EP2292993A2 - Substructure group element for a fridge and/or freezer, fridge and/or freezer and method for assembling same - Google Patents

Abstract

The sub-assembly element (10) has an air inlet (12) and air outlet, where the sub-assembly element is guided in single piece. An air guiding unit is provided in the sub-assembly element, which is formed in such a manner that it guides the air on a horizontal plane. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a cooling or freezing device, which is provided as a side-by-side device; and (2) a method for assembling a cooling or freezing device.

Description

The present invention relates to a subassembly element for a refrigerator and / or freezer, a refrigerator and / or freezer and a method for mounting a refrigerator and / or freezer.

In refrigerators, in which the refrigeration unit, the fan and the condenser is arranged in the device base, usually a so-called subassembly is formed, which is then bolted to the already foamed device housing or the body. This is relatively expensive, since the relatively heavy subassembly must be bolted to the foamed device housing.

Another disadvantage is further that these devices have a so-called horizontal air flow, ie that in these devices an abrupt change in the air ducting direction is present, such as caused by a baffle plate, which causes a forced deflection in the vertical direction of the incoming air. It thus comes to an uneven flow through the condenser and also to an uneven Kühlluftbeaufschlagung the compressor. Further Flow losses occur due to an unguided deflection of up to 180 ° from the fan via the condenser to the compressor and to the front air outlet. The heat exchange is thus very ineffective.

From the DE 297 01 474 U1 already a cooling device is known that has a device base with a wide air inlet channel and a parallel thereto arranged wide air outlet channel. Air inlet side, however, the inflowing air is deflected in a Z-shape, ie that the air flows in a first horizontal plane through the front panel, then is deflected abruptly via a Umlenkwandung in a second horizontal plane and is guided on this second horizontal plane through the device base. The air outlet from the device base also takes place after Z-shaped deflection, so that this device base has a horizontal air flow, which as already indicated above is disadvantageous due to the flow losses.

The EP 0 650 680 B1 discloses a base for a built-in refrigerator, which is placed on support rails with feet and is arranged in a furniture niche. This base is formed trough-like and has no separate air duct, so that the air flowing in front is also swirled for cooling purposes in the flow through the base and thus high flow losses occur.

From the DE 44 45 286 A1 Furthermore, a device base through which cooling air flows is known, which guides the air through the base like a labyrinth. This multiple deflection also leads to considerable flow losses, which usually have to be compensated by an increased speed of the fan.

From the EP 0 444 461 A2 a device base is known in which the air is guided on one side of the base via an inlet channel in the back of the engine room, there bending without further guidance by 90 ° the engine room flows through and then again by 90 ° kinking leaves the device base on the air outlet.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop a subassembly of the type mentioned in an advantageous manner, in particular to the effect that a subassembly element is simple in construction, has an improved flow guidance of the cooling air and is preferably easy to assemble.

This object is achieved by a subassembly with the features of claim 1. Thereafter, it is provided that a subassembly for a refrigerator and / or freezer has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, wherein the subassembly is made in one piece and wherein at least one air guide means is provided in the sub-assembly element, which is designed such that it leads the air substantially on a horizontal plane. The sub-assembly element thus advantageously has a vertical air duct, since the air in the sub-assembly element can be guided substantially on a horizontal plane. A vertical air duct is particularly advantageous because the flow losses are low due to the lack of deflection in the vertical direction. The one-piece design of the subassembly element results in a particularly simple handling and production of the subassembly element.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that by means of the air guiding means air in the subassembly element without abrupt change of direction from the air inlet to the air outlet is feasible and / or that the deviation of the air guide from the horizontal plane is not more than ± 30 °, preferably not more than ± 15 ° is. It is particularly advantageous if the air is guided without abrupt change of direction in or through the sub-assembly element. This allows the Strörriungsverluste be kept low. A deviation of the air flow from the horizontal plane may also consist in a spreading of the air flow. It is conceivable that the air guide means a horizontally extending first wall, such as a ceiling or a floor, and a second wall inclined therefrom, either a ceiling or a floor, enclosing an angle of not more than ± 30 ° with a horizontal plane, preferably not more than ± 15 °.

It is also possible that the air guide means is arranged at least partially edge side in the subassembly. For example, the air guide means in the side region of the subassembly element can be arranged at the edge, whereby the central region of the subassembly element can remain free or otherwise usable. Furthermore, this results in the advantage that with a respective edge-side arrangement of the parts of the air guide means in the side regions of the subassembly which connect to the air inlet and outlet, the incoming air flow and the outflowing air flow at a maximum distance from one another at the front can enter or exit.

