DE102011082792A1 - Ice maker for a refrigeration device and refrigeration device - Google Patents

Abstract

Ice maker (1) for a refrigerator (2) with at least one container (3) for collecting water-based liquid to be frozen (5), which is arranged on the cooling space (7) of the refrigerator (2), and with at least one hose (9 ) for feeding the liquid (5) to the container (3) through a hole (6) in a container wall (4) of the container (3), and with an adapter (11) disposed on the container (3) a plate (13) having a hole (15) and a tubular portion (17) having an inner channel (19) which opens into the hole (15) and which is tightly connected to the hose (9), and the adapter ( 11) is arranged tightly against the container wall (4) such that the hole (15) in the plate (13) and the hole (6) in the container wall overlap, the tube-like portion (17) being angled at an acute angle Plate (13) is arranged.

Description

The present invention relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator and a refrigerator.

Ice makers in refrigerators have a container which is arranged in a cold room of the refrigerator. The container is filled with liquid, in particular water, and the water is cooled to a temperature below freezing point, so that it freezes. Often several recesses are provided in the container in which the water is arranged to make several blocks of ice simultaneously. The water is supplied by means of a pipe or a hose to the container. The hose offers the advantage that distances to the container, for example, due to positional tolerances, can be bridged well. Silicon is widely used as a material for the hose because it remains elastic even at low temperatures and makes it difficult to attach ice due to its material properties.

One problem is that hoses for supplying water to the icemaker may break and the water supply to the icemaker is made difficult or even interrupted. Furthermore, there is a risk of icing in a jam in the supply of water and at an unfavorable angle with the result of clogging of the hose or container. As a result, further supply of water is made more difficult and operation of the refrigeration device is hindered to an insignificant degree.

From the GB 2 118 700 A For example, an ice maker with a distributor is known in which a flexible distributor hose for supplying water is attached by means of a flange at the top of the device in a vertical orientation.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ice maker for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigerator, in which in particular a flexible and secure supply of water to the icemaker is made possible.

The object is achieved by an ice maker for a refrigerator and a refrigerator with the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, an ice maker according to the invention for a refrigerator has at least one container for collecting water-based liquid to be frozen, which is arranged on the cooling space of the refrigerator. Normally, water is frozen. However, since contamination of the water must be expected, the term "water-based liquid to be frozen" was chosen. In the following, simplifying is called water, although the "water-based liquid to be frozen" should be meant. The container may be completely contained in or adjacent to the refrigerator compartment. In any case, a sufficient cooling of the container of the ice maker is given below the freezing point.

Further, at least one hose for supplying the water to the container through a hole in a container wall of the container is provided. By means of the hose, the water to be frozen is introduced into the container. The container is then cooled to below freezing and converted to ice. The ice can then be manually or automatically removed from the container.

An adapter is disposed on the container having a plate with a hole and a tubular portion with an inner channel which opens into the hole and which is sealed to the hose. By means of the adapter thus the hose is connected to the container. The water passes through the tube, the inner channel of the tubular portion and the hole in the plate in the container. The tubular portion may be performed according to the invention through the hole, so that although the water then passes through the hole, but does not receive direct contact with the plate in the region of the hole. The adapter is arranged close to the container wall so that the hole in the plate and the hole in the container wall overlap. The adapter thus seals between the tube and the container wall so that the water is passed through the tube by means of the adapter through the hole in the container wall into the container.

The tubular portion is at an acute angle with respect to the plate (FIG. 13 ) is arranged. By means of the plate and the deviating from the orthogonal impingement of the tubular portion on the plate, the tube can be connected obliquely to a container wall. Thereby, the water can be supplied at a desired angle through the hole in the container wall in the container. Furthermore, a kinking of a directly attached to the container wall hose is avoided. The tube section can not only be shortened by the tube-like section but also, for example, be moved to an area where the tube can be better supported to avoid kinking. The tubular portion extends, for example coming from the container obliquely downwards. In this way, a kinking of the hose can be particularly well prevented. The hose is for example made of a elastic hydrophobic material, such as silicone, to provide sufficient elasticity and to prevent buildup of water.

