EP2669610A2 - Refrigeration device with a support rail - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a support rail made of a plastic material (308) and comprising a stiffening element (326) i.e. stiffener rail, made of a stiff material (306) i.e. plastic material. The support rail and the stiffening element are connected with each other by a weld connection. The stiffening element comprises an exposed portion and a covered portion. The support rail comprises an evaporation tray portion and a functional element e.g. clamp element and cord grip. The functional element fastens and/or positions a component i.e. compressor, of the cooling apparatus.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration device with a support rail made of plastic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to such a mounting rail.

Refrigeration equipment, such as. Refrigerators / freezers, especially designed as household appliances refrigerators are known and are used to housekeeping in households or in the catering sector to store perishable food and / or drinks at certain temperatures. Such refrigerators have a machine room in which a mounting rail is arranged, on which at least one compressor is attached.

The support rail may be a metal rail which is inserted into the machine room. Before the support rail is inserted into the machine room, the support rail can be connected in a further, upstream step with the compressor, or it is necessary further assembly steps after mounting the support rail. In addition to the compressor, other components such as e.g. a compressor electronics or an operating capacitor, with e.g. Screws are attached to the DIN rail. Finally, after the insertion of the support rail with the components attached to it, these are themselves fixed in the machine room. The high mechanical stability of such a support rail made of metal is advantageous.

The DE 10 2008 043 803 A1 discloses a mounting rail made of plastic. The advantage here is that the mounting rail made of plastic can be made in one piece and the same material with fixing sections for a compressor. However, this has the consequence that the accessibility for mounting the compressor and other components is limited because - in order to generate the best possible useful volume for the refrigeration device - the engine room must be kept as small as possible. Here is a mounting of the compressor and other components on the support rail made of plastic outside the engine room as a support rail made of metal is not possible. In order to achieve mechanical stability as with a metal support rail, the support rail made of plastic must be stiffened. This is usually achieved by stiffening ribs, which, however, must be carried out correspondingly high. This in turn restricts the installation space or causes the machine room to be designed correspondingly higher in order to achieve the necessary torsional stiffness. As a result, the space is restricted or the engine room must be carried out correspondingly higher, which in turn leads to a Nutzvolumenverlust.

The EP 1 371 922 A1 discloses a cooling system on an integrally formed and fiber reinforced plate.

It is therefore the object underlying the invention to simplify the assembly of a compressor in a machine room of a refrigeration device at the same time good accessibility and maximum useful volume.

These objects are achieved by the objects having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the recognition that by forming the support rail as a hybrid component, i. As a plastic part with a metal stiffener, a simple installation without additional components can be achieved with maximized effective volume.

According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration device with a carrier rail made of plastic material, which has a stiffening element made of a stiffer material than the plastic material for stiffening. The stiffer material may be a metallic / carbon reinforced / ceramic material, for a metallic material eg an aluminum or an aluminum containing alloy. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the support rail no longer has high stiffening ribs, claim the space in the engine room or cause the engine room must be made correspondingly higher. Thus, while simplifying the assembly, the useful volume is maximized.

A refrigeration device is understood in particular to be a household appliance, that is to say a refrigeration device which is used for housekeeping in households or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular serves to store food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerator Fridge freezer, a freezer or a wine fridge.

