DE102011084822A1 - Refrigeration device with a compressor - Google Patents

Abstract

Refrigerating appliance (1) with a compressor (5) and a collecting container for receiving condensed water, characterized in that the collecting container (7) has a skirt (15) which covers one side of the compressor (5) at least partially.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigeration device.

In refrigerators passes through the occasionally open refrigerator door or by the evaporation of moisture from the refrigerated goods moisture in the storage chamber for storing refrigerated goods. The bound in the air water then precipitates as condensation on the cold storage chamber walls. In known refrigeration appliances, in particular refrigerators and freezers, the accumulated during operation condensation water is collected in a collecting container, which is usually located in a region of the engine room, preferably above the compressor. Thawed condensed water evaporates due to the heating of the collecting container, in particular by the transfer of heat from the compressor to the collecting container.

With new refrigeration units, the run times of the compressor are reduced by optimized insulation. Furthermore, more and more efficient compressors with lower heat losses and thus a lower heat output are available. Increasingly, therefore, low-performance compressors are used, which heat up the collecting container less. An increased amount of condensation and also occurs in tropical areas due to the high humidity.

In modern refrigerators with high-quality insulation, it may therefore happen that the waste heat of the compressor is no longer sufficient to evaporate the condensate at the rate at which it is produced, so that finally overflows the collecting container. If the overflowing condensation reaches parts that lead to voltage below the collection container, damage to the electrical system of the refrigeration unit may result. Dewy water leaking out of the device can also cause damage elsewhere, especially in the case of built-in appliances intended for installation in furniture.

The collection containers are often mounted in the refrigerator above the compressor in order to optimally use the waste heat from the compressor for evaporation. There are compressor-independent receptacles, where all compressor variants fit under the receptacles and compressor-dependent receptacles, where the receptacles are designed for a particular compressor variant. In order to evaporate the water in the catch tank, the air circulation over the water surface and the water temperature are important factors. The compressor capsule heats up during operation of the compressor. In order to use this heat, good air circulation at the collecting container and heat radiation from the compressor to the collecting container are advantageous.

With the collection containers of today's refrigerators, a large part of the waste heat from the compressor is lost unused. This waste heat is needed for the evaporation performance. Furthermore, there are insufficient air circulation at the collecting container, in particular above the collecting container, and thus an insufficient evaporation performance.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refrigeration device with a collecting container, in which in particular the overflow of the collecting container can be reliably avoided over a long period of time.

The object is achieved by a refrigeration device with the features of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect, a refrigeration device according to the invention has a compressor and a collecting container for receiving condensed water. The collecting container has an apron which at least partially covers one side of the compressor. The collecting container is provided, for example, in a storage chamber for receiving refrigerated goods of the refrigerator for collecting condensate occurring at the storage chamber. For the purposes of the present invention, a collecting container is understood to be a container provided with a depression. The collecting container can for example be integrated into a floor, intermediate floor, or a wall of the refrigerating appliance so that it only appears to the outside as a trough for receiving the condensed water in appearance. When the refrigerator is ready for operation, the collecting container can store condensation above and at the same height as the compressor at the side of the compressor. With the side of the compressor in the context of the present invention is meant that the condensation is below the upper edge of the compressor laterally adjacent to the compressor. The compressor thus protrudes upwards in height at areas of condensation, or is at least partially surrounded by it.

The refrigeration unit can be equipped with compressor off and independent fall arrest. The heat losses during the heat transfer from the compressor to the collecting container can be reduced with the refrigerating appliance according to the invention, ie the heat transferable from the compressor to the collecting container can be increased. Due to the pulled down apron-like collecting container air is increasingly passed on the opposite side of the skirt on the compressor. By This increased air circulation, more moisture can be removed from the collecting container, since the air flow is increased near the water surface. Due to the greater distances in the collecting container, a large distance between the cold and warm water area can be generated, whereby the water circulation is improved.

Overall, the improved heat transfer from the compressor capsule to the water, the compressor waste heat is better utilized and improves the evaporation performance of the collecting container. The improved convection within the collecting container and the possible enlarged heat transferring contact surface from the water to the shell also contribute to this.

Under refrigeration device is in particular a household refrigeration appliance understood, ie a refrigerator, which is used for housekeeping in households or in the catering sector, and in particular serves to store food and / or drinks at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a Kühlgefrierkombination, a Freezer or a wine fridge.

According to one embodiment, the side on which the skirt is provided, a front of the compressor, which is arranged, for example, facing away from a lateral opening for insertion of the compressor in the engine room of the refrigerator.

