EP2678624B1 - Electric domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical household appliance, in particular a household refrigerator.

A household appliance is understood to mean an appliance that is used for housekeeping, such as a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a dishwasher, a cooking appliance, an extractor hood or a refrigeration appliance. A refrigeration device is understood in particular to be a household refrigeration device, i.e. a refrigeration device that is used for housekeeping in households or possibly also in the catering sector, and in particular serves to store food and / or beverages in normal household quantities at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator Freezer, a fridge-freezer, a chest freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

So reveals the EP 2 236 961 A2 a refrigeration device with an access opening to a machine room, which can be closed by means of a cover part by means of a latching connection. Further relevant state of the art is in U.S. 4,920,696 A and CA 1 202 663 A to find.

Household refrigeration appliances conventionally have a cuboid housing with a body and a door hinged on a front side of the body, which provides access to a storage chamber for refrigerated goods inside the body, and with a machine room arranged on the rear side of the body that accommodates machine components that can only be accessed must be accessed for repair or maintenance purposes, but not as part of everyday use of the device. The machine room is generally essentially cuboid and extends over the entire width of the refrigerator body. It is separated from a heat-insulating foam layer surrounding the storage chamber by a partition panel which forms a front and a top of the machine room. In order to fix this intermediate wall panel, it is known to use inner wall panels molded from plastic, which each fill the end faces of the machine room and which have grooves receiving the edges of the intermediate wall panel on two edges facing the storage chamber. Exterior wall panels that cover the lateral exterior surfaces of the Form body are angled twice at their lower and rear edges to form U-shapes that accommodate the two edges of the side parts facing away from the storage chamber.

In order to be able to form the U-shapes, the edge length of a blank for an outer wall panel must be significantly greater than the edge length of the finished side wall formed from it. The structure is therefore somewhat material-consuming and accordingly expensive. In addition, the installation of the components in the engine room is time-consuming.

One object of the invention is to specify a household appliance with an appliance housing and a machine space that is kept free in the appliance housing and that can be installed quickly and efficiently.

Another object is to specify a household appliance whose housing can be manufactured with little expenditure of expensive material.

The objects are achieved by the features of independent claim 1 in that, in a household appliance, in particular a household refrigerator, with an appliance housing which has an outer skin formed from flat material, a machine room that is kept free in the appliance housing and accommodates machine components, and at least one element assigned to the machine room, which Element is latched onto at least one edge strip of the outer skin.

In order to be able to ensure a firm clamping of the element on the edge strip without having to make high demands on the dimensional accuracy, it is provided that a groove of the element receiving the edge strip is delimited by side wall sections interrupted by gaps, and the side wall sections on one side of the Groove in each case gaps on the other side of the groove are opposite. Thus, the plugged-on element can force the edge strip into a shape that is elastically bent alternately in different directions in order to ensure a frictional connection between the edge strip and the side wall sections on both sides of the groove.

The element is designed in particular as a component carrier for at least one of the machine components and / or as a wall panel lining one side of the machine room. The element protrudes in particular into the machine room or delimits the machine room.

The element is preferably designed as a wall panel and as a component carrier at the same time.

A form-fitting fixation of the element and the edge strip to one another can expediently be realized in that the element has latching lugs which engage in locking openings in the edge strip.

In addition, the element can have at least one screw dome aligned with an opening in the edge strip in order to enable the element to be screwed to the outer skin in addition to the latching.

The outer skin preferably comprises a wall panel extending over one side of the machine room and a web angled from this wall panel which forms the edge strip to be latched to the element.

The web is preferably offset inwardly of the housing from an adjacent outer surface of the device housing, so that side wall sections of the element which rest on the outside of the web do not necessarily protrude over the outer surface and can thus be protected from damage.

The element is preferably clamped between the edge strip and a wall of the machine room opposite the edge strip. In the case of a refrigeration device, such an opposite wall is generally an intermediate wall plate which separates the machine room from a layer of insulation material surrounding a storage chamber. Such an element can be installed quickly and easily after the partition plate when installing the refrigeration device. It supports the partition plate against the pressure acting on it when the insulation layer is created by foaming. In the finished refrigeration device, the pressure in turn contributes to the tight fit of the element.

The wall plate and the element can expediently form a cavity in order to dampen the transmission of operating noises from the components installed in the machine room to the outside.

At least one of the components to be accommodated in the machine room is preferably mounted on the element. This component can in particular be selected from a power distributor, a capacitor, a power control circuit for a compressor and a solenoid valve.

