EP2179232A2

EP2179232A2 - Device for producing ice cubes, refrigerating appliance comprising such a device, and method for producing ice cubes

Info

Publication number: EP2179232A2
Application number: EP08785981A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Astrain Ulibarrena; Juan Antonio Calvillo; Salvador Manuel Garcia Santamaria; José GONZALEZ VIAN; Francisco Javier Aleman Ezcaray; Antonio Rodriguez Garcia
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2007-07-17
Filing date: 2008-07-08
Publication date: 2010-04-28
Also published as: WO2009010424A3; WO2009010424A2; ES2335839B1; ES2335839A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing consumible ice cubes, comprising at least one immersion element (46) provided with a conductive ice adhesion surface (46a), and a refrigerating appliance (34). The immersion element (46) is designed to be immersed, by the ice adhesion surface (46a) thereof, into a consumible liquid (58). The refrigerating appliance (34) is structurally connected to the immersion element (46) and comprises a pre-defined heat transport device for cooling down at least the ice adhesion surface (46a) to a freezing temperature of the liquid (58) such that, when the immersion element (46) is immersed, the liquid (58) located in the close surroundings of the ice adhesion surface (58) can be frozen, and an ice cube can be formed from some of the liquid (58) on the ice adhesion surface (46a).

Description

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ICE CUBES, COLDING APPARATUS WITH THIS TYPE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ICE CUBES

The present invention relates to a device with which ice cubes can be produced, a refrigerating apparatus with such a device and a method with which ice cubes can be produced.

There are various methods of producing refrigeration, such as compression refrigeration, absorption absorption refrigeration or thermoelectric refrigeration, etc. In refrigeration appliances, especially domestic refrigeration appliances, compression refrigerators are commonly used The current development of household chillers is in the direction of providing additional functions of refrigeration apparatus, including the provision of ice cube makers in these household refrigerating appliances.

Conventional ice makers in domestic refrigerators use the cold produced by compression refrigeration or are themselves based on the principle of compression refrigeration. These systems require a large volume, have a complex manufacturing process and are expensive. Incidentally, the ice-making process itself is difficult to control, i. the regulation of the shape of the ice cubes, the duration of freezing, the transparency of the ice cube and the amount of water used or used. Usually, ice is poured into an ice cube tray, which is provided with partitions, and the water freezes in the dish for ice cube production. However, the ice cubes produced are removable or detachable from the divisions of the ice cube tray only in a manner that is in fact complicated and unsuitable. There are also known as ice cube bags, in which a predetermined amount of water is in a hollow section between two welded plastic films. Such ice cube bags are stored in a freezer, e.g. in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator, freezing the trapped water and forming ice cubes. Such ice cube bags are also available already in a pre-frozen state. To remove the finished ice cubes, the plastic films must be destroyed and the ice cubes are released from the packaging. This is indeed complicated and can lead to contamination of the ice cubes.

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for producing edible ice cubes which make it possible to produce ice cubes economically and easily, regulated and successfully produced; In this case, the device must preferably be able to be accommodated in a refrigeration apparatus.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect of an inventive device according to claim 1.

This device for producing consumable ice cubes has at least one thermally conductive immersion element, which is provided with an Eisadhäsionsfläche, and a refrigeration device. The immersion element is adapted to be immersed with its Eisadhäsionsfläche in a consumable liquid. The refrigeration device is structurally connected to the immersion element and has a predetermined heat transport device for cooling down at least the ice adhesion surface to a freezing temperature of the liquid such that in a submerged state of the immersion element it is in the immediate vicinity and the liquid present on the ice adhesion surface is freezable and from a portion of the liquid on the Eisadhäsionsfläche an ice cube can be formed.

The immersion element is made of a good heat conducting material. The refrigerator is preferably a thermoelectric refrigerator, although the invention is not limited thereto. The immersion element is provided such that it can be immersed with its Eisadhäsionsfläche in a consumable liquid. The immersion element may be finger-like and be formed with a conical end or end portion. The refrigerator may be located at any location, e.g. on or in a refrigerating apparatus, such as its side wall, rear wall or door, and connected to a freezer. The refrigeration device is structurally connected to the immersion element in such a way that the refrigeration device permits proper heat transport, via which the immersion element can be cooled down in such a way that ice forms from the liquid added to the immersion element or its closer environment.

