EP2191215B1 - Refrigeration unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration device having at least one housing part, which has at least one outer wall.

The door of a refrigeration device is usually composed of an outer door shell, an inner door shell, one or more door frame elements, as well as a heat-insulating insulating material layer between the inner door shell and the outer door shell together. On the outer door shell may optionally be additionally attached a front panel or a panel. Such front panels or panels are used in particular to adapt the external appearance of the refrigerator to constructive installation conditions or decorative requirements. If the refrigerator is installed, for example, in a kitchenette in a local installation niche, it is usually applied to the door outer shell in addition a front panel, which consists of the same material as the other kitchen elements or fits in their aesthetic appearance to these.
Such front panels usually have a flat rectangular geometry shape. They are in particular made of an opaque material such as plastic, wood fiber boards with external coating or solid wood panels.

Such manufactured doors for refrigerators are constructed too expensive under a variety of practical conditions. In addition, an electronic module comprising a display unit and / or a control panel, be held accessible only by an operator that either a door area is kept free of the panel, that is not covered, or an open section in the additional patch panel or front panel is provided, behind which the electronics module is placed. This known construction does not meet some aesthetic requirements, but also practical aspects when using the refrigerator. Thus, for example, dirt particles can accumulate on the upper edge of such a cuboid front panel. Also, dirt particles, moisture or water can enter any gap space between the front panel and the door outer shell penetration. In addition, the integrative connection of the cuboid front panel to adjacent kitchen elements such as cabinet doors, kitchen panels, base cabinets, etc. may be affected or complicated by the angularity of the geometry of the front panel.

The publication JP 2004 232887 A shows a refrigerator with a door, which consists of an outer and an inner plate. The outer plate has a U-shape in cross section.

The publication WO 03/023298 A shows a refrigerator with a door on which a decorative part is glued. The decoration part has a glass plate and two color layers.

The Internet abstract XP007905270 "Design Excellence Award for Gorenje Pininfarina Fridge Freezer" Internet Citation, [Online] October 18, 2006, found on the Internet: URL: http://www.gorenje.co.uk/ukpressreleases?id=6591&nid= 624, shows a refrigerator with an initially opaque glass panel in the refrigerator door with a touch screen. When the touchscreen is pressed, the glass panel becomes transparent, allowing a view into the refrigerator.

The publication WO 2007/060188 A shows a refrigerator, wherein in a door of the refrigerator, a screen housing is provided for a screen.

The invention has for its object to provide a refrigerator with at least one housing part, in particular a door, which has a simplified structural design and at the same time meets increased aesthetic requirements. According to the invention, this object is achieved in a cooling device of the type mentioned above in that at least a partial area or the total area of the outer wall of the housing part is formed only by a glass plate, which extends curved along at least one edge zone of the outer wall.

Characterized in that at least a partial area or the total area of the outer wall of the housing part is formed only by a glass plate having along at least one edge zone of their side edges a curved or curved edge, can be Improve the visual appearance of the refrigerator for a variety of circumstances. Since the glass plate forms an integral part of at least one outer wall of the housing part, its construction is now simplified: It is no longer necessary as before to attach an additional opaque diaphragm or front panel on the outer wall of the housing part as a panel. For now, the outer wall of the housing part is partially or completely alone, ie formed exclusively by the glass plate itself. As a result, in particular, a single-walled outer wall construction for the housing part can be made possible, which is material-saving, easy to produce in terms of production technology and aesthetically pleasing. By the rounding along at least one of the longitudinal edges of the glass plate, in particular, the feel of the outer wall of the housing part can be favorably changed when touching. The curved or curved edge of the glass plate in particular sharp, angular edges are avoided, as they occur, for example, in an additionally applied, cuboid shaped front panel of a conventionally constructed door of a refrigerator. Due to the edge-side curvature of the glass plate there is advantageously increased their resistance to fracture, ie the risk is reduced that the glass plate is damaged or broken in the region of its curved edge zone. Thus, the risk of injury to an operator is reduced or completely avoided. In addition, dirt particles or other contaminants can be more easily removed along the curved edge zone than with a conventional door with a purely rectangular shaped front panel. In addition, it is largely avoided by the curved edge of the glass plate along at least one outer edge of the housing part that there eg dirt particles, moisture or water can penetrate into the interior of the housing part. The curved along at least one edge zone glass plate advantageously provides a joint-poor transition between its front and its edge-side end side. It allows advantageously an improved integrative connection to one or more adjacent components of the body of the refrigerator and / or any neighboring home furniture such as kitchen elements, especially cabinet doors, kitchen tops, base cabinets, etc.

