DE102012223541A1 - Vacuum insulation element for household refrigeration apparatus e.g. refrigerator, has evacuated cavity that is partially supported with support portion into which functional device is extended through hole provided in casing - Google Patents

Abstract

The vacuum insulation element (8) comprises a casing (19) that encloses an evacuated cavity. The evacuated cavity is partially supported with a support portion. The casing is provided with a hole through which a functional device (21) is extended into the evacuated cavity. The functional device is mounted on the support portion.

Description

The invention relates to a vacuum insulation element for a household refrigerator with a shell which encloses an evacuated cavity which is at least partially filled with a support body. Furthermore, the invention relates to a household refrigerator with at least one such vacuum insulation element.

Domestic refrigerators, such as a refrigerator or a freezer or a refrigerated combined freezer, include thermally insulating walls that define an interior space in which food is stored for storage and preservation. For this purpose, it is known provided in the known devices that walls of an inner container define this interior laterally, from below and from above. In addition, the housing of the household refrigerating appliance usually comprises an outer container which surrounds the inner container. It can be provided that a gap between the inner container and the outer container is filled with a thermally insulating foam material.

The same may also be provided in the case of a door which is arranged to close off the interior of the front or the top.

Moreover, it is also known that such a door or a wall of such a household refrigerator has a vacuum insulation element. This usually comprises a shell, which is formed by an inner shell and an outer shell. The shells may be foils or sheets, etc. In a gap or a cavity between the two shells a filler material is introduced as a support body.

Evacuated thermal insulation bodies are for example from the DE 10 2009 002 800 A1 known. Vacuum insulation elements have advantages in thermal insulation over foam materials. They allow a higher thermal insulation at smaller depths.

Another vacuum insulation element is from the DE 101 17 021 A1 known. There, a functional component is integrated in the cavity of the shell next to the support body, which is a pressure measuring device. It may also be provided there that the pressure measuring device electrically interacts with an external device spaced from the vacuum insulation element and corresponding signals can be exchanged. In the case of a magnetic interaction between the functional part formed as an insert part in the cavity and a counter element arranged outside the vacuum insulation element, this counter element is movable relative to the insert part in order to enable the function of the interaction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum insulation element for a household refrigerator and a household refrigerator, which serves as a carrier for further separate representational elements.

This object is achieved by a vacuum insulation element and a household refrigerator according to the independent claims.

A vacuum insulation element according to the invention for a household refrigerating appliance comprises a casing which encloses an evacuated cavity. The cavity is at least partially filled with a support body. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that the shell has an opening or a hole through which a functional component extends into the cavity. By virtue of such a configuration, a vacuum insulation element is thus made multifunctional in addition to its actual thermal insulation function and moreover also serves as a support for such a functional component. Due to the specific arrangement of the functional component on the one hand, the thermal insulation effect is not affected, on the other hand, however, allows a stable attachment of the functional component. By this very specific arrangement of the functional component, it is possible that on the outside of the vacuum insulation element thus coupling of other components can be done easily and with little effort. The accessibility is exposed and in no way restricted.

It is preferably provided that the functional component extends on both sides of the shell. The above advantages are thereby further favored. In particular, the mechanical stability of the functional component with respect to its connection to the vacuum insulation element is improved.

It is preferably provided that the functional component is seated on the support body. As a result, an abutment element or a support is created by the support body quasi. On the one hand this prevents tilting of the functional component, on the other hand prevents too far pushing in or pushing in of the functional component in the cavity.

It is preferably provided that the functional component is sealed in the interior of the cavity with a seal between the functional component and the shell to the support body. Even if the functional component thus extends into the cavity, the evacuation and thus the thermal insulation effect not impaired. By the seal two representational separate components, namely the functional component and the shell, so interconnected that the evacuating effect of the cavity remains. This is achieved by the gasket alone, without the need for additional additional physical elements for separating the cavity and thus also the support body from other areas.

