EP2691716B1 - Domestic refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance, comprising a heat-insulated inner container with a refrigerated interior for refrigerated goods, a heat-insulated door leaf provided for closing the interior with an outer side and an inner side facing the inner space and a Karbonisierungseinrichtung for drinks.

The KR 100840436 B1 relates to a refrigerator with a pressure vessel for gas for carbonation to improve the taste of beverages. The refrigerator provided with a carbonization gas pressure container comprises a container part for containing a beverage therein, and the container part can be opened and closed with a lid part. A container receiving portion has a receiving portion for receiving the container portion, a cooling unit arranged to cool the container portion at the side of the container receiving portion, and a carbonization gas container arranged to inject carbonizing gas into the container portion at the other side of the container receiving portion. The lid member is mounted on one side of an upper portion of the container member and has an opener plate which is displaceable in the vertical direction, thereby urging the central portion of the lid member to close an outlet of the container member.

The DE 200 11 682 U1 discloses an apparatus for producing carbonated table water wherein carbon dioxide is supplied to the water by means of a mixer, and the apparatus is integrated into the cabinet door of a refrigerator

In the EP 1 974 802 Water is supplied via a water supply connection from an external water network.

The WO 03/098136 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a door to which a water tank and a Karbonisierungszylinder is provided.

The US 2005/133531 A1 apparently that parts of a carbonator are openly disposed on a surface of the inside of the door panel.

The invention has for its object to improve ease of use and usability of a household refrigerator with a Karbonisierungseinrichtung for drinks.

The solution of this object is achieved with a household refrigerator, comprising a thermally insulated inner container with a coolable interior for refrigerated goods, a provided for closing the interior heat-insulated door leaf with an outside and an interior facing the inside, and a Karbonisierungseinrichtung for beverages, wherein the Karbonisierungseinrichtung a gas container , a mixing device and a beverage container and is arranged on the inside of the door leaf, the inside of the door leaf having an inner skin with a cutout, which is assigned to form a receiving space for the Karbonisierungseinrichtung a backing part, which by back-foaming with heat insulating material with the inner skin of the Door leaf is connected and the receiving space has a cover

The components of the Karbonisierungseinrichtung can be accommodated compactly and together, so that line paths are reduced and the components of the Karbonisierungseinrichtung are easily accessible, for example, for replacement of the gas container without refrigerated goods must be removed from the interior of the domestic refrigerator for this.

The inside of the door panel has an inner skin with a cutout, which is associated with a Hinterlegteil to form a receiving space for the Karbonisierungseinrichtung, which is connected by back-foaming with heat insulating material with the inner skin of the door panel Thus, a production can be facilitated or even made possible.

The backing part and the carbonizing device may each have corresponding retaining means. The holding means may optionally be detachable. The Karbonisierungseinrichtung can be easily and quickly attached to the backing part. The receiving space has a cover. Thus, the Karbonisierungseinrichtung can be protected and the inside of the door panel can be designed attractively.

The carbonating device, in particular the mixer or the beverage container, may have an output connection which is connected to a tap point. The tap point may be arranged on the door leaf. The tap can thus be arranged spatially close to the Karbonisierungseinrichtung. Thus, after switching between carbonated and non-carbonated beverage, the beverage can be dispensed directly as desired, since there is no need for line capacities.

The tapping point can be arranged on the outside of the door leaf, in particular it can be fastened to an outer skin of the door leaf. This allows a drink to be tapped from the outside without having to open the door leaf. A drink can be taken conveniently at the tapping point with the door closed. Heating of the interior associated with opening the door panel can be avoided, thus improving energy efficiency.

Alternatively, the tapping point can be arranged on the inside of the door leaf, in particular the tapping point can be fastened to the inner skin of the door leaf. Thus, a drink can be removed with the door open, for example, if in any case the interior is accessed. The tap is protected when the door leaf is closed. The tapping point is not visible from the outside when the door leaf is closed. The outside of the door panel can be designed independently of the presence of the dispensing device.

The Karbonisierungseinrichtung may be arranged in the upper half of the door panel and / or in the horizontal direction at least approximately centrally in the door leaf. Thus, access to the Karbonisierungseinrichtung for an operator in an access optimal position, for example, standing done.

In summary, and in other words, the invention thus provides, inter alia, a space-saving and easily accessible to the user accommodation of a drinking water carbonation unit in a household refrigerator. Unlike solutions where the drinking water carbonation unit is located on the rear wall in the cooling tank, the unit can be mounted complete with CO ₂ tank, mixing unit, beverage tank, water tank and attachments on the inside of the refrigerator door. The inclusion of the components can be made possible by foamed-in backing parts in the door. Any existing cover in the corresponding design can prevent direct contact with the components. The following advantages may arise: The unit can be accessed standing, the components intended for regular replacement are directly and freely accessible, so that no refrigerated goods need to be removed, the dispensing unit is directly connected to the carbonator and is in immediate Proximity, after switching from non-carbonated to carbonated water and vice versa, the output of the desired product takes place immediately, usable Kühlgutraum remains untouched.

