DE102012211770B4 - Refrigerator with a water dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

Refrigeration device (104), with a water outlet (114) and with a heat exchanger (202) for cooling water that can be discharged through the water outlet (114), the heat exchanger (202) in a recess (600) in the inner door (200) of the refrigerator (104) is arranged and a heat exchanger cover (204) of the heat exchanger (202) is fastened to the inner door (200) of the refrigeration device (104), characterized in that the heat exchanger cover (204) of the heat exchanger (202) is fastened to the inner door (200) of the refrigeration device (104) is fastened by latching, two latching elements (410) being arranged on two opposite longitudinal sides (404) of the heat exchanger cover (204), which are latched to the refrigeration device (104), and wherein the latching elements (410) are designed as scenes (700), into which locking pins (610) of the refrigeration device (104) engage.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigerator with a water dispenser and with a heat exchanger for cooling water that can be dispensed by the water dispenser. The invention further relates to a refrigeration device ensemble, comprising two refrigeration devices, of which the first refrigeration device has an ice dispenser and the second refrigeration device has a water dispenser.

Refrigeration appliances, in particular refrigeration appliances designed as household appliances, are known and are used for household management in households or in the catering sector in order to store perishable foods and / or beverages at certain temperatures.

The US 2011/0 146 335 A1 discloses a refrigerator with an insulation space arranged in a refrigerator compartment door for an ice maker, the insulation space being accessible through an ice space door.

US 2006/0 096 310 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a water tank arranged in a freezer compartment door and an ice making chamber arranged in the refrigerator compartment door, the ice making chamber and the water tank are cooled by a cooling air flow and the return air is discharged into the cooling compartment via openings at the level of the water tank.

The US 2008/0 148 763 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a water treatment unit installed in a refrigerator door for supplying heated or cooled water and dispensing on the refrigerator door.

The US 2013/0 105 513 A1 discloses a refrigerator with water tanks installed in a refrigerator door for preparing hot water or chilled water and dispensing on the refrigerator door.

The US 2010/0 126 210 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a water system disposed on a top wall of a refrigerator compartment with a water tank hidden behind a cover.

Such refrigeration devices are increasingly provided with an ice dispenser for dispensing water ice cubes and / or crushed / crushed ice. Furthermore, such refrigeration devices are additionally provided with a water dispenser for dispensing cooled water. However, such an ice dispenser and water dispenser have different visual appearances, which affects the overall visual impression, in particular if two refrigeration appliances are combined to form a refrigeration appliance ensemble, one of the refrigeration appliances having an ice dispenser and the other refrigeration appliance having a water dispenser.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a refrigeration device or a refrigeration device ensemble with an optically appealing appearance.

These objects are achieved by the objects with the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the finding that a particularly optically appealing appearance can be achieved if the ice dispensing and the water dispensing are optically matched to one another.

According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration device in which the heat exchanger is arranged in a recess in the inner door of the refrigeration device. This has the technical advantage that the heat exchanger does not take up any space in other areas of the refrigerator. These other areas can therefore be designed with an ice dispenser according to the external appearance of a refrigerator.

A refrigeration device is understood in particular to mean a household appliance, i.e. a refrigeration device that is used for household management in the household or in the catering sector and in particular serves to store food and / or beverages at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, freezer, etc. Fridge-freezer, a freezer or a wine fridge.

According to the invention, a heat exchanger cover of the heat exchanger is attached to an inner door of the refrigeration device. This achieves the technical advantage that the heat exchanger is covered by the heat exchanger cover and does not impair the visual appearance of the refrigerator with water being dispensed.

According to the invention, the heat exchanger cover of the heat exchanger is fastened to the inner door of the refrigeration device by latching. This achieves the technical advantage that no additional fastening means, such as, for example, are used to fasten the heat exchanger cover to the refrigerator with a water dispenser. Screws or rivets. This reduces the manufacturing and logistic expenditure, since no such fastening means have to be stored and made available for the production.

According to the invention, two locking elements are arranged on two opposite longitudinal sides of the heat exchanger cover for locking with the refrigeration device. This achieves the technical advantage that the position of the heat exchanger cover is clearly defined by the four locking elements, which are all arranged at a minimum distance from one another.