It is preferably provided that the functional component has a base, which is arranged in the cavity, in particular completely. The base rests against the support body with a side facing away from the hole in the shell, wherein the latter bears against the seal on a side of the base facing the hole and is held or arranged at a distance from the shell by the seal. The base is thus almost on both sides by representational components, namely the support body and the seal, held and thus quasi also clamped accordingly and fixed in position.

It is advantageous if the base is integrally connected to a functional body of the functional component, wherein the functional body extends through the hole on both sides of the shell. Such a geometric configuration of the functional component is particularly advantageous with regard to the secure positioning on the one hand and the high mechanical strength for receiving further components. An anchoring of such a functional component in the cavity is thereby achieved particularly advantageous.

It is preferably provided that the base is wider than a clear width of the hole. As a result, on the one hand the system with the seal on the inside of the shell allows a very large area, on the other hand allows a relatively large contact surface on the support body.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that a cavity free of support material is formed in the cavity, in which the functional component extends through the hole, wherein a backing part is arranged in the niche, to which the functional component can be coupled for attachment. In such a configuration, therefore, the functional component is not directly adjacent to the support body itself. Such a niche thus enables other realization and connection concepts of the functional component. In addition, by providing a separate backing part for the functional component, the assembly of the functional component can be made possible depending on the situation and the design. On the other hand, it is also possible that in such a configuration, even in the finished state of the vacuum insulation element, the functional component itself can be removed non-destructively detachable for maintenance purposes or for replacement and replaced by another.

Preferably, it is provided that in this alternative embodiment, the niche is separated by a partition from the support body and the partition is connected with a seal to an inner side of the shell. As a result, the evacuated region of the cavity is not impaired in its thermal insulation effect and, moreover, the support body is also protected by this partition wall. The niche is not evacuated in the context as it is atmospherically coupled to the environment via the hole.

It is preferably provided that the backing part is attached to the inside of the shell. As a result, a mechanically very stable attachment can be made possible. By such a configuration, it is also prevented that the partition wall is used as a wall carrying components for further components, so that no undesirable forces on the partition, which would possibly deform or damage them, so that here also the evacuated cavity is not affected becomes.

It is preferably provided that said seal in the respective embodiments is an elastic sealing element, for example an elastomer. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the seal and thus also the sealing function is realized by gluing or welding.

It is preferably provided that the functional component is secured by a voltage applied to an outer side of the sheath securing element. The above-mentioned advantages with regard to unwanted tilting are thereby further improved. By the anti-fuse over the external fuse element and the positional position is held very accurately and permanently.

It is preferably provided that the securing element is a nut, which is arranged on an external thread of the functional component. Such a fuse element is easy and quick to handle and thus facilitates the assembly and disassembly. However, it can also be provided an external fixation by a clip or a locking or insertion.

It is preferably provided that the functional component is a receiving element for receiving a further component. It thus serves as a mechanical connection from the vacuum insulation element to the outside, so that also favors the mentioned mechanical support function is. For example, such a further component may be a door rack, when the vacuum insulation element is arranged in a door of the household refrigerator. Such door racks are usually on the inside and thus arranged towards the interior formed on the door so that it can be stored in appropriate food and can be preserved accordingly. However, it can also be provided that the functional component is a plate which is, for example, an interior divider plate, by means of which the interior is separated into two separate compartments. Such a plate is then used in addition to a fan separation and the preparation of appropriate food in the upper compartment. It thus also represents the bottom plate of the upper compartment. The plate can be for example a glass plate. Another embodiment of a functional component may be, for example, a door spar.

The list of specific examples of such a further component are not meant to be exhaustive and it may be provided other types of other components.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a wall for a domestic refrigerator with at least one vacuum insulation body according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The wall may preferably be a door for closing an interior.

Thus, particularly advantageous is the combination with a vacuum insulation body, if the wall is otherwise formed without further thermally insulating foam material. Preferably, therefore, the wall is then formed without thermally insulating foam material, and thus represents a Vollvakuumwandung.

The vacuum insulation body is in particular formed by an inner skin or inner shell and an outer skin or an outer shell, wherein in a space between the inner shell and the outer shell, a filler or a support body is included. This filler may comprise, for example, silica or is silicic acid. However, other known insulation materials may be provided as filling material. So also highly porous solids can be used.