An advantage is in particular that the glass plate can form both a part of the actual outer wall or the entire outer wall of the housing part of the refrigerator and at the same time a decorative element for the refrigerator. An additional front panel or panel as in the conventional door construction can thus be omitted. In particular, it is advantageous that the glass plate can be integrated into the structural design of the housing part as a composite component.

According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing part is preferably formed by a door of the refrigerator. Their front is visible to the user of the refrigerator from the front. If at least a partial area or the total area of the front outer wall or front wall of the door is merely formed by a glass plate, in particular the advantages indicated above are brought about for a door formed in this way. Advantageously, the front wall of the door is particularly partially or entirely formed only by a glass plate, which is integrated into the structural design of the door as a composite component.

In addition or independently thereof, the housing part may in particular also be formed by at least one outer wall of the body, preferably by one or both longitudinal side walls, the ceiling element and / or the bottom element of the refrigeration device. If at least a partial area or the total area of an outer wall of the body of the refrigeration device is merely replaced by a glass plate, in particular the advantages indicated above are effected for a body formed in this way. Advantageously, the respective outer wall of the body is in particular partially or completely formed only by a glass plate, which is integrated into the structural structure of the body as a composite component.

According to a further expedient development of the invention, the glass plate has a curved edge zone in the region of its upper end edge. This is particularly advantageous if the glass plate forms an integral part or the entire front wall of a door of the refrigerator. If the glass plate is provided along the longitudinal extent of the upper end edge of the door with a curved or arcuate edge, this has the particular advantage that there dust and dirt particles accumulate or settle far less than a cuboid front plate, which at its top has an angled at 90 ° relative to its front surface, lateral outer boundary. There are provided in the region of the upper end side of the door by the local curved edge zone of the glass plate in an advantageous manner largely rounded outer surfaces, which are far less susceptible to dirt and can be easily cleaned.

Additionally or independently thereof, the glass plate may also have a curved edge zone in a corresponding manner, if appropriate also in the region of its lower end edge. Possibly. It may also be expedient if the glass plate in the region of its left and / or right longitudinal side has a curved edge zone.

According to a further expedient development of the invention, a heat-insulating insulating material layer is advantageously self-adhesive and / or connected by additional adhesive to the inner wall of the glass plate and / or the outer frame of the housing part. In particular, the additional adhesives may be formed by one or more adhesive tapes or adhesives.

According to the invention, the glass plate has a viewing window which is more transparent than its remaining surface.

According to the invention, an electronic module with a control panel and / or a display unit is arranged behind the viewing window. As a result, in particular the control panel of the electronic module can be actuated from outside by a user in a simple manner and / or the display unit of the electronic module can be read clearly visible on the outside.

If according to an advantageous specific embodiment of the invention, the housing part is formed in particular by a door, the space between the glass plate and the inner wall of the door is preferably filled with a heat-insulating material. The heat-insulating insulation material layer is preferably selbstadhäsiv or connected by additional adhesive to the inner wall of the glass plate and / or the frame of the door according to an expedient development of the invention. This provides an advantageous composite material construction for the door, which basically has only four main components, namely glass plate, door inner wall, frame part, and insulating material layer. This simplifies and facilitates the production of the door in an advantageous manner. In particular, the cost of materials for the door production of a refrigeration device can be reduced. In this advantageous design variant, therefore, the glass plate also acts as an outer wall shell in the composite construction of the door and as a decorative element.

