DE202021105195U1 - Ventilation unit for a refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

Ventilation unit (10) for a cold cabinet with a tubular base body (20), wherein the base body (20) has a heating element, and wherein the base body (20) has an inlet-side end (20a) with an inlet opening (21) and an outlet-side end (20b ) having an outlet opening (22), wherein the base body (20) is designed to taper in such a way that the inlet opening (21) has a larger area than the outlet opening (22), the inlet opening (21) being in a first front-side plane ( E1) and the outlet opening (22) are arranged in a second end-side plane (E2), the first end-side plane (E1) and the second end-side plane (E2) being arranged essentially parallel and offset to one another, and with the first Frontal plane (E1) on the second frontal plane (E2), the inlet opening (21) and the outlet opening (22) are arranged offset to one another, and in the base body (20) little at least one mechanical valve (30, 30') is arranged, which is designed in such a way that when a predetermined pressure difference between the inlet-side end (20a) and the outlet-side end (20b) is exceeded, it opens due to pressure with a negative pressure at the outlet-side end (20b). However, an air flow from the outlet-side end (20b) to the inlet-side end (20a) is prevented.

Description

The invention relates to a ventilation unit for a refrigerator.

A known problem with refrigerators such as refrigerators, freezers and especially ultra-low freezers, which can reach temperatures of around -90 ° C in the interior, is that when the door of the refrigerator is opened, an exchange of air takes place and warm air flows into the interior. When the door is closed again, the air inside cools down considerably and thereby contracts, creating a negative pressure. This negative pressure must be compensated because the door of the refrigerator cannot be opened above a certain negative pressure or the refrigerator can be damaged when it is opened.

A ventilation unit for a refrigeration cabinet is known, which has a heated tube, for example made of stainless steel, in the interior of which a wire mesh is arranged. The pipe is installed horizontally in the door or a side wall of the refrigerator. When the door is opened, the heating is activated and any frozen pipe is defrosted so that air can flow through the pipe and the pressure difference can be compensated for. This takes about 30 seconds before the door can be opened again.

The object of the invention is to provide a ventilation unit for a refrigeration cabinet, by means of which the time required after a door is opened until a further door is opened is as short as possible and it is preferably made possible to open the door again directly after an opening .

The object is achieved according to the invention by a ventilation unit for a refrigeration cabinet with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The ventilation unit according to the invention for a refrigeration cabinet comprises a tubular base body, the base body having a heating element, and the base body having an inlet-side end with an inlet opening and an outlet-side end with an outlet opening, the base body being designed to taper in such a way that the inlet opening has a has a larger area than the outlet opening, the inlet opening being arranged in a first end-face plane and the outlet opening in a second end-face plane, the first end-face plane and the second end-face plane being arranged essentially offset parallel to one another, and with the the first end-face plane on the second end-face plane, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged offset to one another, and wherein a mechanical valve is arranged in the base body, which is designed such that it is overrun a predetermined pressure difference between the inlet-side end and the outlet-side end with a negative pressure at the outlet-side end opens due to pressure, but prevents an air flow from the outlet-side end to the inlet-side end.

An offset arrangement of inlet opening and outlet opening is to be understood as an arrangement in which the intersection of inlet opening and outlet opening in the projection is smaller than the outlet opening. In particular, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are not arranged concentrically. Because the inlet opening and the outlet opening are offset from one another when the first face-side plane is projected vertically onto the second face-side plane, the base body is inclined in the installation situation. In particular, the installation takes place in such a way that the outlet opening, which in particular forms the cold side of the ventilation arrangement, is further down than the inlet opening. The height offset can create a stable air stratification in the base body, which can lead to the valve remaining frost-free even if the heating element is not permanently switched on. This enables pressure equalization even shortly after the door has been opened.

The fact that the base body tapers towards the outlet opening increases the flow speed of the mass flow towards the outlet opening, which can carry any condensation water that may form, thereby reducing the risk of ice formation within the base body.

The mechanical valve has the advantage that it does not require an additional power supply and only reacts to the pressure difference.

According to an advantageous development, it is provided that, when the first end-face plane is projected perpendicularly onto the second end-face plane, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are offset from one another in such a way that they do not form an intersection. In the installation situation, this means in particular that the height offset between the inlet opening and the outlet opening is so great that it is not possible to look through it horizontally. Such an arrangement can promote the formation of a stable air stratification.

The valve preferably has a valve seat and a valve body, the valve body being designed in the form of a disk. Such a valve can be designed to be particularly compact.

