EP2801776B1 - Cooling device and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator with a refrigerated goods container and a method for producing a refrigerator.

In refrigeration devices, a refrigerant is typically conducted in a closed circuit. The refrigerant is first compressed by a compressor, condensed in a first heat exchanger with heat dissipation, expanded with a throttle and evaporated in a second heat exchanger at low temperature with heat absorption. As a second heat exchanger, tube evaporators are known which are wound from the outside around a refrigerated goods container which is fastened in an outer housing. A heat-insulating foam can be provided between the refrigerated goods container and the outer housing. During operation, the tube evaporator absorbs heat through the refrigerated goods container, which thus leads to cooling of the space inside the refrigerated goods container.

However, an uneven temperature distribution in the refrigerated goods container can occur during operation. Depending on the size of the refrigerated goods container, temperature gradients of several degrees Celsius can occur. Depending on the refrigeration device, however, there is a requirement to maintain a certain maximum temperature. In the case of frozen goods containers or freezers, it may be desirable that the temperature in the refrigerator does not exceed -18 ° C. Due to the temperature gradient, individual areas, e.g. the floor area, to a lower temperature, e.g. -22 ° C cooled. Such an uneven temperature distribution consequently leads to a higher energy consumption of the refrigeration device than would be the case with a uniform temperature distribution.

The publication US 2,073,741 A discloses a refrigeration device with a plurality of refrigeration circuits. The publication DE 10 2005 057157 A1 describes a circulating air refrigerator. The publication CN 101 566 415 A provides an energy-saving refrigerator with evaporators outside and inside a storage chamber. The publication GB 847 293 A discloses a refrigerator. The publication US 2,524,465 A describes a refrigerator. The publication US 2 932 955 A discloses a chest freezer with a window.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration device which has a reduced energy consumption.

A refrigeration device is understood in particular to mean a household refrigeration device, that is to say a refrigeration device which is used for household management in households or possibly also in the catering sector, and in particular serves food and / or Store beverages in household quantities at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, freezer or fridge-freezer. The object is achieved by a refrigeration device according to claim 1.

A uniform temperature distribution within the refrigerated goods container can thus be achieved. By providing a second temperature evaporator inside the refrigerated goods container, temperature differences in the refrigerated goods container can be compensated for, so that the interior of the refrigerated goods container can be cooled exactly to the specified maximum temperature. The standard energy consumption of the device is thus reduced.

The first tube evaporator is wrapped around the refrigerated goods container. This results in a relatively uniform cooling of the interior of the refrigerated goods container.

The second tube evaporator is arranged on a ceiling wall of the refrigerated goods container. The non-uniform temperature distribution that is present without the second tube evaporator is due to the fact that colder air sinks downward, so that a lower temperature is present in the bottom area of the refrigerated goods container than in the ceiling area. Providing the second temperature evaporator on a ceiling wall therefore achieves a more uniform temperature in the interior. In this case, the ceiling area is to be understood as the space in the refrigerated goods container near the ceiling wall, that is to say, for example, the area at a distance of up to 1/5 or preferably 1/10 of the height of the refrigerated goods container from the ceiling wall. The top wall is the top wall of the refrigerated goods container in use.

The second tube evaporator can be fastened to the refrigerated goods container by means of latching devices, in particular by means of clips. The second tube evaporator can thus be attached with little effort and material.

The second tube evaporator can be attached to at least one bar, which is attached to a ceiling wall of the refrigerated goods container at a predetermined distance from the ceiling wall by means of latching devices, in particular clips. An advantageous cold circulation within the refrigerated goods container can thus be ensured.

The second tube evaporator can be fixed to the ceiling wall by means of two spaced strips. Thus, short strips can be used, so that a flexible attachment with little material is possible.

The at least one strip can have a lip, which rests under tension on the ceiling wall. This compensates for tolerances and prevents the bar from rattling on the ceiling wall.

Heat-insulating foam can be arranged between the refrigerated goods container and a wall of the refrigeration device. At the front, the refrigerated goods container can be closed with a door mounted on the outer wall of the device.

