EP2612087B1 - Refrigerator, in particular domestic refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1.

Under a refrigeration device is in particular a household refrigeration appliance understood, ie a refrigerator that is used for household management in households or possibly in the catering sector, and in particular serves to store food and / or drinks in household quantities at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, a Freezer, a fridge-freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

The condensation water formed in the cold room of a refrigerator is usually conducted by means of a condensed water line from the refrigerator to the outer rear of the device and collected there in an evaporation tray. In the evaporation tray, the collected condensation water can evaporate into the environment using the waste heat from the compressor and / or the condenser of the refrigerant circuit. As an alternative to the evaporation tray, cascade-like condensation water channels arranged one above the other can be provided on the rear side of the unit, which are fluidically interconnected.

From the DE 6 810 043 U1 is a generic refrigeration device is known which has such stacked Tauwasserrinnen in which the condensation formed in the cooling chamber of the refrigerator is collected and evaporated. Each of these condensation channels is closed on both end faces, with a channel wall extending in the groove longitudinal direction protruding outwards from a base plate.

Each of the in the DE 6 810 043 U1 each has one, in the device side direction facing frontal overflow edge, so that excess condensation can drain from an upper dewatering channel laterally into the underlying condensation channel. The lateral overflow edges are each provided alternately on the left or right front side, while at the horizontal opposite end of the respective condensation gutter is closed watertight. As a result, a meandering flow path of the condensation water with changing flow directions per discharge channel is predetermined, resulting in an overall complex geometry of the evaporation arrangement. In addition, with slight inclination of the refrigeration device, the problem arises that at the respective watertight closed sides of the defrost water channels create dead spaces in which the condensate collects without draining possibility.

The Patent Literature Publication DATABASE WPI, Week 199745, Thomson Scientific, London, UK . AN 1997-488281, - & RU 2 077 686 C1 (MUROMSK MECH ENG WKS STOCK CO) April 20, 1997 (1997-04-20 ) discloses a refrigerator with a series of superimposed condensation channels for collecting and evaporation of itself in the refrigerator of the refrigerator bildendem condensation water, of which at least one condensation gutter is closed at both end faces and extending in trough longitudinal direction, from the refrigerator outwardly projecting gutter wall, wherein the gutter wall of the condensation gutter in the upper edge has a, to a height offset set back overflow edge.

The object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration device, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, which has a geometrically simple evaporation arrangement in which the condensation can flow down even when the appliance is tilted.

The object is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

The refrigeration device according to the invention has a series of superimposed condensation water channels, in which the condensate can be collected and evaporated. At least one of these Tauwasserrinnen is closed at both end faces and has a groove in the longitudinal direction extending from the refrigerator outwardly projecting gutter wall. According to the invention, this gutter wall extending in the groove longitudinal direction has a overflow edge which is set back by a vertical offset in the upper edge course. The condensation water can thus flow down over this deeper-seated overflow edge. Depending on the expected amount of condensation water, the length of this overflow edge and the height offset can be varied. It is preferable if the Overflow edge in the gutter longitudinal direction extends substantially over the entire length of the condensation gutter. The condensation gutters can usually be arranged on the rear side of the appliance. There, the collected condensation water can evaporate into the environment using the waste heat from the compressor / condenser.

With regard to a sufficient evaporation performance, it is advantageous if, with a slight inclination of the refrigeration device, no larger dead spaces arise, in which the condensation water can collect without draining possibility. Against this background, it is advantageous if the condensation channel in vertical installation position of the refrigerator in a horizontal plane without a flow gradient for the condensation water is arranged. In combination with the substantially over the entire length of the condensation gutter extending, deeper-seated overflow edge can therefore overflow even from an adequate amount of water from the respective defrosting channels even when tilted.

