DE102010042235A1 - Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigerating appliance, with at least one boundary wall (9, 11) defining a cooling space (4, 5) which is a composite material blank (50) having two cover layers (35, 36) with interposed insulating material ( 37) and from a composite endless web (33) is cut to size. According to the invention, the two cover layers (35, 36) are connected to side edges (47) of the boundary wall (9, 11) in a diffusion-tight manner.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a refrigeration appliance according to claim 12.

In the production of refrigerators, an inner container is usually created in a Kunststofftiefziehverfahren, which defines the refrigerator. Various components are mounted on this inner container in a pre-assembly step. Subsequently, the correspondingly preassembled inner container is placed together with device outer walls in a foam system, in which a cavity formed between the outer walls and the inner container is foamed by means of a Isolierschaumes. After Schaumaushärtung the resulting device body can be further processed in a final assembly to a finished refrigerator or freezer. This production process brings rigid production structures with it, in particular, the necessary for manufacturing reasons tact time of the foam system is responsible for a total comparatively long production period.

From the DE 21 08 216 a generic refrigerator is known in which the device body consists of a box-shaped pre-assembly, which has a cover and a bottom wall and a rear wall, which merge into each other at bending edges. The box-shaped pre-assembly is made of a multilayer composite blank, which is produced in a non-illustrated process. At the desired bending or kinking points, the material composite is optionally mitred, but without cutting through the inner cover layer.

As a result, the existing between the inner and outer cover layer of foam body is exposed. In addition, the foam body present between the inner and outer cover layer is also exposed on the circumferential blank edge of the pre-assembly unit. The foam body exposed on the pre-assembly unit must then be closed in a time-consuming processing step by means of adhesives or sealants in a diffusion-tight manner.

The object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, as well as a process for the production of the refrigeration appliance, which can be produced in a reduced production time as well as production technology.

A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to be a household refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance used for household purposes or possibly even in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or beverages in household quantities at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer , a fridge freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

The object is solved by the features of claim 1 or claim 12. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

According to the invention, the refrigeration device has at least one boundary wall defining a cooling space, which is a composite material blank. The composite blank is constructed in multiple layers of two cover layers with interposed insulating material and cut from a composite endless web. According to the invention, the two cover layers on the side edges of the boundary wall directly in diffusion with each other in connection, whereby the insulating material is embedded diffusion-tight between the cover layers.

The continuous composite material web required for producing the composite blank can be assembled in a substantially continuous production process from two separate cover layer continuous webs, between which the insulating material is introduced. The two separate cover layer continuous webs can be continuously unwound from rolls in a production direction and joined together in a joining station of a production plant with introduction of the insulating material. Here, the insulating material may preferably be a polyurethane foam. This occurs after foaming in adhesive bond with the two outer layer continuous webs. The individual layers therefore result in a multi-layer continuous composite material web after the joining step, from which the composite material blank is cut to a predetermined cutting length.

The insulating material entry takes place before the above-mentioned Joining step on a bottom side in the manufacturing process cover layer continuous web. The registered insulating material is foamed under pressure and / or heat. In order to avoid leakage of the insulating material from the composite endless web, the running parallel to the direction of production side edges of the composite endless web are connected to each other diffusion-tight in a joining or connecting step.

For such a diffusion-tight connection at the side edges, at least one of the Top layer continuous webs have bevelled edge webs. Such profiling of the cover layer continuous webs can be done in a profiling station. Therein, the still separated cover layer continuous webs can be profiled separately from each other. The edge webs can bridge at the side edges of the intermediate insulating material layer to the opposite top layer.

For a particularly diffusion-tight connection, such edge webs can be profiled on both cover layers. Accordingly, the mutually facing edge webs may overlap and be bonded together.

For the installation of the composite material blank in the refrigeration device, it is advantageous if in the diffusion-tight closed side edges, the edge webs merge flush with each other. Such a flush transition can preferably be realized in that one of the interconnected edge webs has a set back by the layer thickness of the other edge web end piece with which the other edge land in Appendix. The thus lying on the stepwise recessed tail edge web forms a virtually joint-free transition with the other edge web.

Preferably, the boundary walls with their diffusion-tight side edges at least partially frame a feed opening of the refrigerator. By contrast, the blank edges of the composite blank forming in the production method can not be arranged on the side of the refrigeration device which can be viewed by the user, since here the insulating material is exposed, which can be covered diffusion-tight by a cover part and / or a bottom part in the assembled state of the refrigeration device.