"Structurally connected" here means that there is no material or medium with a lower thermal conductivity, such as air, plastic, wood or the like, between the immersion element and the refrigeration device, but that there is a structural unit or physical connection between these components Proper heat transfer here means that the amount of heat, the duration and the direction of the heat transfer are exactly controllable.Thus, the invention has the basic idea of an immersible in a liquid element via a thermally conductive connection with For example, to cool down a freezer of a refrigeration apparatus or with a special refrigeration system such that ice or an ice cube can be formed around its outer surface or inner surface or in the vicinity of the Eisadhäsionsfläche.

Thus, the ice-making process is controllable in a simple, effective and accurate manner, thus making it possible to successfully influence the shape of the ice cubes, the freezing time, the transparency of the ice cubes and the amount of liquid used to produce the ice cubes. As a result, the production of ice cubes is achieved in a simple and economical technical manner.

Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims 2 to 19.

Accordingly, the ice adhesion surface is preferably provided at a free end of the immersion member.

The ice adhesion surface is also preferably provided on an outer surface of the immersion member, or the immersion member is hollow at its free end and has an inner surface of the hollow portion forming the Eisadhäsionsfläche.

The Eisadhäsionsfläche may also preferably be provided in an end portion of the immersion element, which tapers in particular conically.

The heat transfer device of the refrigeration device for heating at least the ice adhesion surface is preferably reversible such that a thin layer of ice immediately adjacent to the ice adhesion surface of an ice cube adhering to the ice adhesion surface defrostable and the ice cube detachable from the ice adhesion surface and the immersion element or even ejectable is.

The refrigeration device is preferably a thermoelectrically cooling device.

The thermoelectrically cooling device preferably has at least one Peltier element. Peltier elements have proven to be particularly suitable because they are easy to control and control, their cooling capacity is adjustable and, if necessary, their heat transport device is reversible in a simple manner. The refrigeration device is preferably incorporated in the immersion element or in a separate from the immersion element refrigeration device which is thermally conductive connected to the immersion element.

Preferably, the immersion element has a shape selected from a group of shapes including a finger shape, a rod shape, a rod shape, a cylinder shape, a tube shape or a lattice shape, and hybrid forms thereof.

The immersion element is preferably formed in L-shape. This not only ensures a good immersion function, but also a structurally simple and reliable connection of the immersion element with the refrigerator and certain, interconnected additional components.

Preferably, the device according to the invention has a base body which has a heat-conducting region, on which at least one immersion element is arranged projecting; and the refrigeration device is thermally conductively connected to the immersion element via the heat-conducting region.

The device preferably has a multiplicity of (identical or different) immersion elements. As a result, a multiplicity of ice cubes having the same or different shapes and / or properties can be produced.

Preferably, the plurality of immersion elements are arranged in rows (in one or more rows).

The device preferably has a container for receiving the liquid. In the full state of the container, the immersion element is at least in the region of the Eisadhäsionsfläche in the container and is immersed in the existing liquid.

The apparatus preferably includes an immersion mechanism for automatically controlling the immersion of the immersion element into the container and the emergence thereof.

Finally, the device according to the invention preferably has an ice cube collecting device associated with the immersion element for collecting Ice cubes, which are dissolved or ejected in the manner described above controlled by the Eisadhäsionsfläche.

The basic object of the invention is achieved according to a second aspect via a refrigeration apparatus according to claim 20.

This refrigerating apparatus, in particular a refrigerator, a freezer or a freezer, is equipped with a housing and at least one device for producing ice cubes according to one of claims 1 to 19, which is arranged within the housing. As a refrigerator or freezer, the refrigeration apparatus can be designed in particular in a horizontal or vertical design. With a refrigeration apparatus according to the invention substantially the same advantages as with the device according to the invention can be achieved.

Preferred embodiments of the refrigerating apparatus according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims 21 to 27.

Accordingly, at least one immersion element of the device is preferably arranged on the inside of a wall of the housing and penetrates penetrating into the inner chamber of the cooling apparatus.