According to the invention, the latching elements are designed as sets in which latching pins of the refrigeration device engage. This has the technical advantage that the heat exchanger cover is guided to its assembly during a joining movement. In this way incorrect assembly can be avoided.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the scenes have a first straight section, which is formed on the open side, to which a first deflecting section adjoins, and to which a second straight section adjoins the first deflecting section, and a second deflecting section adjoins the second straight section , and the third deflection section is followed by a third straight section which is closed at the end of the respective backdrop. This gives the technical advantage that the direction of the joining movement can be changed during assembly. In this way, additional securing means can be engaged.

In a further advantageous embodiment, two deflection sections form a deflection by 45 ° in each case. This achieves the technical advantage that such securing means can be brought into engagement particularly simply and reliably.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat exchanger cover has a bore on its upper side, through which a holding cam of the refrigeration device extends for fastening the heat exchanger cover to the refrigeration device.
This has the technical advantage that the retaining cam extending into the bore additionally secures the heat exchanger cover as a securing means.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the underside of the heat exchanger cover has a tab which is in contact with a counter-contact surface of the refrigeration device. This has the technical advantage that the heat exchanger cover is secured against accidental falling.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the tab extends in the refrigerator door thickness direction. This achieves the technical advantage that the tab can be designed as an extension of a section of the heat exchanger cover. This simplifies the manufacture of the heat exchanger cover.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat exchanger cover has an engagement opening for releasing the heat exchanger cover from the refrigeration device. This achieves the technical advantage that the heat exchanger cover can be removed and removed by hand from the refrigerator with a water dispenser by engaging in the engagement opening.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat exchanger cover is made from a heat-conducting material. This has the technical advantage that cooling of water in the heat exchanger can be achieved by cooling air from the inner container of the refrigeration device for storing items to be cooled.

Thus, a refrigerator with a water dispenser with a particularly simple structure is provided.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the water dispenser is arranged on the outside of the refrigerator. This achieves the technical advantage that it is possible to remove cooled water from the water dispenser without opening the inner container of the refrigeration device, warm air being prevented from opening and thus reducing the energy consumption of the refrigeration device by not opening the inner container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the water dispenser is attached to a door panel of a refrigerator door of the refrigerator. This has the technical advantage that the water dispenser is arranged so that it is easily accessible.

According to a second aspect, the object according to the invention is achieved by a refrigeration device ensemble which has two refrigeration devices, of which the first refrigeration device has an ice dispenser and the second refrigeration device has such a water dispenser. Both refrigeration devices each have their own refrigerant circuit with the associated components. This means that if one of the two refrigeration devices fails, another, fully functional refrigeration device remains.

• 1 eine Vorderansicht eines Kältegeräteensembles, umfassend ein erstes Kältegerät mit einer Eisausgabe und ein zweites Kältegerät mit einer Wasserausgabe,
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Innentür eines Kältegeräts mit einer Wasserausgabe,
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer montierten Wärmetauscherabdeckung,
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Wärmetauscherabdeckung im unmontierten Zustand,
• 5 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht einer Wärmetauscherabdeckung im unmontierten Zustand,
• 6 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Abschnitts der Innentür der 2 zur Befestigung der Wärmetauscherabdeckung,
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Schritts der Montage der Wärmetaucherabdeckung,
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Schritts der Montage der Wärmetaucherabdeckung, und
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung eines dritten Schritts der Montage der Wärmetaucherabdeckung.

Further embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 1 shows a front view of a refrigeration device ensemble, comprising a first refrigeration device with an ice dispenser and a second refrigeration device with a water dispenser,
• 2nd a perspective view of the inside door of a refrigerator with a water dispenser,
• 3rd a perspective view of an assembled heat exchanger cover,
• 4th a perspective view of a heat exchanger cover in the unassembled state,
• 5 another perspective view of a heat exchanger cover in the unassembled state,
• 6 a perspective view of a portion of the inner door of the 2nd for fastening the heat exchanger cover,
• 7 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first step in the assembly of the heat exchanger cover,
• 8th is a schematic representation of a second step in the assembly of the heat exchanger cover, and
• 9 is a schematic representation of a third step in the assembly of the heat exchanger cover.

1 shows two refrigerators as exemplary embodiments of a first refrigerator 102 and a second refrigerator 104 that together form a refrigeration ensemble 100 form.

The first refrigeration device 102 points to the front of its refrigerator 110 a refrigerator door 106 on. By opening the refrigerator door 106 can be an interior of the first refrigerator 102 be made accessible to store or remove refrigerated goods in it. Outside, ie with the refrigerator door closed 106 accessible, is an ice cream dispenser 112 arranged. The ice cream dispenser 112 is designed to dispense water ice cubes and / or crushed ice.