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Concrete features of this embodiment may represent general features of the invention.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Haushaltskältegeräts mit einem Kältemittelkreislaufsystem und

Figur 2

eine Darstellung eines Türblatts des Haushaltskältegeräts in Alleinstellung mit daran angeordneter Karbonisierungseinrichtung.

They show schematically and by way of example:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a household refrigerator with a refrigerant cycle system and

FIG. 2

an illustration of a door leaf of the household refrigeration appliance in isolation with arranged thereon Karbonisierungseinrichtung.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a household refrigerator 1 with a refrigerant cycle system. The household refrigerator 1 has a thermally insulated inner container 2 with a coolable interior 3, 4 for refrigerated goods. For cooling, a chiller, partly shown here, is provided which extracts heat from the interior 3, 4 during operation and releases it to the outside. Optionally, the receiving space and moisture can be withdrawn.

The chiller can be designed in particular as a refrigerant circuit with at least one compressor 5, a condenser and an evaporator.

This in FIG. 1 illustrated domestic refrigerator 1 has a body 6, in which the inner container 2 is received. The inner container 2 is divided into a freezer compartment 3 arranged at the top and a cooling compartment 4 arranged at the bottom. The freezer compartment 3 is generally used for freezing frozen food at about minus 18 degrees Celsius and has a wall portion 7. The freezer compartment 3 is associated with a first evaporator 8, which is arranged behind a freezer compartment rear wall 9. The freezer compartment 3 is accessible when the freezer compartment door 10 is open. To open, the freezer compartment door z has a first handle 11.

The cooling space 4 is generally used for frost-free cooling of refrigerated goods, preferably at temperatures between plus 4 and plus 8 degrees Celsius. However, the refrigerator 4 may also be designed as a zero-degree compartment, in particular for keeping fresh fruits or vegetables or include such. The cooling space 4 has a rear wall 12, behind which a second evaporator 13 is arranged. The second evaporator 13 serves to cool the cooling space 4. The cooling space 4 is accessible when the refrigerator door 14 is open. To open the refrigerator door 14 has a second handle 15.

A single evaporator, or the first evaporator 8 and the second evaporator 13, or any number of evaporators may be connected to the compressor 5. The compressor 5 is inserted from the back, ie behind the rear wall 12 of the refrigeration device 1, into a machine room 16 of the housing 17. In FIG. 1 the Karbonisierungseinrichtung of the household refrigerator 1 is not apparent.

FIG. 2 shows a representation of a door leaf 18 of the household refrigerating appliance in isolation with arranged thereon Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19. The range of Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 is also shown enlarged.

The door leaf 18 is thermally insulated and has, in addition to the inner side facing the interior 20 on an outer side. The inside 20 of the door panel 18 is formed by an inner skin. The inner skin can be made of a thermoformed plastic. On the inner side 20 of the door leaf 18 are shelves 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 arranged for receiving refrigerated goods. The stands 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 are suitable, for example, for receiving bottles of different heights and different diameters. In the present case, the stands 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 are height adjustable. Optionally, however, one or more stands 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 may be fixed. It can also be integrated into a deep-drawn inner skin supper.

In the illustrated embodiment, two lower Absteller 26, 27, four middle Absteller 22, 23, 24, 25 and an upper Absteller 21 are provided. The lower shelves 26, 27 and the upper shelf 21 extend approximately over the entire width of the door leaf 18. The middle shelves 22, 23, 24, 25 each extend over only a lateral part of the door leaf width over an at least approximately the same width. This leaves between the shelves 22, 23 and the Abstellern 24, 25 in the horizontal direction at least approximately centrally of the door panel 18, a free space in which a receiving space 28 is arranged. In the receiving space 28, the Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 of the household refrigerator is arranged. In the vertical direction, the receiving space 28 is arranged in an easily accessible for an operator height.

In another embodiment, the width of the racks 23, 25 to the right of the receiving space 28 and the width of the racks 22, 24 to the left of the receiving space 28 may be different, so that the receiving space 28 is arranged in the horizontal direction on the inner side 20 of the door leaf 18 off-center , Optionally, only stand on one side of the door panel 18 may be provided so that the receiving space 28 is arranged laterally in the door leaf 18. The receiving space 28 can basically also be arranged completely or partially between upper shelves or lower shelves. Regardless of the horizontal position of the receiving space 28 can be dispensed laterally of the receiving space 28 on stand. It can only be provided laterally of the receiving space 28, a stand-off or it can be arranged laterally of the receiving space 28 more than two supporters.