The immersion element is preferably fastened to the wall via a base body. The main body is preferably made of a good heat-conducting material, e.g. made of the same material as the immersion element.

Preferably, the refrigeration device of the device for producing ice cubes is arranged partially or completely in a wall of the housing.

Preferably, the refrigerating apparatus has at least one cold chamber and at least one freezing chamber; at least one immersion element is arranged in the cold chamber; and the freezing chamber is connected to the immersion element via a local thermally conductive thermobooth element.

The thermal bridge element is preferably connected in a heat-conducting manner to the immersion element via the refrigeration device which serves to produce the ice cubes. Preferably, the refrigerating apparatus has at least one cold air circulation duct in connection with a refrigerating machine of the refrigerating apparatus; and at least the heat-conducting side of the refrigerator of the device for producing ice cubes is in the air circulation channel.

Preferably, the refrigerating apparatus has a filling device for automatically filling the container with the liquid.

On the other hand, the basic object of the invention is achieved according to a third aspect via a method according to claim 28. This method of producing ice cubes has the following steps:

a) providing an edible liquid having a predetermined freezing temperature;

b) immersing a submerged element in the liquid;

c) cooling the immersion element to at least the freezing temperature for a predetermined period of time via a refrigeration device that is structurally connected to the immersion element;

and by that

d) cooling down volumetric parts of the liquid, which are in the immersed state of the immersion element in its vicinity, to the freezing temperature and thereby

e) forming an ice cube adhering to the submerged immersion element from a portion of the liquid.

With the method according to the invention substantially the same advantages as with the device according to the invention and the refrigeration apparatus according to the invention can be achieved.

Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims 29 to 33. Preferably, the temperature and / or size and / or transparency of the ice cube is controlled by predefining the duration of cooling down of the submerged element submerged in the liquid.

Preferably, the shape of the ice cube is determined by the shape of the submerged immersion element.

Preferably, the immersion element is removed after the formation of the ice cube from the remaining liquid.

Preferably, the ice cube, which adheres to the immersion element, is taken out of the immersion element, in particular for subsequent processing, storage or preparation for consumption.

Preferably, the removal of the ice cube takes place via a brief heating of at least that part of the immersion element to which the ice cube adheres, such that a thin layer of ice of the ice cube immediately adjacent to it melts and the ice cube detaches from the immersion element.

Further characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerating apparatus according to the invention according to a first embodiment with essential components of an apparatus according to the invention for the production of ice cubes;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerating apparatus according to the invention according to a second embodiment with essential components of an apparatus according to the invention for producing ice cubes.

1 shows a partial view in cross section of a refrigeration device 10 is shown according to a first embodiment. In this drawing, in addition, essential components of a device for producing ice cubes can be seen, which in the inventive Refrigeration apparatus 10 are incorporated. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the refrigerating apparatus 10 along the line AA in Figure 1. The refrigerating apparatus is designed in this case as a refrigerator for the household and / or freezer. The refrigeration apparatus 10 has a housing 12 which, inter alia, has an outer coating 14, an insulating layer 16 and an inner coating 18. In the housing 12 are cold chambers 20 (of which only a first cold chamber 22 and a second cold chamber 24 are shown in Figure 1) and a freezing chamber 26 are formed. The first cold chamber 22 is disposed above the second cold chamber 24 in this embodiment. The second cold chamber 24 is disposed above the freezing chamber 26. According to the embodiment of the refrigerating apparatus 10, more cold chambers 20 may be located above and / or below the arrangement of the cold chambers 22, 24 and the freezing chamber 26. Instead of the freezing chamber 26 may be provided a cold chamber, which may be designed for a cooling temperature of about 0 ⁰ C.

The cold chambers 20, 22, 24 and the freezing chamber 26 are separated by separations or partitions 28 from each other. The partition walls 28 extend between the side walls 30 of the refrigeration apparatus 10. The side walls 28 likewise have the insulating layer 16. It is not necessary in this case that the side walls 28 between the cold chambers 20, 22, 24 are completely closed. Any partition may be used which is suitable for separating the respective cold chambers from one another and, for example, in a manner already known for hermetic closure by sealing lips of the side walls and a door of the refrigeration apparatus 10. Thus, the cold chambers may be arranged such that cold chambers with a slightly higher temperature over the cold chambers are at a slightly lower temperature, so that a heat flow from bottom to top, which is impossible to avoid, has no effect on the preservability of the stored products.