Like the first refrigerator 102 has the second refrigerator 104 on the front of the refrigerator 110 a refrigerator door 108 on. By opening the refrigerator door 108 can also be an interior of the second refrigerator 104 be made accessible to store or remove refrigerated goods in it. Outside, ie when the refrigerator door is closed 108 accessible, here is a water dispenser 114 arranged. The water dispenser 114 is designed to dispense chilled, liquid water.

Both refrigerators 102 , 104 each have a refrigerant circuit with an evaporator (not shown), a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown) and a throttle element (not shown) for cooling refrigerated goods.

The evaporator is designed as a heat exchanger in which, after expansion, the liquid refrigerant by absorbing heat from the medium to be cooled, i.e. Air inside the refrigerator is evaporated.

The compressor is a mechanically driven component that sucks refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and expels it to the condenser at a higher pressure.

The condenser is designed as a heat exchanger in which, after compression, the evaporated refrigerant by giving off heat to an external cooling medium, i.e. the ambient air is liquefied.

The throttle element is a device for the constant reduction of pressure by reducing the cross-section.

The refrigerant is a fluid used for heat transfer in the cryogenic system that absorbs heat at low temperatures and low pressures of the fluid and releases heat at higher temperatures and pressures of the fluid, usually including changes in the state of the fluid.

2nd shows the inner door 200 the refrigerator door 108 with the water dispenser 114 . In the inside door 200 is a heat exchanger 202 arranged, which is in thermally conductive connection with the interior of the second refrigerator 104 stands so that due to the cooling of the interior caused by the refrigerant circuit of the second refrigeration device, at the same time also in the heat exchanger 202 water is also cooled.

The heat exchanger 202 is supplied with water through pipes (not shown), which establish a water-carrying connection to an on-site water supply network. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 202 through further lines (not shown) with the water dispenser 114 connected, which form another water-bearing connection to the water output 114 supply chilled, liquid water.

The heat exchanger 202 is with a heat exchanger cover 204 disguised together with the inner door 200 forms a flat surface. So here in the area with the heat exchanger cover 204 clad heat exchanger 202 a door rack 206 be arranged for storage of further refrigerated goods.

3rd shows that the heat exchanger cover 204 in the present embodiment by four locking connections 300 with the inner door 200 connected, of which in the 3rd only two rest connections 300 are visible.

The 4th and 5 show that the heat exchanger cover 204 on their top 400 in the present embodiment three holes 406 having. At the bottom 402 has the heat exchanger cover 204 in the present embodiment, a tab 408 that extends in the refrigerator door thickness direction. Furthermore, the heat exchanger cover has 204 in the present embodiment on their two opposite longitudinal sides 404 four locking elements 410 to form the in 3rd illustrated locking connections 300 on.

5 also shows that the heat exchanger cover 204 at their bottom 402 an engagement opening 500 has, in the case of maintenance and / or repair work, a manual release of the locking connections 300 to remove the heat exchanger cover 204 facilitated.

6 shows a section of the inner door 200 in which a recess 600 for fastening the heat exchanger cover 204 is formed. At the top 602 the deepening 600 are in the present embodiment corresponding to the number of holes 406 (please refer 4th and 5 ) three holding cams 608 arranged so that these in the holes 406 can immerse. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, on the opposite longitudinal sides 606 the deepening 600 corresponding to the number of locking elements 410 (please refer 4th and 5 ) four locking bolts 610 arranged so that this with the corresponding locking element 410 one of the four locking connections 300 can form. In addition, the depression has in the present embodiment 600 at their bottom 604 a mating contact surface 612 to interact with the tab 408 on as will be described later.

It is now based on the 7 to 9 the installation of the heat exchanger cover 204 explained. The 7 to 9 show that the four locking elements 410 the heat exchanger cover 204 in the present embodiment as a backdrop 700 are formed, in which the four locking bolts 610 intervene and so the heat exchanger cover during assembly 204 to lead.

The scenes 700 have a first, straight section in the present exemplary embodiments 702 on, which is formed on the open side, for the insertion of the locking bolts 610 to enable. The first, straight section 702 a first deflection section closes 704 to a deflection of the scenes in the present embodiment 700 caused by 45 °. At the first deflection section 704 a second, straight section closes 706 on. The second straight section 706 closes a second deflection section 708 on, which in the present embodiment also deflects the scenes 700 caused by 45 °. Both deflection sections thus effect 704 , 708 together a redirection of the scenes 700 by 90 °. At the second deflection section 708 a third straight section closes 710 at the end of the respective backdrop 700 is closed and thus a stop for the respective locking bolt 610 forms.