According to the invention, a receiving shaft for introducing an electronic module is provided behind the glass plate, which is preferably accessible from a substantially rectilinear side edge of the glass plate ago. It thus extends from its input opening, which lies in particular in a rectilinear, lateral outer edge region of the respective outer wall of the housing part, in particular a door of the refrigeration device, up to the desired assembly end position of the electronic module. Preferably, a receiving pocket or receiving sleeve is provided as receiving shaft for receiving the electronic module, which extends from its input opening in a substantially rectilinear outer edge region of the outer wall of the housing part to the desired assembly end position of the electronic module. As a result, an always free access to the electronic module is ensured in an advantageous manner. It is not necessary to dismantle the glass plate in order, for example, to get to the electronic module in the event of repair or replacement. In addition, it is possible to completely or completely manufacture the cooling device with the housing part, in particular the door, designed according to the invention, and the receiving shaft only at the end of the To equip the manufacturing process with the electronics module to make only at the very end an electrical function test for the sensitive electronic module. As a result, the manufacturing reliability for the refrigeration device is increased in an advantageous manner. Any damage to the mechanically and / or electrically sensitive electronic module, as could occur in a pre-installed electronic module by subsequent steps of the manufacturing process, such as when attaching a door to the body of the refrigerator, are largely avoided.
It may be advantageous, in particular, when the receiving shaft is seated in a heat-insulating insulating material layer which fills the cavity between the glass plate and the inner wall of the housing part.

Other developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention and its developments are explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

schematisch in perspektivischer Darstellung eine erste vorteilhafte Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Kältegeräts,

Figur 2

in schematischer Längsschnittdarstellung die Tür des Kältegeräts von Figur 1 im Bereich ihres Sichtfensters, und

Figur 3

in schematischer Querschnittsdarstellung eine zweite vorteilhafte Ausführungsvariante einer erfindungsgemäß konstruierten Tür für ein Kältegerät.

Show it:

FIG. 1

1 is a schematic perspective view of a first advantageous embodiment variant of a refrigeration device according to the invention,

FIG. 2

in a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 in the area of their viewing window, and

FIG. 3

in a schematic cross-sectional representation of a second advantageous embodiment of an inventively constructed door for a refrigerator.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the FIGS. 1 with 3 each provided with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a refrigeration unit KG, which has a first advantageous embodiment of a door constructed according to the invention as a housing part. The door is here in the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the Reference symbol TU1 provided. It is attached to the front of the cuboid KO body of the refrigerator KG and closes the inner container. The door TU1 is composed of a box-shaped, front and rear open frame part RA with a viewed in a front view substantially rectangular outer contour, a substantially flat rectangular inner wall IW and a substantially flat rectangular glass plate GP1 as a front panel or front outer wall together. The inner wall IW closes the door frame RA on the back of the door TU1. It extends substantially in a vertical position plane perpendicular to the depth extension of the body KO, when the door TU1 closes the body KO. Along the course of the rectangular frame RA, a seal, in particular a sealing lip DI, is provided on the inner wall IW on the back to provide reliable sealing of the door TU1 in the region of the support zones of the door TU1 on the front contact surfaces of the body KO.

The glass plate GP1 is arranged in a positional plane which lies substantially parallel to the positional plane of the inner wall IW and has a predeterminable height distance to the latter. The height distance is formed by the depth of the frame part RA. The glass plate rests on the front of the frame part RA, in particular, and closes it on the outside. The frame part RA is formed as a substantially rectangular shuttering box whose four side walls are substantially transversely in a plane, in particular perpendicular to the positional plane of the rear-mounted inner wall IW and the positional plane of the front mounted glass plate GP1. The positional plane of the four side walls of the frame part RA is thus generally expressed laterally with respect to the front plane of the glass plate or the plane of the inner wall IW. In the space between the glass plate GP1 and the inner wall IW, a heat-insulating material has been filled in soft elastic, especially largely liquid state. After foaming and curing, a heat-insulating insulating material layer IM forms between the glass plate GP1 and the inner wall IW. This is in the FIG. 1 in the lower corner of the door TU1 indicated that there is shown the door TU1 cut open in a zone AS. Preferably, in the production of the refrigerator, the inner wall IW coated with the insulating insulating material in the still heat-sensitive state and applied from the outside, the glass plate GP1 on the still uncured insulating material IM, in particular pressed. Possibly. can do this in the manufacturing process Forming tools may be provided which press the inner wall IW and the glass plate on the frame part from the rear and front. By self-adhesion forces of the insulating material filled therebetween, it is possible, if appropriate, already advantageously to achieve sufficient adhesion of the glass plate GP1 to the insulating material layer IM of the door TU1. Thus, it is already possible to achieve a fixation of the glass plate as an outer wall of the door solely by means of a cohesive, intimate connection between the insulating material and the inner wall of the glass plate. The result is an advantageous composite material construction or sandwich construction for the door, which basically has only four main components, namely glass plate, inner wall, insulating material layer and frame part. This simplifies and facilitates the production of the door in an advantageous manner. In particular, the cost of materials for the door production of a refrigeration device can be reduced. In this advantageous design variant, therefore, the glass plate also acts as an outer wall shell in the composite construction of the door and as a decorative element.

