EP2467655B1 - Refrigeration device comprising a defrosting water channel closed by channel closure means - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigeration device, in particular a NoFrost refrigeration device, with a Abtauwasserkanal which is closed with a channel closure means.

In a refrigerator of the type mentioned, the air is circulated by means of a circulating air system from an evaporator, which is arranged in particular outside the actual refrigerator, in the refrigerator. Ice forms on the evaporator, which is defrosted on a regular basis, the defrost water being formed via a defrost water channel, e.g. is discharged into an evaporation tray. In order to prevent an influx of ambient air through the Abtauwasserkanal in the cold room or in the case of a Nofrost device in the evaporator chamber, a siphon is integrated into the Abtauwasserkanal in the rule. This fills with defrost water and prevents further air exchange.

A disadvantage of the siphon solution is that until the time when the siphon is filled with water - ie z. B. until after the first defrost cycles - ambient air and - moisture flow through the Abtauwasserkanal in the refrigerator or to the evaporator and lead to contamination and energy loss.

It has already been proposed in an earlier application of the applicant to integrate into the defrost water channel a water-soluble channel closure means which prevents an inflow of ambient air through the Abtauwasserkanal until it dissolves completely by the condensation water. Then the water siphon is filled with condensation and takes its function.

However, such completely water-soluble channel closure agents can be expensive to manufacture and not very stable mechanically. As a result, the closure u.U. not completely reliable, as it does not withstand mechanical loads. In addition, a large amount of water-soluble material is rinsed into the evaporation tray and remains there.

A refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1 is in document DE20000595U1 disclosed.

The invention therefore has the task of providing a refrigeration device with an alternative solution for the closure of Abtauwasserkanals before commissioning.

The object is achieved with a refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the Abtauwasserkanal is closed by a channel closure means which is not or only partially soluble in water. However, the channel sealant is held in or on the defrost water channel with water-soluble material. The channel closure means need not be made of water-soluble material, it must only be ensured that the attachment of the channel closure means in the defrost water channel is dissolved in contact with water and the channel closure means releases the channel.

The channel closure means itself can be made of any materials such as plastic, polystyrene, rubber, glass or metal or composites thereof. It is preferably an at least substantially dimensionally stable material such. B. plastic. As a result, the closure is more reliable, since now the water-soluble medium is no longer itself exposed to ambient pressure fluctuations and mechanical stress during manufacture or transport. The main stresses are instead absorbed by the non-water soluble channel sealant.

Furthermore, the use of water-soluble substances is reduced. This can reduce costs, but especially the contamination of the defrost water with the water-soluble substance. As a result, secondary effects such as biological growth in the evaporation tray or in the defrost water channel itself can be reduced. This increases the reliability of the device and improves its quality.

A refrigeration device according to the invention is in particular automatically defrostable and, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer or fridge-freezer or a freezer. Preferably, it is a household refrigerator. A NoFrost refrigeration device in the context of the invention is a refrigeration device in which the evaporator outside the refrigerating compartment arranged in an evaporator compartment, and the cooling air is circulated via cooling air ducts using a fan between the evaporator compartment and cooling compartments. The evaporator of such a refrigerator can be defrosted by a defrost heater.

The Abtauwasserkanal the refrigerator transported in the refrigerator - especially at the evaporator - resulting defrost water to the outside of the refrigerator, so that the defrost water outside the refrigerator, in particular by utilizing the waste heat of a compressor, can evaporate. The Abtauwasserkanal is for example a pipe, a hose or a channel and preferably opens into an evaporation tray, which is advantageously arranged over the compressor.

In order to prevent an influx of ambient air through the Abtauwasserkanal in the cold room or in the case of a NoFrost device in the evaporator chamber, a siphon is preferably integrated in the Abtauwasserkanal, which fills with defrost water and then the entry of ambient air into the refrigerator or at NoFrost devices in the evaporator compartment prevented.