The refrigeration device has, for example, its own refrigerant circuit with a compressor for compressing refrigerant vapor, a condenser downstream of the compressor for condensing the refrigerant vapor, and an evaporator downstream of the condenser and upstream of the compressor for vaporizing the liquefied refrigerant. Compressor and evaporator are then preferably each provided with a heat exchanger for heat transfer between the supplied air and the fluid.

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 freezer.

The parts of the adapter, in particular the tubular portion and the plate are made of plastic, for example. As an injection molded part can be achieved here a cost-effective production. The adapter can be made on the flow side of hydrophobic material, for example by means of a coating.

According to one embodiment, the tubular portion is at an angle of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, in particular at an angle of 10 to 80 degrees, in particular 40 degrees, hits the plate.

According to one embodiment, one end of the tubular portion is cut at an acute angle with respect to its longitudinal axis and connected to the plate.

According to one embodiment, the tubular portion meets obliquely on the flap.

According to one embodiment, the tubular portion is curved at least in sections. By the curvature can be realized any course of the tubular portion. Thereby, the supply of water to the container without kinks in the tubular portion can be realized from any direction. By eliminating kinks improved flow behavior is achieved in the tubular section. Further, by means of the tubular portion contours can be bypassed, where the hose would chafe and damage over time.

According to one embodiment, the tube is attached to the tubular portion or inserted into this. As a result, the tube runs in the same direction as the end of the tubular portion. An alignment of the tube in terms of its spatial orientation to prevent kinking, this is easily possible.

According to one embodiment, the plate is curved. Compared to a flat plate plate can then be mounted better close to curved container walls.

According to one embodiment, the tubular portion extends through the hole in the plate. Thereby, the tubular portion can be very well and stably fixed to the plate. The tubular portion is glued or welded to the plate, for example, to be tightly and firmly attached thereto. It can extend so far that it extends through the hole in the container wall into the container. As a result, the water is then released into the interior of the container, which may result in improved mixing of the water and a more homogeneous temperature distribution in the container.

According to one embodiment, the plate is mounted inside the container. As a result, an outwardly flat container wall can be achieved, which improves their cleanability. The plate is screwed to the container, glued or welded, for example. Bonding and welding offer the advantage that a seal between the container and the plate can be achieved at the same time. When screwing a seal between the container and plate can be provided. The plate may extend angularly around an edge of the container. Such an angled attached to an edge of the container plate can be particularly firmly attached to a container wall.

According to one embodiment, an injection nozzle for injecting water to be cooled is further provided. For example, the injector is sealed to the hose to feed the water into the hose.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a refrigerator with at least one ice maker according to the invention, wherein the ice maker is provided on the refrigeration device, that the container for collecting liquid to be frozen is arranged on the cooling space of the refrigerator.

Further possible embodiments of the invention also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of before or below with respect to the embodiments described features. The expert will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the refrigeration device.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the invention described below. Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 : a schematic representation of a refrigerator with an icemaker according to a first embodiment;

2 : a schematic representation of the container of the ice maker according to the embodiment of 1 ;

3 : A schematic representation of the adapter of the ice maker according to the embodiment of 1 ; and

4 : a schematic representation of an ice maker according to another embodiment.

1 shows a schematic representation of a refrigerator 2 with an icemaker 1 according to a first embodiment. From the refrigerator 2 is a refrigerator 7 recognizable in which an icemaker 1 is arranged. The icemaker 1 has a container 3 for receiving water-based liquid to be frozen 5 on. The following is the liquid 5 referred to as water. It is in the picture upwards extending at least one hose 9 for supplying the liquid 5 to the container 3 through a hole, as in 2 is shown in a container wall 4 of the container 3 shown. The hose 9 is in this embodiment made of a transparent material, here made of silicone. The hose 9 is in a tubular section 17 an adapter 11 plugged in tight and tight with the container wall 4 to be able to connect. The adapter 11 also has a flat plate in this embodiment 13 on, with which the adapter 11 on the container wall 4 is attached. A mounting hole 14 in the plate 13 allows a tightening of the adapter 11 on the container wall 4 , The tubular section 17 meets in this embodiment at an acute angle, for example, 10 to 80 degrees on the plate 13 , By means of the plate 13 and the non-orthogonal impact of the tubular portion 17 on the plate 13 can the hose 9 at an angle to the container wall 4 be connected. This can cause the water 5 at a desired angle through the hole in the container wall 4 in the container 3 be supplied. Furthermore, a kinking of a directly on the container wall 4 attached hose 9 avoided.