Between the inner skin formed by the inner skin 20 and the outer side of the door leaf 18, a heat insulating layer is arranged. The inner skin of the door leaf 18 has a cutout. In the cutout, a receiving part is arranged, which forms the receiving space 28 as a backing part of the cutout. The receiving part is shell-shaped with a bottom portion and a peripheral portion. In addition, the receiving part has a flange-like area. With its flange-like region, the receiving part is arranged on the side of the inner skin facing the outer side of the door leaf. The receiving part is connected by back-foaming with heat insulating material with the inner skin. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving part may be connected to the internal skin, for example by gluing or welding.

The components of the Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 are secured to the receiving part reliable. For this purpose, the receiving part has a counter contour corresponding to the contour of the carbonizing device 19 and / or its components. For example, the receiving part and the Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 and / or their components intercrossing undercut areas. In this case, an undercut region or two corresponding undercut regions can be elastic, so that an optionally releasable latching connection is formed. In particular, a reservoir 29 for gaseous carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) can be releasably attached to the receiving part by simple means. For attachment of the Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 and / or their components in the receiving part, a contour of the Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 and / or their components and a contour of the receiving part partially or completely abut each other.

By means of the carbonization device 19, a beverage can be carbonated. The Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 may include in addition to the reservoir 29 for gaseous carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), a beverage container 30 and a mixer 31, a metering and metering device, lines 32, 33, 34 and optionally other mechanical or electronic components. The beverage container 30 serves for example for receiving non-carbonated water. A liquid line 33 is provided which leads from the beverage container 30 to the mixer 31. In addition, a gas line 32 is provided which leads from the reservoir 29 to the mixer 31. In the mixer 31 CO ₂ can be blown from the reservoir 29 in the beverage from the beverage container 30. The mixer 31 or the beverage container 30 may have an output port to which a carbonated liquid discharge pipe 34 is connected. The delivery line 34 may lead to a tap. The lines 32, 33, 34 may have at one end or at both ends couplings for releasable attachment, in particular, the gas line 32 may have a coupling for releasable attachment to the reservoir 29. An existing cover of Karbonisierungseinrichtung 19 is in the FIG. 2 not shown.

The tapping point can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the carbonizing device 19. For example, the tapping point can be arranged on the outside of the door leaf 18. However, the tapping point can also be arranged, for example, on the inside 20 of the door leaf 18. The tapping point can be arranged in an upper area of the door leaf. The tap may have a cover. In the area of the dispensing device, an input device can also be arranged, with which an output can be controlled and / or with which it can be controlled whether carbonated or non-carbonated beverage is dispensed. For example, the input device may have a pressure switch that can be pressed by means of a receptacle into which beverage is to be tapped in order to activate a beverage dispensing. The input device may include a selector switch for selecting between the output of carbonated or non-carbonated beverage. The selector switch may be a push button switch, slide switch or toggle switch.

Optionally, a further beverage container may be provided, which serves for example for receiving a beverage concentrate. This further beverage container may be connected by means of a liquid line with the mixer 31 or with the output line 34, so that beverage beverage can be added to the dispensed beverage.

Claims (7)

1. Domestic refrigerator (1), having a thermally insulated inner container (2) with a coolable inner compartment (3, 4) for refrigerated goods, a thermally insulated door leaf (14, 18) provided for closing the inner compartment with an outer side and an inner side (20) facing the inner compartment (2), and a carbonation device (19) for beverages, which comprises a gas container (29), a mixing device (31) and a beverage container (30) and is arranged on the inner side (20) of the door leaf (14, 18), characterised in that the inner side (20) of the door leaf (14, 18) has an inner membrane with a section which is assigned a reinforcement part to form a holding space (28) for the carbonation device (19), which reinforcement part is connected to the inner membrane of the door leaf (14, 18) by means of back-foaming with thermally insulating material, and the holding space (28) has a cover.
2. Domestic refrigerator (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reinforcement part and the carbonation device (19) each have corresponding retaining means.
3. Domestic refrigerator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carbonation device (19), especially the mixer (31) or the beverage container (30), has an output connection which is connected to a tap.
4. Domestic refrigerator (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the tap is disposed on the door leaf (14, 18).
5. Domestic refrigerator (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the tap is disposed on the outer side of the door leaf (14, 18), especially is fastened to an outer membrane of the door leaf (14, 18).
6. Domestic refrigerator (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the tap is disposed on the inner side of the door leaf (14, 18), especially is fastened to the inner membrane of the door leaf (14, 18).
7. Domestic refrigerator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carbonation device (19) is disposed in the upper half of the door leaf (14, 18) and/or at least approximately in the centre of the door leaf (14, 18) in the horizontal direction.

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