The channel closure means may in particular be fixed in or on the defrost water channel by water-soluble organic or inorganic materials which serve as adhesive. This comes, for example, Cellulose or gelatin in question, or a salt such as saline. The adhesive is preferably applied over the entire circumference of the defrost water channel and thereby holds the channel closure means, which has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the Abtauwasserkanals.

It is also possible mechanical fasteners such. As clamps or retaining rings to use as a fastener, which consist of water-soluble material. Here again salt or cellulose could be used.

According to a preferred embodiment, the channel closure means is formed from plastic. This enables cost-effective production e.g. as an injection-molded part and a reliable closure of Abtauwasserkanals, as a stable channel closure is created, which withstands ambient pressure fluctuations, mechanical stresses during manufacture and during transport.

When designing the geometry of the channel sealant, make sure that it actually releases the defrost water channel when the fastener dissolves, even though it remains in the defrost water channel. The outer diameter of the channel closure means is therefore preferably much smaller than the inner diameter of the Abtauwasserkanals, so that it does not tilt when loosening in a position transverse to the Abtauwasserkanal and this can continue to close, but instead aligns in the longitudinal direction of the Abtauwasserkanals. Alternatively, the channel closure means may also be designed so that it is flushed out of the defrost water channel by the condensation water.

According to a preferred embodiment, the channel closure means is formed as a plate or disc, in particular made of plastic. This is e.g. introduced into a tubular or tubular portion of Abtauwasserkanals. Preferably, the geometry of the disc is adapted to the cross section of the Abtauwasserkanals so that the Abtauwasserkanal is closed with him and is secured with any water-soluble material. Suitable examples are water-soluble adhesive or water-soluble terminals. Such a disc is arranged, for example, transversely to the flow direction of the defrost water in Abtauwasserkanal and almost positively held in a portion of Abtauwasserkanals by being glued at its periphery sealingly against the channel inner wall. Upon dissolution of the adhesive, the disc tilts to a position parallel to the longitudinal direction, in which the cross section of the Abtauwasserkanals is released.

The thickness of the disk is preferably> 0.1 mm (it is not a film material), more preferably about 0.5-1.5 mm.

The channel closure means may be introduced at different positions and in different ways into the defrost water channel, of which some preferred embodiments are presented below:

According to a first preferred embodiment, the channel closure means is designed as a plastic disc placed above the outlet end of the defrost water channel, ie as a lid. There, the plastic disc can be fixed by adhering to the outlet end of the tube or is held with a water-soluble retaining ring.

According to a second preferred embodiment, the channel closure means is formed as a plastic disc in a channel section piece which forms a separate component of the Abtauwasserkanals. The Abtauwasserkanal is therefore not one-piece, but has a separate channel section piece, z. B. a piece of pipe z. B. at the outlet of Abtauwasserkanals is attached to this, or is used between the defrost water outlet of the refrigerator and the Abtauwasserkanal. In this channel section piece, the plastic disc is already integrated, it may be glued to the inner wall of the channel section piece here. This solution has the advantage that the Abtauwasserkanal can be prepared in a conventional manner.

According to a third embodiment, the channel closure means is formed as a shallow or spherical plug in Abtauwasserkanal, which is dissolved in contact with water from the side walls of Abtauwasserkanals and rinsed from the Abtauwasserkanal

Preferably, the plug has at least one passage opening, wherein the at least one flow opening can be closed with an air-permeable film. Here, the channel closure z. B. may be formed as a perforated ring which is inserted into the Abtauwasserkanal.

The seal by the channel closure means should not in any case mean a 100% air permeability, but should, for. B. go so far that in a normal transport and operation of the refrigerator only a very small exchange of air between the interior of the refrigerator and the environment takes place, which does not lead to noticeably stronger icing of the evaporator. In particular, it is advantageous if the channel closure means prevents a larger amount of air (eg> 10 ml or> 100 ml) from being sucked into the interior space when the door of the refrigeration device is opened and a negative pressure is briefly generated in the interior space as a result.