The disk-shaped valve body is advantageously arranged inclined relative to the first end-face plane. The air flow can thereby flow against the valve body in a particularly favorable manner.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the base body has a longitudinal axis, and the disk-shaped valve body is arranged essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement enables the valve body to be acted upon evenly by the applied pressure difference.

A preferred development of the invention provides that the valve body is held in a closed position in a pretensioned manner. This enables a structurally simple and compact construction of the valve.

The valve body is particularly preferably designed as an umbrella valve. In this way, sufficient sensitivity of the ventilation unit can be achieved.

The valve body is advantageously made from silicone.

The valve body preferably has an axis of rotation which is oriented essentially parallel to the direction of air flow through the base body. A uniform application of the valve body can thereby be achieved.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, two valves are arranged in the base body. This increases the sensitivity of the ventilation unit and increases the volume flow.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the axes of rotation of the valve bodies of the two valves are not aligned parallel to one another, the angle between the two axes of rotation preferably being between 15 ° and 35 °. As a result, the two valve bodies can each be arranged in the tapering tube in such a way that each of the valve bodies is arranged essentially aligned with its axis of rotation parallel to the air flow.

The heating element is preferably arranged on the outside of the base body, which can simplify the manufacture of the ventilation unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outside of the base body has structures for fixing the position of the heating element, in particular grooves and / or projections. The heating element can thereby be fixed in its position in a simple manner.

The base body is advantageously made from a plastic, in particular from a thermoplastic plastic, particularly preferably from polypropylene, preferably in an injection molding process, which can enable simple and inexpensive manufacture.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the heating element is designed as a heating wire. Production can be further simplified in that the heating wire is only arranged on the outside of the base body made of plastic.

The base body advantageously comprises two half-shells. Such a configuration can be manufactured particularly easily, in particular using the injection molding process, and can simplify assembly.

A refrigeration cabinet according to the invention, in particular a refrigerator, freezer or ultra-low freezer, has a ventilation unit as described above.

The ventilation unit is preferably installed in a wall of the refrigerator in such a way that the inlet opening is directed towards the outside, i.e. the warm side, and the outlet opening is directed towards the inside, i.e. the cold side, of the refrigerator, the outlet opening being arranged further down in the vertical direction is than the inlet port. The outlet opening is particularly preferably arranged vertically below the inlet opening.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Belüftungseinheit für einen Kälteschrank,
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Belüftungseinheit gemäß 1,
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf die Belüftungseinheit gemäß 1,
• 4 eine Vorderansicht der Belüftungseinheit gemäß 1,
• 5 einen Längsschnitt in Seitenansicht durch die Belüftungseinheit gemäß 1,
• 6 einen Längsschnitt in Draufsicht durch die Belüftungseinheit gemäß 1,
• 7 den Längsschnitt gemäß 5 mit eingezeichneter Längsachse des Grundkörpers,
• 8 den Längsschnitt gemäß 5 mit eingezeichneter Projektionsrichtung,
• 9 den Längsschnitt gemäß 6 mit eingezeichneten Strömungsrichtungen,
• 10 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Belüftungseinheit gemäß 1 mit ausgeblendeter oberen Halbschale des Grundkörpers,
• 11 eine Ausschnittvergrößerung aus 10 und
• 12 einen Ausschnitt einer weiteren perspektivischen Ansicht der Belüftungseinheit gemäß 10.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a ventilation unit according to the invention for a refrigerator,
• 2 a side view of the ventilation unit according to 1 ,
• 3 a plan view of the ventilation unit according to 1 ,
• 4th a front view of the ventilation unit according to 1 ,
• 5 a longitudinal section in side view through the ventilation unit according to 1 ,
• 6th a longitudinal section in plan view through the ventilation unit according to FIG 1 ,
• 7th the longitudinal section according to 5 with drawn in the longitudinal axis of the base body,
• 8th the longitudinal section according to 5 with drawn projection direction,
• 9 the longitudinal section according to 6th with drawn directions of flow,
• 10 a perspective view of the ventilation unit according to 1 with hidden upper half-shell of the main body,
• 11th an enlarged section 10 and
• 12th a detail of a further perspective view of the ventilation unit according to FIG 10 .

the 1 until 12th show different views of a ventilation unit according to the invention 10 for a refrigeration cabinet, not all reference numerals being shown in all figures for the sake of clarity.

The ventilation unit 10 has a tubular base body 20th with an inside 24 , an outside 23 , an inlet end 20a and an outlet end 20b on, at the inlet end 20a an inlet port 21 and at the outlet end 20b an outlet port 22nd is arranged. The inlet opening 21 is in a first frontal level E1 and the outlet port 22nd in a second frontal level E2 arranged, the first end-face plane E1 and the second face level E2 are arranged essentially parallel to one another and offset from one another (cf. in particular 5 ).