In mass production it is advantageous in terms of production if the evaporation arrangement according to the invention has a geometrically simple design, which reduces both the tool outlay, the material expenditure and the component expenditure. In addition, it is advantageous for a material saving if the evaporation arrangement is designed with a sufficiently high inherent rigidity. For this purpose, the condensation gutter can be reinforced at the lateral corner regions by raised Wandendabschnitte. The Wandendabschnitte are respectively provided on the front side at the two ends of the channel wall and can pass over a gradation in the centrally provided overflow edge. Preferably, the two lateral, raised Wandendabschnitte the gutter wall can converge with the end faces at the corners. Both the end faces and the Wandendabschnitte may extend beyond the already mentioned height offset to further increase the component stiffness of the overflow edge.

In order to stabilize the evaporation arrangement, the defrosting channels can be integrally formed on a base body, in particular a plate arranged at an angle, in the same material and / or in one piece. The defrosting channels can be designed here in conjunction with the base body as a plastic part. In such an embodiment, the rear wall projecting gutter wall together with the plate-shaped body limit a condensation water collection space.

The gutter wall may be formed on the outside with an inclined flank, wherein the limited Tauwassersammelraum limited by the channel wall is wedge-shaped in profile. Excess condensation can run along the drainage flank. The running edge of the channel wall can pass over a horizontal run-off edge into the plate-shaped base body. Therefore, the overflowing condensation water first flows over the drainage flank in the direction of the vertically lower drainage edge and then further into the underlying drainage channel. So that the dripping condensation water is completely absorbed by this underlying gully is it is advantageous if the lower condensation gutter laterally surmounted the outflow edge of the upper condensation gutter by an oversize. Preferably, in the groove longitudinal direction opposite end faces of the condensation gutter can diverge in an inclined position upwards.

The evaporation arrangement embodied with the above-mentioned geometrical features makes possible a mirror-symmetrical design, which is advantageous with regard to a component stiffness as well as to a simple shaping. The axis of symmetry here corresponds to a central axis of the superimposed condensate channels, which extends in the vertical direction. In addition, the above-described component geometry makes it possible to carry out the same identity as the gutters.

Preferably, the plate-shaped body can not only carry the condensation water inside, but also be executed in a dual function as an outer wall part, which defines a cavity filled with Wärmeisolierschaum together with an inner container defining the cooling space. In accordance with stable design, the plate-shaped body can also be used as a supporting structural element of the refrigerator body. Such structural elements may extend as traverses between the lateral outer walls of the refrigerator and connect them together. In this way, the device body can be sufficiently stiffened before the foaming process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures will be described.

Fig. 1

in einer vergrößerten perspektivischen Teilansicht einen geräterückseitigen, unteren Eckbereich eines Kältegerätes;

Fig. 2

in einer Detailansicht die erfindungsgemäßen Tauwasserrinnen;

Fig. 3

in einer Teilschnittansicht die Tauwasserinnen; und

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Ansicht eine Schnittdarstellung entlang einer vertikalen Schnittebene aus der Fig. 1.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in an enlarged perspective partial view of a rear side, lower corner portion of a refrigerator;

Fig. 2

in a detailed view of the invention Tauwasserrinnen;

Fig. 3

in a partial sectional view of the dew water; and

Fig. 4

in a perspective view of a sectional view along a vertical sectional plane of the Fig. 1 ,

In the Fig. 1 is shown in a perspective partial view of the rear machine room 1 of a refrigeration appliance. The engine room 1 is limited as a return between the two lateral outer walls 3 of the refrigerator. In the engine room 1 is a in the Fig. 1 indicated compressor 5 of the refrigerant circuit arranged. The top of the engine room 1 is characterized by an only in the Fig. 4 shown top wall 7 limited upward. The horizontally extending top wall 7 is in a manner not shown here in a vertical, that is vertically arranged plate 9 over. The plate 9 is formed as a supporting structural part, which is screwed in each case with rear attachment flanges 11 of the outer walls 3 opposite in the device side direction x. To the plate 9 is followed in the device vertical direction z, for example, made of cardboard vertical wall element 13 at. In addition, a condensation water outlet 14 is formed approximately in the center of the top of the plate 9, the fluidically with a only in the Fig. 4 shown condensation pipe 15 is connected.