The refrigeration apparatus 10 also has a compression refrigeration machine 32 and a refrigeration device 34. The refrigeration device 34 in this case is a thermoelectric refrigerator 34. Of the compression refrigeration machine 32, which is a commercial compression refrigeration machine for use in a household refrigerating appliance, only one evaporator 36 is shown. The evaporator 36 is disposed in one of the side walls 30 of the refrigerating apparatus 10. The thermoelectric refrigerator 34 has at least one Peltier element 38, a heat sink 40, and a local thermal bridge element 42. Alternatively, instead of the Peltier element 38, any other component or device that performs the same function or is capable of transporting heat successfully from one location to another may be used. A Peltier element is a component that generates a temperature difference during current flow or a current flow at temperature difference. For this purpose, two metals of the conduction bands with different energy in contact. When a current is passed through the two successive contact points, heat energy is absorbed at one of the contact points. As a result, it comes at this contact point to a cooling. At the other contact point, the heat energy is released. As a result, there is an increase in heat at this point of contact. The hot spot is then cooled, for example through the heat exchange element, making the spot that is cooled even colder.

The thermoelectric refrigerator 34 is disposed in the side wall 30 such that the first heat sink 40 is located in a region of the freezing chamber 26 in the side wall 30 and the Peltier element 38 in a region of the second cold chamber 24 in the side wall 30 Heatsink 40 and the Peltier element 38 disposed below or above the partition wall 28 between the second cold chamber 24 and the freezing chamber 26 in the side wall 30. The thermal bridge element 42 is arranged on the warm side of the Peltier element 38 such that it is like the Peltier element 38 in the side wall 30, the cooling side of the Peltier element 38, however, the second cold chamber 24 faces.

The thermal bridge element 42 is thermally conductive from the Peltier element 38 through the side wall 30 to the heat sink 40. In this way, the local thermal bridge element 42 is provided, i. limited distance, and it acts as a kind of extension of the warm side of the Peltier element 38th

On the cooling side of the Peltier element 38, a plate-shaped base body 44 is arranged, which is made of a material with high thermal conductivity. Adjacent to the plate 44 are arranged a plurality of finger-like immersion elements 46 in L-shape, which are also made of a material with high thermal conductivity and their respective free ends pointing in principle downwards. High thermal conductivity here means that the thermal conductivity of the immersion element 46 and the plate 44 is considerably higher than that of the surrounding material or the insulating material.

In this way, the immersion elements 46 are structurally and well heat-conducting connected to the thermoelectric refrigerator 34. The immersion elements 46 are formed in L-shape and extend inside the second cold chamber 24. They have, in principle, a horizontal course section 48 and in principle a vertical course section 50, the course section 50 pointing downwards, ie towards the freezing chamber 26. The immersion elements 46 are preferably cylindrical and have in each case in Figures 1 and 2 at its free lower end an Eisadhäsionsfläche 46a. The immersion elements 46 are also conically or taperingly formed at an end 26 directed toward the freezing chamber or end portion 52. Preferably, the ice adhesion surface 46a is located at this conical or tapered portion 52, but the invention is not limited to this position. Around the portion 48, a horizontally extending liner 54 of insulating material is disposed.

The plate 44 with the immersion elements 46 connected to the Peltier element 38 is arranged on the side wall 30 such that beneath the finger-like immersion elements 46 there is a container 56 for receiving an edible liquid 58 which is to be cooled or frozen the partition 28 is positionable. The liquid 58 to be frozen is preferably water, but the invention is not limited to water only. It is equally conceivable other edible or consumable liquids to be frozen, or creamy, pasty or jelly-like liquids, such as fruit juices, creams, etc., imaginable.

The refrigeration apparatus 10 also has temperature sensors (not shown) for determining a temperature in the respective cold chambers 20, 22, 24 and the freezing chamber 26. The temperature sensors are connected to a controller or controller for predefining or grading the temperatures in the respective cold chambers 20, 22, 24. The refrigeration apparatus 10 also has electrical connections, not shown, as well as an electrical power supply for the thermoelectric refrigerator 34.