Furthermore, two elements arranged on opposite sides of the machine room can jointly carry an evaporation tray and / or a compressor.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen horizontalen Teilschnitt durch den Korpus eines erfindungsgemäßen Kältegerätes;

Fig. 2

eine Wandplatte, die vorgesehen ist, um eine Stirnseite des Maschinenraums des Kältegerätes aus Fig. 1 auszukleiden, in einer perspektivischen Ansicht, gesehen von ihrer dem Maschinenraum zugewandten Innenseite her;

Fig. 3

in einer perspektivischen auseinandergezogenen Ansicht die Wandplatte der Fig. 2, gesehen von ihrer Außenseite, sowie ein Stück einer aus Blech geformten Außenhaut des Kältegerätekorpus;

Fig. 4

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine Nut der Wandplatte und einen darin eingerasteten Randsteg der Außenhaut;

Fig. 5

eine zur Montage an der Wandplatte vorgesehene Verteilerdose in Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

die Wandplatte, gesehen aus derselben Perspektive wie in Fig. 2, mit der an ihr montierten Verteilerdose;

Fig. 7

die Wandplatte aus Fig. 2 mit einer daran montierten Drehzahlsteuerschaltung;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines der Wandplatte der Fig. 2 gegenüberliegenden Teils des Maschinenraums gemäß einer ersten Ausgestaltung; und

Fig. 9

eine zu Fig. 8 analoge Ansicht gemäß einer zweiten Ausgestaltung.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear on the basis of the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Features of the exemplary embodiments which are not mentioned in the claims also emerge from this description and the figures. Such features can also occur in combinations other than those specifically disclosed here. The fact that several such features are mentioned in the same sentence or in another type of textual context does not therefore justify the conclusion that they can only occur in the specifically disclosed combination; instead, it is to be assumed in principle that some of these features can also be omitted or modified, provided that this does not jeopardize the functionality of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic horizontal partial section through the body of a refrigeration device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a wall plate which is provided around an end face of the machine room of the refrigeration device Fig. 1 lining, in a perspective view, seen from its inside facing the engine room;

Fig. 3

in a perspective exploded view, the wall panel of Fig. 2 , seen from its outside, as well as a piece of an outer skin formed from sheet metal of the refrigeration device body;

Fig. 4

a schematic longitudinal section through a groove in the wall panel and an edge web of the outer skin latched therein;

Fig. 5

a junction box intended for mounting on the wall plate in plan view;

Fig. 6

the wall plate, seen from the same perspective as in Fig. 2 , with the junction box mounted on it;

Fig. 7

the wall plate Fig. 2 having a speed control circuit mounted thereon;

Fig. 8

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the wall panels of FIG Fig. 2 opposite part of the machine room according to a first embodiment; and

Fig. 9

one to Fig. 8 analogous view according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a horizontal section through the body of a household refrigerator according to the invention. The essentially cuboid body is divided into a storage chamber 1 surrounded by heat-insulating walls 2, 3 and a likewise essentially cuboid machine room 4 which extends along a lower rear edge of the body over its entire length. A front part of the body with the door hinged on it is shown in FIG Fig. 1 omitted.

The heat-insulating walls 2, 3 each comprise a foam layer 5, an inner container 6 made of plastic, which separates the foam layer 5 from the storage chamber 1, as well as outer skin elements 7 or a partition plate 8, the foam layer 5 to the outside, ie to the environment of the device or to the engine room 4, disguise. The outer skin elements 7 of the side walls 2 are formed from sheet metal and each comprise a flat wall panel 9 covering the entire flank of the body and a web 10 that extends vertically on the back of the body and is angled at right angles from the wall panel 9 angled lower edge of the wall plate 9, but this is in the Fig. 1 not recognizable. Both webs 10 are provided with latching openings not visible in the figure.

Two inner wall panels 11, 14, injection-molded from plastic, each lining one of the narrow sides of the machine room 4, are each fixed by latching to the latching openings of the two webs 10 adjacent to them. The partition plate 8, which delimits the machine room 4 to the front of the device and upwards, rests against the two edges of the two inner wall plates 11, 14 that are not latched onto webs 10. The partition plate 8 can consist of cardboard. The inner wall panels 11, 14 carry on their sides facing away from the machine room 4, adjacent to the intermediate wall panel 8, a post 12 which keeps a gap 13 free between the inner wall panels 11, 14 and the respectively adjacent outer wall panel 9. The intermediate space can be empty or provided with an insulating material to shield operating noises from the components installed in the machine room 4.

An evaporation tray 15 extends between the wall panels 11, 14 near the floor of the machine room 4. A compressor 16 is mounted on it. As shown, a condenser 17, together with a fan 18 cooling it and the compressor 16, can also be mounted in the machine room 4 or above on a rear wall of the body.

