Patent Description:
With the recent technological developments, refrigerators having displays are developed and introduced to the market. The displays which are generally provided on the door of the refrigerator enable the data received from the refrigerator or an external source to be displayed to the users. For example, various data such as the temperature of the refrigerator freezing compartment or fresh food compartment, the ambient temperature, the weather, the foodstuffs in the refrigerator and the quantities thereof can be displayed to the users. However, the displays may malfunction over time and may not perform their functions. In this case, it is required to detach and repair the display. Especially when small displays are detached from the door, the door is forced, and scratches and dents may occur on the outer lining. In order to eliminate these problems, structures are developed where the display can be easily attached to and detached from the door.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. <CIT>, a refrigerator comprising a display is disclosed.

The documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose respective refrigerators according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising a display which can be easily attached to/detached from the door.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a door which provides access into the body and which has an inner lining, an outer lining and a lower cover and an upper cover for covering the volume remaining between the inner lining and the outer lining from the bottom and the top, wherein insulation material is filled therebetween; at least one casing which is in the form of an open-top box and which is disposed between the inner lining and the outer lining so as to at least partially remain in the insulation material; an opening which is provided on the outer lining and which faces the casing; at least one display which is passed through the opening and fitted into the casing; a latch which is provided on the upper cover or the lower cover and which is suitable to be moved such that when one end is pressed, the other end rises; a plurality of claws which are provided on the display; a plurality of housings which are provided on the casing and which receive the claws; a frame which is provided on the casing and which has a plurality of holding walls and a plurality of cut-outs remaining between the holding walls; and a motion transmitter which transfers the movement of the latch to the frame and which ensures that the frame is moved between a fixing position where each housing is aligned with a holding wall and a free position where each housing is aligned with a cut-out. Thus, when the user wants to detach the display from the door, he/she can easily detach the display from the casing by rotating the latch without damaging the door. When the user wants to put the display back on the casing, he/she can attach the display to the casing by passing the same through the opening. Thus, easy, fast and safe detachment and attachment of the display from/to the casing is provided without damaging the outer lining of the door or the display.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the casing, there is at least one lifter spring which is compressed between the display and the casing when the frame is in the fixing position and which pushes the display outward when the frame is shifted to the free position. Thus, when the frame is shifted to the free position, the spring pushes the display outwards, thereby enabling the display to protrude from the opening. Thus, the user can more easily remove the display through the opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing has a base and at least one wall surrounding the base, and on the wall there is at least one abutment whereon the frame is seated. Thus, the frame is seated into the casing more easily and moved more safely.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the wall, there is at least one protrusion which bears against the frame so as to guide the movement of the frame between the fixing position and the free position. There are preferably a plurality of protrusions on the wall. The protrusions prevent the frame from leaving the casing and enable the frame to be moved safely.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing comprises at least one return spring which is attached to the frame at one end and to the casing at the other end and which enables the frame to be pulled back to the fixing position from the free position. Thus, the frame automatically moves from the free position to the fixing position. Consequently, the user can put the display back on the casing immediately after removing the same.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the upper cover or the lower cover, there is at least one recess-shaped housing wherein the latch is fitted. Thus, the latch is hidden inside the housing so as not to be seen from the outside. Consequently, formation of any inconvenient appearance is prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the housing, there is at least one rib in the form of a protrusion, at least one hole on the rib, and on the latch, there is at least one pin which is fitted into the hole and which enables the latch to be pivotally attached to the rib. Thus, the latch is securely fixed in the housing and can be easily rotated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the rib, there is at least one extension, and on the latch, there is at least one step, and at least one spring which is attached to the pin with one end bearing against the extension and the other end against the step. Thus, the latch can be easily returned to its original position. Consequently, the latch is reset without any extra effort.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the door, there is at least one cover which is attached onto the housing and which covers the housing. Thus, the entry of dust, dirt, etc. into the housing from outside is prevented. Moreover, children are prevented from easily accessing the latch.

By means of the present invention, the display provided on the door is enabled to be detached easily, quickly and safely without damaging the outer lining of the door or the display.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:.