In the refrigerating apparatus 10, the amount of components is alignable according to the need for cold chambers and the performance of the refrigerating apparatus. It is therefore possible to provide a plurality of refrigerators for several compartments for generating a plurality of different temperatures in the respective refrigeration chambers. In addition, the amount of the finger-like immersion elements is alignable according to the need for ice cubes to be produced. The finger-like immersion elements 46 may, for example, also be arranged in two or more rows, for example on a common side of the panel or on different sides of the panel and / or offset from one another. The immersion elements 46 may also be used in at least one embodiment of the refrigeration apparatus according to the invention be arranged in a partition wall or a ceiling of the refrigerating apparatus and from the ceiling running down or hanging. In this case, the quantity of Peltier elements and heatsinks must be adjusted according to the respective requirements. One or more heatsinks may be located adjacent the Peltier element or elements, especially when the finger-like dip elements are in a cold chamber that is far from the freezer chamber, so that, in addition, the thermal bridge element is sized larger or longer ,

The container for holding the liquid may also remain fully in the refrigerating apparatus. For this purpose, the container, for example, by a rotating mechanism in the horizontal direction, rotatable to an automatic filling device in the corresponding cold chamber. In addition, it is conceivable to provide on or in the partition wall between the freezing chamber and above the cold chamber provided a cover which may be raised about an axis to the finger-like immersion element or stretched elastically. The container for holding the liquid to be frozen is placed on the partition wall and the cover, the cover then being on or in the partition wall. When the container is taken out, the cover thereby rotates about the axis towards the immersion elements and thus serves as a ramp. Using the ramp, the ice cubes can pass through a suitable opening in the dividing wall to a storage chamber for ice cube storage. Such a storage chamber may for example be accommodated in the freezing chamber.

The operation of the refrigeration apparatus 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the cold chambers 20, 22, 24 and the freezing chamber 26 is generated by the compression chiller 32 in a known manner cold or these chambers are cooled down to a predetermined temperature. As a result, the heat in the interior of the refrigerating apparatus is transported by the compression refrigerating machine 32 in the already known manner via the heat sink 36.

When ice cubes are to be produced, the container 56 is filled or provided with the liquid 58 to be frozen. The filling can take place outside the refrigerating apparatus 10 by hand. It is also conceivable that in the refrigerating apparatus itself a sampling device, for example a float valve or ball valve, is provided for a water pipe or other beverage container pipes; About this sampling device, the container 56 is then filled. The container 56 is positioned on the dividing wall 28 between the second cold chamber 24 and the freezing chamber 26 below the finger-like immersion elements 46 such that the finger-like immersion elements 46 are submerged in the liquid 58 at least with their ice adhesion surface 46a.

To produce the ice cubes, the thermoelectric refrigerator 34 is put into operation. For this purpose, an electric current with a polarity is applied to the Peltier element 38, that on the side of the Peltier element 38 (on which the plate 44 is arranged with the immersion elements 46) at least on the Eisadhäsionsfläche 46 a cooling is generated. The heat sink 40 ensures that the side of the Peltier element 38 is even colder or cools faster. That is, heat is drawn from the immersion elements 46 or the ice adhesion surface 46a, which, together with the heat caused by the operation of the Peltier element 38, is transported via the thermal bridge element 42 to the heat sink 40 or the freezing chamber 26. In this case, a heat flow of the finger-like immersion elements 46 via the Peltier element 38 and the thermal bridge element 42 is adapted to the freezing chamber 26. The heat, which is transported to the freezing chamber 26, and the heat in the freezing chamber 26 is withdrawn via the evaporator 36 of the compression refrigeration machine 32.