The first tube evaporator and the second tube evaporator are connected in series in terms of flow. Thus both tube evaporators are operated via only one cooling circuit and no further compressors, valves or the like have to be provided for the additional evaporator.

The refrigerated goods container can be arranged, for example, inside the refrigeration device.

A method for producing such a refrigerator has the steps according to claim 7.

There is no restriction on the order in which the process steps are carried out. By providing a second Tube evaporator the advantages mentioned above are achieved. The second tube evaporator can be fastened to a ceiling wall of the refrigerated goods container by means of latching devices or clips.

• Umschäumen des Kühlgutbehälters mit einem wärmeisolierenden Material;
• nach dem Umschäumen, Lösen des zweiten Rohrverdampfers von den Rastvorrichtungen;
• Befestigen des zweiten Rohrverdampfers an mindestens einer Leiste; und
• Befestigen der Leiste mittels der Rastvorrichtungen.

The method can have the following further steps:

• Foaming the refrigerated goods container with a heat insulating material;
• after foaming, releasing the second tube evaporator from the locking devices;
• Attaching the second tube evaporator to at least one bar; and
• Attach the bar using the locking devices.

With this method, the second tube evaporator is used before foaming and all soldering operations on the second tube evaporator can be carried out before foaming. Furthermore, the second tube evaporator is first attached to the ceiling wall with the clips and then the strip is attached to the ceiling wall with the same clips. There is therefore no need to provide separate fastening means for the second tube evaporator and the strip.

The second tube evaporator can lie against a ceiling wall of the refrigerated goods container during foaming. This prevents the pressure caused by foaming from deforming and denting the ceiling wall. A foam core can be arranged in the refrigerated goods container during foaming, the underside of the second tube evaporator being mounted on the foam core. The pressure caused by the foaming is thus diverted through the ceiling wall to the second tube evaporator and from there via the foaming core to the bottom of the refrigerated goods container or a support arranged underneath.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kühlgutbehälters eines Kältegeräts,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Rohrverdampfers,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht durch das Kältegerät,

Fig. 4a

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Leiste zur Befestigung des Rohrverdampfers,

Fig. 4b

eine Draufsicht auf die Leiste,

Fig. 4c

eine linke Seitenansicht der Leiste,

Fig. 4d

eine rechte Seitenansicht der Leiste,

Fig. 4e

eine Vorderansicht der Leiste,

Fig. 4f

eine Schnittansicht durch die Schnittlinie A-A in Fig. 4b,

Fig. 4g

eine Schnittansicht durch die Schnittlinie B-B in Fig. 4b,

Fig. 4h

eine Schnittansicht durch die Schnittlinie C-C in Fig. 4b,

Fig. 5a

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Clips zum Befestigen der Leiste,

Fig. 5b

eine Querschnittsansicht des Clips zum Befestigen der Leiste,

Fig. 6

eine von der Rückseite her betrachtete perspektivische Ansicht des Kühlgutbehälters,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Sicherung der Clips mit Klebebändern,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Deckenbereichs des Kühlgutbehälters,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht durch das Kältegerät,

Fig. 10

eine weitere perspektivische Schnittansicht durch das Kältegerät,

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer kurzen Leiste, und

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Deckenbereichs des Kühlgutbehälters.

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

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a refrigerated goods container of a refrigerator,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a tube evaporator,

Fig. 3

a perspective sectional view through the refrigerator,

Fig. 4a

a perspective view of a bar for fastening the tube evaporator,

Fig. 4b

a top view of the bar,

Fig. 4c

a left side view of the bar,

Fig. 4d

a right side view of the bar,

Fig. 4e

a front view of the bar,

Fig. 4f

a sectional view through the section line AA in Fig. 4b ,

Fig. 4g

a sectional view through the section line BB in Fig. 4b ,

Fig. 4h

a sectional view through the section line CC in Fig. 4b ,

Fig. 5a

a perspective view of a clip for attaching the bar,

Fig. 5b

a cross-sectional view of the clip for attaching the bar,

Fig. 6

a perspective view of the refrigerated goods container viewed from the rear,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of securing the clips with adhesive tapes,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the ceiling area of the refrigerated goods container,

Fig. 9

a perspective sectional view through the refrigerator,

Fig. 10

another perspective sectional view through the refrigerator,

Fig. 11

a perspective view of a short bar, and

Fig. 12

a perspective view of the ceiling area of the refrigerated goods container.