It can be provided that the subassembly element has a recess for receiving and / or fixing the inner container of the refrigerator and / or freezer. As a result, a simple assembly of the subassembly element with the inner container is possible. Because the recess can be used as an adhesive surface, which surrounds a part of the inner container and is glued by filling the thermal insulation material, preferably the Isolierschaumes with the inner container. Screwing the subassembly with the already foamed device housing is thus unnecessary, an assembly of the subassembly with the inner container and the outer wall is easily possible by the already to be performed foaming.

It is preferred if the recess is arranged centrally or centrally and / or that the recess is formed like a trough on the upper side in the subassembly element. This results in the advantage of being able to easily insert the inner container into the recess, if necessary with spacers for positioning in order to prepare for assembly. Advantageously, in the area between the recess and the inner container, which is preferably a Having adapted to the shape of the recess molding injected foam, so that subassembly element and inner container are interconnected.

It is also conceivable that the air guide means expands to a receiving space for at least one compressor, at least one fan and at least one condenser, wherein fastening means, in particular fastening receptacles for the compressor, the fan and the condenser are provided in the receiving space. In addition, the receiving space may advantageously comprise air guide walls which surround the components of the cooling circuit of the refrigerator and / or freezer located in the receiving space.

It can be provided that in the flow direction, the fastening means for the condenser, the fan and the compressor are arranged one after the other.

Moreover, it is possible for the air guidance means, starting from the air inlet, to extend laterally past the recess, past the receiving space located in the rear region of the subassembly element, past the recess to the air outlet.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the air guide means is channel-like and / or that the air guide means has at least partially a round, oval or rectangular cross-section.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the oval or rectangular cross-section of the air guiding means is vertically aligned. A vertical alignment of the oval or rectangular cross-section is advantageously achieved in that the height of the air guiding means at this point is greater than the width.

It is also possible that the subassembly element is a device base and / or an injection molded part. The injection molding process becomes a simple one and cost-effective production allows. It is preferred if an impact-resistant plastic is used for this purpose.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a condensation-collecting tray or an evaporation tray is provided, wherein the condensation-collecting tray or the evaporation tray is arranged in a front area of the sub-assembly element and / or in a front-accessible area of the subassembly. This has the advantage that the condensate collecting tray or the evaporation tray can be easily removed and emptied. After emptying, a simple insertion into the sub-assembly element can take place. This is particularly advantageous for hygienic reasons, since a lingering of liquid in the debris drip tray or the evaporation tray can be avoided thereby.

For example, the condensate collecting tray or the evaporation tray can be integrated in the lateral cover of the subassembly element and designed to be laterally removable and replaceable. A lateral removal for cleaning purposes is advantageous and easily possible.

It can be provided that the subassembly element is designed such that the at least one condenser can be pushed in at the front. This results in the advantage of being able to realize a cost-effective installation of the condenser, since it is sufficient to insert a condenser die through the air inlet or the air outlet in the or the lateral air ducts of the subassembly element and there z. B. positively secured by locking.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 12. Thereafter, it is provided that a refrigerator and / or freezer has at least one subassembly element according to one of claims 1 to 11. The refrigerator and / or freezer may be a fully integrated base unit used in a fitted kitchen. It is also conceivable that the cooling and / or freezer is a decorable base unit or a built-under drawer unit. Also conceivable is the use in stationary devices.

It is also conceivable that the refrigerator and / or freezer is a side-by-side device.

It is advantageous, in particular, when the devices of the side-by-side device arranged side by side each have a sub-assembly element and that the subassembly elements are mirror-inverted and / or usable with respect to one another.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for mounting a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 15. Thereafter, it is provided that in a method for mounting a refrigerator and / or freezer in a first step, a subassembly element and an inner container of In a second step, at least one outer wall of the refrigerator and / or freezer are positioned relative to the subassembly and inner container and in a third step, areas or gaps between subassembly, inner container and outer wall are filled with foam and / or freezer. are backfoamed, so that subassembly element, inner container and outer wall are interconnected. This is preferably a subassembly element according to one of claims 1 to 11 and / or preferably a refrigerator and / or freezer according to one of claims 12 to 14.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Rückansicht eines Unterbaugruppenelements;

Figur 2:

eine schematische Draufsicht eines Unterbaugruppenelements;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Unterbaugruppenelements mit montier- ten Komponenten eines Kühl- und/oder Gefriergerätes;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Unterbaugruppenelements mit seitlich entnehmbarer Verdunstungsschale;

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Verdunstungsschale; und

Figur 6:

eine weitere schematische Draufsicht eines Unterbaugruppenelements.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a rear perspective view of a subassembly element;

FIG. 2:

a schematic plan view of a subassembly element;

FIG. 3:

a perspective view of the subassembly element with mounted components of a refrigerator and / or freezer;

FIG. 4:

a perspective view of a subassembly element with laterally removable evaporation tray;

FIG. 5:

a perspective view of the evaporation tray; and

FIG. 6:

another schematic plan view of a subassembly element.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective rear view a subassembly element 10 according to the present invention. The sub-assembly element 10 is designed as a device base 10, which is manufactured in one piece as an injection molded part. In this case, the device base 10 is an injection molded part made of an impact-resistant plastic.