By cooling the immersion elements 46 down to at least the freezing temperature of the liquid 58, it freezes in the vertically extending section 50 or on the ice adhesion surface 46a. The amount of liquid that is filled in the container 56 and the duration of the function and / or performance of the thermoelectric refrigerator 34, the formation of ice cubes in size and shape and transparency is adjustable. It is not necessary to freeze the entire amount of liquid in the container 56, but it is sufficient that only the volumetric parts of the liquid 58, which are cooled down to the freezing temperature in the adjacent and closer environment of the Eisadhäsionsschicht 46a, from a part of Total volume of liquid 58 forms an ice cube with a desired size. The volume of the container 56 should of course be so small that it corresponds to the desired volume of the ice cube to be solidified, and then the entire volume of the liquid 56 is frozen. The variant mentioned in the first place is consequently preferred.

When the ice cubes have formed in the desired manner, the thermoelectric refrigerator 34 is turned off. The container 56 with the remaining, non-frozen amount of liquid 58 can be removed from the refrigeration apparatus 10. Or the position of the container 56 within the refrigeration apparatus 10 is changed manually or automatically. If necessary, the remaining liquid 58 can also be emptied. The solidified ice cubes adhere to the finger-like immersion elements 46 or to the corresponding ice adhesion surface 46a.

To disconnect the ice cube from the ice adhesion surface 46a, the thermoelectric refrigerator 34 is temporarily put into operation and at the same time an electric current having a reverse polarity to that of the electric current previously applied to generate ice cubes is applied to its Peltier element 38. As a result, the heat transport direction of the thermoelectric refrigerator 34 is reversed, and the finger-like immersion elements 46 or the ice adhesion surfaces 46a heat up. As a result, the ice cubes in the vertical region 50 or the ice adhesion surface 46a begin to melt. This method is activated only for a short period of time so that only a very thin ice layer of the ice cubes, which directly adjoins the respective immersion element 46 or the respective ice adhesion surface 46a, melts to the extent that the ice cube in question due to its own weight and gravity the Eisadhäsionsfläche 46a dissolves. The conical design of the end 52 in this case supports the replacement. That is, by reversing the heat transporting device, the ice cubes are effectively "ejected" as needed by the corresponding immersion element 46 or ice adhesion surfaces 46a.

The ice cubes then fall off the finger-like immersion element 46 and enter directly or, for example, via an inclined channel into a container for ice cubes, which is arranged below the immersion elements 46. The ice cube container may then be removed from the refrigerating apparatus, placed in the freezer chamber 26 for storage for later use.

Figure 3 shows a partial view in cross section of a refrigerating apparatus 10 according to the invention according to a second embodiment with essential components of the device according to the invention for producing ice cubes. Identical components as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are identified by the same reference numerals. Only the differences from the first embodiment are described.

In the case of the refrigerating apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, which is, for example, a household refrigerating appliance, the heat sink 40 is disposed directly adjacent to the Peltier element 38 such that the use of the thermal bridge element 42 is eliminated. In the side wall 30, on which the thermoelectric refrigerator 34 is disposed, and in the partition 28 between the second cold chamber 24, hollow compartments 60, 62 are communicated with each other. In the hollow section 62, in the partition wall 28, the evaporator 36 of the compression refrigerating machine 32 or a heat exchanger is arranged directly, which is in communication with the evaporator 36.

The partition wall 28 has openings or gaps 64 on the side facing the second cold chamber 24. Through this column 64, air can reach the evaporator 36 and from there into the hollow compartment 60 in the side wall 30. In the side wall 30 are also openings or gaps 66 in the area of the freezing chamber 26.

In the case of the refrigerating apparatus 10, the amount of the components is adaptable according to the necessary cold chambers and the performance of the refrigerating apparatus. It is therefore possible to provide a plurality of thermoelectric refrigerators for a plurality of compartments for producing a plurality of different temperatures in the respective refrigeration chambers. In addition, the amount of the finger-like immersion elements 46 is alignable according to the need for ice cubes to be produced. The immersion elements can also be arranged in a partition wall or a ceiling of the same downwardly extending or hanging. In this case, the amount of Peltier elements and heat sinks must be adjusted according to the respective requirements. In particular, one or more heat sinks can be arranged more on the Peltier element or the Peltier elements. The container for holding the liquid may also be filled in the refrigerating apparatus itself. For this purpose, the container in the corresponding cold chamber, for example via a displacement mechanism, to a fixed filling device and back to the previous position be moved back. Likewise, a movable filling device may be provided for automatically filling the container.