For mounting the heat exchanger cover 204 first the respective locking bolts 610 in the first straight section 702 the respective backdrop 700 introduced. During the further transfer of the heat exchanger cover 204 will match the shape of the backdrops 700 the heat exchanger cover 204 first in the direction of a first joining movement direction I. shifted until reaching the first deflection section 704 the direction of the joining movement in a second joining movement direction II is changed, which deviates by 45 ° from the first joining movement direction. Then the heat exchanger cover 204 continue according to the second straight section 706 shifted until reaching the second deflection section 708 the direction of the joining movement in a third joining movement direction III is changed by 45 ° from the second joining movement direction II and by 90 ° from the first direction of joining movement I. deviates. During the passage of the three joining movement directions I. to III dive the three holding cams 608 into the three holes 406 one, which are each designed accordingly.

Upon reaching the in 9 shown end position for the heat exchanger cover 204 stands the tab 408 in contact with the mating contact surface 612 on the bottom 604 the deepening 600 and thus prevents the heat exchanger cover from falling out 204 .

If necessary, for example if maintenance and / or repair work has to be carried out, the heat exchanger cover can be used 204 manually by engaging the engaging opening 500 and moving the heat exchanger cover 204 in the opposite direction, so that the heat exchanger 202 is freely accessible.

Reference symbol list

100

Refrigeration ensemble

102

first refrigerator

104

second refrigerator

106

Fridge door

108

Fridge door

110

Refrigerator front

112

Ice cream dispenser

114

Water dispensing

200

Interior door

202

Heat exchanger

204

Heat exchanger cover

206

Door racks

300

Snap connection

400

Top

402

bottom

404

Long side

406

drilling

408

Tab

410

Locking element

500

Intervention opening

600

deepening

602

Top

604

bottom

606

Long side

608

Holding cams

610

Locking bolt

612

Mating contact surface

700

Backdrop

702

first straight section

704

first deflection section

706

second straight section

708

second deflection section

710

third straight section

I.

first direction of joining movement

II

second direction of joining movement

III

third direction of joining movement

Claims (11)

Refrigeration device (104), with a water outlet (114) and with a heat exchanger (202) for cooling water that can be discharged through the water outlet (114), the heat exchanger (202) in a recess (600) in the inner door (200) of the refrigerator (104) is arranged and a heat exchanger cover (204) of the heat exchanger (202) is fastened to the inner door (200) of the refrigeration device (104), characterized in that the heat exchanger cover (204) of the heat exchanger (202) is fastened to the inner door (200) of the refrigeration device (104) is fastened by latching, two latching elements (410) being arranged on two opposite longitudinal sides (404) of the heat exchanger cover (204), which are latched to the refrigeration device (104), and wherein the latching elements (410) are designed as scenes (700), into which locking pins (610) of the refrigeration device (104) engage. Refrigeration device (104) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the scenes (700) have a first straight section (702), which is formed on the open side, to which a first deflecting section (704) adjoins, and a second straight section (706) adjoins the first deflecting section (704) ), and the second straight section (706) is followed by a second deflection section (708), and the second deflection section is followed by a third straight section (710), which is designed to be closed at the end of the respective link (700). Refrigeration device (104) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the deflection sections (704, 708) each form a deflection by 45 °. Refrigeration device (104) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the heat exchanger cover (204) has a bore (406) on its upper side (400) through which a holding cam (608) of the refrigeration device (104) extends for fastening the heat exchanger cover (204) to the refrigeration device (104). Refrigeration device (104) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the heat exchanger cover (204) has on its underside (402) a tab (408) which is in contact with a mating contact surface (612) of the refrigeration device (104). Refrigeration device (104) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the tab (408) extends in the refrigerator door thickness direction. Refrigeration device (104) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the heat exchanger cover (204) has an engagement opening (500) for releasing the heat exchanger cover (204) from the refrigeration device (104). Refrigeration device (104) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the heat exchanger cover (204) is made of a heat-conducting material. Refrigeration device (104) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the water outlet (114) is arranged on the outside of the refrigerator. Refrigeration device (104) according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the Water dispenser (114) is attached to a door panel of a refrigerator door (108) of the refrigerator (104). Refrigeration device ensemble (100), comprising two refrigeration devices (102, 104), of which the first refrigeration device (102) has an ice dispenser (112) and the second refrigeration device (104) has a water dispenser (114) according to one of the preceding claims.

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