It is particularly advantageous if the wall is a door, in particular full vacuum door, for the household refrigerating appliance. Especially with a door can be created in conjunction with a support frame and then preferably designed as a vacuum insulation body thermal insulation body with respect to the thermal insulation effect highly functional component, which can be produced with significantly reduced installation costs and yet a reliable and permanently stable position attachment and support of the Vacuum insulation body allows. Just when the door is readily formed thermally insulating foam material, the position holder with the support frame already sufficient, which can also realize a weight reduction and more compact design of the door.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance for receiving foodstuffs with a vacuum insulation element according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The household refrigerator may be, for example, a freezer or a refrigerator or a combination refrigerator-freezer.

Food or drinks can thus be provided for food. Other components such as a thermometer or a cooling battery or the like may also be introduced into the receiving space.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigerator according to the invention;

2 a perspective view from behind a trained as a door wall of the household refrigerator according to 1 ;

3 an exploded view of the embodiment of the door according to 2 ;

4 a sectional view through a first embodiment of a vacuum insulation element according to the invention; and

5 a sectional view through a further embodiment of a vacuum insulation element according to the invention.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 is a perspective view of a household refrigerator 1 shown, which is designed to contain foods, such as drinks and food. The household refrigerator 1 may be, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer or a combination refrigerator-freezer.

The household refrigerator 1 includes a housing 2 , which is an outer housing or an outer container 3 and an inner case disposed therein, which is an inner container 4 is. The outer container 3 surrounds the inner container 4 , both of which have a front loading opening, which through a door 5 is closable. The inner container 4 limited with lateral walls or lateral walls 4a and 4b and a rear wall or a rear wall 4c , as well as a bottom wall 4d and a ceiling wall 4e an interior 6 , Depending on how the household refrigerator 1 is formed, this interior can be completely a refrigerator compartment or include a no-frost compartment, or be a freezer. It can also be provided that the household refrigerator 1 as an interior 6 a cooling compartment, in which a freezer compartment is integrated on the inside, which in particular can then be closed by another own freezer compartment door.

In the embodiment, it is provided that the door 5 to close the interior 6 a vacuum isolation door, especially a full vacuum door. It is provided that the door 5 at least one vacuum insulation element, which is a thermal insulation body has. The door 5 also provides a wall of the household refrigerator 1 represents.

In 2 is in a perspective view also an inside 7 the door 5 with the vacuum insulation element 8th shown. The door 5 includes in addition to the plate-like rectangular vacuum insulation element 8th a support frame 9 , The carrier frame 9 surrounds the circumference of the vacuum insulation element 8th Completely. The vacuum insulation element 8th is thus of the support frame 9 held, in particular on a peripheral edge 8a surrounded by it.

The carrier frame 9 is also rectangular and multi-part of carrier frame parts 14 to 17 formed, which are non-destructively detachable and connectable. The carrier frame 9 may alternatively be formed in one piece.

The carrier frame 9 is also made of plastic and realized in particular by injection molded parts and extruded plastic parts. It can be provided that the support frame 9 is formed of a single plastic material or of at least two different plastic materials.

In 3 is the door in an exploded view 5 shown.

It can be seen that the vacuum insulation element 8th a rear or inner shell 10 has, which is integrally formed of plastic. In addition, the vacuum insulation element comprises 8th a front shell or an outer shell 11 , which is also integrally formed of plastic. In the assembled state of the vacuum insulation element 8th are the two bowls 10 and 11 connected with each other. For example, a gluing or welding can be provided here. In the between the shells 10 and 11 formed intermediate space or cavity is a packing or supporting body 12 brought in. For example, a porous solid can be provided here. Preferably, silica is provided as filler. This space between the shells 10 and 11 is evacuated.