In addition, it is conceivable to provide on or in the partition wall between the freezing chamber and above the cold chamber provided a cover which may be raised about an axis to the finger-like immersion element or stretched elastically. The container for holding the liquid to be frozen is placed on the partition wall and the cover, the cover then being on or in the partition wall. When the container is taken out, the cover thereby rotates about the axis towards the immersion elements and thus serves as a chute / gutter. Via the chute / gutter, the ice cubes can pass through a suitable opening in the dividing wall to the storage chamber for ice cube storage, which can be located in the freezing chamber. The operation of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the heat or hot air of the second cold chamber 24 passes through the gaps 64 to the hollow compartment 62 and the evaporator 36. In the evaporator 36, the air cools. The cooled air then passes to the hollow section 60 in the side wall 30. About this hollow section 60 passes the cooled air on the one hand via the column 66 to the freezing chamber 26. On the other hand, the cold air reaches the heat sink 40. In this way, form the hollow departments 60 and 62 an air circulation channel.

The operation of the Peltier element 38 for cooling or heating the immersion element 46 and thus for producing ice cubes and for a brief defrosting of the ice cubes for releasing the same is identical to that of the first embodiment. In operation of the Peltier element 38 for producing ice cubes, cold air is used for sufficient cooling of the heat sink 40, and thus the heat is transported, which generates the Peltier element 38. As a result, the air in the heat sink 40 heats up. The thus heated air may be transported out of the refrigeration apparatus 10.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Within the scope of the claims, the device according to the invention, the refrigeration apparatus according to the invention and the method according to the invention can also assume other embodiments than those specifically described above. Thus, for example, at least one Peltier element may also be incorporated directly into the immersion element 46. The immersion member may further have a rod shape, rod shape, cylinder shape, tube shape, lattice shape, or other appropriate shape and a hybrid form thereof, according to the use case and the desired shape of the ice cube to be produced. In particular, it is also possible to make the immersion element hollow at its free end, where the immersion element thus forms an inner surface of the hollow compartment which forms the Eisadhäsionsfläche 46 a. As a result, ice cubes can be produced with a precisely defined outer shape. The apparatus or apparatus of the present invention may also include a plunge mechanism for controlled, automatic immersion of the plunging member 46 into and from the container 56. In addition, the immersion element 46 or the base to which it is attached, height adjustable.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for a better understanding of the invention and do not limit the scope. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

10 refrigeration apparatus

12 housing

14 outer coating

16 insulating layer

18 inner coating

20 cold chambers

22 first cold chamber

24 second cold chamber

26 freezing chamber

28 separation

30 side walls

32 compression refrigeration machine

34 refrigeration device

36 evaporator

38 Peltier element

40 heat sinks

42 thermal bridge element

44 plate

46 immersion element

46a ice adhesion area of 46

48 horizontally extending section

50 vertical section

52 end section

54 cladding

56 containers

58 liquid

60 hollow department

62 hollow department

64 opening

66 opening

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing consumable ice cubes with

at least one thermally conductive submerged element (46) provided with an ice adhesion surface (46a) and adapted for insertion into a consumable liquid (58) with the ice adhesion surface (46a);

a refrigeration device (34) structurally connected to the immersion element (46) with a predetermined heat transport device for cooling down at least the ice adhesion surface (46a) to a freezing temperature of the liquid (58) in a submerged state of the immersion element (46) that liquid (58) which is present in the vicinity of the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46a), is freezable and from a part of the liquid (58) on the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46a) an ice cube can be formed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a) at a free end of the immersion element (46) is provided.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a) on an outer surface of the immersion element (46) is provided.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the immersion element (46) is hollow at its free end and having an inner surface of the hollow section which forms the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a) in a tapered end portion (52) of the immersion element (46) is provided.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the end portion (52) tapers conically.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of the heat transport of the refrigerator (34) for heating at least the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a) is reversible such that a thin layer of ice ice cube, which at the immediately adjacent Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a ), is defrostable and the ice cube of the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46a) and the immersion element (46) is releasable.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigeration device is a thermoelectric refrigerator (34).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermoelectric refrigerating device (34) has at least one Peltier element (38).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermoelectric refrigerating device (34) is incorporated in the immersion element (46).