The refrigerator (<NUM>) comprises a body (<NUM>); a door (<NUM>) which provides access into the body (<NUM>) and which has an inner lining (<NUM>), an outer lining (<NUM>) and a lower cover (<NUM>) and an upper cover (<NUM>) for covering the volume remaining between the inner lining (<NUM>) and the outer lining (<NUM>) from the bottom and the top, wherein insulation material is filled therebetween; at least one casing (<NUM>) which is disposed between the inner lining (<NUM>) and the outer lining (<NUM>) so as to at least partially remain in the insulation material; an opening (<NUM>) which is provided on the outer lining (<NUM>) and which faces the casing (<NUM>); and at least one display (<NUM>) which is passed through the opening (<NUM>) and fitted into the casing (<NUM>). The casing (<NUM>) is fixed to the door (<NUM>) so as to remain between the inner lining (<NUM>) and the outer lining (<NUM>). The opening (<NUM>) on the outer lining (<NUM>) provides access into the casing (<NUM>). Thus, the display (<NUM>) is passed through the opening (<NUM>) and attached to the casing (<NUM>). The electrical connection of the display (<NUM>) is preferably provided by means of at least one cable (<NUM>) passed between the inner lining (<NUM>) and the outer lining (<NUM>).

The refrigerator (<NUM>) of the present invention comprises a latch (<NUM>) which is provided on the upper cover (<NUM>) or the lower cover (<NUM>) and which is suitable to be moved by rotating; a plurality of claws (<NUM>) which are provided on the display (<NUM>); a plurality of housings (<NUM>) which are provided on the casing (<NUM>) and which receive the claws (<NUM>); a frame (<NUM>) which is provided on the casing (<NUM>) and which has a plurality of holding walls (<NUM>) and a plurality of cut-outs (<NUM>) remaining between the holding walls (<NUM>); and a motion transmitter (<NUM>) which transfers the movement of the latch (<NUM>) to the frame (<NUM>) and which ensures that the frame (<NUM>) is moved between a fixing position where each housing (<NUM>) is aligned with a holding wall (<NUM>) and a free position where each housing (<NUM>) is aligned with a cut-out (<NUM>). The latch (<NUM>) is preferably provided on the upper cover (<NUM>) for easy use. The flexible claws (<NUM>) provided on the display (<NUM>) are fitted into the housings (<NUM>) provided in the casing (<NUM>). The frame (<NUM>) provided on the casing (<NUM>) moves by means of a motion transmitter (<NUM>) when the latch (<NUM>) is moved. In the fixing position, the claws (<NUM>) bear against the holding walls (<NUM>) provided on the frame (<NUM>) such that the display (<NUM>) is fixed on the casing (<NUM>). When the latch (<NUM>) is rotated, the frame (<NUM>) moves and the cut-outs (<NUM>) align with the housings (<NUM>). In this case, the claws (<NUM>) provided in the housing (<NUM>) pass through the cut-out (<NUM>) and the display (<NUM>) can be easily removed from the casing (<NUM>). The motion transmitter (<NUM>) provided here is preferably a rope or wire.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the casing (<NUM>), there is at least one lifter spring (<NUM>) which is compressed between the display (<NUM>) and the casing (<NUM>) when the frame (<NUM>) is in the fixing position and which pushes the display (<NUM>) outward when the frame (<NUM>) is shifted to the free position. When the display (<NUM>) is fixed on the casing (<NUM>), the display (<NUM>) compresses the lifter spring (<NUM>) by applying pressure on the lifter spring (<NUM>). When the frame (<NUM>) is brought from the fixing position to the free position, the display (<NUM>) is strongly pushed by the lifter spring (<NUM>) in the compressed position. Thus, the display (<NUM>) is detached from the casing (<NUM>) by itself and provides convenience to the users. The lifter spring (<NUM>) is preferably attached to a first bearing (<NUM>) provided on the base (<NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>), thus ensuring its safe operation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing (<NUM>) has a base (<NUM>) and at least one wall (<NUM>) surrounding the base (<NUM>), and on the wall (<NUM>) there is at least one abutment (<NUM>) whereon the frame (<NUM>) is seated. The abutment (<NUM>) ensures that the frame (<NUM>) is seated securely in the casing (<NUM>). The abutment (<NUM>) positioned at a higher level than the base (<NUM>) also facilitates the connection of the frame (<NUM>) to the casing (<NUM>).