Additionally or independently thereof, one or more adhesives, in particular adhesives may be provided on the inside of the glass plate GP1. In particular, a plurality of tape strips, e.g. be attached along edge strips of the inner wall of the glass plate GP1, which come to lie on the frontal end face of the frame part, there to connect the glass plate to the frame member adhesive. Such adhesives can be additionally or independently thereof optionally in an opaque region of the glass plate, which is within the limited area of the frame part, attach to the back of the glass plate so that they are invisible from the outside and there with the insulating material layer IM an intimate adhesive Make contact.

Alternatively, it may also be expedient to apply an adhesive layer along the front frontal contact zones of the frame part RA and thereby to effect an adhesive connection between the glass plate GP1 and the frame part RA. Of course, other connection means, in particular also mechanical connection techniques for fixing the glass plate to the insulation material layer IM and / or the frame part RA are suitable.

In summary, the space between the glass plate and the inner wall of the door is expediently with a heat-insulating material filled. The heat-insulating insulating material layer is preferably selbstadhäsiv or connected by additional adhesive to the inner wall of the glass plate and / or the frame of the door. As a result, an advantageous composite material construction or "sandwich construction" is provided for the door, which essentially requires only four main components. This simplifies and facilitates the production of the door in an advantageous manner. In particular, the cost of materials for the door production of a refrigeration device is reduced. In this advantageous construction, therefore, the glass plate also acts as an outer wall shell replacement and decorative element.

The glass plate GP1 is here in the exemplary embodiment along its left, vertically extending longitudinal or height side, along its right, vertically extending longitudinal or height side, and formed along its lower, horizontally extending end edge substantially rectilinear. In contrast, it has along its top a curved edge KR. It is thus provided in the region of its upper side with an outwardly curved or curved edge zone. Inside, from the cavity of the door, which is formed between the inner wall IW and the glass plate GP1, viewed from the outside, the upper-side edge zone KR is preferably bent convexly. This convexly curved edge region is largely aligned with the upper edge of the body KO of the refrigeration device. The rear end edge of the curved edge region KR is in particular largely aligned with the upper end edge of the frame part RA and / or the body KO added and lies approximately in the same position as the ceiling element. Alternatively, it may be expedient if the ceiling element of the body projects beyond the arched edge zone of the glass plate by a predefinable length.

Due to the convex curvature of the glass plate in the region of its upper side, there results a rounded outer surface at the transition from the rectangular cover part of the body KO, which is positioned in a horizontal positional plane, in the vertical plane of the frontal outer wall surface of the glass plate GP1. By this curvature of the upper edge portion of the glass plate GP1 can be a largely flush transition without 90 ° Abbruchkanten between the upper ceiling wall of the body KO and the front surface of the glass plate GP1 reach. By the curved edge zone in the region of the upper end face of the glass plate GP1 are angular niches and edges, in particular 90 ° bends between the front surface of the door TU1 and the Ceiling part of the body KO largely avoided, in which could accumulate undesirable dirt, dust particles or other contaminants. The upper curved edge of the glass plate GP1 can also remove any impurities in a simple manner, as can be wiped with a cloth over a uniformly smooth, rounded surface and inaccessible corners as in a conventionally designed front panel of a refrigerator door, the top 90 ° Has missing edges. Due to the outward curvature of the glass plate along the axial longitudinal course of its upper end side (viewed across the width of the door), the glass plate is advantageously made shatter-proof, as there are no sharp bending edges in the transition region between the vertical front surface and the horizontal upper side of the glass plate. There, a rounded transition is rather provided between them such that the open end face of the curved edge region KR faces the frontal contact surface of the body KO of the refrigeration device. In addition, the door can be better guided by the top provided, curved edge KR to the ceiling element of the body KO, so that an improved integration of the glass plate as the front of the door TU1 is effected with the ceiling element of the body KO.