Unless stated otherwise, identical reference symbols in the figures denote identical or functionally identical elements.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a refrigerated goods container 110 of a refrigeration device 100 wrapped with a tube evaporator 130. The refrigerated goods container 110 essentially has the shape of a cuboid open to the front and cut to the rear with a top wall 120, bottom walls 122 and 124, left and right side walls 126 and 128 and a stepped rear wall defining an interior 160. The refrigerated goods container 110 can be made of plastic, for example. The open front of the refrigerated goods container 110 is surrounded by a frame 140. In the side walls two receiving pawls 150 are provided, with which partitions for vertical subdivision of the refrigerated goods container can be received.

The refrigerated goods container 110 is wrapped with a first tube evaporator 130, which is arranged outside the refrigerated goods container 110. The first is in operation Tube evaporator 130 is charged with a refrigerant, which evaporates while absorbing heat. The first tube evaporator 130 absorbs heat through the refrigerated goods container 110, which thus leads to cooling of the interior of the refrigerated goods container 110.

A second tube evaporator 200 in the form of a tier is provided within the refrigerated goods container 110 and on the ceiling wall Fig. 2 is shown in perspective view. The second tube evaporator 200 comprises an evaporator tube 210 and a plurality of transverse fins 220. The evaporator tube 210 comprises, for example, ten straight tube sections, two of which are each connected at their end by bent tube sections, so that the evaporator tube 210 extends in a meandering manner in one plane. The transverse ribs 220 are formed, for example, as straight pieces of wire and are arranged on the two sides of the evaporator tube 210 and are fastened to them, for example by soldering or the like. The transverse ribs 220 extend between the second and the penultimate pipe section, so that the distance between the two pipe ends 230 can be easily changed by compression or extension, and the two pipe ends 230 can be easily rotated out of the plane defined by the transverse ribs 220. The tube sections are held against one another by the transverse ribs 220, so that the evaporator tube 210 is provided with a certain rigidity. Second, they improve the heat exchange properties of the evaporator tube 210.

Due to the provision of the second tube evaporator 200, a more uniform temperature distribution within the refrigerated goods container 110 is achieved, which leads to a reduced standard energy consumption of the refrigeration device. The first tube evaporator 130 and the second tube evaporator 200 are connected to one another in series in terms of flow. Thus, both tube evaporators 130, 200 are operated via only one cooling circuit and no further compressors, valves or the like have to be provided for the additional evaporator. On the input side, the tube evaporators 130, 200 can be connected to a throttle valve (not shown) and on the output side to a compressor, for example a linear compressor (not shown).

Fig. 3 shows a perspective sectional view through a refrigeration device 100, the section running in a direction perpendicular to the first tube evaporator 130. In this refrigeration device 100, the second tube evaporator 200 is fastened to the ceiling wall 120 in the front region of the refrigerated goods container 110 by means of a strip 400 and latching devices, for example clips 500. This bar 400 can be, for example, 400 to 520 mm long, 30 to 35 mm wide and 25 to 30 mm high.

As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the second evaporator tube 210 is inserted into the strip 400, which in turn is inserted into the clips 500 provided in the ceiling area. The advantage of this arrangement is that the second evaporator tube 210 is held at a predetermined distance from the ceiling wall 120. A better cooling circulation in the cooling device 100 can thus be ensured.

4a-4h show different views of the strip 400 for fastening the second tube evaporator 200. Fig. 4a 10 shows a perspective view of the bar 400. Fig. 4b shows a top view of the bar 400. Fig. 4c shows a left side view of the bar 400. Fig. 4d shows a right side view of the bar 400. Fig. 4e shows a front view of the bar 400. Fig. 4f shows a sectional view through the section line AA in Fig. 4b . Fig. 4g shows a sectional view through the section line BB in Fig. 4b . Fig. 4h shows a sectional view through the section line CC in Fig. 4b .