The refrigerant circuit of the refrigerator has in addition to the compressor 5 further components, namely condenser, expansion element and an evaporator, which thermally with the in the Fig. 4 indicated refrigerator 16 is coupled. These components, like other refrigerant circuit components, are not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity. The condenser is mounted in a conventional manner on the rear of the device in a vertical plane and slightly spaced from the vertical wall element 13 of the refrigerator. The condenser extends in a vertical plane to approximately at the height of the top wall 7 of the mounting space. 1

The designed as a supporting structural element plate 9 is made of a readily moldable plastic material. The plastic plate 9 also carries on its in the depth direction y backward side facing a series of superimposed condensation gutters 17, which are integrally formed integrally with the plate-shaped base body 9. Due to the large number of condensation gutters 17 results in a, the evaporation promoting large water surface.

The drainage channels 17 are all constructed identical. Thus, according to the enlarged partial view of the Fig. 2 Each of the channels 17 has a channel wall 19 projecting rearwardly in the depth direction y, which is formed in an oblique position over an angle α to the plate-shaped basic body 9. The channel wall 19 forms, together with the plate-shaped base body 9 in a wedge-shaped wedge-shaped collecting chamber, in which the condensation is maintained. The gutter wall 19 of each condensation gutter 17 extends in each case in the device side direction x over almost the entire width of the plate-shaped base body 9. The condensation gutters 17 are in a vertical installation position of the refrigerator horizontally, that is arranged without flow gradient for the condensate held therein.

Like from the Fig. 1 and 2 further, the defrosting channels 17 each have closed end faces 21 at their ends. Moreover, in the Fig. 2 shown that in the device side direction x extending gutter wall 19 each dew channel 17 in the upper edge curve has a, by a height offset Δh down recessed overflow edge 23. The recessed overflow edge 23 extends in the channel longitudinal direction x substantially over the entire length of each drainage channel 17. For stiffening the corner regions 24 formed between the channel wall 19 and the end faces 21, laterally raised end sections 25 are provided on both sides of the channel wall 19. In the upper edge profile of the channel wall 19, therefore, the overflow edge 23 passes laterally at a gradation in the raised end portions 25. The raised end portions 25 protrude together with the end faces 21, the overflow edge 23 by the aforementioned height offset .DELTA.h.

The inclined by the angle α channel wall 19 forms according to the Fig. 2 on the outside, a drain flank 27, can run to the overflowing condensate to the underlying condensation channel 17. The running edge 27 merges with a horizontal run-off edge 29 in the plate-shaped base body 9, which in the Fig. 2 extends with a length I in the device side direction x.

As already mentioned above, due to the channel wall 19 which is inclined at an angle α, a wedge-shaped collecting chamber which is wedge-shaped in profile and laterally closed by similarly shaped triangular end faces 21 results. According to the Fig. 2 are the so-shaped end faces 21 are not vertically raised, but extend the opposite end faces 21 of the condensation gutter 19 vertically upwards apart. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the condensation water collecting space widens upward in both the depth direction y and in the apparatus side direction x.

In the Fig. 2 only the right side of the condensate channels 19 is shown. The left side of the condensation water inside 19 is carried out in mirror image, in relation to a in the Fig. 1 indicated vertical center axis M of the plate-shaped base body 9. In addition, all the defrosting channels 19 of the base body 9 are geometrically identical. This allows the defrosting channels 19 in the, in the FIGS. 2 and 3 shown nested construction are arranged one above the other in a cascade.

The length I of the outflow edge 29 of the in the Fig. 2 shown upper drainage channel 17 is due to the above geometric conditions in device side direction x executed lower than the upwardly open cross-section of the condensate collecting space of the underlying condensation channel 17. The end faces 21 of each lower condensate channel 17 protrude therefore in the device side direction x each an oversize a on Therefore, even if in extreme situations, such as during transport, by an extreme inclination of the refrigerator, the condensation also runs over the end faces 21, it is therefore ensured that the overflowing condensation completely run in the below-arranged condensation channel 17 can.