In summary, the glass plate here in the exemplary embodiment in the region of its upper end edge on a curved edge zone. This is particularly advantageous if the glass plate forms an integral part or the entire front wall of a door of the refrigerator. If the glass plate is provided along the longitudinal extent of the upper end edge of the door with a curved or arcuate edge, this has the particular advantage that there dust and dirt particles accumulate or settle far less than a cuboid front plate, which at its top has an angled at 90 ° relative to its front surface, lateral outer boundary. There are provided in the upper end face of the door by the local curved edge zone of the glass plate largely rounded outer surfaces, which are far less susceptible to dirt and can be easily cleaned.

Moreover, the rounded upper edge zone in the front view of the glass panel GP1 causes a smooth, continuous transition between the vertical front surface of the door TU1 and the horizontal ceiling surface of the body KO. Since disturbing angular edges in the frontal view at the glass door GP1 in the upper Doors TU1 missing, resulting in a more aesthetically harmonious overall impression of the door.

The glass plate GP1 has within its front surface a viewing window SF, which is formed more transparent than the usual remaining surface of the front surface of the glass plate GP1. In particular, the remaining surface of the glass plate GP1 is largely opaque around the transparent viewing window SF. For this purpose, the glass plate is expediently provided on its inner wall and / or outer wall except for the viewing window SF with at least one opaque printing or coating. Here in the embodiment, the viewing window SF is formed substantially rectangular. It is preferably within the opaque covering surface of the glass plate, i. it is enclosed by the opaque covering surface. In particular, the viewing window in the upper half of the glass plate relative to the broad side approximately centrally, in particular centrally located. Of course, the viewing window can alternatively also be arranged in the edge region of the glass plate or at another point of need.

Behind the transparent viewing window SF, an electronic module EM is accommodated in a receiving shaft AS within the insulating material layer IM. This receiving shaft AS is formed by a receiving pocket or receiving sleeve whose outer contour in the FIG. 1 indicated by dash-dotted lines. The receiving pocket extends here in the exemplary embodiment of the spatial position of the viewing window SF substantially straight and parallel to the lower edge of the glass plate FP to the right side, lateral outer edge of the door TU1. There, the receiving pocket has an input opening EO within the lateral positional plane of the frame part, through which the electronic module EM can be inserted into a predetermined assembly end position in the region of the viewing window SF. The right-hand, lateral outer edge of the door TU1 lies in a positional plane, which is substantially transversely, in particular perpendicular or at 90 ° to the imaginary plane of projection of the front surface of the glass plate GP1 and the inner wall IW in the direction of projection in the normal direction of the front surface of the glass plate GP1 and the Inner wall IW runs. It is substantially aligned with the right side wall of the body KO and thus lies approximately in the same position level as this, when the door is closed.

In other words, therefore, the receiving pocket extends here in the embodiment from the right, arranged in a lateral position plane side flange of the door TU1 to the location of the viewing window SF. The left and the right side flange of the frame part RA preferably run in the same situation levels as the left-side and right-side side wall of the body KO when the door TU is closed.

As receiving shaft AS a receiving pocket or receiving sleeve is preferably provided. This has here in the embodiment of a cuboid symmetry shape. For them, a plastic material is preferably selected. During the manufacturing process of the door TU1, the receiving pocket is applied to the inner wall IW and possibly fixed in position there. Subsequently, foaming insulation material is applied to the front surface of the inner wall IW, so that the receiving pocket is embedded in the insulating material IM back. Subsequently, the glass plate GP1 is pressed from the outside onto the inner wall IW filled with insulating material IM.

The lateral or laterally arranged input opening EO of the receiving shaft AS now makes it possible for the mechanically and / or electrically sensitive electronic module IM to arrive at the very end, i. is introduced at the end of the manufacturing process of the refrigerator KG in its final assembly position behind the transparent viewing window SF. The receiving shaft AT thus forms a lateral feed chute for the electronic module, which remains permanently accessible without dismantling the glass plate GP1. The transverse shaft ensures that the electronic module EM remains freely accessible for test purposes, for removal or replacement at any time from the right-hand, rectilinear outer boundary of the frame part RA.