Without this being closer in FIG. 1 is shown, the device base 10 on its underside bearing surfaces, by means of which the device base 10 can be set up directly on the ground. At the same time or alternatively threaded holes can be provided, can be screwed into the steep feet.

The pallet-like device base 10 has on its upper side a trough-like recess 20 which is provided for receiving the inner container of the refrigerator and / or freezer.

The air inlet for the air L, whose flow path is indicated by the device base 10 by means of corresponding arrows, takes place through the front part 12 or air inlet 12 of the air guiding means, which is widened at this point. In the lateral section 14 of the air guide means or air duct, the air guide means or the air duct narrows in width, widens but slightly in the height direction, since the bottom 15 of the lateral portion 14 drops slightly obliquely downward.

The air L is thus guided starting from the air inlet 12 substantially horizontally and without abrupt change in direction relative to the vertical through the lateral section 14 of the air duct to the engine room 16, which is formed by a widening of the air duct in the rear part of the device base 10.

After the flow through the engine room 16, the air L heated there enters the side partial section 18 of the air duct on the other side, so that the air past the recess 20 does not pass in FIG. 1 apparent air outlet 19 is performed.

The in FIG. 1 shown structure is again schematically in FIG. 2 shown, which is a schematic plan view of the device base 10. Continue in addition FIG. 2 can be seen, the device base 10 can be provided on the front with a front panel 40, which can be pushed depth adjustable by means of lateral projections 42 on the device base 10. This allows adjustability and adaptability of the front panel 40 to the respective installation situation. In particular, with built-in appliances a simple depth adjustment can be made.

In order to separate the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 19 from each other, ie in particular to avoid short-circuit currents, an air separation means 30 is provided. The air separation means 30 may be formed by corresponding projections 44 in the front panel 40, which engage in a corresponding recess 22 in the device base 10. Alternatively or at the same time it can be provided that the air separation means 30 comprises a foam molding 32, which is inserted between the projections 44 and the recess 22 and is held there by clamping.

In the engine room 16 is further a fastening means 17 for the compressor 70 (see. FIG. 3 ) intended. The fastener 17 may be a recess or receptacle into which the compressor 70 may be inserted to facilitate easy and quick assembly.

In FIG. 3 is shown in perspective view, the subassembly 10 with mounted components of a refrigerator and / or freezer, with reference to this figure, the operation of the device base 10 can be explained in detail.

Cold ambient air L enters the air inlet 12 of the device base 10 through oblique lamellae in the front panel 40 and then flows through the side channel 14, which has a substantially rectangular cross-section with a vertical orientation, that is higher than it is wide. By an inclined bottom wall 15 (see. FIG. 1 ), the cross-section widens slightly as the channel 14 increases in height.

The air L is passed through the channel 14 on the spiral condenser 50 and cools it. In order to allow an optimal flow around the condenser 50, curved air guide walls 52 are provided in the machine room 16, which surround the vertical spirals of the condenser 50.

Downstream of the condenser 50, a fan 60 is provided, which circulates the air L through the device base 10. The fan 60 further pressurizes the compressor 70 with the air L guided past the condenser 50, so that optimum heat removal from the compressor 70 can also take place. After the compressor 70, the air L enters the side channel 18, which is constructed equal to the side channel 14, in particular is formed symmetrically to this. Through the side channel 18, the air L is guided to the air outlet 19 and exits there via the slats of the front panel 40.

Due to the vertical orientation of the cross sections of the side channels 14 and 18 is achieved that the actual air inflow takes place substantially at the outboard part of the air inlet 12, while the outflow of heated in the device base 10 air L takes place at the outboard part of the air outlet 19. The inflowing cold air flow L and the outflowing warm air flow L are thus maximally spaced from each other.

Furthermore, the air flow L is guided substantially on a horizontal plane, whereby flow losses can be avoided. Air inlet and outlet and air duct in the device base 10 are horizontal on the same plane, the expansion in the side channels 14 and 18 is neglected in this regard. It thus takes place according to the invention no deflection of the air flow relative to the vertical, which is why the flow resistance is kept small. This makes it possible to operate the fan 60 at a comparatively low speed, so that the noise level during operation can be lowered.

FIG. 3 shows the fully assembled subassembly of a refrigerator and / or freezer, which is intended for installation in a furniture niche. In the next assembly step, this subassembly consisting of the device base 10 and the components mounted in the device base 10 of the cooling circuit is assembled with the inner container, not shown, and pre-positioned for assembly.

For this purpose, the inner container, which has one of the recess 20 corresponding shape, set in the recess 20 so that there is a uniform gap on all sides in the recess 20, which is intended for foaming. This gap has about 2 cm and is advantageously adjusted by appropriate spacers.