Preferably, the composite material blank produced from the continuous composite material web may initially be plate-shaped or planar and have corresponding predetermined bending points. In a subsequent shaping can be formed by bending or folding a box-shaped pre-assembly, which has, for example, back and side walls which are connected by bending edges of the same material and integral with each other. Accordingly, the preassembled unit thus formed has, in the assembled state, vertically raised back and side walls which have open end faces at the top and bottom. These are each formed by the blank edges on which the insulating material is still exposed. As already mentioned above, in contrast to the blank edges, the diffusion-tight side edges are provided for limiting the feed opening and can therefore be viewed by the user.

In the ceiling part, an evaporator unit and a fan unit may be integrated in a modular manner, whereby a refrigeration device with circulating air cooling can be produced. In contrast, a compressor unit of the refrigerant circuit, which is connected to the evaporator unit via refrigerant lines, can be arranged in the bottom part.

As already mentioned above, it is advantageous for a diffusion-tight connection of the two outer layers if they have lateral edge webs. The lateral edge webs, in particular of the cover layer continuous web which is bottom-side in the production method, moreover form an upwardly open trough-shaped profile which ensures largely leak-free application of the initially still liquid insulating material. The liquid insulating material can be filled in the trough-shaped profile of the bottom-side cover layer continuous web in a special foaming station, which is arranged in the production direction in front of the joining station. Subsequently, the insulating material is covered with the upper-side outer layer endless web, whereby the insulating material can foam laxative.

Therefore, the edge webs of the cover layers not only cause diffusion-tight side edges of the composite blank, but also act during the manufacturing process as a leakage protection to prevent lateral leakage of the still liquid insulating material.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures will be described.

Show it:

1 in a perspective view of a refrigerator with convection cooling in the assembled state;

2 the refrigerator in a side sectional view;

3 to 5 each successive manufacturing steps for producing a pre-assembly unit;

6 a partial sectional view of the composite blank;

7 in an enlarged, partial exploded view of the pre-assembly with the ceiling part;

8th in a detailed view of a side edge of the composite blank with a foam or diffusion-tight connection between the two cover layers of the composite blank;

9 in a schematic representation of an apparatus for producing the composite material blank; and

10 in a sectional view in the manufacturing process bottom side cover layer continuous web with applied insulating material.

In the 1 is shown working with convection cooling refrigerator. The refrigerator has a device body 1 as well as appliance doors 2 . 3 on top of each, the loading openings 6 the refrigerators 4 . 5 can close or open independently of each other.

Both cold rooms 4 . 5 are through sidewalls 9 through a back wall 11 as well as through a bottom part 13 and a ceiling part 15 Are defined. Between the two cold rooms 4 and 5 is a room divider 14 arranged as an intermediate floor.

Like from the 2 shows, is in the ceiling part 15 an evaporator chamber 17 with an evaporator 19 as well as a fan 21 integrated. In cooling mode, the fan can be used 21 through a front air inlet in the evaporator chamber 17 sucked in an airflow and through an air outlet 23 in the cold rooms 4 . 5 be distributed. This is the air outlet 23 the evaporator chamber 17 with distribution lines 25 fluidically connected, in the rear wall 11 are integrated. The distribution lines 25 according to the 2 vertically spaced outflow openings 27 on, over which the cold air flow into the cold rooms 4 . 5 can occur. Various control means for adjusting a cold air flow in the refrigerator 4 . 5 are in the 2 omitted for clarity. The in the ceiling part 15 arranged evaporator 19 forms together with one in the bottom part 13 arranged compressor a known refrigerant circuit.

According to the invention, the side walls 9 as well as the back wall 11 uniform material and in one piece in a box-shaped pre-assembly unit 29 interconnected in the 5 is shown in a partial view and in isolation. According to the 5 is the pre-assembly unit 29 in profile U-shaped with the sides of the rear wall 11 around bending edges 31 folded up side walls 9 , In the in the 1 and 2 Assembly state shown are the back and side walls 9 . 11 the pre-assembly unit 29 vertically raised.

The manufacture of the pre-assembly unit 29 is based on the 3 and 4 illustrated. In the 3 is a section of a multilayer composite endless web 33 shown in a production direction F workstations one in the 9 passes through the manufacturing plant shown. The composite endless web 33 according to the 3 an outer cover layer 35 and an inner cover layer 36 and an intermediate insulating material 37 on. For the production of the composite endless web 33 Are first not shown here cover layer continuous webs in approximately parallel to each other and merged is the insulating material 37 brought in.

In addition, further fixtures can be introduced between the two outer layer continuous webs in the continuous process. So is according to the 3 and 4 a channel unit consisting of four channel lines 39 in insulating material 37 foamed, the air distribution lines 25 form. The axially parallel to the production direction F running channel unit 39 can also form cable channels.