In addition, in 3 a circumferential seal 13 shown in the assembled state on the support frame 9 is arranged. The carrier frame 9 is thus designed multifunctional and provided for receiving a plurality of different separate objective components. Next to the seal 13 However, in addition, also another functional component in addition to the support frame 9 be arranged. For example, a hinge and / or a bearing unit and / or a stiffening part can be provided here.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support frame comprises 9 by its rectangular shape four carrier frame parts 14 . 15 . 16 and 17 , The two carrier frame parts 14 and 16 , which are rectilinear elongated members, extend vertically and in parallel. Likewise, the horizontally arranged carrier frame parts extend 15 and 17 parallel to each other.

An alternative also possible, one-piece design of the support frame 9 is particularly designed by the shape formed during a single manufacturing process. Thus, in particular, no embodiments are understood to mean a one-piece construction which initially comprises the production of separate carrier frame parts, which then subsequently, for example, glued together or the like.

The door 5 also includes an outside or front cover 18 , which is for example a plate-like outer panel.

In at least one of the carrier frame parts 14 to 17 can also be integrated and thus embedded inside a metallic stiffening part. In particular, this integration is such that the metallic stiffening part completely of the plastic material of the support frame part 14 to 17 is enclosed.

In 4 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a vacuum insulation element 8th shown. The cutting plane is the yz plane of the door 5 in 2 ,

As from the illustration in 4 can be seen, includes a through the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11 formed shell 19 on the inner shell 10 a hole 20 , Through this hole 20 extends a functional component 21 which in the exemplary embodiment a functional body 22 and a plate-like pedestal 23 having, in one piece with the functional body 22 connected is. As from the illustration in 4 can be seen, is the base 23 completely in a cavity 24 , in which also the filling material or the supporting body 12 is arranged. This cavity 24 is evacuated.

As 4 also shows, extends the functional body 22 on both sides of the inner shell 10 ,

Im in 4 shown state is the functional component 21 designed for receiving a further component. It can thus on the outside of the vacuum insulation element 8th an additional objective component, such as a door rack or a support plate or a door handle are non-destructively attached releasably. For example, this can be done by plugging or snapping or screwing on the functional body 22 respectively. This can for example have an external thread and / or an internal thread. Also locking elements or plug-in elements or clip elements or the like may be provided thereto.

As you can see, the pedestal is 23 broader in width than a clear width of the hole 20 , In addition, the pedestal includes 23 one the hole 20 opposite side 23a directly on the support body 12 sits or rests against it.

The base 23 includes another page 23b that the hole 20 is facing and partially from the support body 12 is surrounded. Between the pedestal 23 and an inside 10a the inner shell 10 is a seal 25 arranged. The base 23 is thus through the seal 25 spaced from the inside 10a positioned. Through the seal 25 is at the same time a sealing of the cavity 24 to the hole 20 reached, so that the evacuated state in the cavity 24 despite the hole 20 is maintained.

On the outside is a fuse element designed as a screw nut 26 provided by which the functional component 21 also on the outside of the case 19 , especially the inner shell 10 , is fastened positionally secure.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the base 23 , which is plate-like, and the functional body 22 are separated parts that are non-destructively detachable, for example, connected by a screw connection.

Preferably, the base formed as a backing part comprises 23 an internal thread into which the functional body 22 can be screwed.

In 5 is a further embodiment of a vacuum insulation element according to the invention in a sectional view analogous to the representation in FIG 4 shown. In this embodiment, it is provided that in the cavity 24 in the area of the hole 20 a niche 27 is formed, which without material of the support body 12 is designed. The functional component 21 extends through the hole 20 into the niche 27 into it. In the niche 27 is one of the functional component 21 separate backing part 28 arranged. The backing piece 28 is on the inside 10a attached, in particular glued to it. The backing piece 28 includes an internal thread into which the functional component 21 can be screwed. It can also be provided that an otherwise type of connection, for example, a latching connection or a plug connection is provided here. The niche 27 is through a partition 29 limited and beyond by this partition 29 from the evacuated area of the cavity 24 and thus also of the support material 12 gas-tight separated. In the context, it is envisaged that the seal 25 the partition with the inside 10a sealingly connects. Again, for example, an elastic sealing element or a bond or a weld can be provided.

