Illuminating device for a refrigeration appliance

This invention concerns an illuminating device in a refrigeration appliance, where the illumination device comprises a fixating structure, a light source mounted in the fixating structure, and an adjustment knob mounted in the fixating structure. In illuminating devices in refrigeration appliances there are preferably a detachable, replaceable lamp and a thermostat, displays and protective covers.

Background of the invention

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, and means for an electronic control of the light source. The casing of the illuminating device is divided into two parts, a supporting member for holding the interior of the illuminating device, and a cover for covering the light source. The means for electronic control of the light source are permanently covered by the supporting member, and only the adjustment knob is accessible. When the light source needs to be replaced, the cover has to be lifted off and locked back in place, when the light source has been replaced.

It is an object of this invention to provide an illuminating device that makes the replacement of the light source simple and easy. It is also an object of this invention to prevent unintentional changes of the refrigerator settings caused by the user, and also to protect the parts of the illuminating device against humidity and dirt.

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Summary of the invention

In order to solve the problems and provide a simple and easy replacement of the light source, the invention provides a slidable cover that in one end position makes the adjustment knob accessible for adjustment and in the other end position makes the light source accessible.

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.

The problem regarding unintentional changes of the refrigerator settings is also solved. 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.

Preferably the cover is 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.

Preferably the cover is longitudinal and has 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.

Preferably the adjustment knob is 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.

Preferably the cover has 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.

In the preferred embodiment the illuminating device comprises a mounting pad for receiving the means for mounting the illuminating device to the refrigeration appliance. Preferably 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. Preferably a slidable cover is placed above the mounting pad. This cover can protect the screw against humidity that can lead to rust, but it is also advantageous since it is a switch for the light. The slidable cover is connected to a switch for the light by means of f.x. a spring or a pin. The switch activates the light source, when the refrigerator is open. In this way the cover slide out and covers the screw and protects it, when the refrigerator is open.

In another embodiment of the invention the illuminating device 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.

In the preferred embodiment the cover is 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. The described embodiments can be combined to other embodiments.

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 of the invention taken along the light source.

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. 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.

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 slidable cover 7 covers the mounting pad 8.

Figs. 3a-3c show 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.

Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the illuminating device along the light source 10. This shows the U-shaped profile of the slidable cover 4 that is used in the preferred embodiment. It also shows how the protrusions of the slidable cover 4 fits into the recesses 3 of the fixating structure 2.