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the wall (<NUM>), there is at least one protrusion (<NUM>) which bears against the frame (<NUM>) so as to guide the movement of the frame (<NUM>) between the fixing position and the free position. Thus, the frame (<NUM>) can safely move between the fixing position and the free position without leaving the casing (<NUM>).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing (<NUM>) comprises at least one return spring (<NUM>) which is attached to the frame (<NUM>) at one end and to the casing (<NUM>) at the other end and which enables the frame (<NUM>) to be pulled back to the fixing position from the free position. The return spring (<NUM>) is preferably fixed on one side of the frame (<NUM>) or on a support (<NUM>) component provided on the frame (<NUM>). When the latch (<NUM>) is pressed, the frame (<NUM>) shifts to the free position, and the return spring (<NUM>) becomes stretched while moving with the frame (<NUM>). When the latch (<NUM>) is released, the return spring (<NUM>) brings the frame (<NUM>) back to the fixing position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the upper cover (<NUM>) or the lower cover (<NUM>), there is at least one recess-shaped housing (<NUM>) wherein the latch (<NUM>) is fitted. The housing (<NUM>) is in the form of an almost open box. The housing (<NUM>) has a depth which prevents the latch (<NUM>) from being seen when viewed from the outside. Thus, the latch (<NUM>) can be hidden and does not create a visual disturbance for the users.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the housing (<NUM>), there is at least one rib (<NUM>) in the form of a protrusion, at least one hole (<NUM>) on the rib (<NUM>), and on the latch (<NUM>), there is at least one pin (<NUM>) which is fitted into the hole (<NUM>) and which enables the latch (<NUM>) to be pivotally attached to the rib (<NUM>). The pin (<NUM>) is rotatably fitted into the hole (<NUM>) provided on the rib (<NUM>) and forms the axis of rotation of the latch (<NUM>). Thus, the structure of the latch (<NUM>) is simplified and the use thereof is facilitated. There are preferably two ribs (<NUM>) positioned opposite each other on the housing (<NUM>). Thus, the latch (<NUM>) is attached to the ribs (<NUM>) more firmly by means of two pins (<NUM>).

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one extension (<NUM>) on the rib (<NUM>), there is at least one step (<NUM>) on the latch (<NUM>), and at least one spring (<NUM>) is attached on the pin (<NUM>) such that one end thereof bears against the extension (<NUM>) and the other end against the step (<NUM>). The spring (<NUM>) ensures that the latch (<NUM>) returns to the original position after the latch (<NUM>) is pressed. Thus, the spring (<NUM>) ensures that the latch (<NUM>) is shifted to the original position and that the frame (<NUM>) can be pulled back from the fixing position to the free position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the door (<NUM>), there is at least one cover (<NUM>) which is attached onto the housing (<NUM>) and which covers the housing (<NUM>). The cover (<NUM>) is in a form to completely cover the housing (<NUM>) and prevents dust, dirt, etc. from entering the housing (<NUM>) from the outside. The cover (<NUM>) is preferably attached to the housing (<NUM>) by means of a fixing member.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>) comprising a body (<NUM>); a door (<NUM>) which provides access into the body (<NUM>) and which has an inner lining (<NUM>), an outer lining (<NUM>) and a lower cover (<NUM>) and an upper cover (<NUM>) for covering the volume remaining between the inner lining (<NUM>) and the outer lining (<NUM>) from the bottom and the top, wherein insulation material is filled therebetween; at least one casing (<NUM>) which is disposed between the inner lining (<NUM>) and the outer lining (<NUM>) so as to at least partially remain in the insulation material; an opening (<NUM>) which is provided on the outer lining (<NUM>) and which faces the casing (<NUM>); and at least one display (<NUM>) which is passed through the opening (<NUM>) and fitted into the casing (<NUM>), characterized by a latch (<NUM>) which is provided on the upper cover (<NUM>) or the lower cover (<NUM>) and which is suitable to be moved by rotating; a plurality of claws (<NUM>) which are provided on the display (<NUM>); a plurality of housings (<NUM>) which are provided on the casing (<NUM>) and which receive the claws (<NUM>); a frame (<NUM>) which is provided on the casing (<NUM>) and which has a plurality of holding walls (<NUM>) and a plurality of cut-outs (<NUM>) remaining between the holding walls (<NUM>); and a motion transmitter (<NUM>) which transfers the movement of the latch (<NUM>) to the frame (<NUM>) and which ensures that the frame (<NUM>) is moved between a fixing position where each housing (<NUM>) is aligned with a holding wall (<NUM>) and a free position where each housing (<NUM>) is aligned with a cut-out (<NUM>).