DE102011100040A1 - Spacer used for e.g. pipe of cooling or freezing apparatus, has two base plates that are fixed on one or more surfaces of mounting portion in which pipe, hose or cable is fixed - Google Patents

Abstract

The spacer (10) comprises a mounting portion in which a pipe, a hose or a cable is fixed. Two base plates (12,13) are fixed on one or more surfaces of the mounting portion. The spacer main portion is made of plastic and is provided with adhesive agent in foam layer. The mounting portion is provided with a receiving area limited by two walls (51,52) and bars (24). An independent claim is included for cooling or freezing apparatus.

Description

The present invention relates to a spacer for one or more tubes, hoses, cables or the like of a refrigerator and / or freezer.

From the prior art it is known, pipes, hoses, cables or the like with certain spacers, which may for example consist of foam, plastic, etc., to be arranged at a desired distance to a surface or the like. These spacers have the function of keeping the pipe, hose or the like spaced from a certain other surface, such as the inner container, so that there is no direct contact between pipe, hose, cable or the like and the corresponding wall or other surface.

The present invention has the object of developing a spacer of the type mentioned in that a defined course of the tube, the hose, the cable or the like is secured.

This object is achieved by a spacer with the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, it is provided that the spacer has at least one attachment portion to which the at least one tube, hose or cable or the like is fixed to the spacer, and that the spacer further comprises at least a first leg and at least one second leg, by means of which the spacer can be fixed on one or more surfaces. This spacer according to the invention thus ensures a defined course of the element fixed therein, for example, of cold-conducting tubes in the foamed-in spatial area of a refrigerator and / or freezer.

It can be provided that the feet or the feet of the spacer are designed with at least one adhesive, preferably with double-sided adhesive tape and / or with at least one foam layer. By the foam, a certain insulating effect is achieved to the container surface or to the surface to which the spacer is fixed. The adhesive provides a particularly simple way to fix the spacer to the desired position of the refrigerator and / or freezer. Other types of attachment, such as positive or non-positive fastenings are possible.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the spacer is made of plastic and is preferably formed as a one-piece plastic part.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the feet are in each case connected to at least one leg, in whose end section in each case at least one foot is arranged. These legs ensure a certain minimum distance of the attachment portion and thus also of the fixed therein tube, hose, cable or the like from a surface, for example from the surface of an inner container and / or from the surface of the inner container surrounding housing or wall.

It is thus ensured for a sufficient distance, for example, to the outer wall and also to the container wall of a refrigerator and / or freezer.

These legs can but do not have to be parallel. It is preferably provided that an angle between the legs in the range up to 180 ° and preferably in the range between 20 ° and 160 ° and particularly preferably in the range <90 °.

For reasons of stability, it may be useful to connect the legs by one or more webs together.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the legs have an identical or different length. A different length of the legs can be provided, for example, if, due to the geometry of the inner container and / or the housing, a certain positioning of the fastening portion is to be achieved.

In principle, however, the invention also includes the case that the legs are identical and / or have an identical length.

The attachment portion may comprise at least one receiving area in which the one or more tubes, hoses or cables are arranged.

This attachment portion or the receiving area may be bounded by at least two walls or webs or the like or have such walls or webs. It when one of the walls or webs is resilient and / or is elastically or plastically deformable is particularly advantageous.

In such an embodiment, the part to be fastened, such as the tube, the hose or cable or the like are simply pressed into the mounting portion, the walls or webs then recede and then preferably spring back to its original position, so that the part is securely fixed.

The spacer may protrude laterally from the surface to which it is fixed.

It is particularly preferred if at least one of the walls or webs defines an insertion region through which the tube, the hose or the cable is inserted into the attachment section and that at least one of the walls or webs has at least one hook-shaped section, preferably at least one barb, the fixed the tube, the hose or the cable or the like in the receiving area.

The present invention further relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer comprising at least one spacer according to the invention.

Preferably, the spacer is arranged so that it protrudes from the surface, with which it communicates by means of the feet, so that a distance between the attachment portion and the surface in question is achieved. It is conceivable that the spacer is arranged vertically on the surface. However, a tilted arrangement is conceivable.