According to one embodiment, the collecting container has at least one tubular air duct which, with a minimum filling level of the collecting container with condensed water, permits an air flow through the condensed water collected in the collecting container.

The tubular air duct is formed, for example, by a tube which from below, d. H. from the bottom of the collecting container, upwards, for example, vertically upwards, protrudes. Where the tube is tightly connected to the bottom of the collection container, the pipe is an opening in the bottom of the collection container limited. This allows the air through this opening up through the pipe through the condensed water, are passed. This makes it possible to transfer heat in the region of the tubular air duct from the air flowing through the tubular air duct to the condensed water. The air duct also increases the air circulation above the water level of the condensed water, which increases the evaporation. The air duct may also extend obliquely upward from one of the side walls of the collecting container. Likewise, a plurality of air channels can be provided. The air duct may for example be formed of metal, which allows the advantage of a further improved heat transfer of air flowing through the air duct heated air to the condensate in the collecting container.

According to one embodiment, the air channel runs at maximum filling of the collecting container with condensate through the upper liquid level of the condensed water. As a result, the air flowing upwards through the air duct and heated by the waste heat of the compressor can be distributed well in the free space above the liquid level. Further, by means of the upwardly flowing heated air of low relative humidity, moisture can be absorbed by the surface of the liquid level of the condensed water collected in the drip tray.

According to one embodiment, the compressor is provided in a machine room of the refrigerator, which has a lateral opening for introducing the compressor into the machine room. At the collecting container then, for example, a Luftleitabschnitt is provided which extends obliquely in space from bottom to top of the opening away. Due to the oblique orientation in space away from the opening, the air flowing upwards due to the chimney effect is guided to the compressor and heated by the compressor. The resulting increased air flow at the compressor contributes to a large heat transfer from the compressor to the air flow and then to the collecting tank. The collecting container is therefore heated more, which promotes the evaporation of condensed water.

According to one embodiment, the skirt is formed on a double-walled filling region of the collecting container, which can absorb condensation water. The condensate receiving area of the collecting container thus extends down to the area of the air guide. Due to the wide extension of the liquid-carrying part of the collecting container, in particular by its wide vertical extension, caused by the heating by the compressor remote condensation areas of different temperature. This increases convection in the liquid and increases the evaporation capacity of the collecting container.

According to one embodiment, a single-walled web is provided integrally with the double-walled filling region below the double-walled filling region. This bar has an air guiding function. Ascending air can thus be passed close to the compressor. For this purpose, the skirt with the compressor form an upwardly tapering gap, so that the upwardly flowing air is compressed like a nozzle on the compressor.

According to one embodiment, the collecting container is arranged at a distance to a wall bounding the machine room opposite the opening. As a result, air can flow between the collecting container and the wall. This increases the evaporation capacity of the collecting container.

According to one embodiment, the collecting container has a spherical bottom section which extends like a helmet over the compressor. As a result, the compressor can be enclosed very close to the collecting container. A transmission in particular of heat radiation from the compressor to the collecting container is thus made possible to a large extent.

According to one embodiment, rubber bumpers are arranged between the collecting container and the compressor, by means of which the collecting container is distanced from the compressor and decoupled in terms of vibration technology. This structure allows avoiding the coupling of vibrations of the compressor in the collecting container. As a result, the noise emissions of the refrigerator resulting from vibrations of the compressor can be reduced.

According to one embodiment, the collecting container is at least partially transparent. The transparent collecting container allows easy readability of the liquid level in the collecting container by the user. The collecting container can be produced, for example, inexpensively from plastic as an injection molded part.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of features described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. 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 embodiment of the invention described below. Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures.

It shows:

1 a schematic representation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment; and

2 : a schematic representation of the refrigeration device according to the embodiment of 1 ,