The inner and / or outer cover layer 35 . 36 of the composite blank 50 be in a profiling station 61 the Indian 9 profiled before the two cover layers to the composite blank 50 be joined together. In the 3 are exemplary V-shaped beads 41 shown, which run in the production direction F and in each case a total layer thickness s of the composite endless web 33 reduce how it is in the 3 . 4 and 6 is shown. The beads 41 form predetermined bends, which is a perfect bending process for folding up the two side walls 9 enable. The material weakening is limited according to the 6 only on the insulating material 37 in the area of the bead 41 has a reduced material thickness s ₁ . The layer thicknesses s ₂ and s _{3 of} the two outer and inner cover layers 35 . 36 in contrast, stay in the area of the bead 41 constant. In addition, in the 6 further stiffening beads 43 provided, which also extend along the production direction F and the outer cover layer 35 stiffen.

In the 8th is in a further detail view extending in the direction of production F side edge 47 the composite endless web 33 shown. As a result, the two cover layers 35 . 36 at the side edges 47 the composite endless web 33 folded edge webs 49 on. These are facing each other and overlapping each other. The Indian 8th shown upper edge bar 49 is with a tail 51 to the material thickness s _{3 of} the lower cover layer 35 graduated inside. This allows the opposite lower edge web 49 the outer cover layer 35 essentially without joints and flush with the upper edge web 49 be glued. The compound of in the outer layers 35 . 36 formed edge webs 49 takes place in a special joining station 64 the manufacturing plant even before the introduction of the insulating material 37 ,

Like from the 4 further, the composite web will become continuous 33 over predetermined cut lengths l tailored so that the blank length corresponds approximately to the height of the unit to be manufactured refrigeration appliance. The cutting edges created during the cutting process 53 form in the assembled state, the upper and the lower edge of the pre-assembly 29 , At the two upper and lower cutting edges 53 the pre-assembly unit 29 is the insulating material 37 still uncovered while the two side edges 47 each closed diffusion-tight.

The composite blank so prepared 50 is in the 4 partially shown. The composite blank 50 is in a subsequent folding or bending process along the desired predetermined bends 41 to the pre-assembly unit 29 according to the 5 further processed.

In a preparatory further assembly step can then according to the 7 at the front upper and lower edges of the U-shaped pre-assembly unit 29 one bevel each 54 be provided, as a retaining contour a secure mounting of the ceiling part 15 and the bottom part 13 supported. The ceiling part 15 is in accordance with the 7 with corresponding corner areas 55 formed after joining in abutment with the two bevels 54 of the pre-assembly state.

The floor and the ceiling part 13 . 15 is in accordance with the 7 over sealing and adhesive directly on the respective blank edge 53 set to the still exposed insulating material 37 seal impermeable. In addition, in the back wall 11 approximately in the middle of a recess 56 in the inner cover layer 36 incorporated the channel unit 39 fluidically with the air outlet 23 of the ceiling part 15 combines.

In the 9 is a device for the production of in the 4 partially illustrated composite blank 50 shown. As a result, the device has rollers 57 . 58 on, of which the top layer continuous webs 59 . 60 be processed and initially independent of each other by Profilierstationen 61 be encouraged. In the, in the 9 shown lower Profilierstation 61 becomes the bottom-side cover layer continuous web 60 with in the direction of manufacture F extending stiffening beads 43 and the beads formed as predetermined bending points 41 profiled continuously.

In the lower profiling station 61 becomes the top layer endless web 60 also provided with a trough-shaped, open-topped profile, the peripheral edge webs raised 49 having. In the trough-shaped profile of the bottom-side cover layer continuous web 60 becomes in the later foaming station 65 the liquid insulating material 37 brought in. The raised edge webs 49 prevent lateral leakage of the insulating material 37 ,

Between the two cover layer endless webs 59 . 60 runs according to the 9 a carrier web 63 on which different fixtures 39 applied in the finished composite endless web 33 in insulating material 37 are foamed. As already mentioned above, in the present example of the carrier layer 63 the channel unit carried in the subsequent foaming process in the insulating material 37 is foamed.

The two cover layers 59 . 60 as well as the carrier layer 63 be in the joining or connecting station 64 put together, with the interposition of the insulating material 37 , The insulating material 37 is in the present example, a polyurethane foam, in adhesive bonding with the two outer layer endless webs 59 . 60 occurs. The insulating foam 37 is in accordance with the 9 in the immediately before the joining station 64 arranged foaming station 65 on the carrier layer 63 and on the lower cover layer endless web 60 Applied with pressure and heat.