The strip 400 comprises a strip rear wall 410, from which a bottom wall 420 and a central wall 430 project laterally at a distance from one another. The ledge rear wall 410, the bottom wall 420 and the middle wall 430 define a recess in which the second evaporator tube 210 is received and fixed with locking lugs 440. Furthermore, the strip 400 is provided with two clip receptacles 450 which are provided at a distance from one another along the strip rear wall 410. These clip receptacles 450 essentially have the shape of an upwardly open cuboid, the rear wall of which is formed by the strip rear wall 410 and the bottom of which is formed by the central wall 430. A through hole is arranged in the front wall 460 arranged opposite the ledge rear wall 410 and a latching lug 470 is arranged above this through hole. Opposite this locking lug 470, a further locking lug 470 is arranged on the ledge rear wall 410. By interacting these locking lugs 470 with the legs of the clip 500, the bar 400 can be fixed to the clips 500. At the A slightly curved, flexible lip 480 protrudes laterally from the upper end of the strip rear wall 410. If the strip 400 is fastened to the ceiling wall 120, then this lip 480 holds the strip 400 under slight tension on the ceiling wall 120. Tolerances are thus compensated and any rattling of the strip on the ceiling wall 120 is prevented.

Fig. 5a FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a clip 500 for fastening the strip 400. Fig. 5b shows a cross-sectional view of the clip 500. The clip 500 has a substantially rectangular base plate 510 and two legs 520, which protrude from one side of the base plate 510 and are bent towards one another. The legs 520 are each provided with a catch 530, these catches 530 engaging behind the catches 470 on the strip 400 when the strip 400 is clipped onto the clips 500 and thus fixing the strip 400 to the ceiling wall 120. The clips 500 can each be approximately 10 to 15 mm high, 35 to 45 mm long and 20 to 25 mm wide.

The Fig. 6 to 10 illustrate a method for manufacturing the refrigeration device described above. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the refrigerated goods container 110 viewed from the rear. Two essentially rectangular impressions 600 are provided in the ceiling wall 120 spaced apart from one another, into which the clips 500 can be inserted. The size of the embossments 600 corresponds to the size of the base plate 510 of the clips 500, and the depth of the embossments 600 is dimensioned such that the upper side of the base plate 510 is essentially flush with the ceiling wall 120 when the clips are inserted. In the middle of the impressions 600, through holes 610 are punched into the top wall 120, through which the legs 520 of the clips 500 can be guided.

Furthermore, two further through holes 630 are punched on the rear wall 620 of the refrigerated goods container 110 in or near the ceiling area, through which the ends 230 of the second tube evaporator 200 can be guided.

In a first step of the manufacturing process, the clips 500 are placed in the embossments 600, the legs 520 of the clips 500 being guided through the through holes 610, and the clips 500 being, as in FIG Fig. 7 shown, secured with adhesive tape 640. The result is in Fig. 8 illustrated situation that the Project clips 500 freely from the ceiling wall 120 into the interior 160 of the refrigerated goods container 110.

In the next step, the tube ends 230 of the second tube evaporator 200 are guided through through holes 630 in the rear wall 620 of the refrigerated goods container 110, and the second tube evaporator 200 is clipped onto the ceiling wall 120 with the clips 500 on two of its bends. Next, the refrigerated goods container 110 is wrapped with the first tube evaporator 130. Thereafter, the first tube evaporator 130 and the second tube evaporator 200 can be connected to each other by welding or the like. It should be noted that the first and second tube evaporators 130 and 200 can also be attached in reverse order.

The refrigerated goods container 110 is now pushed into an outer housing (not shown in more detail) with an outer wall of the device and fixed thereon. Furthermore, a foam core made of aluminum or the like is placed in the interior 160 of the refrigerated goods container 110. This foaming core serves for stabilization and is dimensioned such that the underside of the second tube evaporator 200 rests on the top of the foaming core. The middle pipe sections stiffened by the transverse ribs 220 are pushed upwards, and the upper end of the foam core is arranged between the outermost straight pipe sections. In other words, in this state, the outermost straight pipe sections run through a different plane than the middle pipe sections, which are as in FIG Fig. 9 shown below the top wall 120 are parallel to the same. More precisely, the outer straight tube sections in this state extend obliquely from the two through holes in the rear wall to the clips 500 arranged in the front region of the refrigerated goods container. Furthermore, the foam core can support the rear wall 620 and the side walls of the refrigerated goods container 110 from the inside.

