EP1797381B1 - Refrigerator with water drain - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigeration device, in particular a freezer, with a water outlet for discharging water from the interior of the refrigerator, which is obtained there especially during defrost.

In a conventional flat-bottomed domestic refrigerating appliance, there is a problem that water accumulating upon defrosting accumulates on the floor of the internal space, and that this water, in order to prevent it from leaking along the entire width of the front edge and pouring onto the floor, must be wiped continuously at the bottom of the interior, which makes the defrost unnecessarily labor intensive.

To counter this problem is in DE 89 06 085 U1 a refrigerator has been proposed in which at a lowest point of the inner container, a drain line is connected, which extends through a space filled with insulating material space of the housing to the outside, and having a pull-out of the body of the refrigerator line section, so that it is possible to set up under the pulled-out end of this line section a collecting container that collects the effluent condensate.

The drain pipe of this conventional apparatus includes a vertical portion extending through the insulating material and a substantially horizontal pipe piece receiving the extractable portion and mounted outside the outer wall of the apparatus body. This arrangement makes it necessary to provide between the outer wall of the body at its bottom and a base on which the refrigerator is placed, a gap which is wide enough to accommodate said substantially horizontal pipe section of the drain line. Since the height of the furniture niche, in which the known refrigerator is installed, is generally fixed, is lost by this space usable interior of the refrigerator; In other words, there is an unfavorable relationship between the volume of the usable interior and the furniture niche.

The DE 40 32 581 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a pull-out line section, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration device with a drain line for water, which has a pull-out line section, in which the drain line does not affect the ratio between the space requirements of the device and the usable volume of its interior or not appreciably, the production of the Refrigeration device simplified and the reliability of the refrigerator is to be increased during operation.

The object is achieved by a refrigeration device according to claim 1.

The leadership of the line section makes it unnecessary to provide a gap below the refrigerator body. The sealing of the tube prevents on the one hand, the penetration of water into the insulating material, which could affect its solubility, on the other hand, it prevents when the insulating material is an expanded foam in the gap that this penetrates during foaming in the tube and blocks the pull-out line section , The foam-coated tube is held securely in position by the solidified heat insulation foam.

If the inner container, as known from conventional one-piece deep-drawn inner containers, formed on the side of the door opening with a circumferential brim, then the tube receiving the withdrawable portion is preferably on connected to an outlet formed in this brim. This allows a complete assembly of the drain line on the inner container prior to assembly of the body of the refrigeration device, so that the assembly of the body is not more expensive in connection therewith than in a refrigeration device that has no drain line.

At the lowest point of the bottom, a downwardly projecting drain pin is preferably formed, from which a tip dips into the tube. On the one hand, such a drainage pin is to be formed by deep drawing with little effort during the manufacture of the inner container; On the other hand, the tip of the drainage spigot that dips into the pipe is expediently usable as a stop which limits the freedom of movement of the pull-out line section.

The pull-out conduit section expediently comprises an inner section displaceable in the tube and a head section which does not enter the tube is insertable so that it can be gripped by a user to pull the inner portion out of the tube.

In the inserted state of the line section, this head section is preferably received in a recess of the body, preferably a depression of the circumferential rim of the inner container. Since this head portion does not protrude beyond the front of the body, no adaptation of the door of the refrigerator to the pull-out line section is necessary, so that a similar model of door for both the refrigerator according to the invention as well as for a conventional refrigerator without drain line is useful.

In order to make the pull-out line section easy to handle and on the other hand to obtain a largely closed, easy-to-clean surface of the refrigerator housing, the head portion is preferably sized so that it fills the cross-section of the recess with the exception of two recesses for the user's finger. For the same reason, it is also preferred that, in the inserted state, the head section terminates flush with an outer surface of the body, in particular the brim, surrounding the recess.

The head portion may have a removable lid to prevent unwanted leakage of moisture. Alternatively, however, the head portion may also be adjustable with respect to the inner portion between a first position in which it shuts off the inner portion and a second position in which it opens a passage from the inner portion to an exit opening.

In this case, it is particularly expedient if the head section fits only in said first position in the recess of the body.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Innenbehälters eines erfindungsgemäßen Kältegeräts;

Fig. 2

einen partiellen Schnitt durch den Boden des Innenbehälters der Fig. 1 und die daran angrenzende Krempe sowie durch eine an dem Innenbehälter gebildete Ablaufleitung;

Fig. 3A - 3C

Schritte der Montage der Ablaufleitung;

Figs. 4A - 4C

Schritte der Anwendung der Ablaufleitung gemäß einer ersten Ausgestaltung;

Figs. 5A, 5B

Schritte der Anwendung der Ablaufleitung gemäß einer zweiten Ausgestaltung; und

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch eine gegenüber Figs. 5A, 5B abgewandelte Ausgestaltung des herausziehbaren Leitungsabschnitts.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the inner container of a refrigerator according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a partial section through the bottom of the inner container of Fig. 1 and the brim adjacent thereto and a drain line formed on the inner container;

Figs. 3A - 3C

Steps of mounting the drain pipe;

Figs. 4A-4C

Steps of using the drain line according to a first embodiment;

Figs. 5A, 5B

Steps of using the drain line according to a second embodiment; and

Fig. 6

a cut through one opposite Figs. 5A, 5B modified embodiment of the pull-out line section.

Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view an inner container 1 of a refrigerator according to the invention. The open front side of the inner container 1 is surrounded by a circumferential web 2 projecting outwards from side walls 3, ceiling 4 and bottom 5. In the bottom 5 drainage channels 6 are impressed, which converge at a lowest point in the vicinity of the front edge of the bottom 5. At this lowest point, a connecting piece 7 is integrally formed, which, as clearly in the section of Fig. 2 to see part of a drain line for itself in the drainage channels 6 collecting water.

Below the bottom 5 in the web 2 a forwardly open recess 8 is stamped, at the bottom of a hole 9 is cut.

Fig. 2 shows a section through the bottom 5 and the adjoining web in the depth direction of the inner container 1, in a plane passing through the connecting piece 7 and the recess 8 level. In the hole 9, one end of a tube 10 is sealingly locked by means of a bayonet connection, the end facing away from the hole 11 is closed. The connection piece 7 extends through a lateral bore into the interior of the tube 10. The outflow opening at the free end of the connecting piece 7 can optionally immediately after the production of the

Inner container 1 or after assembly of the tube 10 are introduced into the connection piece. Between the tube 10 and the drainage channel 6, from which the connecting piece 7 starts, a connecting sleeve 7 surrounding the sleeve, frictionally fixed to the connecting piece 7 seal 12 is provided, which closes the lateral hole 13 of the tube 10 mantelähnlich foam-tight. The connecting piece 7 itself is blocked by a pull-out plug 14.

A slidable conduit section 15 received in the tube 10 is shown in the figure in a lowered stop position. An accommodated in this stop position in the tube 10 inner portion 16 of the line section 15 is formed by an open-topped channel or pipe, in whose jacket a slot 17 is cut, in which the tip of the connecting piece 7 extends. An inner end wall 18 of the inner portion 16 is dimensioned so that it abuts the tip of the connecting piece 7 when pulling out the line section 15 and thus defines an outer stop position (not shown) of the line section 15. Further, the width of the elongated hole 17 is matched to the outer diameter of the connecting piece, whereby the line section 15 is guided through the connecting piece 7 against rotation over the extension length of the line section 15.

One in the position of Fig. 2 In the recess 8 recorded head portion 19 of the movable line section 15 is formed by a one-piece with the inner portion 16 integrally connected pipe section and a plugged onto the open end of this pipe section cover 20th

In order to defrost a refrigerator with the inner container 1 shown here, the line section 15 is pulled out, the lid 20 is removed, a (not shown) collecting container placed under the opening of the line section 15 and the plug 14 is removed, so that water from the channel 6 on the Line section 15 can drain into the sump.

The Figs. 3A to 3C illustrate the steps of assembling the drainage conduit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 3A is the recess 8 of the web 2 and the connecting piece 7 with attached seal 12 of the Foam side of the inner container 1 shown forth from a viewing direction, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 10 when it is fully assembled. The bottom of the recess 8 is perpendicular to this line of sight. The hole has the shape of a circle which is widened at two opposite peripheral portions.

The tube 10 has at its outer end a complementary to the shape of the hole 9 flange 21, in the in Fig. 3B shown orientation of the tube 10, with the side facing hole 13, through the hole 9 of the inner container 1 is pushed through until a circumferential rib 22 of the tube 10 abuts the foam side of the recess. Since the rib 22 in the perspective of Fig. 3B conceals the flange 21, the latter is shown as a dotted outline in the figure. The distance between flange 21 and rib 22 corresponds to the wall thickness at the bottom of the recess 8, so that the tube 10 in the position of Fig. 3B is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and thereby clamps the bottom of the recess 8 between the flange 21 and rib 22. In the position of Fig. 3B prevents the contact between the tip of the connecting piece 7 and the tube 10, the latter occupies a parallel to the viewing direction substantially horizontal position, so that if by rotating the tube 10, the bottom of the recess 8 between the flange 21 and rib 22 of the tube 10 is clamped is, the web 2 comes under a bending stress, which seeks to pivot the tube 10 in the direction parallel to the horizontal position. As soon as by the rotation of the tube 10 whose hole 13 comes to rest in front of the tip of the connecting piece 7, the tube 10 pivots up under the influence of this bending stress and presses against the seal 12, while the connecting piece 7 engages in the tube 10. Thus, an anchoring of the tube 10 to the recess 8 on the one hand and a seal between the tube and the connecting piece 7 on the other hand achieved in a few simple steps.