In the direction of production F for the foaming station 65 following connection station 64 become the edge bars 49 the cover layer endless webs 59 . 60 connected together diffusion-tight. In the further course of production follows according to 9 a cooling station 66 in which the formed continuous composite web 33 is guided between opposite cooling rollers, whereby the material thickness s of the composite endless web 33 is set. The now cooled and calibrated composite endless web 33 gets into a cutting station 67 guided. In the cutting station 67 becomes the composite blank 50 over a predetermined cutting length l from the composite endless web 33 cut. The blank length l is dimensioned such that it essentially corresponds to the device height of the refrigeration device to be manufactured.

The according to the 4 plate-shaped composite material blank 50 is in a shaping step along the predetermined bending points folded, from which the in the 5 shown pre-assembly unit 29 results. The pre-assembly unit 29 is subsequently in a, in the 7 indicated assembly step with the floor and ceiling parts 13 . 15 connected.

In the 10 is the one in the foaming station 65 shown insulating material entry. As a result, the initially liquid insulating material 37 on the according to the 9 bottom-side cover layer endless web 59 applied. The insulating material 37 is up to a level f in the upwardly open trough-shaped profile of the cover layer continuous web 59 filled. The height h of the lateral edge webs 49 the cover layer endless web 59 is dimensioned larger than the resulting level f of the liquid insulating material 37 , The actual foaming process then takes place under pressure and heat, after the upper-side outer layer endless web 60 in the joining station 64 diffusion-tight with the bottom-side cover layer endless web 59 connected is.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device body

2, 3

appliance doors

4, 5

refrigerators

9

side walls

11

rear wall

13

the bottom part

14

room divider

15

cover part

17

evaporator chamber

19

evaporator unit

21

fan unit

23

air outlet

25

distribution line

27

outflow

29

preassembly

31

bending edges

33

Composite continuous web

35, 36

facings

37

insulating material

39

channel unit

41

beading

43

reinforcing beads

44

vertex

45

corner part

47

margins

49

edge webs

50

Composite material blank

51

tail

53

cutting edge

54

retaining contour

55

corner

57, 58

roll

59, 60

Topcoat continuous webs

61

profiling station

63

backing

64

connecting station

65

Schäumungsstation

66

cooling station

67

cutting station

F

production direction

r _B

bending radius

s, s ₁ , s ₂ , s ₃

thicknesses

H

Edge web-height

f

level

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2108216 [0003]

Claims (12)

Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance, with at least one refrigerated space ( 4 . 5 ) defining boundary wall ( 9 . 11 ), which is a composite blank ( 50 ), the two outer layers ( 35 . 36 ) with interposed insulating material ( 37 ) and from a composite endless web ( 33 ), characterized in that the two outer layers ( 35 . 36 ) on margins ( 47 ) of the boundary wall ( 9 . 11 ) are diffusion-tightly interconnected. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the continuous composite material web ( 33 ) of two separate, in a production direction (F) funded cover layer continuous webs ( 59 . 60 ), between which the insulating material ( 37 ) is registrable. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the side edges ( 47 ) of the composite endless web ( 33 ) parallel to the production direction (F). Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for the diffusion-tight connection at the side edges ( 47 ) at least one of the cover layers ( 35 . 36 edge edge bevelled edges ( 49 ), which are connectable to the other cover layer. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that both outer layers ( 35 . 36 ) mutually facing edge webs ( 49 ), which overlap one another for the diffusion-tight connection and are in adhesive connection with one another. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the edge webs ( 49 ) prior to assembly of the two cover layer continuous webs ( 59 . 60 ) in at least one cover layer continuous web ( 59 ) can be formed, and the edge webs ( 49 ) in particular a trough-shaped profile in the cover layer continuous web ( 59 ) form. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the insulating material ( 37 ) in the manufacture of the continuous composite web ( 33 ) in the trough-shaped profile of the cover layer continuous web ( 60 ) is substantially leak-free filling. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that one of the interconnected edge webs ( 49 ) by the layer thickness (s ₃ ) of the other edge web ( 49 ) graduated tail ( 51 ), with which the other edge web ( 49 ) is in plant. Refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diffusion-tight side edges ( 47 ) of the boundary wall ( 9 . 11 ) at least partially a feed opening ( 6 Frame the refrigerator. Refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the blank edges ( 53 ) of the composite blank ( 50 ) the insulating material ( 37 ) exposed in the assembled state of the refrigerator from a ceiling part ( 15 ) and / or a bottom part ( 13 ) is diffusely coverable. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that the ceiling part ( 15 ) and / or the bottom part ( 13 ) the loading opening ( 6 ) on the top and / or bottom side. Method for producing a refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims.

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