Preferably, the channel closure means is permeable to air at least in the flow direction of the defrost water. This feature serves to allow the air displaced by the incoming defrost water to escape from the defrost water channel. This ensures that no air bubble forms between the defrost water and the channel closure means in the Abtauwasserkanal formed as a tube or hose, which could prevent the channel closure means and its attachment means comes into contact with the defrost water. This ensures that the Abtauwasserkanal is reliably released in due course.

This can be achieved by arranging in the channel closure means at least one small inner diameter passage opening which connects the regions of the defrost water channel lying upstream and downstream of the channel closure means. The inner diameter of the passage opening is e.g. 0.01 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. Such a passage opening can be particularly easily introduced into a channel closure means made of plastic, in particular into a plastic disc or a plastic stopper. The invention thus allows the representation of a well-defined vent cross section in the channel closure means, which is difficult with a completely water-soluble channel closure means.

Preferably, the channel closure means is permeable to air only in the flow direction of the defrost water. This includes or forms z. B. a one-way valve, in particular a poppet valve or a ball valve. This may e.g. be arranged in a plastic disc forming the channel closure means.

Alternatively, an air-permeable channel closure means may also include a membrane which is permeable to air, at least in the direction of flow of the defrosting water. The channel closure means may comprise a passage opening closed by such a membrane. The membrane can be water-soluble. The membrane is z. B. designed so that it allows more air with increasing pressure difference, it is preferably ensured that in the resulting from the opening of the door pressure difference only little air is sucked into the interior of the refrigerator. However, the membrane is preferably designed so that the pressure of the dammed defrosting water is sufficient to allow the air in Abtauwasserkanal air to flow through the membrane to the outside. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the membrane in the flow direction of the defrost water is more permeable to air than in the other direction, more preferably it is a unidirectional air-permeable membrane.

Should the dissolving material of the channel sealant attachment leave debris in the defrost water which may cause biological growth in the evaporation tray in which the defrost water is collected, a biological growth inhibiting substance may be placed as a countermeasure in the area of the defrost water evaporation z. Salt or other suitable chemicals such as cationic surfactants or the like. The substance that prevents biological growth may also be a biocide, especially a bactericide or fungicide. For example, this substance can be fixed in a packet or as a tablet in the condensate bucket, so that the substance is buried on contact with the defrost water.

Alternatively, the substance which prevents the biological growth in defrost water may be integrated into the water-soluble fastener of the channel sealant. As a result, the substance is activated only when the biological growth due to the dissolving fastener of the channel closure means actually has to be prevented. Furthermore, the substance may be provided separately from the channel closure means in the defrost water channel, for example in the flow direction of the defrost water before and / or behind the channel closure means or in the siphon.

Preferably, the channel closure means in Abtauwasserkanal is arranged substantially transversely to the flow direction of the defrost water. The outer geometry of the channel closure means is substantially congruent to the internal geometry of the Abtauwasserkanals, so that the channel closure means reliably seals the defrost water channel, as long as it is not solved by contact with water. The size of the required channel closure means is therefore determined essentially by the size of the Abtauwasserkanals, so that the channel closure means is small and inexpensive gestaltungsbar. There are any cross-sections for the Abtauwasserkanal into consideration, but preferred are a round, square or oval cross-section.

Preferably, the Abtauwasserkanal comprises a siphon. The siphon fills with the first defrost cycles or with defrost water and thereby prevents air from entering the interior of the refrigerator. At the same time the defrost water can drain easily. Preferably, the channel closure means is arranged in the flow direction of the defrost water behind the siphon. When defrosting the evaporator of the refrigerator, therefore, the siphon is first filled with defrost water. Only then does the channel closure come into contact with the water and dissolve.