Of course, it is also possible to provide the receiving shaft at a position of the lower rectilinear outer boundary or the left-side, rectilinear outer boundary of the door TU in the frame part RA.

In general terms, therefore, the receiving pocket is advantageously provided in the region of one of the rectilinear, lateral outer edges of the frame part RA in order to be able to provide free access to the electronic module in its assembly end position in the region of the viewing window SF.

Through the transparent viewing window SF through a display unit, in particular a display of the electronic module EM for an operator of the refrigerator KG remains clearly visible when viewed from the front of the glass panel GP1. In addition, the control elements of a control panel, such as e.g. Press sensor buttons or a so-called touchscreen of the electronic module EM from the outside by pressing on the viewing window SF. For this purpose, the electronic module EM is expediently as close as possible to the inner wall of the viewing window SF. Thus, the front of the electronic module through the viewing window SF is visible, the receiving pocket or receiving sleeve in the viewing window SF either a cutout or a recess or at least in the region of the viewing window, a transparent material, in particular a transparent plastic material selected , In particular, the receiving pocket may possibly be made of a transparent plastic material as a whole. A closed sleeve or receiving pocket is particularly advantageous because an entry of insulating material foam is avoided during the expansion process of the insulating material into the interior of the receiving pocket.

Behind the transparent viewing window, instead of the receiving shaft with the electronic module, alternatively, a recess may optionally be provided in the housing part of the door for unhindered, free viewing into the interior of the body of the refrigerating appliance.

In summary, therefore, a receiving shaft for introducing an electronic module is provided behind the glass plate, which is accessible from a substantially rectilinear side edge of the glass plate ago. It extends from its input opening, which lies in particular in a rectilinear, lateral outer edge region of the respective outer wall of the housing part, in particular a door of the refrigeration device, to the desired assembly end position of the electronic module. As a result, it is not necessary to dismantle the glass plate in order, for example, to get to the electronic module in the event of repair or replacement. In addition, it is possible to completely or completely manufacture the cooling unit with the housing part designed according to the invention and to insert the electronic module into the receiving shaft only at the end of the production process in order to carry out an electrical functional test for the very first time at the end of the production process of the respective refrigeration device to perform sensitive electronic module. As a result, the manufacturing reliability for the refrigeration device is increased in an advantageous manner. Any damage to the mechanically and / or electrically sensitive electronic module, as might occur in a pre-installed electronic module by subsequent steps of the manufacturing process, such as when attaching a door to the body of the refrigerator, are thus largely avoided.

Additionally or independently of the curved edge zone KR on the upper side of the glass plate GP1, this can also be provided with a convex curvature along an edge zone on its underside. This results in a further improved, harmonious overall impression. The statements made for the top-side curved edge zone KR apply correspondingly to a curved edge zone of the glass plate GP1 provided below.

Additionally or independently thereof, it may be expedient to provide a curved edge zone in an analogous manner along one of the vertically extending longitudinal side edges or even along the two vertically extending longitudinal side edges of the glass plate GP1. FIG. 3 illustrated on the basis of a schematic cross-sectional view from above viewed such a modified door TU2 in a section along the broad side. This has integrated as a front outer wall a substantially planar surface glass plate GP2, on whose opposite longitudinal sides curved longitudinal side edges GL1, GL2 are formed. These lie in a lateral plane transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the approximately plane-like front wall of the glass plate GP2. The double-sided, outwardly curved longitudinal side edges GL1, GL2 thus form lateral side flanges for the door TU2. In particular, the glass plate thus has a U-profile shape in a section along the broad side of the door. The rearwardly projecting end faces of the two longitudinal side edges or legs GL1, GL2 of the U-profile-shaped glass plate GP2 are closed by the inner wall IW, which is formed planar surface here. Generally speaking, therefore, a door with a hollow body is formed only with the aid of a glass plate, which is bent back at the two longitudinal side edges in the direction of the inner wall, and a rear inner wall. This is filled with heat-insulating material IM. In this opposite the door TU1 the FIGS. 1 . 2 modified construction of the door TU2, the frame part RA can be omitted.

