EP2160550A1

EP2160550A1 - Light/fan unit for a refrigeration device

Info

Publication number: EP2160550A1
Application number: EP07787837A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Gerd Keller; Renate Pradel
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2007-06-25
Filing date: 2007-07-24
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Also published as: CN101688726B; CN101688726A; WO2009000333A1

Abstract

Light/fan unit (1) for a refrigeration device having a base body (2) which accommodates a blower (3), is fitted with fixing means (20) on a rear face in order to be fixed in a refrigeration device inner container, and is fitted with an electrical connection (22) on a front face, and having a lighting means (41) which is connected to the electrical connection (22) via an adapter (4).

Description

Light-fan unit for a refrigeration device

The present invention relates to a light-fan unit for a refrigeration device such as a refrigerator or freezer for mounting in an interior of the refrigerator. The light-fan unit comprises a fan and a lamp, the fan serving to intensify an air flow over a heat exchanger surface, so as to improve the cooling effect of the heat exchanger, or to equalize the temperature distribution therein by mixing the air of the interior space, and the lamp is provided for illuminating the interior.

There are refrigerators are known in which the light-fan unit forms a standardized module that can be installed as a pre-assembled module in the interior of the device.

A problem with such light-fan units is that they do not offer enough flexibility with regard to the lamps that can be used in the module. Usually, a suitable lighting means is selected based on the required lighting power, which in turn is predetermined by the dimensions of the interior. Since the waste heat emitted by the luminaire is proportional to its light output, it is inconvenient to install a luminaire with a power higher than that actually required. In a high-performance luminaire, a larger distance between the actual lamp and adjacent, possibly heat-sensitive parts of the light-fan unit or the refrigeration unit housing is required as in a low-power. A performance-independent dimensioning of the lamp would thus lead to an inefficient use of space calculated just for small-sized refrigerators. In addition, increasingly different light sources are used in different device models in order to differentiate the devices from each other by different lighting effects, in each case different brackets with different space requirements are required for the different lamps in the light-fan unit. However, if different bulbs are used in the previously common light-fan units, a variety of. Must be for the production of different refrigeration unit models Types of light fan units are kept so that the individual types can be made only in small quantities and with correspondingly high costs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light-ventilator unit for a refrigeration device, which allows to use different bulbs in different types of devices using a small number of different components.

The object is achieved in that a light fan unit for a refrigeration device carries a base body which receives a blower, at a rear fastening means for attachment in a refrigerator inner container and at a front electrical connection, and one with the electrical connection Having an adapter connected bulb. Since the lamp is connected by means of an adapter to the electrical connection, only the adapter must be adapted to the specific requirements for holding the bulb, the electrical connection to the base body for several adapters can always be the same. Thus, only one variant of the body is required, which reduces the design effort for use in various refrigeration equipment models.

In particular, it is advantageous if the electrical connection has a socket and the adapter has a plug complementary to the socket. Thus, no complicated wiring between the body and adapter is required and the two components can be very easy to assemble.

Special advantages provides a structure of the light-fan unit, if attached to the base body projecting from the front, the adapter supportive light bulb holder. If the adapter is fastened to the main body via the illuminant holder, only the electrical connection to the adapter must be provided on the main body. The bulb holder also offers scope for further necessary variations depending on the light source used or in terms of the design of the light fan unit, so that even with a larger footprint of the bulb only the bulb holder must be adjusted in shape, while the body unchanged remains. With regard to the assembly of the light-ventilator unit, it is particularly advantageous if the luminous means holder has a barb engaging in a top opening of the base body and a foot supported on the front side of the base body. Thus, the bulb holder can be easily attached by attaching to the body and is anchored by the barb stably at its intended mounting location.

Further, the base body and the bulb holder can be secured to each other in an advantageous manner, when the barb engages under a horizontal wall of the body. This allows the barb hold the bulb holder due to its weight on the body and prevent inadvertent release of the components from each other during assembly.

In the assembled state, the main body and the illuminant holder are preferably connected in that the main body is mounted so tightly under a cover of the refrigeration device housing that an upward movement of the illuminant holder, through which it could come out of the top opening of the body, is blocked by the ceiling.

In addition, it provides for the construction of the light-fan unit further advantages when the lamp holder comprises a reflector extending above the lamp reflector screen. Since the reflector screen depends in its shape and size on the type of the illuminant used, an adaptation can be realized by a variation of the illuminant holder, without the base body has to be changed.

In particular, it is advantageous if the adapter comprises a transparent screen which at least partially surrounds the luminous means. Since some bulbs should not be touched with bare hands, the transparent screen provides a contact protection for the bulb. The adapter forms together with the lamp and the screen an easy-to-use unit, which are easily replaced in the event of a defect of the bulb as a whole can. In addition, the effect of the light emitted by the illuminant can be further positively influenced by a suitable design of the screen. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 shows a schematic section through a refrigerator with a light-ventilator unit according to the invention.