1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigeration device (34) of the immersion element (46) separate refrigeration device (34) which is thermally conductive with the immersion element (46) is connectable.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the immersion element (46) has a shape which is selected from a group of forms which a finger shape, a rod shape, a rod shape, a cylinder shape, a tube shape or a lattice shape and a hybrid form of the same.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the immersion element (46) is formed in L-shape.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base body (44) having a heat-conducting region on which at least one immersion element (46) is arranged above, and the refrigeration device (34) via the heat-conducting region thermally conductive is connected to the immersion element (46).

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of immersion elements (46).

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the plurality of immersion elements (46) are arranged in rows.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a container (56) for receiving the liquid (58), wherein the immersion element (46) in the full state of the container (56) at least in the region of Eisadhäsionsfläche (46a) in the container (56) is submersed.

An apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a plunge mechanism for the controlled, automatic immersion of the immersion element (46) into the container (56) and emergence therefrom.

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an ice cube collecting device, which is associated with the immersion element (46), for collecting ice cubes, which are controlled controlled by the Eisadhäsionsfläche (46 a).

20. A refrigeration apparatus (10), in particular a refrigerator or a freezer, with a housing (12) and at least one device for producing ice cubes according to one of claims 1 to 19, which is arranged within the housing (12).

21. A refrigeration apparatus (10) according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one immersion element (46) of the device on the inside of a wall (28, 30) of the housing (12) is arranged and in the inner chamber (24) of the refrigerating apparatus (10 ) protrudes penetrating.

22, cooling apparatus (10) according to claim 21, characterized in that the immersion element (46) via a base body (44) on the wall (28, 30) is attached.

23. A refrigeration apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the refrigeration device (34) of the device for producing ice cubes partially or completely in a wall (30) of the housing (12) is arranged.

24. A refrigerating apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that

the refrigerating apparatus (10) has at least one cold chamber (24) and at least one freezing chamber (26);

at least one immersion element (46) is arranged in the cold chamber (24); and the freezing chamber (26) is connected to the immersion element (46) via a local, thermally conductive thermobooth element (42).

25. A refrigeration apparatus (10) according to claim 24, characterized in that the thermobooth element (42) via the refrigeration device (34; 38) of the device for producing ice cubes thermally conductively connected to the immersion element (46).

26. A refrigerating apparatus (10) according to claim 20, characterized in that

the refrigerating apparatus (10) has at least one cold air circulation duct (60; 62) in connection with a refrigerating machine (36) of the refrigerating appliance (10); and

at least the heat-conducting side of the refrigeration device (34; 38) of the device for producing ice cubes is located in the air circulation channel (60; 62).

27. A refrigeration apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that the refrigerating apparatus (10) has a filling device for automatically filling the container (56) with the liquid (58).

28. Method for producing ice cubes, comprising the following steps:

a) providing an edible liquid (58) having a predetermined freezing temperature;

b) immersing a submerged element (46) in the liquid (58);

c) cooling down the immersion element (46) to at least the freezing temperature for a predetermined period of time via a refrigeration device (34) structurally connected to the immersion element (46);

d) cooling the volumetric portions of the liquid (58) which are in the immersed state of the immersion element (46) in the vicinity thereof to the freezing temperature and thereby

e) forming an ice cube adhered to the submerged dip element (46) from a portion of the liquid (58).

The method of claim 28, characterized by controlling the temperature and / or the size and / or transparency of the ice cube by predefining the duration of cooling down of the submerged element (46) submerged in the liquid (58).

A method according to any one of claims 28 or 29, characterized in that the shape of the ice cube is determined by the shape of the submerged immersion element (46).

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the immersion element (46) after the formation of the ice cube from the remaining liquid (58) is taken out.

32. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that the ice cube, which adheres to the immersion element (46), is taken out of the immersion element (46).

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that the removal of the ice cube takes place via a brief heating of at least that part (46a) of the immersion element (46) to which the ice cube adheres, so that a thin ice layer of the ice cube forming this part (46) 46a) immediately adjacent, melts and dissolves the ice cube from the immersion element (46).