The Figs. 4A to 4C illustrate the use of the drain line according to the invention. Normally, the pull-out conduit portion 15 is completely recessed in the tube 10 and the recess 8 of the web 2, and the front of the lid 20 is flush with that of the web 2. Recesses 23 on opposite edge portions of the lid 20 allow the lid 20 with two fingers and grab it together with the pull-out line section 15 in the in Fig. 4B to pull out shown position. In this position also protrudes the slot 17, in which engages the connecting piece 7, a short distance from the recess 8 out. When the pull-out line section 15 has reached its defined by the contact between the end wall 18 and connecting piece 7 outer stop, the cover 20 is removed by further pulling, as in Fig. 4C to see. Now, if the plug 14 is removed from the connection piece 7, water can flow from the inner container through the line section 15 into a collecting container located below.

Fig. 5A shows a modified embodiment of the drain line in one of Fig. 4B corresponding withdrawn state. In the retracted state, the drain line is similar to that embodiment of those of Fig. 4A , so that reference can be made to this figure. The head portion 19 is not formed in this embodiment as a peelable lid, but it comprises a rigid plate 24, which may be made of the same material as the inner container 1 itself, and to which a laterally slotted sleeve 25 is mounted, which in the figure , because hidden behind the plate 24 or inside the line section 15, shown with dotted lines.

The line section 15 is also provided with a slot 26 on its underside, so that by rotating the plate 24 by 90 °, as in Fig. 5B shown, the slot of the sleeve 25 can be brought into coincidence with the slot 26 and water can flow out of the line section 15.

The plate 24 is fully retractable in the recess 8 only in a position in which the slots of the sleeve 25 and the line section 15 do not overlap. When the plate 24 is in front of the surface of the web 2, it prevents the door of the refrigerator from closing. The refrigeration unit can therefore not be operated accidentally without the drain line is shut off.

Fig. 6 shows a modification of the pull-out line section 15 of Figs. 5A, 5B in a position accordingly Fig. 5B , Here, the sleeve 25 surrounds the inner portion 16, and the water can flow through overlapping holes 27, 28 of the inner portion 16 and the sleeve 25. An integrally formed on the bore 28 of the sleeve 25 nozzle 29 prevents water droplets on the underside of the sleeve 25 to move sideways and miss the collecting container.

Claims (15)

1. Refrigerating appliance, the body - which is provided with a door opening - of which comprises an inner container (1), an outer wall as well as an intermediate space, which is filled with insulating material, between outer wall and inner container (1), and in which a drain duct (7, 10, 15) for water extends from a deepest point of the base (5) of the inner container (1) through the intermediate space into the free atmosphere and comprises a duct section (15) withdrawable from the body, wherein the withdrawable duct section (15) is guided in a pipe (10) embedded in the insulating material and sealed relative thereto, wherein a downwardly protruding drain tap (7) is formed at the deepest point of the base (5) and a tip of the drain tap (7), which is provided at the its free end with an outflow opening, enters into the pipe (10), characterised in that the drain tap is formed integrally with the inner container.
2. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the drain tap (7) is formed during production of the inner container by deep-drawing.
3. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the drain tap (9) enters the pipe (10) by way of a passage which is arranged in the pipe casing of the pipe (10) and is adapted substantially to the profile of the out drain tap (7).
4. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 3, characterised in that the tip of the drain tap (7) limits the freedom of movement of the withdrawable duct section (15) in the pipe (10).
5. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 4, characterised in that a seal (12) is arranged between the drain tap (7) and the pipe (10).
6. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the seal (12) surrounds the drain stub-pipe (9) in the manner of a sleeve and the passage similarly to a jacket.
7. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the withdrawable duct section (15) has an inner section (16) displaceable in the pipe (10) and a head section (19), which is not introducible into the pipe (10) and which in the pushed-in state of the duct section (15) is received in a recess (8) of the body.
8. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 7, characterised in that the head section (19) fills out the cross-section of the recess (8) with the exception of two cut-outs (23) for fingers.
9. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 8, characterised in that the head section (19) has a cover (20) in which cut-outs (23), which allow the cover (20) to engage by two fingers, are formed at mutually opposite edge regions.
10. Refrigerating appliance according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the head section (19) in the pushed-in state is flush with an outer surface, which surrounds the recess (8), of the body.
11. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 10, characterised in that the head section (19) comprises a removable cover (20).
12. Refrigerating appliance according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the head section (19) is adjustable with respect to the inner section (16) between a first setting in which it blocks the inner section (16) and a second setting in which it frees a passage from the inner section (16) to an outlet opening (26, 28).
13. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 12, characterised in that the head section (19) is introducible into the recess (8) of the body only in the first setting.
14. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 12, characterised in that the head section (19) is rotatable between the first setting in which it blocks the inner section (16) and the second setting in which it frees the passage from the inner section (16) to the outflow opening (26, 28).
15. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 14, characterised in that the duct section (15) is provided at its underside with a slot (26) and the head section (19) comprises a plate (24) at which a laterally slotted sleeve (25) is mounted so that through rotation of the plate (24) through 90° the slot of the sleeve (25) can be brought into coincidence with the slot (26) of the duct section (15) and the water can flow out of the duct section (15).

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