Drive device for refrigerator doors

1. An arrangement comprising:

a housing ( 1 );

b. a door ( 4 ) which is articulated to the housing ( 1 ) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis ( 2 ) of a hinge ( 3 ; 3 c );

at least one drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) for pivoting the door ( 4 ) relative to the housing ( 1 );

wherein the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) comprises a motor-driven drive unit ( 60 ) by means of which a moment is exertable on the door ( 4 ) relative to the hinge axis ( 2 ) via at least one force transmission means ( 14 ; 51 );

wherein the housing ( 1 ) belongs to at least one of the group consisting of a cooling device and a freezing device; and

wherein the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) is integrated in the door ( 4 ).

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein in addition thereto, an opener ( 24 ) is provided for deflecting the door ( 4 ) from a closed position.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the opener ( 24 ) is actuable manually and by means of the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ).

4. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one force transmission means ( 14 ; 51 ) is coupleable to the drive unit ( 60 ) via a coupling.

5. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) is a linear drive.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one force transmission means ( 14 ) is articulated to the hinge ( 3 ).

7. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the force transmission means ( 14 ) is a gear rack.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7 , wherein the gear rack is comprised of at least two components, with the at least first gear rack component ( 16 ) being displaceable relative to the at least second gear rack component ( 17 ).

9. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a sensor ( 34 ) is provided.

10. An arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor ( 34 ) is an angle sensor which is coupled to the pivot axis ( 2 ) for detecting an open position of the door ( 4 ).

11. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a control unit ( 61 ), which is connected to the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) for data transmission, is provided for controlling the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ).

12. An arrangement according to claim 11 , wherein at least one parameter of the pivotability of the door ( 4 ) is adjustable by means of the control unit ( 61 ).

13. An arrangement comprising

a housing ( 1 );

a door ( 4 ) which is articulated to the housing ( 1 ) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis ( 2 ) of a hinge ( 3 ; 3 c );

at least one drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) for pivoting the door ( 4 ) relative to the housing ( 1 ); and

wherein the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) comprising a motor-driven drive unit ( 60 ) by means of which a moment is exertable on the door ( 4 ) relative to the hinge axis ( 2 ) via at least one force transmission means ( 14 ; 51 );

wherein the force transmission means ( 51 ) belongs to at least one of the group consisting of a belt, a rope and a chain;

wherein the housing ( 1 ) belongs to at least one of the group consisting of a cooling device and a freezing device; and

wherein the hinge ( 3 c ) comprises a first leg ( 8 c ) which is articulated to the door ( 4 ) via a first joint ( 10 ), a second leg ( 9 c ) which is articulated to the housing ( 1 ) via a second joint ( 11 ) and which is articulated to the first leg ( 8 c ) via a third joint ( 12 ), and said hinge ( 3 c ) comprises a third leg ( 52 ) which is articulated to the first leg ( 8 c ) via a forth joint ( 13 ).

14. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the force transmission means ( 51 ) is a toothed belt.

15. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the first transmission means ( 51 ) is an elastic belt.

16. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein a carriage ( 54 ) is provided that is pivotally connected via a fifth joint ( 53 ) to the third leg ( 52 ), wherein said carriage ( 54 ) is displaceable by means of the belt ( 51 ).

17. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the first leg ( 8 c ) is arcuate.

18. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the third leg ( 52 ) is arcuate.

19. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the hinge ( 3 c ) further comprises a forth leg ( 56 ) which is articulated to the third leg ( 52 ) via a sixth joint ( 57 ).

20. An arrangement according to claim 19 , wherein a support pulley ( 58 ) is arranged on a free end of the fourth leg ( 56 ), wherein said support pulley ( 58 ) abuts the housing ( 1 ) when the door ( 4 ) is closed.

21. An arrangement according to claim 20 wherein in the region of the sixth joint ( 57 ) is provided a spring ( 59 ) which is pre-loaded when the door ( 4 ) is closed and which presses the fourth leg ( 56 ) together with the support pulley ( 58 ) against the housing ( 1 ).

22. An arrangement comprising:

a housing ( 1 );

a door ( 4 ) which is articulated to the housing ( 1 ) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis ( 2 ) of a hinge ( 3 ; 3 c );

at least one drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) for pivoting the door ( 4 ) relative to the housing ( 1 ); and

wherein the drive device ( 5 ; 5 c ) comprising a motor-driven drive unit ( 60 ) by means of which a moment is exertable on the door ( 4 ) relative to the hinge axis ( 2 ) via at least one force transmission means ( 14 ; 51 );

wherein the force transmission means ( 51 ) belongs to at least one of the group consisting of a belt, a rope and a chain; and

wherein the housing ( 1 ) belongs to at least one of the group consisting of a cooling device and a freezing device; and

wherein the force transmission means ( 51 ) runs across two pulleys ( 49 , 50 ).

23. An arrangement according to claim 22 , wherein the two pulleys ( 49 , 50 ) are drivable for rotation.