1 shows a schematic representation of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment. The refrigeration device 1 has a storage chamber 3 for picking up refrigerated goods. There is also a refrigerant circuit for cooling the storage chamber 3 provided that a compressor 5 having. The compressor 5 is in a machine room 11 of the refrigeration device 1 intended. Ströumgspfeile 6 symbolize this by the waste heat of the compressor 5 conditional upward flow of air. The engine room 11 has a side opening 13 for inserting the compressor 5 in the engine room 11 on. The opening 13 is arranged in the image on the side facing the viewer. A collection container 7 for collecting at the storage chamber 3 occurring condensation is in this embodiment above the compressor 5 and spaced from the compressor 5 arranged. The collection container 7 extends so that it condenses above and at the same height as the compressor 5 laterally next to the compressor 5 can save. The directions above, the same height, etc. refer to the ready-to-use refrigeration unit 1 , The collection container 7 has a tubular air duct 9 on, from the bottom up through the collection container 7 extends. As a result, an air flow through the in the collecting container 7 collected condensed water are allowed. This airflow prevents air congestion over the surface of the condensed water. As a result, the evaporation of condensation of the collecting container 7 elevated. The collection container 7 has an air guide section 15 on a front side 27 up, diagonally in the room from bottom to top of the opening 13 runs away. the skirt 15 forms with the compressor 5 an upwardly tapering gap 25 , Therefore, the apron passes 15 Air that flows from bottom to top due to the chimney effect to the compressor 5 out. This will increase the heat transfer from the compressor 5 to the air and then to the collection container 7 improved. The skirt 15 is on a double-walled filling area 17 of the collection container 7 trained, the condensation can absorb. This double-walled filling area 17 protrudes far down, causing a large temperature gradient across the catch tank 7 results. The temperature differences cause temperature fluctuations in the condensed water, which leads to a movement of the condensed water. The collection container 7 has a spherical bottom section 21 on, which is like a helmet over the compressor 5 extends. This will keep the air tight in the gap between compressors 5 and collection container 7 Guided, allowing heat radiation from the compressor into the air in the gap between the compressor 5 and collecting container is introduced. Between the collection container 7 and the compressor 5 are rubber buffers 23 arranged. It's one of the rubber buffers here 23 illustrated by way of example with an oval cross-section. The rubber buffers allow a support of the collecting container 7 on the compressor 5 and at the same time a vibrational decoupling of compressor 5 and collection container 7 , This allows an improved noise emission behavior of the refrigerator 1 ,

2 shows a schematic representation of the refrigeration device 1 according to the embodiment of 1 , Based on 2 the following is the structure of the double-walled filling area 17 Otherwise, the presentation of 1 directed. The collection container 7 is in 2 shown cut open on the right. Therefore, the double-walled filling area 17 be well recognized here. At the double-walled filling area 17 is the apron in this embodiment 15 arranged, from bottom to top obliquely on the compressor 5 too inclined. The inclination of the apron 15 on the compressor 5 to cause a line of upwardly flowing air to the compressor 5 to. In double-walled filling area 17 The condensation can be up to the side of the compressor 5 to be collected. Overall, there is an increased depth of the collection container 7 , Furthermore, the lateral waste heat of the compressor can also 5 for heating the collecting container 7 be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 The refrigerator

3

 storage chamber

5

 compressor

6

 flow arrow

7

 receptacle

9

 air duct

11

 engine room

13

 lateral opening

15

 apron

17

 double-walled filling area

19

 single-walled bridge

21

 spherical bottom section

23

 rubber buffers

25

 gap

27

 front

Claims (15)

Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) with a compressor ( 5 ) and a collecting container for receiving condensed water, characterized in that the collecting container ( 7 ) an apron ( 15 ) having one side of the compressor ( 5 ) at least partially covers. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side ( 27 ) a front side ( 27 ) of the compressor ( 5 ) facing away from a lateral opening ( 13 ) for introducing the compressor ( 5 ) into the engine room ( 11 ) of the refrigeration device is. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the apron ( 15 ) obliquely in space, in particular from bottom to top of the opening ( 13 ) runs away. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apron ( 15 ) on a double-walled filling area ( 17 ) of the collecting container ( 7 ) is formed, which can absorb condensation. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that in one piece with the double-walled filling area ( 17 ) below the double-walled filling area ( 17 ) a single-walled bridge ( 19 ) is provided. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apron ( 15 ) with the compressor ( 5 ) an upwardly tapering gap ( 25 ). Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting container ( 7 ) at least one tubular air duct ( 9 ), which at a minimum filling level of the collecting container ( 7 ) with condensed water through the air in the collecting container ( 7 ) condensed water allows. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air duct ( 9 ) is substantially vertical. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the air duct ( 9 ) is formed of metal. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the air duct ( 9 ) at maximum filling of the collecting container ( 7 ) with condensed water through the upper liquid level of the condensed water. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting container ( 7 ) spaced to a machine room ( 11 ) opposite the opening ( 13 ) bounding wall ( 19 ) is arranged. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting containers ( 7 ) a spherical bottom section ( 21 ), which is like a helmet above the compressor ( 5 ). Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting containers ( 7 ) is manufactured as a plastic injection molded part. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the collecting container ( 7 ) and the compressor ( 5 ) Rubber buffer ( 23 ) are arranged, by means of which the collecting container ( 7 ) from the compressor ( 5 ) distanced and vibration technology is decoupled. Refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting container ( 7 ) is transparent.

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