2a shows an enlarged view of a schematic section of a lamp holder with adapter;

FIG. 2b shows an enlarged view of a schematic section through a base body which is suitable for the illuminant holder from FIG. 2a; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a schematic partial section of the light-ventilator unit in the region of a joint between the base body and the illuminant holder.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic section through a refrigerator is shown, in which a light-ventilator unit 1 is installed in a rear upper corner of an interior 91. The light fan unit 1 comprises a main body 2, a light bulb holder 5 and an adapter 4.

The base body 2 is fastened by fastening means (not visible here) in the position shown on a solid inner skin of a housing 92. The main body 2 carries a fan 3 and an air filter 6. At a front side of the main body 2 of the bulb holder 5 is mounted, which carries the adapter 4. Der Leuchtmittelhalter 5 ist mit dem Gehäuse 2 verbunden. The adapter 4 comprises a lighting means 41, a transparent screen 42 and a base 44.

A cladding shell 7, which encloses the light-fan unit 1 closely, is attached to the light-fan unit 1. The cladding shell 7 has openings for an air inlet and outlet and a transparent portion which is disposed near the light source 41 to transmit the light emitted from the light into the interior space 91. The transparent section may also be replaced by an opening, from the one the illuminant 41 containing front part of the adapter 4 and possibly the illuminant holder 5 protrudes.

A compressor 93 is housed in a conventional manner in a rear recess of the housing 92.

2 a shows an enlarged view of a schematic section of the illuminant holder 5 of the light-ventilator unit 1 with an adapter 4 attached thereto.

The illuminant holder 5 comprises a carrier 51, which is formed as an elongated horizontal plate in the form of a narrow rectangle. At a front end of a narrow side of the carrier 51, this goes over into a reflector screen 54. Of the

Reflector screen 54 is also formed by a rectangular horizontal plate and is greatly widened on both sides relative to the carrier 51, wherein the widened sides are slightly curved downwards so that the highest point of the reflector screen 54 continues the carrier 51 to the front.

On a side facing away from the reflector shield 54 rear end of the carrier 51 each of the top and bottom of the carrier 51 projecting narrow transverse struts 52, 52 'are integrally formed. The transverse struts 52, 52 'extend over the entire width of the carrier 51, are spaced from the rear end of the carrier 51 and project upwards or downwards approximately by the wall thickness of the carrier 51 beyond this. At the rear end of the carrier 51 runs flat.

On the carrier 51, a substantially annular holder 56 is integrally formed in the neck region of the reflector screen down, wherein a portion of the reflector screen 55 merges into the holder 56. The curvature of the reflector screen 55 continues approximately in the outer curve of the holder 56. On two outer sides of the holder 56 rectangular elongated flanks 67 are formed, which are perpendicular to the plane of the carrier 51 and extend parallel to the carrier 51 to the rear end thereof, wherein the flanks 67 are shorter than the carrier 51st In the shown

Representation only the edge 67 is shown, which faces away from the viewer

Side on the bulb holder 5 is formed. The flanks 67 run on one of the Holder 56 facing away from each end in a slightly widened supporting foot 54.

In the holder 56, a socket 44 of the adapter 4 is inserted, wherein by a suitable latching (not shown) accidental release of the base 44 is prevented from the holder 56. The base 44 carries the lighting means 41 and a light-emitting means 41 enclosing transparent screen 42, wherein the lighting means 41 and the screen 42 protrude in the direction of the reflector screen 54 arranged above the holder 56. The lamp 41 facing away from the end of the base 44 forms a plug 43, which also protrudes on its side from the holder 56. Inside the socket 44, the socket 23 is connected to an electrical connection of the lighting means 41.

The illustration in FIG. 2 b shows a likewise enlarged schematic section through the main body 2 of the light / fan unit 1.

The main body 2 has a substantially cuboid shape. It is bounded on an upper side by a horizontal wall 24, to which a front wall 27 connects to a front side. The front wall 27 extends only over an upper part of the main body 2 and leaves open in a lower part of an opening in which an air filter 6 is mounted in a relation to the front wall 27 obliquely backward receding position. The air filter 6 is detachably held on a fixed to the base body 2 grate 61 by means of the edges of the filter 6 encompassing barbs 62 us. The base body 2 is further bounded on two sides by side walls 26, of which in this illustration only the side wall facing away from the viewer is shown. The front wall 27 adjoins the side walls 26 along two side edges. In a region adjacent the front wall 27, the side walls 26 are chamfered, the chamfer approximating the position of the air filter 6.