2 shows a schematic representation of the container 3 of the ice maker according to the embodiment 1 , Here is the adapter 11 with the hose 9 omitted. So here's the rectangular hole 6 in the container wall 4 to recognize. Through the hole 6 the liquid gets into the container 3 fed as previously described.

3 shows a schematic representation of the adapter 11 of the icemaker 1 according to the embodiment 1 , The adapter 11 is here from below, that is represented from the side with which he is in 1 on the container wall 4 seated. Here is the hole 15 in the plate 13 to recognize by the water 5 through the container wall 4 in the container 3 is fed. Furthermore, it can be seen here that the tubular section 17 an inner channel 19 that is in the hole 15 empties. For operation, the adapter 11 close to the container wall 4 arranged that the hole 15 in the plate 13 and the hole 6 overlap in the container wall. Furthermore, in 3 again the mounting hole 14 for fixing the plate 13 on the container wall 4 recognizable.

4 shows a schematic representation of an ice maker 1 according to a further embodiment. Here is now recognizable how the hose 9 between an injection nozzle 21 for the water and the adapter 11 with the tube-like section 17 and the plate 11 extends. The plate 13 of the adapter 11 includes an edge in this embodiment 23 the container wall 4 , whereby a particularly position-resistant seat of the adapter 11 on the container 3 is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Ice makers

2

The refrigerator

3

container

4

container wall

5

liquid

6

Hole in the container wall

7

refrigerator

9

tube

11

adapter

13

plate

14

mounting hole

15

hole

17

tubular section

19

internal channel

21

injection

23

edge

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

• GB 2118700 A [0004]

Claims (19)

Ice maker ( 1 ) for a refrigeration appliance ( 2 ) with at least one container ( 3 ) for collecting water-based liquid to be frozen ( 5 ) located at the refrigerator ( 7 ) of the refrigeration device ( 2 ), and with at least one hose ( 9 ) for supplying the liquid ( 5 ) to the container ( 3 ) through a hole ( 6 ) in a container wall ( 4 ) of the container ( 3 ), and with an adapter ( 11 ) attached to the container ( 3 ), which is a plate ( 13 ) with a hole ( 15 ) and a tubular section ( 17 ) with an inner channel ( 19 ), which enters the hole ( 15 ) and the tightly with the hose ( 9 ), and the adapter ( 11 ) close to the container wall ( 4 ) is arranged, that the hole ( 15 ) in the plate ( 13 ) and the hole ( 6 ) in the container wall , characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) at an acute angle with respect to the plate ( 13 ) is arranged. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) at an angle of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, in particular at an angle of 10 to 80 degrees, in particular 40 degrees, to the plate ( 13 ) meets. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one end of the tubular portion ( 17 ) cut at an acute angle with respect to its longitudinal axis and with the plate ( 13 ) connected is. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) obliquely on the flap ( 13 ) meets. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) is curved at least in sections. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hose ( 9 ) on the tubular portion ( 17 ) is inserted or inserted into this. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hose ( 9 ) is made of silicone. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate ( 13 ) is curved. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) through the hole ( 15 ) in the plate ( 13 ) passes through. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) and / or the plate ( 13 ) are made of plastic, in particular as an injection molded part. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular portion ( 17 ) with the plate ( 13 ) is glued or welded. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter ( 11 ) is at least flow side made of hydrophobic material. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate ( 13 ) within the container ( 3 ) is attached. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate ( 13 ) on the container ( 3 ) is screwed, glued or welded. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an injection nozzle ( 21 ) is provided for injecting water to be cooled. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to claim 15, characterized in that the injection nozzle ( 21 ) tight with the hose ( 9 ) connected is. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate ( 13 ) at an angle around an edge ( 23 ) of the container ( 3 ) extends around. Ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a tubular section ( 17 ) from the container ( 3 ) extending obliquely downwards. Refrigeration appliance ( 2 ) with at least one ice maker ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the ice maker ( 1 ) on the refrigeration unit ( 2 ) is provided that the container ( 3 ) for collecting liquid to be frozen ( 5 ) at the refrigerator ( 7 ) of the refrigeration device ( 2 ) is arranged.

Images