5: eine Simulation der Lichtausbreitung in einer solchen Lichtleiterplatte;
• 6: eine perspektivische Frontansicht auf eine Tür eines derartigen Geräts während der Montage der Blende;
• 7: eine perspektivische Frontansicht auf eine Tür eines derartigen Geräts mit montierter Blende;
• 8: eine Querschnittsdarstellung eines Türausschnitts mit aufgesetzter Blende;
• 9: eine Explosionsdarstellung dieser Anordnung;
• 10: eine Darstellung einer Lichtleiterplatte in einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kühl- und/oder Gefriergeräts;
• 11: eine Simulation der Lichtausbreitung in einer solchen Lichtleiterplatte; und
• 12: Fotos von Funktionsmustern erfindungsgemäßer Geräte.

Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the figures. In the figures show:

• 1 : a horizontal cross section through a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention in a first embodiment;
• 2 : perspective views of a light guide plate of such a device from the front and from the rear;
• 3 : an enlarged sectional view of the central area of such a light guide plate;
• 4th : an enlarged sectional view of a fastening area of such a light guide plate;
• 5 : a simulation of the propagation of light in such a light guide plate;
• 6th : a perspective front view of a door of such a device during the assembly of the panel;
• 7th : a perspective front view of a door of such a device with a mounted cover;
• 8th : a cross-sectional view of a door cutout with an attached panel;
• 9 : an exploded view of this arrangement;
• 10 : a representation of a light guide plate in a further embodiment of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention;
• 11 : a simulation of the propagation of light in such a light guide plate; and
• 12th : Photos of functional samples of devices according to the invention.

1 shows a horizontal cross section through an inventive cooling and / or Freezer 100 in a first embodiment. The device 100 has a device body 110 on the front of which an appliance door 120 is posted.

The individual functional units of the device are not shown in the figure, since they are only of secondary importance for understanding the present invention. In any case, the device body encloses 110 but an interior and comprises a heat pump for cooling the interior, which is a refrigerant circuit with a in a base area of the device body 110 arranged compressor, one on the back of the device body 110 arranged condenser, a throttle and an evaporator arranged in the interior.

The device body 110 and the appliance door 120 each comprise an outer skin, an inner container or, in the case of the door, an inner lining made of a molded plastic plate and a heat-insulating layer made of an insulating foam that is enclosed between the outer skin and the inner container or inner lining. In the case of the device body 110 the outer skin can be a sheet of metal. In the case of the appliance door 120 The choice of material for the outer cladding is not decisive due to the facing according to the invention and inexpensive materials such as plastic or even cardboard can be used.

The appliance door 120 is according to the invention on its front over the entire surface with a light guide plate 130 covered, the front then essentially over the entire surface of a panel 140 is concealed. The light guide plate 130 is in 2 shown in isolation.

From the enlarged view of the 3 can be seen that the light guide plate 130 a V-shaped notch in the center of the front 131 which runs vertically from top to bottom. That notch 131 serves as a coupling contour for light emitted by the point-shaped LED light sources on an LED board 135 that is sent out in a recording 132 on the opposite inside of the light guide plate 130 is recorded. The LED light sources are perpendicular to the surface of the light circuit board 130 , the emitted light is at the V-shaped notch 131 deflected and spreads in the light guide plate 131 the end. Total reflection preferably occurs.

From the enlarged view of the 4th can be seen that the light guide plate 130 in the side area using screws 125 on the appliance door 120 is mounted. Alternatively or additionally, the light guide plate 130 also on the appliance door 120 be glued on.

Furthermore, from the enlarged view of the 4th can be recognized that the side edges of the light guide plate 130 are chamfered and a bevel that is approximately at a 45 ° angle on the plane of the plate 133 have, which as a lateral exit contour for the centrally in the light guide plate 130 coupled light is used. In particular, based on the bevel 133 can be achieved that the light is coupled out to the front, which in particular also in the simulation according to 5 becomes clear.