It can also be expedient, in particular, to have a rearwardly curved edge region, for example along the freely pivotable longitudinal side of the door TU2. To provide GL2. In particular, this arched edge region of the door TU2 can project slightly beyond the associated side wall of the body KO, so that its projection can be used as a kind of handle replacement for opening the door. The curved edge region GL1 of the glass plate GP2 on the other longitudinal side of the door, which is associated with the door pivot, is missing in this functional door variant.

In summary, the glass plate may also have a curved edge zone in the region of its lower end edge. Possibly. It may also be expedient if the glass plate in the region of its left and / or right longitudinal side has a curved edge zone.

Furthermore, it may be alternatively or optionally appropriate, if necessary, instead of the separate frame part RA to the glass plate on its rear side along its outer edge course a laterally inwardly, i. transversely, in particular vertically, to form its edge integrally formed edge in the direction of the inner wall.

In addition or independently thereof, the inner wall can advantageously have a laterally arranged edge, which is pulled upwards in the direction of the glass plate, along its outer contour profile. The insulation material is then filled into this casing part up to the upper edge of the edge in the liquid state and applied to the glass plate from the front, so that upon curing of the intumescent insulation material, an intimate, adhesive material connection is produced. The separate frame part RA can then possibly be omitted in an advantageous manner.

Instead of a glass plate, which is largely planar surface formed on its front, may optionally be provided an alternative glass plate, which is curved or curved in itself and has at least one edge zone a curved or curved edge. Such a modified glass plate may be curved or arched outwardly or inwardly, in particular, with respect to its vertical center axis and / or with respect to its horizontal center axis.

Overall, the fact that the front wall of the door is partially or completely replaced by a glass plate having along at least one edge zone of their side edges a curved or curved edge, can improve the visual appearance of the door for a variety of circumstances. Since the glass plate forms an integral part of the front wall of the door, its construction is now simplified: It is no longer necessary to provide an opaque door outer shell as an outer wall and to install an additional front panel for cladding the door. For now the front outer wall of the door is partially or completely alone, i. formed exclusively by the glass plate itself. As a result, in particular, a single-walled front wall construction for the door is made possible, which is material-saving, production-technically easy to produce and aesthetically pleasing. By rounding along the respective longitudinal edge, in particular the upper edge of the glass plate can be changed in particular the feel of the outer wall of the door when touching the door low. The curved or curved edge of the glass plate in particular sharp, angular edges are avoided as in a cuboid shaped front panel of a conventional door. As a result, in particular the risk is reduced that the glass plate is damaged or breaks in the region of its curved edge zone. Thus, the risk of injury to an operator is reduced or completely avoided. In addition, dirt particles or other contaminants can be more easily removed along the curved edge zone than in the case of a conventional door with a purely rectangular-shaped, plane surface-only front panel.

Generalizing can be in an analogous manner as in the above to the FIGS. 1 with 3 explained advantageous door variants for a refrigeration device also form at least a partial area or the total area of the outer wall of another housing part of the refrigerator only by a glass plate which extends curved along at least one edge zone of the outer wall. In particular, the housing part may be formed by at least one outer wall of the body, preferably by one or both longitudinal side walls, the ceiling element and / or the bottom element of the refrigeration device. It can therefore expediently be partially or completely replaced by a glass plate constructed in this way with at least one curved side edge, at least one outer wall of the body, such as a longitudinal side outer wall or both longitudinal side outer walls of the body of the refrigerator. This means that the respective outer wall of the body is partially or entirely formed only by a glass plate, which in the Structural structure of the body is integrated as a composite component and not like an additional panel on the outside of the outer wall is seated. If at least a partial area or the total area of an outer wall of the body of the refrigeration device is replaced only by a glass plate, the advantages stated above for a body designed in this way are in particular analogous to those described for the door construction.