In an advantageous embodiment, the plastic material is molded onto the stiffer material in a form-fitting manner. The mounting rail is thus manufactured according to the so-called outsert technique, in which a second material component of plastic material is sprayed onto the stiffer material as the first material component. An anchoring of the plastic material from the second material component can be done via undercuts or openings. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the stiffer material extends over almost the entire width of the support rail and so stiffens the support rail.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the stiffer material is encapsulated in a form-fitting manner with the plastic material. The support rail is thus made according to the so-called insert technique, in which the first material component is made of the stiffer material, such as e.g. a metallic material, placed in an injection mold and then completely or partially with the second material component, namely plastic material, is wrapped. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an otherwise electrically conductive support rail is formed by the plastic encasing material electrically insulating and therefore an electrical ground of e.g. the compressor is unnecessary. Furthermore, so the corrosion of the stiffer material can be minimized when the stiffer material is electrically conductive, since the electrical insulation, the occurrence of electrical leakage currents is prevented, which otherwise favor the electrical corrosion.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the support rail and the stiffening element are cohesively, in particular by a welded joint, connected to each other. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the support rail and the stiffening element in the region of mutual contact surfaces are connected to each other over a large area. Therefore, by the cohesive Connection the support rail and the stiffening particularly stably connected.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the support rail and the stiffening element are connected to each other by force and / or positive locking. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the mounting rail and the stiffening element can be connected to each other with known connection technologies, without the need for specially modified tools as in the outsert or insert technique would be necessary. Thus, a production can be done without new tools.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the plastic material completely covers the stiffer material. As a result, the corrosion protection of the stiffer material is further improved when the stiffer material is a metallic material, since now a contact with oxidizing gas constituents of the ambient air is excluded.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the stiffening element has an exposed portion and a covered portion. The exposed portions may be the ends of a stiffening member formed as a stiffening rail, which is made of a metallic material. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that reduce mechanical stresses or distortion problems due to thermal expansion or can not even build.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the mounting rail on a Verdunstungschalenabschnitt of the plastic material. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that a further assembly step for the manufacture and assembly of a separate evaporation trays can be omitted. Therefore, the assembly is simplified again.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the mounting rail has a functional element made of the plastic material for fastening and / or positioning at least one component of the refrigeration device. The functional element can be designed for direct, ie without the interposition of further components, attachment of components of the refrigeration device, such as the compressor, without further additional components. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the assembly is simplified. Furthermore, the functional element may additionally or alternatively be designed for connection to a fastening system for different compressor types. This ensures that the number of components to be kept for the assembly of different compressor types can be kept low. This reduces logistics costs for production. By functional elements for positioning, the technical advantage is achieved that the assembly is simplified, as excluded by the functional elements for positioning malpositioning with subsequent position correction.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the functional element is designed as a clamping element for fastening at least one component, in particular of the compressor, of the refrigeration device. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an assembly of the component without additional elements such as screws or clamps, is possible. On the one hand, this simplifies assembly and reduces, on the other hand, the logistics outlay for production, since no such additional elements are kept available and no tools for mounting such additional elements must be made available.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the functional element is designed for latching at least one component, in particular a compressor electronics or an operating capacitor or a line, of the refrigeration device. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an assembly of the component without additional elements such as screws or clamps, is possible. Thus, on the one hand, this also simplifies assembly and, on the other hand, reduces the logistics outlay for production, since no such additional elements are kept available and no tools for mounting such additional elements must be made available.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the functional element is a hole for forming a screw connection with at least one component, in particular a compressor electronics, of the refrigeration device. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that a screwing position is held by the hole for attachment of a component, such as a compressor electronics. The screw additionally allows easy production of a ground connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the functional element is designed as a strain relief for electrical lines, in particular a power cable, the refrigeration device. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that no assembly of an additional component in the form of a strain relief is necessary. Thus, the installation effort is reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment, insertion aids assigned to the machine room for insertion and / or fixing means for fixing the mounting rail are assigned. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that incorrect assembly is reliably prevented by the insertion, as so malpositions are excluded with subsequent position correction. On the other hand, it is achieved by means of the fixing means that, on the one hand, assembly is simplified and, on the other hand, the logistics outlay for production is reduced, since no such additional elements are kept available and no tools for mounting such additional elements must be made available.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a support rail made of a plastic material, in particular for such a refrigeration device, for stiffening a stiffening element of a stiffer material than the plastic material. With the invention, a refrigeration device is provided, which can be particularly easy to assemble with maximized useful volume.