Particularly preferred is at a water level in the siphon, in which the water just closes the Abtauwasserkanal, the channel closure means at its lowest point arranged approximately at the height or just above the water surface. This has the advantage that the channel closure means is released as early as possible, but only when the defrost water in the siphon is so high that the cross-connection between the inlet and outlet of the siphon is completely filled with water. This preferably leads to the fact that the channel closure means already dissolves after the first defrost cycle of a NoFrost refrigeration device. In this way, an optionally integrated into the channel closure agent substance to prevent the biological growth in the standing in the siphon water and prevents there biological growth. Alternatively, the substance for preventing the biological growth is additionally arranged upstream of the siphon, in particular in the flow direction of the defrosting water, so that it also acts on the water held in the siphon. The substance can be arranged, for example, in tablet form or in any other form in the defrost water channel, for example as salt, gel or liquid.

The siphon can z. B. be designed as a tube siphon, so have a U-shaped tube, the lower bend always remains filled with condensation and thus prevents the entry of ambient air into the evaporator chamber. This training is particularly easy to manufacture.

Alternatively, the siphon can also be designed as a bottle, cup, baffle or bell siphon. Preferably, in this case, the corresponding cup is arranged in the evaporation tray, so that the condensation from the cup flows directly into this. Preferably, a cover is arranged above the siphon, which indeed allows the overflow of water, but slows down the drying of the siphon or the cup.

Fig. 1

zeigt schematisch einen Längsschnitt durch einen Abtauwasserkanal eines Kältegerätes.

Fig. 2

zeigt einen Querschnitt durch den Abtauwasserkanal der Fig. 1 entlang der Linie II-II.

Fig. 3

zeigt schematisch eine auf der Rückseite eines Kältegeräts angeordnete Anordnung aus Abtauwasserkanal, Verdunstungsschale und Verdichter im Längsschnitt, mit einem Kanalverschlussmittel gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Fig. 4

zeigt schematisch eine auf der Rückseite eines Kältegeräts angeordnete Anordnung aus Abtauwasserkanal, Verdunstungsschale und Verdichter im Längsschnitt, mit einem Kanalverschlussmittel gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Fig. 5

zeigt schematisch eine auf der Rückseite eines Kältegeräts angeordnete Anordnung aus Abtauwasserkanal, Verdunstungsschale und Verdichter im Längsschnitt, mit einem Kanalverschlussmittel gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform.

Fig. 6

zeigt eine Anordnung auf der Rückwand eines Kältegeräts mit Abtauwasserkanal und Verdunstungsschale im Längsschnitt, mit einem Kanalverschlussmittel gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Fig. 7

zeigt schematisch einen Längsschnitt durch einen Abtauwasserkanal eines Kältegerätes mit einem Kanalverschlussmittel gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

In the following the invention will be described by figures. The figures are merely exemplary and do not limit the general idea of the invention.

Fig. 1

schematically shows a longitudinal section through a Abtauwasserkanal a refrigerator.

Fig. 2

shows a cross section through the Abtauwasserkanal the Fig. 1 along the line II-II.

Fig. 3

schematically shows a arranged on the back of a refrigerator arrangement Abtauwasserkanal, evaporation tray and compressor in longitudinal section, with a channel closure means according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4

schematically shows a arranged on the back of a refrigerator arrangement Abtauwasserkanal, evaporation tray and compressor in longitudinal section, with a channel closure means according to another embodiment.

Fig. 5

schematically shows a arranged on the back of a refrigerator arrangement Abtauwasserkanal, evaporation tray and compressor in longitudinal section, with a channel closure means according to another embodiment.

Fig. 6

shows an arrangement on the rear wall of a refrigerator with Abtauwasserkanal and evaporation tray in longitudinal section, with a channel closure means according to another embodiment.