Fig. 2 shows the plastic injection-molded wall panel 11 in a perspective view. A flat central area 19 is surrounded on all four sides by stiffening ribs or walls. A rib 20, which forms a lower edge area of the wall plate 11, serves as a support for the evaporation tray 15 and the components carried by it and therefore has a framework structure to reinforce it. The upper side of the rib 20 is contoured, in the case shown here with two depressions 21, in order to clearly specify the installation position of the evaporation tray 15. One in the perspective of the Fig. 2 the viewer facing, in the assembled state adjacent to the rear of the machine room 4 vertical rib 22 has on its side facing the central area 19 on a semicircular recess 23, whose function in connection with the Fig. 5, 6 will be discussed in more detail. On a side of the rib 22 facing the viewer, wall sections 24 and latching hooks 25 can be seen, which serve to anchor the wall plate 11 on the vertical web 10 of the outer skin element 7.

To clarify this fact shows Fig. 3 In an exploded view, part of the outer skin element 7 and the inner wall plate 11. It can be seen here that the wall section 24, which extends vertically halfway up the rib 22, together with two horizontal wall sections 26 defines a groove 35 which is designed around the vertical web 10 to include. Further horizontal wall sections 27 are each arranged at the level of gaps between the vertical wall section 24 and the locking hooks 25 and project further towards the edge of the wall panel 11 than the wall sections 26.

Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the groove 35 delimited by the wall sections 24, 26, 27, 28 and latching hooks 25 and the web 10 inserted therein a slightly meandering shape can be forced, which despite possible manufacturing tolerances in the width of the groove 35 or the wall thickness of the web 10 ensures a secure frictional connection.

As in Fig. 3 To see further, the vertical web 10 is provided with a plurality of openings 29, 30. The larger openings 29 are provided in order to each receive a latching lug of a latching hook 25 and thus to ensure a positive fit between the outer skin element 7 and the wall panel 11. In the assembled state, the smaller openings 30 are each opposite screw domes 31 in the wall sections 28 and thus enable the outer skin element 7 and wall plate 11 to be additionally secured to one another by screwing.

The vertical web 10 is connected in one piece to the wall plate 9 of the outer skin element 7 via a semicircular protruding hollow rib 36. The protrusion of the rib 36 over the web 10 corresponds at least to the thickness of the wall sections 24 and locking hooks 25, so that they are protected by the rib 36 against damage, e.g. during transport and installation of the refrigeration device.

The horizontal web adjoining the lower edge of the wall plate is provided with latching openings like the vertical web, and in the interior of the rib 20 wall sections 24, 27 and latching hooks 25 are arranged analogously to the rib 22 in order to form a groove in which the horizontal bar can be locked. While in the latching hook 25 of the groove 35 the latching lugs are not visible due to the perspective, the latching lugs are on the latching hooks 25 of the rib 20

Can be clearly seen in Fig. 3 also the post 12, which protrudes from an edge of the wall plate 11 opposite the rib 22.

Opposite the already mentioned recess 23 of the rib 22 protrudes from a wall section 32 extending along the wall plate 8 and opposite the rib 22, a flat web 33, at the tip of which a semicircular recess 34 is also formed.

The recesses 23, 34 and the central region 19 lying between them form an assembly area for an in Fig. 5 The junction box 38 shown has on its lower narrow side an inlet 39 for a power cable (not shown) and supplies electrical consumers of the refrigeration device such as the compressor 16 via cables (not shown) exiting at outlets 40 on its upper narrow side Interior lighting etc .. The junction box 38 is mounted by inserting one of two flat tabs 41 projecting from the lateral flanks of the junction box 38, which are conventionally provided for screwing the junction box 41 to a base, into the recess 34; Then the junction box 38 is pivoted towards the central area 19 and brought to bear against it, so that the second tab 41 engages in the recess 23. In this position, a screw opening of this tab 41 falls with a screw dome 42 of the wall plate 11 (see Fig. 3 ) together so that the junction box 38 can be quickly and efficiently fixed with a single screw.

Again based on Fig. 2 a niche 43 is formed on the wall section 32. This niche 43 can accommodate a capacitor connected in parallel with the compressor 16 in order to slow down the voltage rise at the terminals of the compressor 16 and to achieve a gentle and quiet start-up of the compressor 16 when a control circuit (not shown) applies voltage to the compressor 16. The junction box 38 and the condenser can be mounted on the wall plate 11 at the same time.