In a central region of the base body 2, this receives a fan 3, which is held by the side walls 26 and a bottom 28 of the base body 2. The side walls 26 continue beyond the blower 3 to a rear side of the main body 2 and terminate in two side wings 28, of which in turn only the side of the viewer facing away from the viewer is shown. The side wings 28 form a rearward end of the main body 2, wherein a rear edge of the side wings 28 facing away from the fan 3 is rounded in an upper region and shaped to conform to the shape of the upper corner of the refrigerator interior 91, if the light-fan unit is mounted in the interior 91.

At the back of the main body 2, two fastening means 20, each connected to the side wings 28 via an attachment piece and respectively attached to the side wings, are formed on the outside. The fastening means 20 each have the shape of a horizontal cylinder, wherein the outer cylindrical surface is aligned with the rear edge of the side wings 28. Through the cylinder axis of the fastening means 20 extends through a through hole, which receives the shaft in each case a fastening screw 21, with which the base body 2 is fixed in the interior 91 of the refrigerator. Since the fastener 20 is hidden in the view shown by the side wing 28, it is shown including a hidden portion of the fastening screw 21 by dotted lines.

In the horizontal wall 24, a cutout 25 is formed, which cuts out a substantially rectangular shaped opening from the horizontal wall 24, is centrally located on a front wall 27 facing the front edge of the horizontal wall 24 and immediately adjacent to this edge. The dimensions of the cutout 25 are selected such that its width corresponds to the width of the carrier 51 of the illuminant holder 5 and its depth only slightly exceeds the length of the carrier 51 from the transverse struts 52, 52 'to its rear end 53.

In the region of the front wall 27 of the main body 2, a bushing 51 is arranged, which leads out a contact of an electrical connection 22 from the base body 2 to the outside and has a plug 43 on the adapter 4 complementary shape. The electrical connection 22 has an electrical line 8 which connects the socket 51 to a supply line 81 coming from the refrigeration device. The fan 3 also has an electrical connection to the supply line 81, for which purpose a further electrical line 82 is branched off from the line 8. FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial section of the light-ventilator unit 1 in the region of the connection between the base body 2 and the illuminant holder 5.

To mount the bulb holder 5 on the base body 2, the bulb holder 5 is pivoted from the horizontal orientation shown in Fig. 2a in the counterclockwise direction, and the carrier 51 is inserted at its rear end 53 from above into the cutout 25 of the base body 2. In doing so, the carrier 51 dips into the cutout 25 as far as the transverse struts 52, 52 '. When the illuminant holder 5 tilts back into its horizontal orientation, an upper edge of the front wall 27 engages in the region of the cutout 25 on a side of the transverse strut 52 facing away from the main body 2, whereby the end 53 of the carrier 51 comes to lie under the horizontal wall 24 at the same time such that the rear end 53 and the transverse strut 52 cooperate like a barb, which engages under the horizontal wall 24. In a lower region of the illuminant holder 5, the lateral flanks 57, with their widened ends 54 acting as supporting feet, are supported from the outside against the front wall 27, so that the illuminant holder 5 is anchored stably to the front of the main body 2.

After installation in the interior 91, the horizontal wall 24 of the main body 2 bears against the ceiling of the housing 92. Since at the same time the crossbar 52 'touches the ceiling, the bulb holder 5 can not be raised and released from the opening 25. A user can therefore easily exchange the adapter 4 with the light source 41 without having to fear a replacement of the light source holder 5.

At the same time the connector 43 of the adapter 4 is pressed into the socket 23 on the base body 2 during assembly of the base body 2 and the holder 5, so that the light source 41 is connected to the electrical connection 22.

The adapter 4 forms a compact component, which can be inserted very easily and without touching the lamp 41 in the holder 56. For the use of another light source 41, the base 44 and the transparent screen 42 must be adjusted, but the part of the base 44 intended for contact with the main body 2 always remains the same, so that the basic body 2 does not have to be changed in its construction.

Claims

claims

1. Refrigeration device with a light fan unit (1) having a base body (2) receiving a blower (3), on a back fastening means (20) for attachment in a refrigeration device inner container and on a front side an electric Terminal (22) carries, and one to the electrical connection (22) via an adapter (4) connected to the light source (41).

2. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connection (22) has a socket (23) and the adapter (4) has a plug (43) complementary to the socket (23).

3. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the base body (2) projecting from the front, the adapter (4) supporting the light bulb holder (5) is fixed.

4. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the illuminant holder (5) in a top opening (25) of the base body (2) engaging barbs (52, 53) and one on the front of the base body (2) supported foot (54 ) Has.

5. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the barbs (52, 53) engages under a horizontal wall (24) of the base body (2).

6. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the

Illuminant holder (5) comprises a reflector screen (55) extending above the luminous means (41).

7. Refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (4) comprises a transparent screen (42) which at least partially surrounds the lighting means (41).