Fig. 7

schematically shows a longitudinal section through a Abtauwasserkanal a refrigerator with a channel closure means according to another embodiment.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a longitudinal section through a Abtauwasserkanal 2 of a refrigerator, the condensation water from an evaporator chamber 6 along the flow direction F derived. The Abtauwasserkanal 2 is a hose and has a U-shaped siphon 5. In the flow direction F of the defrosting water behind the siphon 5, the channel closure means 1 is arranged so that it comes into contact with the defrost water only after filling the siphon 5. The channel closure means 1 is a plastic disc, which is fastened with a water-soluble adhesive 20 on the tube inner wall. If the channel closure means 1 comes into contact with condensed water after filling the siphon 5, the adhesive 20 dissolves and the pane 1 is released from the inner walls of the defrost water channel 2. It then either aligns parallel to the flow direction F or is flushed out with the condensation water from the Abtauwasserkanal 2, so this definitely is released. In this way, ambient air or moisture can not flow through the defrost water channel 2 at any time against the flow direction F to the evaporator 6 and freeze it.

In addition, a tablet having a biological growth preventing substance 4 is disposed in the siphon. When the siphon 5 fills up with dew water, the tablet 4 dissolves, so that the biological growth-preventing substance is rinsed together with the residues of the adhesive 20 of the channel closure means 1 in the evaporation tray, where it prevents the residues to the breeding ground for bacteria or the like.

Fig. 2 shows the Abtauwasserkanal 2 with the channel closure means 1 in cross section. The Abtauwasserkanal 2 has a substantially circular cross-section, so that the channel closure means 1 is a round plastic disc. The outer circumference of the disc 1 is slightly smaller than the inner circumference of the Abtauwasserkanals 2. The resulting gap is, however, at least partially filled with water-soluble adhesive 20. As a result, the glued-in channel closure means 1 seals the defrost water channel 2 against ambient air and moisture flowing in against the flow direction F into the defrost water channel.

The plastic disk forming the channel closure means 1 has a small passage opening 24. This opening is merely a small round hole with a small diameter, which allows the displaced by the defrost water from the Abtauwasserkanal 2 air escapes to the outside and thereby ensures that the defrost water also reaches the channel closure means 1.

In the alternative embodiment of the Fig. 3 the defrost water flows through a designed as a pipe or hose sewer 2, which has an S-shaped siphon 5. At the outlet end 12 of the Abtauwasserkanals this opens into an evaporation tray 10, which is at least partially disposed above a compressor 11 in order to use its waste heat to evaporate the dew water.

According to one embodiment, the channel closure means is designed as a cover 1, which is preferably formed from plastic. This extends over the front side of the pipe at the outlet end 12 of the Abtauwasserkanals. Due to the attachment of the lid 1 with a water-soluble agent, in particular adhesive, this is released from the outlet end 12 as soon as it comes into contact with water, and falls into the evaporation tray 10. The cover 1 can be adapted to the cross section of the outlet end 12 of the siphon 5 , or also have a different cross-sectional shape. The lid 1 may also be attached to the outlet end 12 with a water-soluble clamp.

In Fig. 4 schematically shows the insulated wall 7 of a refrigerator. In the refrigeration unit, defrosting water is collected in defrosting water guide 8 during defrosting of the evaporator and removed from the refrigeration appliance through a passage 9. The defrost water then flows through a designed as a pipe or hose sewer 2, which has a U-shaped siphon 5. At the outlet end 12 of the Abtauwasserkanals this opens into an evaporation tray 10, which is at least partially disposed above a compressor 11 in order to use its waste heat to evaporate the dew water.

The channel closure means is integrated here as a disk 1 in a separate channel section piece 3, which is inserted between the siphon 5 and a tail pipe section 14 of the Abtauwasserkanals. The channel section piece 3 can be attached in particular to the pipe of the siphon 5 and the pipe section 14 or screwed or glued to this. However, only the disc 1 with water-soluble agents or adhesive in the channel section piece 3 is attached.

In the further embodiment of the Fig. 5 the defrost water flows through a designed as a pipe or hose sewer 2, which has a U-shaped siphon 5. At the outlet end 12 of the Abtauwasserkanals this opens into an evaporation tray 10, which is at least partially disposed above a compressor 11 in order to use its waste heat to evaporate the dew water.