In principle it can be provided that the refrigerator and / or freezer has at least one inner container and at least one at least partially surrounding housing, wherein the at least one spacer on the inner container, preferably on its outer side, and / or on the housing, preferably at its Inner side, is arranged, wherein it is preferably provided that the spacer is arranged such that the fixed therein at least one tube, hose, cable or the like touches neither the inner container nor the housing. If the parts to be fixed are, for example, refrigerant-carrying tubes, it can be avoided by preventing the contacting of the outer or inner surface that condensate or icing occurs on the surfaces.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the spacer is completely or partially in a foaming or in any other heat insulation, which is at least partially or completely between the inner container and the housing.

The at least one spacer can be arranged in at least one corner region of the inner container and / or another wall or housing of the device.

Finally, provision can be made for the tube, which is accommodated in the spacer, to be an evaporator tube or a suction tube, which leads to a compressor of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

1 : a perspective view of the spacer according to the invention,

2 FIG. 2: a side view of the spacer according to the invention in the state mounted on the outside of the inner container, FIG.

3 a perspective view of the arrangement according to 2 with accommodated in the mounting portion pipe and

4 a perspective view of the arrangement according to 3 ,

In 1 is with the reference numeral 10 an inventive spacer characterized. The spacer 10 has two foot plates 12 . 13 on, in the end of legs or Fußanbindungen 22 . 23 are arranged.

These legs 22 . 23 are through a jetty 24 connected with each other.

The reference number 30 indicates the open side of the spacer 10 with which it is mounted on a surface, for example on the outside of an inner container of a refrigerator and / or freezer.

With the reference number 40 . 41 is one on the respective bottom of the feet 12 . 13 The foam layer is characterized by a double-sided adhesive tape.

This page becomes the spacer 10 glued on the said surface.

The reference number 50 finally identifies the clamped mounting portion of the spacer 10 , Like this 1 further, this attachment portion consists of two walls 51 . 52 which are arranged opposite and which are interconnected by a U-shaped section. In her opposite from the U-shaped Area arranged insertion section 60 show the two walls 51 . 52 in their free expiring end portion inwardly curved, ie mutually facing hook-shaped tabs 61 . 62 which serve as barbs and which ensure that the part received in the attachment portion is reliably fixed.

By the spacer according to 1 is a process-secure attachment of, for example, pipes, hoses, cables, rods, etc. with the spacer with the clip 50 possible, in the embodiment shown here via two feet or foot plates 12 . 13 an adhesive of the spacer, for example, on the inner container or on the outside of a refrigerator and / or freezer takes place. With this spacer 10 The parts to be fastened are securely held in position in the foamed area spatially.

How out 1 As can be seen, to provide no contact / heat conduction to other components, two legs were provided 22 . 23 provided and the foot plates 12 . 13 coated with foam.

Conceivable is the use of said spacer and shown for example foamed evaporator tubes and / or for suction tubes, etc.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but includes the fixation of any part of a refrigerator and / or freezer, preferably of parts, which are located in the foamed area.

As stated above, the spacer secures 10 a defined course of the tube, hose, cable, rod or the like, in particular a defined pipe run of refrigerant-carrying pipes in the foamed spatial area of a refrigerator and / or freezer.

In this case, both the geometry of the clamping area and the attachment portion 50 preferably chosen so that the pipe, cable, hose, etc. always the maximum distance from the surface, for example, to the outside of the inner container or to the inside of the device side wall, etc.

Like this further 1 shows, the spacer points 10 two foot plates 12 . 13 on, with tailed, integrally connected legs 22 . 23 are provided.

It is conceivable that the feet or the legs 22 . 23 Have one or more openings in order to prevent a thermal bridge as possible.

Another insulation effect is achieved by being on the bottom, that is on the mounting side of the foot plates 12 . 13 at least one foam layer or other heat-insulating material is located.

As stated above, a double-sided adhesive tape by means of which the spacer can be provided in this area 10 particularly easy glued to a surface and thus can be fixed.

Preferably, the arrangement of the spacer shown in its mounting position is selected so that the recorded part, for example, a cold pipe no surface, in particular no outer or inner surface touches, that is neither the inner container nor an outer wall of the device or a wall surrounding the inner container of the device, which can prevent condensate or icing on the surfaces.

For the purpose of mounting the parts to be secured no additional tool is required. It suffices, this (s) between the two hook-shaped sections 61 . 62 push in, allowing them between the two walls 51 and 52 to come to rest. For this purpose, it is conceivable, the hook-shaped sections 61 . 62 and / or the walls 51 . 52 resilient or elastic or plastically deformable to design.