The basic body 20th is tapered in such a way that the inlet opening 21 has a larger area than the outlet opening 22nd (see in particular 3 and 6th ).

With a vertical projection of the first frontal plane E1 on the second front level E2 what like in 8th shown parallel to the direction of projection P. can be done are the inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22nd are arranged offset to one another. In other words, covers the inlet opening 21 the outlet opening 22nd in the projection at most in sections. The inlet openings particularly preferably have 21 and the outlet port 22nd no intersection in the projection. This embodiment illustrates 8th in that the lower edge 21a of the inlet opening 21 is arranged above the upper edge 22b of the outlet opening, so that there is no intersection during projection.

The basic body 20th can be made from a plastic, in particular from a thermoplastic plastic, particularly preferably from polypropylene. The base body is preferably 20th manufactured by injection molding. The basic body 20th can consist of two half-shells 27a , 27b be made such as in the 1 and 4th recognizable. The two half-shells 27a , 27b can after the separate production to the base body 20th be joined together. For example, they can by means of a latching connection 29 , particularly preferably by means of two locking connections 29 , be fixed relative to each other. The latching connections are preferred 29 in the area of the inlet-side end 20a arranged.

The basic body 20th has a heating element, which is preferably designed as a heating wire. The heating element can easily be on the outside 23 be arranged, for example, by placing it on the outside 23 is wrapped several times around the base body. In order to achieve a fixation in position, the heating element can be on the outside 23 arranged grooves 25th be inserted (cf. 7th ). On the outside 23 can alternatively or additionally projections 26th be arranged (cf. 3 ), on which the winding direction of the heating element can be changed or the heating element can be tensioned so that it can be held better and slipping can be avoided. Is the basic body 20th from two half-shells 27a , 27b put together, the wrapping of the two half-shells 27a , 27b the two half-shells with the heating element 27a , 27b fix relative to each other.

In the main body 20th is at least one mechanical valve 30th arranged, which is designed such that when a predetermined pressure difference is exceeded between the inlet-side end 21 and the outlet end 22nd with a negative pressure at the outlet end 22nd opens due to pressure, an air flow from the outlet end 22nd to the inlet end 21 however prevents. This can create a negative pressure at the outlet end 22nd be compensated by the valve 30th opens and air through the main body 20th from the inlet end 21 through the valve 30th to the outlet end 22nd flows.

The valve 30th can have a valve seat 31 and a valve body 32 have, the valve body 32 is disc-shaped. The valve body 32 is designed in particular as an umbrella valve. The valve body 32 can be made of silicone. A seal 33 can run around the valve seat 31 be arranged (cf. 12th ). The valve 30th is in particular closer to the inlet-side end 21 than to the outlet end 22nd of the main body 20th arranged.

As in particular in 5 can be seen, the disc-shaped valve body 32 against the first frontal level E1 be arranged inclined. The angle of inclination α can be in the range from 20 ° to 40 °, for example about 30 ° (cf. 5 ). The basic body 20th can have a longitudinal axis L. have, and the disc-shaped valve body 32 can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. be arranged (cf. 7th ). The angle of inclination a corresponds to the installation of the ventilation unit 10 in a refrigerator in such a way that the inlet opening 21 is arranged essentially vertically in an outer wall of the refrigerator and the outlet opening is arranged essentially horizontally in an inner wall of the refrigerator, approximately at the inclination of the tubular base body 20th against the horizontal.

The valve body, in particular designed as an umbrella valve 32 can in particular be held in a closed position in a pretensioned manner. Is caused by a pressure difference between the inlet end 21 and the outlet end 22nd on the valve body 32 acting force is greater than the closing force of the umbrella valve, the valve body 32 Transferred from the closed position to an open position due to pressure, in which air through the valve 30th can flow and a pressure equalization is brought about. As soon as the differential pressure becomes smaller or even the pressure equalization is established, it is on the valve body 32 acting force smaller than the closing force of the umbrella valve, so that the valve 30th closes again.

The valve body 32 can be an axis of rotation R. have, which are essentially parallel to the air flow direction through the base body 20th is aligned. The direction of air flow x can be the longitudinal axis L. correspond.

The ventilation unit 10 can be more than one valve 30th exhibit. In the illustrated embodiment, the ventilation unit 10 two valves 30th , 30 ' on. The other valve 30 ' is particular like the valve 30th educated. The valve 30 ' has an axis of rotation R ' on.