According to this embodiment, the channel closure means is formed as a thick disc 1, which is arranged on the end face of the tube at the outlet end 12 of the Abtauwasserkanals and at the edges of the outlet end 12 with water-soluble agents, preferably adhesive, is attached.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement in which the Abtauwasserkanal 2 is provided with a cup siphon 15. Again, a defrost water 8 is passed through a passage 9 in the device insulation 7. This is followed by a Abtauwasserkanal 2, which opens at its outlet end 16 down into a cup-like container 17. The cup 17 is disposed in an evaporation tray 10 and covered at the top with a cap 18 which protects the siphon 15 from drying out.

According to Fig. 6 the channel closure means is formed as a plug 1, which is used here in a separate channel section piece 3, in which the plug 1 has been attached with water-soluble fastening means, preferably adhesive. The channel section piece 3 is connected between the defrosting water guide 8 and the defrosting water channel 2. If the plug 1 is released from its position by dissolving the fastener in contact with water, it falls to the bottom of the cup-shaped container 17 and is not required, but can remain there.

Based on Fig. 7 is a favorable position of the channel closure means 1 - shown here by way of example in the form of a disc - in a siphon 5 Abtauwasserkanals 2. Schematically is in Fig. 7 in turn, the evaporator 6 shown, to which the Abtauwasserkanal 2 is connected. This has a U-shaped siphon 5 and opens into an evaporation tray 10. The dashed line L indicates the lowest water level at which the water safely prevents the exchange of air between the upstream and downstream sections of Abtauwasserkanals 2. The channel closure means 1 is arranged in the downstream portion such that its lowermost point 21 is only a few millimeters above the line L. Thereby, the channel closure means 1 is released by inflowing defrost water from the inner walls of Abtauwasserkanals 2, as soon as the siphon 5 fulfills its function. This has the advantage that the channel closure means 1 possibly dissolves after the first defrost cycle of a NoFrost device. The channel closure means can then sink to the lowest point of the siphon 5.

A similar water level L can also be found in a siphon or other type of siphon. Again, the channel closure means 1 can be arranged just above this line L.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Channel closure means 2 Abtauwasserkanal 3 Pipe part of Abtauwasserkanals 4 Substance for preventing biological growth 5 siphon 6 Evaporator 7 device isolation 8th Abtauwasserführung 9 Passage through the device insulation 10 evaporation tray 11 compressor 12 Outlet end of the defrost water channel 15 bottle trap 16 Outlet end of the defrost water channel 17 cup-shaped containers 18 cover 20 water soluble fastener 21 lowest point of the channel closure means 24 Port F Flow direction of defrost water L Water level line

Claims (10)

1. Refrigeration device, in particular a No-Frost household refrigeration device comprising a defrosting water channel (2) for removing defrosting water from the interior of the refrigeration device to the outside, characterised in that the defrosting water channel (2) is closed by a non-water-soluble or only partially water-soluble channel closure means (1), which is secured by a water-soluble securing means (20) on or in the defrosting water channel (2).
2. Refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) is secured by means of a water-soluble organic or inorganic adhesive (20) on or in the defrosting water channel (2).
3. Refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) is secured in or on the defrosting water channel (2) by means of water-soluble mechanical securing means.
4. Refrigeration device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) is made at least partially of plastic.
5. Refrigeration device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) is embodied as a disc, which is in particular introduced into a hose or tube-shaped section (3) of the defrosting water channel.
6. Refrigeration device according to claim 5, characterised in that the disc is adapted to match the internal diameter of the defrosting water channel (2).
7. Refrigeration device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) is embodied as a cover closing the defrosting water channel (2) at an outlet end (12).
8. Refrigeration device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) is air-permeable at least in the flow direction (F) of the defrosting water.
9. Refrigeration device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) comprises a through opening (24) with a small internal diameter.
10. Refrigeration device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel closure means (1) comprises a one-way valve.

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