• Fig. 1 eine Vorderansicht eines Kältegerätes,
• Fig. 2 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Tragschiene,
• Fig. 3 eine erste Ansicht einer in einen Maschinenraum eines Kältegerätes eingesetzten Tragschiene,
• Fig. 4 eine zweite Ansicht einer in einen Maschinenraum eines Kältegerätes eingesetzten Tragschiene,
• Fig. 5 eine dritte Ansicht einer in einen Maschinenraum eines Kältegerätes eingesetzten Tragschiene,
• Fig. 6 eine erste Ansicht einer mit der Tragschiene verbundenen Verdichterelektronik,
• Fig. 7 eine zweite Ansicht einer mit der Tragschiene verbundenen Verdichterelektronik,
• Fig. 8 eine Ansicht einer mit der Tragschiene verbundenen Leitung,
• Fig. 9 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Tragschiene,
• Fig. 10 eine Ansicht einer mit der Tragschiene verbundenen Kondensatorabdeckung,
• Fig. 11 eine vierte Ansicht einer in einen Maschinenraum eines Kältegerätes eingesetzten Tragschiene,
• Fig. 12 eine erste Ansicht eines den Maschinenraum eines Kältegerätes begrenzenden Bauteils,
• Fig. 13 eine zweite Ansicht eines den Maschinenraum eines Kältegerätes begrenzenden Bauteils,
• Fig. 14 ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Tragschiene,
• Fig. 15 eine erstes Beispiel eines mit einem Befestigungssystem mit der Tragschiene verbundenen Verdichters, und
• Fig. 16 eine zweites Beispiel eines mit einem Befestigungssystem mit der Tragschiene verbundenen Verdichters, und

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a front view of a refrigerator,
• Fig. 2 A first embodiment of a support rail according to the invention,
• Fig. 3 a first view of a mounting rail used in a machine room of a refrigerator,
• Fig. 4 a second view of a mounting rail used in a machine room of a refrigerator,
• Fig. 5 a third view of a mounting rail used in a machine room of a refrigerator,
• Fig. 6 a first view of a connected to the mounting rail compressor electronics,
• Fig. 7 a second view of a connected to the mounting rail compressor electronics,
• Fig. 8 a view of a line connected to the DIN rail,
• Fig. 9 A second embodiment of a support rail according to the invention,
• Fig. 10 a view of a connected to the mounting rail capacitor cover,
• Fig. 11 a fourth view of a mounting rail used in a machine room of a refrigerator,
• Fig. 12 a first view of a machine room of a refrigerator limiting component,
• Fig. 13 a second view of a machine room of a refrigerator limiting component,
• Fig. 14 A fourth embodiment of a support rail according to the invention,
• Fig. 15 a first example of a connected to a mounting system with the mounting rail compressor, and
• Fig. 16 a second example of a connected to a mounting system with the mounting rail compressor, and

Fig. 1 shows a refrigerator or freezer as an exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration device 100 with an upper refrigerator / freezer door 102 and a lower refrigerator / freezer door 104 at its refrigerator front 108. The refrigerator / freezer serves eg. For cooling food.

In the area of the refrigeration device rear side 110 of the refrigeration device 100, a machine room 200 is located in the lower area.

In the engine room 200, components of a refrigerant circuit are accommodated. The refrigerant circuit itself includes an evaporator (not shown), a compressor 202 (see FIG FIGS. 15 and 16 ), a condenser (not shown) and a throttle body (not shown), of which the compressor 202 and the compressor electronics 208 associated with the compressor 202 (see FIG FIGS. 6 and 7 ) are arranged in the machine room 200.

The compressor 202 is connected to a mounting rail 300, which extends in the refrigeration device width direction Y between the side walls 106 of the refrigeration device 100.

The evaporator is designed as a heat exchanger in which, after expansion, the liquid refrigerant is absorbed by heat from the medium to be cooled, i. Air inside the refrigerator, is evaporated.

The compressor 202 is a mechanically driven component that draws refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and expels at a higher pressure to the condenser.

The condenser is designed as a heat exchanger in which, after compression, the evaporated refrigerant is released by heat to an external cooling medium, i. the ambient air is liquefied.

The throttle body is a device for the continuous reduction of the pressure by reduction in cross section.

The refrigerant is a fluid used for heat transfer in the cryogenic system which absorbs heat at low temperatures and low pressure of the fluid and releases heat at higher temperature and higher pressure of the fluid, usually including changes in state of the fluid.

