WO2008113356A2

WO2008113356A2 - Illuminating device for a refrigeration appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2008113356A2
Application number: PCT/DK2008/000111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Jorgen Klein; Ole Malmgren; Lena Larsen-Ledet; Heidi Brix Jorgensen; Steffen Schmelling
Original assignee: Danfoss AS
Current assignee: Danfoss AS
Priority date: 2007-03-21
Filing date: 2008-03-18
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-21
Also published as: WO2008113356A3

Abstract

This invention concerns an illuminating device for a refrigeration appliance. The purpose of the invention is to provide an illuminating device that makes a better usage of the light from the light source by spreading it evenly in the refrigeration device surrounding the illuminating device and reducing blocking of the reflected light by the light source. The illuminating device comprises a fixating structure and a bottom part, a light source mounted in the fixating structure and a reflector formed on the surface of the bottom part. The invention discloses an improved reflector for the illuminating device.

Description

Illuminating device for a refrigeration appliance

This invention concerns an illuminating device in a refrigeration appliance, where the illumination device comprises a fixating structure and a light source mounted in the fixating structure.

Background of the invention

In illuminating devices in refrigeration appliances there are typically a detachable, replaceable lamp and a thermostat, a display and a protective cover. An adjustment knob is mounted in a fixating structure. Illuminating devices for refrigeration devices are well known in the art. EP1607702A1 discloses an illuminating device for a refrigerator or a freezer. The illuminating device comprises a casing with a light source holder, a light source on the light source holder, a reflector in a supporting member under the light source holder, and means for an electronic control of the light source. The reflector is substantially parabolic in shape and is curved into the supporting member. This reflector has a disadvantage because it does not spread the light very well in the surroundings and the light source can be in the way for the reflected light.

It is an object of this invention to provide an illuminating device that makes a better usage of the light from the light source by distributing it evenly in the refrigeration device surrounding the illuminating device and reducing the blocking of the reflected light by the light source.

Summary of the invention

In order to solve the problem and provide a better distribution of the light from the light source, the invention provides a reflector formed on the bottom part of the illuminating device to reflect the light from the light source. With this reflector the refrigeration device is illuminated better. The solution is also energy efficient, since it is possible to use a less powerful light source to light up the whole refrigeration device.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the reflector protrudes from the surface of the bottom part. When the reflector is a protrusion on the surface of the bottom part, it reflects the light hitting it back into space. Therefore it is possible to spread the light into the surroundings. There is a better usage of the light since all of it is spread evenly in the space around the reflector, and the distribution of the reflected light is better than it is known from prior art. The whole refrigeration appliance is therefore evenly illuminated, instead of some parts being more illuminated more than others. It could be advantageous to coat the reflector with a light reflecting coating to achieve a bigger reflection of the light.

With a reflector shaped as a protrusion on the surface of the bottom, less light is reflected back to the light source resulting in less blocking of the reflected light. It is also easy to access the surface of the reflector and prepare it for use; compared to if the reflector was formed as a depression in the bottom part. With a reflector constructed like this it is also possible to make a good reflector that is much smaller than the reflectors known from prior art, making it cheaper to manufacture and saving space in the bottom part, that could be used for other components.

Preferably the reflector is an elongated member having its longitudinal axis in parallel to a main axis of the device, which in orientation should match the main axis of the light source. Aligning the orientation of the reflector and light source in this way ensures the best reflection of the light. Preferably the reflector extends at least in the area under the light source. This makes it possible to control more of the reflections from the light hitting the bottom part of the illuminating device. The light from the light source hitting the reflector on the bottom is reflected in the best way, since the reflections from the reflector can be controlled. The longer the reflector is under the light source, the more light reflections can thus be controlled. The light source is placed in the fixating structure and thus it is located right next to the fixating structure. Therefore it is advantageous to place the reflector next to the fixating structure.

In other embodiments the reflector could extend further on both sides of the light source reflecting even more light. The fixating structure could be slidably mounted on the reflector, if the reflector extends across a greater part of the bottom or even the whole bottom. This is making it possible to dynamically adjust the light distribution in the refrigeration appliance dependant on the position of the light source.