After pre-positioning of device base 10 and inner container outer walls of the refrigerator and / or freezer are positioned around the device base 10 and the inner container. After that, the corresponding column between Device base 10, inner container and outer wall backfoamed, ie filled with foam. As a result, the device base 10, inner container and outer wall are already connected to each other solely by this so-called foam backing. This mounting method thus allows a much simpler and faster installation of the refrigerator and / or freezer, so that the usual screwing the heavy subassembly consisting of base and located in the base components of the cooling circuit with the body consisting of already foam-backed outer wall and inner container through the any necessary foam can be replaced anyway.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of a subassembly element 10 in a further embodiment, wherein the evaporation tray 110 'is integrated into a side cover 100' of the subassembly 10 and made laterally removable and reinsertable. The evaporation tray 110 'is accessible from the front and can be easily removed for cleaning purposes and then used again. In this case, the outer wall 112 'of the evaporation tray 110' itself forms the outer wall of the lateral cover 100 'of the subassembly element 10. As in further FIG. 4 shown, behind the evaporation tray 110 ', a condenser 50 is arranged, which can be inserted into the front sub-assembly element 10, here through the air outlet 19th

FIG. 5 shows in perspective the in FIG. 4 illustrated evaporation tray 110 '. As shown here, the evaporation tray 110 'has a plurality of latching elements 120', by means of which the evaporation tray 110 'can be latched in the subassembly 10.

FIG. 6 shows in a schematic plan view of the sub-assembly element 10, as in FIG. 4 shown condenser 50 is disposed on both sides in the lateral channels of the subassembly 10 and each can be inserted through the front side through the air inlet 12 and through the air outlet 19. Each condenser 50 is assigned a respective fan 60.

Claims (15)

A subassembly (10) for a refrigerator and / or freezer, said subassembly (10) having at least one air inlet (12) and at least one air outlet (19), and wherein said subassembly (10) is integral and wherein at least one air guide means is provided in said one Subassembly (10) is provided, which is designed such that it leads the air substantially on a horizontal plane. Subassembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the air guiding means air in the subassembly (10) without abrupt change of direction from the air inlet (12) to the air outlet (19) is feasible and / or that the deviation of the air duct from the horizontal plane no longer is ± 30 °, preferably not more than ± 15 °. Subassembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air guide means is arranged at least partially on the edge side in the subassembly (10). Subassembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subassembly (10) has a recess (20) for receiving and / or fixing the inner container of the refrigerator and / or freezer, wherein it is preferably provided that the recess ( 20) is arranged centrally or centrally and / or that the recess (20) is trough-shaped on the upper side in the subassembly element (10) is formed. Subassembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide means to a receiving space (16) for at least one compressor (70), at least fan (60) and at least one condenser (50) expands, wherein in the receiving space fastening means, in particular fastening receptacles for the compressor (70), the fan (60) and the condenser (50) are provided, wherein it is preferably provided that in the flow direction the fastening means for the condenser (50), the fan (60) and compressor (70) arranged one after the other. Subassembly (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the air guide means starting from the air inlet (12) laterally on the recess (20) over the in the rear region of the subassembly element (10) located receiving space (16) again laterally on the Recess (20) over to the air outlet (19) extends. Subassembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide means is channel-like and / or that the air guide means at least partially has a round, oval or rectangular cross-section. Sub-assembly element (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the oval or rectangular cross-section of the air guide means is vertically aligned. Subassembly element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subassembly element (10) is a device base (10) and / or an injection molded part. Sub-assembly element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a condensation-collecting tray (110 ') or an evaporation tray (110') is provided, wherein the condensation-collecting tray (110 ') or the evaporation tray (110') in a front region of the sub-assembly element (10) and / or in a frontally accessible area of the sub-assembly element (10) is arranged. Subassembly (10) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the subassembly (10) is formed such that the at least one condenser (50) is frontally insertable. Cooling and / or freezing appliance with at least one subassembly element (10) according to claims 1 to 11. Cooling and / or freezing appliance according to claim 12, characterized in that the refrigerator and / or freezer is a side-by-side appliance. The refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 13, characterized in that the juxtaposed devices of the side-by-side device each having a subassembly element (10) and that the subassembly elements (10) mutually mirrored formed and / or used. Method for mounting a refrigerator and / or freezer, wherein in a first step, a subassembly element (10) and an inner container of the refrigerator and / or freezer are positioned relative to each other, wherein in a second step at least one outer wall of the cooling and / or In a third step, areas or gaps between sub-assembly element (10), inner container and outer wall are foamed or foamed, so that sub-assembly element (10), inner container and outer wall are connected to each other or , which is preferably a sub-assembly element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and / or preferably a refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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