Fig. 2 shows the inserted into the machine room 200 mounting rail 300. In the present embodiment, the support rail 300 has two stiffening elements 326, which are formed in the present embodiment as stiffening rails. The stiffening elements 326 are made in the present embodiment of a metallic material 306, such as aluminum or an alloy containing aluminum as the first material component 302, such as by forming. However, it is also possible to use a carbon-reinforced or ceramic material. Furthermore, the support rail 300 has a carrier 324, which was made of a plastic material 308 as a second material component 304, for example by injection molding.

The stiffening rail extend with their main extension axes in the direction of the main extension axis of the support rail 300, which in the present embodiment in the direction of the refrigeration device width direction Y (see FIG. 1 ) when the support rail 300 is inserted into the machine room 200.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the carrier 324 and the two stiffening elements 326 are connected to one another in a material-bonded manner by a welded connection. Thus, the carrier 324 and the two stiffening elements 326 in the region of mutual contact surfaces are connected to each other over a large area. Instead of the cohesive connection according to the present embodiment, the carrier 324 and the two stiffening elements 326 may be manufactured according to the so-called outsert technique or according to the so-called insert technique. Further, the carrier 324 and the two stiffening elements 326 may be connected to each other by force and / or positive engagement.

Due to their position, the two stiffening elements 326 have a portion 310 covered by the carrier 326 and an exposed portion 312. In particular, at the respective ends 328 of the stiffening elements 326 exposed portions 312 are provided. Thus, mechanical stresses or Dismantling problems due to different thermal expansion of the support 324 and the stiffening elements 326 or do not even build.

The 3 and 4 show that the carrier 326 as a functional element has a clamping element 316, with the example of the compressor 202 can be attached to the support 326 and the support rail 300. For this purpose, in the present exemplary embodiment, the clamping element 316 has two clamping lugs which extend in the refrigerator depth direction X and in the refrigerator unit Z direction. In this case, when the carrier 326 or the mounting rail 300 is inserted in the machine room 200, the clamping element 316 is arranged on the side facing the refrigerator rear side 110.

The Fig. 5 shows that the carrier 326 and the support rail 300 also has a positioning aid 330 as a further functional element, which ensures the alignment of the carrier 326 or the support rail 300 with, for example, the compressor 202 and thus error-free installation. In this case, when the carrier 326 or the mounting rail 300 is inserted in the machine room 200, the positioning aid 330 is arranged on the side facing the refrigerator front side 108.

The 6 and 7 show that the support 326 and the support rail 300 also have as a further functional elements a latch 322, with the example, the compressor electronics 208 can be attached to the support 326 and the support rail 300. Furthermore, the support 326 or the mounting rail 300 has, as a further functional element, a hole 318 into which a screw 324 can be inserted in order to define an alternative fastening position for the compressor electronics 208. It is advantageous that because of the plastic support rail made of an electrically insulating material no grounding of the electrical components is required.

The Fig. 8 shows that the carrier 326 and the support rail 300 as a further functional element has a line latching 326 for latching a line 212, which connects, for example, components of the refrigerant circuit with each other.

The Fig. 9 shows that the carrier 326 and the support rail 300 as a further functional element has a strain relief 320. The strain relief 320 is the strain relief of electrical cables (not shown) such as a power cord and ensures that the electrical connection from the conductor ends (not shown) of the electrical line in tensile load of terminals (not shown) does not dissolve.

The Fig. 10 shows that the support rail 300 has a capacitor latch 334 as a further functional element. With the capacitor latch 334, an operating capacitor 210 for operating the compressor 202 can be attached to the carrier 326 or the mounting rail 300.

The Fig. 11 In the present exemplary embodiment, the machine room 200 has two insertion aids 204 arranged on opposite sides, which ensure alignment and thus fault-free installation when the mounting rail 300 is inserted into the machine room 200 ,

The FIGS. 12 and 13 show that a component 400, which defines the machine room 200 of the refrigeration device 100 and defines the compressor table, has fixing devices 206, which ensure that after the insertion of the mounting rail 300 into the machine room 200, this remains in its position. For this purpose, the fixing means 206 cooperate with Gegenfixiereinrichtungen 330 of the support rail 300 together as the Fig. 14 shows. In this case, the fixing devices 206 and the counterfixing devices 336 are designed to form a latching connection.