At the in 5 the embodiment shown is the functional component 21 shorter and extends only with an outside plate-like flange 30 over an outside of the inner shell 10 time. This flange 30 is dimensioned in its width and in its dimensions so that it is larger than the clear width of the hole 20 , As a result, this flange is in the assembled state 30 on the outside 10b of the inner shell 10 on and thus by the coupling with the backing part 28 a positionally secure attachment of the functional component 21 reached. The partition 29 For example, it may be a foil or a deep-drawn plastic part. In particular, it has a good thermal insulation effect and good barrier properties to gases (for example oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, etc.). In particular, for the partition wall may be an aluminum foil or else a plastic component, for example of EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) or PVdC (polyvinylidene chloride).

In 2 is merely symbolic in position, number and design a plurality of functional components 21 shown. It may additionally or instead of at least one further functional component 21 according to the statements in 4 or 5 or another embodiment by feature combinations also on at least one of the walls 4a to be trained e.

The functional components 21 can be arranged in pairs at the same height and then each to accommodate a door compartment 31 or of carriers 32 for a door rack 31 be educated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Household refrigerator

2

 casing

3

 outer casing

4

 inner housing

4a, 4b

 Lateral walls

4c

 Rear wall

4d

 bottom wall

4e

 top wall

5

 door

6

 inner space

7

 inside

8th

 Vacuum insulation element

8a

 circumferential edge

9

 support frame

10

 inner shell

10a

 inside

10b

 outside

11

 outer shell

12

 support body

13

 poetry

14, 15, 16, 17

 Support frame parts

18

 cover

19

 shell

20

 hole

21

 functional component

22

 function body

23

 base

23a, 23b

 pages

24

 cavity

25

 poetry

26

 fuse element

27

 niche

28

 backing piece

29

 partition wall

30

 flange

31

 door racks

32

 carrier

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 102009002800 A1 [0005]
• DE 10117021 A1 [0006]

Claims (15)

Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) for a domestic refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) with a shell ( 19 ), which has an evacuated cavity ( 24 ), which at least partially with a support body ( 12 ), characterized in that the envelope ( 19 ) a hole ( 20 ), through which a functional component ( 21 ) in the cavity ( 24 ). Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional component ( 21 ) on both sides of the shell ( 19 ). Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional component ( 21 ) on the support body ( 12 ) is seated. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional component ( 21 ) in the cavity ( 24 ) with a seal ( 25 ) between the functional component ( 21 ) and the envelope ( 19 ) to the support body ( 12 ) is sealed. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that the functional component ( 21 ) a socket ( 23 ), which in the cavity ( 24 ) and with a hole ( 20 ) facing away ( 23a ) on the support body ( 12 ) and at one of the holes ( 20 ) facing side ( 23b ) on the seal ( 25 ) and through the seal ( 25 ) spaced apart from the envelope ( 19 ) is arranged. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the base ( 23 ) is wider than the clear width of the hole ( 20 ). Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the cavity ( 24 ) a support material-free niche ( 27 ) is formed, in which the functional component ( 21 ) through the hole ( 20 ) and in the niche ( 27 ) a backing piece ( 28 ) to which the functional component ( 21 ) can be coupled for attachment. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the niche ( 27 ) by a partition wall ( 29 ) of the support body ( 12 ) is separated and the partition ( 29 ) with a seal ( 25 ) to an inside ( 10a ) of the envelope ( 19 ) is attached. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the backing part ( 28 ) on the inside ( 10a ) of the envelope ( 19 ) is attached. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the seal ( 25 ) is an elastic sealing element. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the seal ( 25 ) is a bond or a weld. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional component ( 21 ) by an on an outside ( 10b ) of the envelope ( 19 ) attached fuse element ( 26 ) is attached. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to claim 12, characterized in that the securing element ( 26 ) is a screw nut, which at a thread of the functional component ( 21 ) is arranged. Vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional component ( 21 ) is a receiving element for receiving a further component. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) with a vacuum insulation element ( 8th ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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