In other embodiments the surface of the reflector in a cross sectional view comprises at least one curvature on the surface. The curvatures can for example focus the light in one or more directions, or distribute it evenly in one direction as a wave. These curvatures make it possible to fine tune the distribution of the illuminating light even more. Curvatures of the surface of the reflector give many possible reflections of the light from the light source depending on the shape of the reflector. It is therefore possible to fine tune the light reflection with curvatures on the surface of the reflector dependant on the application. Straight curvatures on the surface of the reflector, which would make a triangular cross section, are also possible. Preferred curvatures are circles, parabolas, ellipses and polynomials, but the curvatures are not limited to these possibilities. Preferably the cross sectional profile of the reflector is symmetric around a main axis, since this would result in a more even distribution of the light in the surroundings. It is possible to make an asymmetric cross sectional profile if one desires an uneven distribution of the light in an application.

Other embodiments of the invention

The cover can be slidable. By making the cover slidable, replacement of the light source can be made quickly without the use of screwdrivers or the like, and without detaching the cover. The cover is simply shifted towards the one side, where it is parked during replacement of the light source.

In one embodiment of the invention the cover always covers either the adjustment knob or the light source, never both at the same time. This means that when the light source is not covered and illuminating the refrigerator, the adjustment knob is covered thus preventing unintentional changes of the refrigerator settings.

With a construction like this the light source is accessible, when the cover is in one end position. In one position the cover does not block the light from the light source, and thus the refrigerator is illuminated. The cover is covering the adjustment knob in the other end, when it is placed in this position. Since the cover is not securely mounted on the light source holder with screws, locking mechanisms etc., but instead is slidable, the light source is easy to gain access to, when it needs to be replaced. The user of the refrigerator only needs to slide the cover a bit. When the cover has been placed in the end position that makes the light source accessible, the adjustment knob has also been covered by the cover. Therefore the user will not make unintentional changes of the refrigerator settings by pushing the adjustment knob, when the light source is being replaced. It is also possible to make other aspects of the invention, in which the length of the cover is shorter than the length of the bottom part of the illuminating device. One could make a cover that makes it possible to keep the adjusting knob uncovered by the cover at all times. A smaller cover above the light source can be used to protect the light source only. And the fixation structure could also be made in a way that prevents the cover from covering the adjustment knob. This provides an easy access to the adjustment knob at all times, and when the light source needs to be replaced, the user should slide the cover a bit. In a similar manner it is also possible to make a construction of the cover that always keeps the light source uncovered by the cover. This makes the access to the light source easy at all times, and the user has to slide the cover, if the refrigeration settings should be changed.

The cover could be mounted on the illuminating device using a snap fit mechanism. This makes the mounting of the cover easy and it can be done in different ways. Either the cover can be pressed on until snap fit protrusions snaps into recesses in the fixating structure, or the cover can be slid on the recesses from either side of the illuminating device. It is also possible to mount the cover on the illuminating device by press fitting it onto the fixating structure.

The cover can be longitudinal and have open ends. This is advantageous during the assembling of the illuminating device, because it makes the assembly of the cover to the illuminating device much easier. With the open ends of the cover, it can easily be slid into recesses in the illuminating device. The cover is slidable in the recesses in the fixating structure, when the cover is mounted in them using a snap fit mechanism. The open ends are also advantageous when the mounting of the cover is done using press fit. It lowers the risk of mounting errors since no end surfaces can be pressed against the illuminating device. The adjustment knob should be connected to a refrigeration thermostat. The adjustment knob makes it possible to control the temperature with the adjustment knob. It is also possible to connect the adjustment knob to the light source, making control of the light source possible. There are several technologies available for the light source. Preferably a light bulb or light emitting diodes (LED's) are used, and they should be detachable and replaceable.

The cover could have an essentially U-shaped cross section. The cover protects the interior against dirt and humidity. Other forms of the cover is possible. For example rectangular, triangular and arc shapes could be used.

The illuminating device can comprise a mounting pad for receiving the means for mounting the illuminating device to the refrigeration appliance. There is a threaded hole for a screw in the mounting pad. It is also possible to glue the illuminating device onto the refrigeration appliance.