Also for mounting the spacer 10 itself is preferably no tool required, although a use of tools is of course not excluded. It is preferably provided that it is simply glued to a surface. Other types of fastening, such as latching, jamming, screwing, etc. are conceivable and included in the invention.

The assembly process is such that after removing a protective film of the two foot plates 12 . 13 the spacers are glued to the refrigerated goods, ie on the inner container, for example, in the corner of the outside. The spacer (s) 10 are thereby defined in the position and rigidly connected to the refrigerated goods container or inner container.

Subsequently, the parts to be secured, such as pipes in the clip or in the attachment section 50 be inserted.

2 shows the spacer 10 according to 1 in the assembled state, however, without a part to be fastened. In this drawing is denoted by the reference numeral 100 the inner container marked. Like this 2 shows, the foot plates 12 . 13 or their foam layers 40 . 41 flat on surface areas of the outside of the inner container 100 glued. Due to the arrangement and design of the legs 22 . 23 is the attachment section 50 spaced from the outside of the inner container. Preferably, it is also provided that the attachment portion of a housing, not shown, which the inner container 100 surrounds, is spaced.

The spacer 10 can basically protrude perpendicularly from the surface to which it is fixed, whereby other angles or positions are also included in the invention.

3 shows the inner container 100 with a spacer arranged on the outside thereof in the corner area 10 , Like this 3 is apparent is in the attachment portion 50 a pipe 200 added. It is by the spacer at a safe distance to the outside of the inner container 100 and also held to the inside of the outer wall of the device.

4 Finally, in a further illustration shows the fixation of an insulated tube, which in the attachment portion 50 is included.

As stated above, the spacer can 10 consist in one piece of a plastic part, which is additionally provided with foam, other heat-insulating materials and / or fasteners, such as an adhesive layer. It is conceivable to produce the spacer in an injection mold.

It is preferable to arrange this on the outside of the inner container and then to attach the tube or the like thereto or therein.

Claims (15)

Spacer for one or more tubes, hoses, cables or the like of a refrigerator and / or freezer characterized in that the spacer has at least one mounting portion on which fixes the at least one tube, hose or cable or the like to the spacer is, and that the spacer has at least a first foot and at least one second foot, by means of which the spacer is fixable on one or more surfaces. Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that the feet or the feet of the spacer are designed with at least one adhesive, preferably with double-sided adhesive tape and / or with at least one foam layer and / or that the spacer consists of plastic and is preferably formed as a one-piece plastic part. Spacer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feet are each in communication with at least one leg, in the end portion of which at least one foot is arranged in each case. Spacer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feet are in each case associated with at least one leg, in whose end portion the at least one fastening portion is arranged and / or that the at least one leg has one or more apertures. Spacer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the legs are not parallel, but enclose an angle between them, wherein the angle is preferably in the range up to 180 ° and preferably in the range between 20 ° and 160 ° and particularly preferably in the range <90 ° is. Spacer according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the legs are connected by one or more webs with each other. Spacer according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the legs have an identical or different length. Spacer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening portion comprises at least one receiving area which is bounded by at least two walls or webs. Spacer according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the walls or webs is resilient and / or elastically or plastically deformable. Spacer according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one of the walls or webs defines an insertion area, is inserted through the tube, the hose or the cable or the like in the mounting portion and that at least one of the walls or webs at least one hook-shaped portion, preferably at least one barb holding the tube, the hose or the cable or the like in the receiving area. A refrigerator and / or freezer comprising at least one spacer according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein preferably provided is that the spacer is fixed so that it is directed away from the surface to which it is connected. The refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 11, characterized in that the cooling and / or freezing device has at least one inner container and at least one at least partially surrounding housing, wherein the at least one spacer to the inner container, preferably on the outside, and / / or is arranged on the housing, preferably on the inside thereof, wherein it is preferably provided that the spacer is arranged such that the at least one tube, hose, cable or the like fixed therein contacts neither the inner container nor the housing. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the spacer is completely or partially in a foaming or other heat insulation, which is located between the inner container and the housing. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the at least one spacer is arranged in at least one corner region of the inner container. The refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it is in the pipe, which is accommodated in the spacer, to a leading to a compressor of a refrigerant circuit of the device suction pipe.

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