The axes of rotation R. , R ' of the two valve bodies 32 of the two valves 30th , 30 ' are preferably not aligned parallel to each other, but intersect at an angle β , preferably in the area of the outlet opening 22nd (see. 9 ), where preferably the angle β between the two axes of rotation R. , R ' is between 15 ° and 35 °. Due to the tapering design of the base body 20th the flow velocity of the air flow to the outlet-side end increases 22nd there. By the arrangement of the axis of rotation R. , R ' of the two valve bodies 32 At an angle to one another, a favorable flow and pressurization of both valve bodies can be achieved 32 can be achieved equally. It can be achieved that both valve bodies 32 of the two valves 30th , 30 ' in each case essentially perpendicular to the direction of air flow flowing through the direction x 'x' are aligned (cf. 9 ).

The ventilation unit 10 is used in particular in a refrigeration cabinet, for example a refrigerator, a freezer or an ultra-low freezer. The ventilation unit 10 be installed in a wall of the refrigerator in such a way that the inlet opening 21 to the outside, i.e. to the warm side, and the outlet opening 22nd to the inside, that is to say to the cold side, are directed, with the outlet opening 22nd is arranged further down in the vertical direction than the inlet opening 21 (see. 5 ). The outlet opening is particularly preferred 22nd vertically below the inlet opening 21 arranged.

List of reference symbols

10

Ventilation unit

20th

Base body

20a

inlet end

20b

outlet end

21

Inlet opening

22nd

Outlet opening

23

Outside

24

inside

25th

groove

26th

head Start

27a

Half shell

27b

Half shell

29

Locking connection

30th

Valve

30 '

Valve

31

Valve seat

32

Valve body

33

poetry

E1

first frontal level

E2

second frontal level

P.

Direction of projection

R.

Axis of rotation

R '

Axis of rotation

α

Tilt angle

β

angle

L.

Longitudinal axis

x

Air flow direction

x '

Air flow direction

Claims (18)

Ventilation unit (10) for a refrigeration cabinet with a tubular base body (20), the base body (20) having a heating element, and the base body (20) having an inlet-side end (20a) with an inlet opening (21) and an outlet-side end (20b) ) with an outlet opening (22), wherein the base body (20) is tapered in such a way that the inlet opening (21) has a larger area than the outlet opening (22), the inlet opening (21) in a first end-face plane ( E1) and the outlet opening (22) are arranged in a second end-face plane (E2), the first end-face plane (E1) and the second end-face plane (E2) being arranged essentially offset parallel to one another, and with the first frontal plane (E1) on the second frontal plane (E2) the inlet opening (21) and the outlet opening (22) are arranged offset to one another, and in the base body (20) little At least one mechanical valve (30, 30 ') is arranged, which is designed in such a way that when a predetermined pressure difference is exceeded between the inlet-side end (20a) and the outlet-side end (20b) it opens with a negative pressure at the outlet-side end (20b) due to pressure , however, prevents an air flow from the outlet-side end (20b) to the inlet-side end (20a). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the first end-face plane (E1) is projected vertically onto the second end-face plane (E2), the inlet opening (21) and the outlet opening (22) are offset from one another in such a way that they do not intersect form. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (30) has a valve seat (31) and a valve body (32), wherein the valve body (32) is disk-shaped. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disc-shaped valve body (32) is arranged inclined relative to the first end-face plane (E1). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (20) has a longitudinal axis (L), and the disc-shaped valve body (32) is arranged essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (32) is held in a closed position in a pretensioned manner. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (32) is designed as an umbrella valve. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (32) is made of silicone. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (32) has an axis of rotation (R) which is oriented essentially parallel to the air flow direction (x) through the base body (20). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two valves (30, 30 ') are arranged in the base body (20). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axes of rotation (R, R ') of the valve bodies (32) of the two valves (30, 30') are not aligned parallel to one another, preferably the angle (β) between the two axes of rotation (R, R ') is between 15 ° and 35 °. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element is arranged on the outside (23) of the base body (20). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer side (23) of the base body (20) has structures for fixing the position of the heating element, in particular grooves (25) and / or projections (26). Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element is designed as a heating wire. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (20) is made from a plastic, in particular from a thermoplastic, particularly preferably from polypropylene, preferably by injection molding. Ventilation unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (20) comprises two half-shells (27a, 27b). A refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator, freezer or ultra-low freezer, with a ventilation unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Refrigerator after Claim 17 , characterized in that the ventilation unit (10) is installed in a wall of the refrigerator in such a way that the inlet opening (21) is directed towards the outside and the outlet opening (22) is directed towards the inside of the refrigerator, the outlet opening (22) continuing in the vertical direction is arranged below than the inlet opening (21).

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