A central advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the distance between individual light sources on the LED board 135 in the middle of the light panel 130 due to the distance to the edges of the light panel 130 can be relatively large without having to accept losses in the homogeneity of the light output. In order to further increase the homogeneity of the emitted light, the surface of the bevel 133 be roughened, for example sandblasted. The V-shaped notch 131 is preferably polished, which has the advantages of good light coupling.

How it continues to look 4th can be seen are on the front of the light guide plate 130 lateral retaining grooves 134 formed as a retaining contour for the panel 140 serve. The aperture 140 can be used when assembling the device 100 from top to bottom on the light guide plate 130 be pushed and thereby by the retaining grooves 134 being held. This is in 6th shown. Alternatively or in addition, the aperture 140 also on the light guide plate 130 be glued on.

The result is in 7th and 8th to see.

9 shows an exploded view of the arrangement consisting of the appliance door 120 , Light guide plate 130 and aperture 140 .

The light guide plate 130 is manufactured in the case shown with the help of extrusion, since in particular the structures discussed above, in particular the notch 131 , the recording 132 and the bevel 133 can be represented well in this way. Alternatively, the production could also take place with the help of injection molding or the post-processing of sheet goods.

10 shows a light guide plate 130 in a further embodiment of the invention. The decisive difference to the light guide plate according to the embodiment described above consists in the formation of the light entry contour, which here consists of a row of conical depressions running in the vertical direction 131a is formed, which are incorporated into the front of the light guide plate. The depressions 131a lead to a less sideways, but also intensified vertical light propagation as shown in the simulation 11 becomes clear.

12th shows photos of functional samples of devices according to the invention. Using the light guide plate 130 contour lighting can be created, as can be seen, with which all edges of the appliance door 120 can be illuminated homogeneously so that a contour frame or, as shown, left and right contour lines can be generated.

The presented invention makes it possible to generate a homogeneous light contour around the front of the appliance door of a refrigerator and / or freezer, for example a wine cooler. The light contour can be circumferential, extend over the side edges, or extend over the upper and lower edges.

The light contour enables the lighting concept to be added to the kitchen, living room or restaurant, wherever the device is set up. Individualization for the customer is made possible on the basis of the light. It can also be used to output warning functions.

One advantage of the invention is that a light source (e.g. LEDs, RGB-LEDs, RGBW-LEDs, RGBWW-LEDs) is only required in the middle and that these can also be arranged at a greater distance from one another in order to maintain an acceptable homogeneity to reach the contour edge.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102019116794 [0004]

Claims (10)

Refrigerator and / or freezer with a thermally insulated device body that encloses an interior space, a removal opening being provided on the front of the device body to bring goods into and out of the interior space, a thermally insulated door being provided around the removal opening reversibly to close, characterized in that a light guide plate is attached to the front of the door, which extends over a substantial part of the width and / or over a substantial part of the height of the door and is designed to emit light via decoupling contours at at least two opposite door edges , wherein the light guide plate has a coupling contour arranged at a distance from the corresponding door edges for coupling light, that the device furthermore has at least one light source, the light of which can be coupled into the light guide plate via the coupling contour, and that the light guide plate is attached to it the front is covered by a panel. Refrigerator and / or freezer Claim 1 , characterized in that the light guide plate extends over the entire surface of the door and is designed to emit light on all door edges. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source is attached to the front of the door or directly to the light guide plate. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source has one or more LEDs. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling contour comprises a vertically or horizontally running notch with sloping side edges, which is incorporated into the rear of the light guide plate. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling contour comprises at least one conical recess. The refrigerator unit and / or freezer unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light sources are arranged within a receptacle in the light guide plate and are preferably held there in a form-fitting manner. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several individual light sources are provided which are arranged so that they illuminate the same coupling contour at preferably regular intervals or illuminate different coupling contours. The refrigerator unit and / or freezer unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide plate has a bevel on the at least two opposite sides which lie on the two opposite door edges of the light output. Cooling and / or freezing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen is held in a form-fitting manner on the light guide plate.

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