Fig. 7 shows the wall plate 11 with a speed control circuit 44 mounted thereon. The speed control circuit 44 is known, so that its structure need not be explained in detail here. Their function is to adapt the speed (and thus the cooling capacity or the electrical power consumed) of the compressor 16 to the actual demand of the storage chamber 1 as a function of a temperature measured in the storage chamber 1, so that the compressor 16 fluctuates slightly at most Power can run continuously and switching the compressor 16 on and off to regulate the temperature in the storage chamber 1 is not required. The speed control circuit 44 contains powerful transistors, must be able to dissipate their waste heat and therefore has dimensions that are not negligible. Since it controls the power supply to the compressor 16, it can be electrically connected on the one hand to a power cable and on the other hand to the compressor 16 and thus take over the function of the junction box 38, and on the other hand it does at least largely avoid switching the compressor 16 on and off becomes superfluous, the above-mentioned condenser. It can therefore, by being attached on the one hand to a screw dome 45 of the rib 22 and on the other hand engaging in the niche 43 otherwise occupied by the capacitor and in sockets 46 formed between the niche 43 and the web 33 on the wall section 32, otherwise for the junction box 38 and the capacitor occupy the required assembly space. As in the case of the junction box 38, the combination of plug connection and screw connection also allows quick and easy assembly in the case of the speed control circuit 44. The wall plate 11 thus makes it possible, depending on the model of the refrigeration device, to accommodate different arrangements of refrigeration machine components in the machine room 4 in a space-saving manner.

A similar effect can be achieved with the aid of the opposite inner wall panel 14, as in FIG Figures 8 and 9 shown. Fig. 8 shows the wall plate 14 with two solenoid valves 47, 48 mounted thereon, which are required, for example, to control the distribution of the refrigerant circulated by the compressor 16 to two different storage chambers of the refrigeration device. If the refrigeration device has only one storage chamber, or if it has two or more storage chambers, but their evaporators are connected in series in the refrigerant circuit and therefore cannot be supplied with refrigerant independently of one another, at least one of the solenoid valves 47, 48 is not required. The space freed up by omitting the lower solenoid valve 48 can as in Fig. 9 shown, can be used to accommodate an assembly 49 which is snapped onto the edges of the evaporation tray 15 and which contains one or two water-carrying valves. These water-conducting valves can be connected on the inlet side via a connection piece 50 to a domestic water pipe; On the output side, they are connected to a water tank built into the refrigeration device or to an automatic ice maker in order to control the water supply to this.

Claims (13)

1. Household appliance, in particular household refrigeration appliance, with an appliance housing that has an outer shell (7) shaped from flat material, a machine compartment (4) which is kept free in the appliance housing and accommodates machine components (15, 16, 17, 18, 38, 44) and at least one element (11; 14) assigned to the machine compartment (4), wherein the element (11; 14) is latched to at least one edge strip (10) of the outer shell (7), characterised in that a groove (35) of the element (11; 14), which accommodates the edge strip (10), is delimited on one side by first side wall sections (24) interrupted by holes, wherein the groove (35) is defined by the first side wall sections (24) and second side wall sections (26), and that the holes on the one side of the groove (35) in each case lie opposite further side wall sections (27) on the other side of the groove (35), which protrude further towards an edge of the element (11; 14) than the second side wall sections (26).
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the element (11; 14) is embodied as a component carrier for at least one of the machine components (15, 16, 17, 18, 38, 44).
3. Household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the element (11; 14) is embodied as a wall plate which lines one side of the machine compartment (4).
4. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the element (11; 14) is simultaneously embodied as a wall plate and as a component carrier.
5. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the element (11) has catches (37) which engage into latch openings (29) of the edge strip (10).
6. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the element (11) has at least one screw boss (31) flush with an opening (30) of the edge strip.
7. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer shell (7) comprises a wall plate (9) which extends over one side of the machine compartment (4) and a web (10) which forms the edge strip and is angled away from the wall plate (9).
8. Household appliance according to claim 7, characterised in that the web (10) is offset into the housing in relation to an adjacent outer area of the appliance housing.
9. Household appliance according to claim 8, characterised in that the wall plate (9) and the web (10) are connected via a hollow rib (36) which protrudes towards the outer area.
10. Household appliance according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the element (11; 14) is clamped between the edge strip (10) and an intermediate wall (8) of the machine compartment (4) lying opposite the edge strip (10).
11. Household appliance according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the wall plate (9) and the element (11) form a cavity (13).
12. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one component, which is selected from a current distributor (38), a capacitor, a power control circuit (44) for a compressor (16) and a solenoid valve (47, 48), is installed on the element (11; 14).
13. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two elements (11, 14) arranged on opposite sides of the machine compartment (4) together carry an evaporation tray (15) and/or a compressor (16).

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