In the Fig. 4 the rear lower corner area of the device body is shown in section. Accordingly, the plate-shaped base body 9 forms together with the vertical wall element 13 and the top wall 7 each outer wall parts, which define a, the cooling space 16 delimiting inner container 31, filled with Wärmeisolierschaum 33 cavity. The inner container 31 is made in a known manner by thermoforming of plastic. The limited cooling space 16 is according to the Fig. 4 connected via the dew point line 15 shown in dashed lines with the integrated in the plate-shaped base body 9 condensation water outlet 14, whereby the condensation water formed in the cooling chamber 16 via the condensation water outlet 14th can first drip on the topmost gutter 17 of the plate-shaped base body 9.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

engine room

3

exterior walls

5

compressor

7

top wall

9

plate-shaped body

11

mounting flange

13

vertical wall element

14

Tauwasserauslass

15

condensate line

16

refrigerator

17

condensation gutters

19

channel wall

21

front sides

23

Overflow edge

24

corner

25

Wandendabschnitt

27

flow edge

29

horizontal run-off edge

31

inner container

33

Wärmeisolierschaum

M

central axis

I ₁

Length of the drainage edge

α, β

angle

a

excess

x, y, z

spatial directions

.delta.h

height offset

Claims (11)

1. Refrigerator, in particular domestic refrigerator, having a series of condensation gutters (17) arranged one above another for collecting and evaporating condensation forming in the cooling chamber (16) of the refrigerator, of which at least one condensation gutter (17) is closed at both end faces (21) and has a gutter wall (19) extending out from the refrigerator in the longitudinal direction (x) of the gutter, wherein in its upper edge contour the gutter wall (19) of the condensation gutter (17) has an overflow lip (23) recessed by a height offset (Δh), characterised in that the end faces (21) of the condensation gutter (17) facing each other in the longitudinal direction (x) of the gutter diverge upwards in a slanted position with an angle (β), and in that where at least two condensation gutters (17) are arranged one above another, the lower condensation gutter (17) projects over a run-off edge (29) of the upper condensation gutter (17) by an excess amount (a) in the longitudinal direction (x) of the gutter.
2. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterised in that the overflow lip (23) extends substantially across the entire length of the condensation gutter (17) in the longitudinal direction (x) of the gutter.
3. Refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the overflow lip (23) is recessed by the height offset (Δh) from the upper edge of the end faces (21) of the condensation gutter (17).
4. Refrigerator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that in the upper edge contour of the gutter wall (19), the overflow lip (23) turns in increments into raised wall end sections (25) in the longitudinal direction (x) of the gutter.
5. Refrigerator according to claim 4, characterised in that the raised wall sections (25) converge with the end faces (21) of the gutter wall (19) at corner regions (24).
6. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the condensation gutters (17) are moulded onto a base body (9), in particular a metal sheet arranged upright, using a single material and/or as a single piece, wherein in particular the gutter wall (19) delimits a condensation collection area together with the metal sheet (9).
7. Refrigerator according to claim 6, characterised in that the gutter wall (19) is moulded onto the base body (9) in a slanted position at an angle (α) and/or the profile of the outside of the gutter wall (19) forms a slanted run-off slope (27) along which overflowing condensation drains away, and in that the run-off slope (27) turns into the base body (9) at a run-off edge (29).
8. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the condensation gutter (17) has a mirror-symmetrical design in relation to a central axis (M), and/or in that the condensation gutters (17) are geometrically identical in design.
9. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the condensation gutter (17) is arranged in a horizontal plane when the refrigerator is in its vertical installation position, in other words with no flow gradient for the condensation.
10. Refrigerator according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the base body (9) is a section of the external wall of the refrigerator carcass which, together with an inner container (31) that defines the cooling chamber (16), delimits a cavity filled with thermal insulation foam (33).
11. Refrigerator according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the base body (9) connects the side walls (3) of the refrigerator to each other as a bracing element.

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