The illuminating device can comprises a display for displaying the status of the refrigeration appliance. The parameters in this status includes temperature, humidity and light intensity. This overview of the status would be advantageous for any user of the refrigeration appliance. It also includes an alarm feature, telling the user if there are any malfunctions in the refrigerator. The display could among several possibilities be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or LED. The display is placed on the bottom of the illuminating device, or on the cover. It could be mounted on the bottom on the illuminating device or cover by fastening means such as screws, rivets, clamps or glue. The cover could be made of plastic, but other materials can also be used. Advantageously, a part of the cover transparent is transparent. The covers can also have many different colours. If the transparent part is in the end near the light source, then the light from the light source is not be blocked when the settings of the refrigeration appliance is changed on the adjustment knob. Thus the settings of the refrigeration appliance can be changed without any disturbance in the light.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be further described with references to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figs. 1a-1c show different views of the invention, when the cover is in a position covering both the light source and adjustment knob.

Figs. 2a-2c show different views of the invention, when the cover is in a position where the light source is uncovered.

Figs. 3a-3c show different views of the invention, when the cover is in a position where the adjustment knob is uncovered.

Fig. 4 shows a cross section view of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the inventive reflector.

Detailed description of the drawings

Referring to Figs. 1a-1c they are showing the illuminating device 1 with the slidable cover 4 in a middle position covering both the light source 10 and the adjustment knob (not shown). The illuminating device 1 comprises a fixating structure 2 with recesses 3 that the cover 4 slides in. In this embodiment the slidable cover 4 comprises protrusions 5 that match the recesses 3 of the fixating structure, making it possible to slide the slidable cover 4. The fixating structure 2 is placed on top of the bottom 6 of the illuminating device. The fixating structure 2 can either be mounted on top of the bottom 6, or they can be moulded together in one piece. On one side of the bottom 6 is the slidable cover 7 that is covering the mounting pad 8 with a hole 9 for a screw, when the refrigeration appliance is open. In these figures the slidable cover 7 is not covering the mounting pad 8. Only the body portion 12 of the slidable button 7 is visible here, the end portion 13 is hidden. The illuminating device 1 also comprises a light source 10 that in these figures is shown as a light bulb. Other illuminating devices such as LED's are also possible.

Around the fixating structure 2 and light source 10 is a cover 4. In this position the cover 4 is not covering light source 10, making the light from the light source able to distribute itself in the surroundings. The cover 4 could be transparent or have many different colours, and it could also be slidably mounted in the fixating structure 2. On the bottom 6 is also the reflector 14 according to one aspect of the invention. As it can be seen the reflector 14 is placed under the light source 10 and placed next to the fixating structure 2. The light from the light source hitting the reflector 14 is reflected back into the space surrounding the illuminating device 1. There is also a slidable button 7 that turns the light on and off when then illuminating device is placed in a refrigeration appliance.

On Fig. 1 b the main axis 15 can be seen. Preferably the reflector 14 is elongate along this main axis 15 that is parallel with the elongate edges of the bottom part 6 and cover 4. It is also possible with a reflector elongate with other main axes that are not parallel with the elongate edges of the bottom part 6 and cover 4. The cross section of the reflector 14 is preferably symmetric around the main axis 15.

Figs. 2a-2c show the illuminating device 1 , where the slidable cover 4 has been moved to the side a bit, so that the light source 10 is uncovered. The adjustment knob (not shown) is still covered. The light source 10 is now more accessible, making a replacement of the light source 10 easier. The slidable cover 4 can be moved more to the side than shown here, making the light source 10 even more accessible. In these figures the body portion 12 of the slidable cover 7 covers the mounting pad 8. The reflector 14 is elongate with the main axis 15, as it can be seen. Since the light source 10 is not covered by the cover 4, more of the reflected light is reflected into the surroundings.

The illuminating device comprises a slidable button 7. The slidable button 7 can be moved between a first position and a second position. The slidable button comprises a body portion 12 and an end portion 13, the end portion 13 is arranged in the bottom part 6 when in the first position and the end portion 13 is outside the bottom part 6 in the second position and the body portion 12 and the end portion 13 are formed with a continuous, uninterrupted outer surface.

The slidable button 7 activates a switch so the light source 10 is turned off when the slidable button 7 is in the first position and the light source 10 is turned on when the slidable button 7 is in a second position. Typically the door in the refrigeration appliance is open when the slidable button is in the second position.

Because the slidable button 7 has a continuous, uninterrupted outer surface no dirt can accumulate in an uneven part of the surface and therefore not cause problems in the operation of the button. Fig. 3a-3c shows the illuminating device 1 , where the slidable cover 4 has been moved to the other side a bit, so that the adjustment knob 11 is uncovered. Here the slidable cover 4 can be moved more to the side making the adjustment knob 11 more accessable. The recesses 3 in the fixating structure 2 are clearly shown in these figures as well as the protrusions 5 on the slidable cover 4. The reflector 14 elongate with the main axis 15 is hidden by the cover in these figures thus damping the light.