Characterized in that at least a partial surface or the total surface of the outer wall of the respective housing part is formed only by a glass plate having along at least one edge zone of their side edges a curved or curved edge, the visual appearance of the refrigerator for a variety of circumstances can be improved. Since the glass plate forms an integral part of at least one outer wall of the housing part, its construction is now simplified: It is no longer necessary as before to attach an additional opaque diaphragm or front panel on the outer wall of the housing part as a panel. For now, the outer wall of the housing part is partially or completely alone, ie formed exclusively by the glass plate itself. As a result, in particular, a single-walled outer wall construction for the housing part can be made possible, which is material-saving, easy to produce in terms of production technology and aesthetically pleasing. By the rounding along at least one of the longitudinal edges of the glass plate, in particular, the feel of the outer wall of the housing part can be favorably changed when touching. The curved or curved edge of the glass plate in particular sharp, angular edges are avoided, as they occur, for example, in an additionally applied, cuboid shaped front panel of a conventionally constructed door of a refrigerator. Due to the edge-side curvature of the glass plate there is advantageously increased their resistance to fracture, ie the risk is reduced that the glass plate is damaged in the region of its curved edge zone. Thus, the risk of injury to an operator is reduced or completely avoided. In addition, dirt particles or other contaminants can be more easily removed along the curved edge zone than with a conventional door with a purely rectangular shaped front panel. In addition, it is largely avoided by the curved edge of the glass plate along at least one outer edge of the housing part that there eg dirt particles, moisture or water can penetrate into the interior of the housing part. From the curved edge, for example, water drops can simply drain downwards. The along At least one edge zone curved glass plate advantageously provides a joint-poor transition between its front side and its edge-side end face. It allows advantageously an improved integrative connection to one or more adjacent components of the body of the refrigerator and / or any neighboring home furniture such as kitchen elements, especially cabinet doors, kitchen tops, base cabinets, etc.

An advantage is in particular that the glass plate can form both a part of the actual outer wall or the entire outer wall of the housing part of the refrigerator and at the same time a decorative element for the refrigerator. An additional, externally applied front panel or panel as in the conventional door structures can thus be omitted. In particular, it is advantageous that the glass plate can be integrated in the structural design of the housing part as a composite component or "sandwich component" instead of a part of a previous outer wall or an entire previous outer wall.

In an advantageous manner, in particular a heat-insulating insulating material layer is selbstadhäsiv and / or intimately connected by additional adhesive to the inner wall of the glass plate and / or the outer frame of the housing part. In particular, the additional adhesives may be formed by one or more adhesive tapes or adhesives.

Claims (10)

1. Refrigerator (KG) having at least one housing part (TU1), which has at least one outer wall, wherein at least a sub-area or the entire area of the outer wall of the housing part (TU1) is formed merely by a glass panel (GP1), which is curved along at least one edge region (KR) of the outer wall, and wherein the glass panel (FP) has a viewing window (SF) which is more transparent than the rest of its surface and wherein an electronic module (EM) containing a control panel and/or a display unit is arranged behind the viewing window (SF), and wherein the electronic module (EM) sits behind the glass panel (GP1) in a retaining slot (AS), the entry opening of which lies in a substantially straight outer edge region of the outer wall of the housing part and extends as far as the required final installation position of the electronic module, characterised by an entry opening (EO) of the retaining slot (AS) which is arranged on the side or laterally.
2. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterised in that
   the housing part is formed by a door (TU1).
3. Refrigerator according to claim 2, characterised in that
   the front wall of the door (TU1) is formed partially or entirely merely by the glass panel (GP1), which is integrated into the structural design of the door (TU1) as a composite component.
4. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the glass panel (GP1) has a curved edge region (KR) in the area of its top edge.
5. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the glass panel (GP1) has a curved edge region in the area of its bottom edge.
6. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the glass panel (GP2) has a curved edge region (GL1, GL2) in the area of its left and/or right long side.
7. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a layer of thermally insulating material (IM) is joined by self-adhesion or by additional bonding means to the inner wall of the glass panel (GP1) and/or to the outer frame (RA) of the housing part (TU1).
8. Refrigerator according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the additional bonding means are formed by one or more adhesive tapes or adhesives.
9. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the retaining slot sits in a layer of thermally insulating material (IM) filling the cavity between the glass panel (GP1) and the inner wall (IW) of the housing part.
10. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    a retaining pocket or retaining sleeve (AS) is provided as the retaining slot for holding the electronic module (EM), this pocket or sleeve extending from its entry opening (EO) in a substantially straight outer edge region of the outer wall of the housing part (TU1) as far as the required final installation position of the electronic module (EM).

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