The FIGS. 15 and 16 however, show that on the mounting rail 300 different types of compressors 202 can be fixed with different mounting systems. The Fig. 15 shows a fastening system 500a, in which the compressor 202 is secured by using rubber bearings 502 on the support rail 300 and in the engine room, while the Fig. 16 shows a fastening system 500b, in which dome 332 of the support rail 300 in the compressor 202 associated blind holes 504 engage.

For mounting, the mounting rail 300 is first provided with all components, ie for example with the compressor 202, the positioning aids 330 facilitate the insertion movement and the compressor 202 is fixed by means of the clamping element 316 in its final position. Alternatively, one of the in the Fig. 15 or 16 Fastening systems 500a or 500b are used.

Further, the compressor electronics 208 may be secured to the mounting rail 300 by means of the latch 322, or by inserting the screw 324 into the hole 318, a ground terminal. The conduit 212, which connects components of the refrigerant circuit, may be secured to the line latch 326 by latching. An electrical line, such as a power cord can be connected to the strain relief 320 so that can not be solved by pulling forces on the electrical line, the refrigeration device side terminals of the electrical line. Furthermore, by latching to the capacitor latch 334, an operating capacitor 210 may be attached.

The preassembled mounting rail 300 is then introduced into the machine room 200 by a joining movement in, for example, refrigerator depth direction X, wherein the insertion aids 204 ensure that the mounting rail 300 reaches its end position as a result of the joining movement, in which by cooperation of the fixing device 206 and the counterfixing device 336 a Locking connection is formed, which fixes the support rail 300 in its end position in the machine room 200.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

The refrigerator

102

upper refrigerator door

104

lower refrigerator door

106

Side wall

108

Cold front panel

110

The refrigerator back

200

engine room

202

compressor

204

insertion

206

fixing device

208

compressor electronics

210

operating capacitor

212

management

300

rail

302

first material component

304

second material component

306

metallic material

308

Plastic material

310

covered section

312

exposed section

314

fixative

316

clamping element

318

hole

320

Strain relief

322

latching

324

carrier

326

stiffener

328

The End

330

positioning

332

latching

324

screw

326

Leitungsverrastung

332

cathedral

334

Kondensatorverrastung

336

Gegenfixiereinrichtung

400

component

500a

fastening system

500b

fastening system

502

Rubber bearing

506

blind

X

Freezers depth direction

Y

Freezers width direction

Z

Freezers vertical direction

Claims (15)

Refrigerating appliance (100), in particular refrigerator / freezer, with a support rail (300) made of plastic material (308), characterized in that the support rail (300) for stiffening a stiffening element (326) made of a stiffer material (306) than the plastic material (308). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic material (308) is molded onto the stiffer material (306) in a form-fitting manner. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffer material (306) with the plastic material (308) is molded over a positive fit. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support rail (300) material component (300) and the stiffening element (326) are integrally connected to one another, in particular by a welded connection. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support rail (300) material component (300) and the stiffening element (326) are connected to each other by force and / or positive connection. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plastic material (308) completely covers the stiffer material (306). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the stiffening element (326) has an exposed portion (312) and a covered portion (310). Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrying rail (300) has an evaporation tray section made of the plastic material (308). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the carrier rail (300) has a functional element made of the plastic material (308) for fastening and / or positioning at least one component of the refrigeration appliance (100). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the functional element is designed as a clamping element (316) for fastening at least one component, in particular the compressor (202), of the refrigeration appliance (100). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the functional element (316, 318, 320) for latching or screwing at least one component, in particular a compressor electronics (208) or an operating capacitor (210) or a line (212 ), the refrigeration device (100) is formed. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the functional element is a hole (318) for forming a screw connection with at least one component of the refrigerating appliance (100). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the functional element is designed as a strain relief (320) for electrical lines, in particular a mains cable, of the refrigeration device (100). Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the machine room (202) is associated with an insertion aid (204) for inserting the support rail (300) and / or a fixing device (206) of the support rail (300). Support rail (100) made of a plastic material (308), in particular for a refrigerator (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the support rail (303) for stiffening a stiffening element (326) made of a stiffer material (306) as the plastic material (308).

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