Fig. 4 show a cross sectional view of the illuminating device 1 according to the invention. As it can be seen the fixating structure 2 is on top of the bottom 6, and the light source 10 is mounted in the fixating structure 2. Around it is the cover 4, and on top of the bottom 6 is the reflector 14. In this embodiment it has a shape that comprises two curves that are both a part of a circle, but many more shapes are possible. The figure shows the U-shaped profile of the slidable cover 4. It also shows how the protrusions of the slidable cover 4 fits into the recesses 3 of the fixating structure 2.

Preferably, the reflector 14 is integrally formed in the bottom part 6, e.g. during an injection moulding process. However, it is possible to manufacture the reflector as a separate member for subsequent attachment onto the bottom part.

The surfaces of the reflector may further be treated to increase reflection and/or scattering of light, e.g. by coating with suitable material. Figure 5 shows the reflector 14 in detail. Light beams 17 and 18 originating from light source 10 hits the surface 16 of reflector 14, and is scattered in different angles α and β depending on where on the reflector the light beam hits. The surface 16 is consisting of a reflecting metallic sheet with small knobs 19. These knobs ensure an effective scattering. A smooth surface can also be used. The described embodiments can be combined in different ways.

Reference list 1 : Illuminating device.

2: Fixating structure.

3: Recesses in the fixating structure.

4: Slidable cover.

5: Protrusions in the slidable cover. 6: Bottom part of the illuminating device.

7: Slidable button over mounting pad.

8: Mounting pad.

9: Hole for mounting means.

10: Light source. 11 : Adjustment knob.

12: Body portion.

13: End portion.

14: Reflector.

15: Main axis.

Claims

Patent claims

1. An illuminating device 1 in a refrigeration appliance, where the illuminating device 1 comprises a fixating structure 2 mounted on a bottom part 6, and a light source 10 mounted in the fixating structure 2, characterized in that the bottom part 6 comprises a reflector 14 protruding from the surface of the bottom part 6 in a direction towards the light source 10.

2. An illuminating device 1 as in claim 1 , wherein the reflector 14 is an elongated member having its longitudinal axis in parallel to a main axis 15 of the device.

3. An illuminating device as in claim 2, wherein the reflector 14 extends at least in the area under the light source 10.

4. An illuminating device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixating structure 2 is slidably mounted on the reflector 14.

5. An illuminating device 1 as any of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the reflector 14 in a cross sectional view comprises a least one curvature.

6. An illuminating device 1 as in claim 5, wherein the surface of the reflector 14 follows a curvature that is shaped as part of a circle.

7. An illuminating device 1 as in claim 5, wherein the surface of the reflector 14 follows a curvature that is shaped as part of a parabola.

8. An illuminating device 1 as in claim 5, wherein the surface of the reflector 14 follows a curvature that is shaped as part of an ellipse.

9. An illuminating device 1 as in claim 5, wherein the surface of the reflector 14 follows a curvature that is shaped as part of a polynomial.

10. An illuminating device 1 as in claim 5, wherein the surface of the reflector 14 comprises different curvatures.

11. An illuminating device as in any of claims 5-10, wherein the cross sectional profile of the reflector 6 is symmetric around the main axis 15.

12. An illuminating device as in any of the preceding claims, wherein the illuminating device 1 comprises a slidable cover 4.

13. An illuminating device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in that the illuminating device 1 comprises a slidable button 7 with a body portion 12 and an end portion 13, the end portion 13 is arranged in the bottom part 6 when the slidable button 7 is in the first position and outside the bottom part 6 in the second position and where the body portion 12 and the end portion 13 are formed with a continuous uninterrupted outer surface.

14. An illumination device 1 as in claim 13, wherein the slidable button 7 activates a switch, so the light source 10 is turned off when the slidable button 7 is in the first position, and the light source 10 is turned on when the slidable button 7 is in the second position.

15. An illumination device 1 as in claim 13 or 14, comprising a mounting pad 8, wherein the slidable button 7 covers the mounting pad 8 when the slidable button 7 is in the second position.