This also shows why the transverse ribs 220 do not extend over all straight pipe sections. If this were the case, the middle straight pipe sections could not be pressed against the ceiling wall 120 with the foam core.

In the next step, the space between the refrigerated goods container 110 and the outer wall of the device is foamed with a heat-insulating material. Because the second Tube evaporator 200 lies closely against the top wall 120, it stabilizes the top wall 120 on the one hand and on the other hand passes the pressure on the top wall 120 caused by the foaming to the foam core, so that deformation or denting of the top wall 120 can be prevented. For illustrative reasons, neither the outer wall of the device nor the heat-insulating foam are shown in the figures.

After foaming, the second tube evaporator 200 is detached from the clips 500 and slightly lowered at its front, as in FIG Fig. 10 is shown. The straight pipe sections are brought back into one level. Then the strip 400 is plugged into the second tube evaporator 200. More specifically, the second tube evaporator 200 is received in the recess defined by the strip rear wall 410, bottom wall 420 and middle wall 430 and fixed with the latching lugs. Finally, the strip 400 is clipped or fixed on the clips 500. The result is in Fig. 3 shown condition. Thus, the second tube evaporator 200 is no longer close to the ceiling wall 120, but is spaced from it, so that there is an advantageous cooling circulation within the refrigerated goods container 110.

In this state, the tube evaporator 200 is forward over the bar 400 and the clips 500 are attached to the ceiling wall. In the ready-to-use state, the refrigerated goods container 110 can be surrounded on five sides by the outer wall of the device and can be closed at the front by a door.

With the method described above, the same clips 500 are used both for temporarily fixing the second tube evaporator 200 during the foaming process and for subsequently fastening the strip 400, so that the refrigeration device 100 can be produced with little effort and little material. Furthermore, the second tube evaporator 200 lies closely against the ceiling wall 120 during the foaming process and stabilizes it, so that it can be prevented from being deformed and dented due to the foam pressure. If the second tube evaporator 200 were already fastened to the ceiling wall 120 via the strip 400 and the clips 500 during the foaming process, this would result in an unstabilized intermediate space between the second tube evaporator 200 and the Ceiling wall 120 lead, so that there is a risk of deformation of the ceiling wall 120.

Furthermore, all soldering operations on the second tube evaporator 200 can be carried out before the foaming. In particular, the outlet end of the first tube evaporator 130 can be soldered to the inlet end of the second tube evaporator 200 and then checked for leaks before foaming. If, on the other hand, the second tube evaporator 200 is only used after foaming, then an additional step for checking the tightness is necessary.

The bar 400 is not limited to the shape described above. For example, it is also possible for two short strips 700 to be provided instead of the strip 400. Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of one of these two short strips 700. The short strips 700 have a rear wall 710 as well as a bottom wall 720 and a central wall 730 projecting therefrom, which together with the rear wall 710 form a recess for receiving an arc of the second tube evaporator 200. Furthermore, the rear wall 710 forms, together with two side walls and a front wall, an essentially cuboid clip receptacle, which essentially corresponds in shape and function to the box-like clip receptacles 450 of the strip 400. The short strips can be about 50 mm wide, for example.

Fig. 12 shows a modified embodiment of a refrigerator, in which the second tube evaporator 200 is fastened to the ceiling wall 120 with two short strips 700. It is advantageous in this embodiment that the short strips 700 are easier to manufacture and, moreover, are less material-consuming. <b> List of reference symbols </b> 100 Refrigerator 480 lip 110 Refrigerated goods container 500 Clips 120 Ceiling wall 510 Base plate 122, 124 Floor walls 520 leg 126, 128 side walls 530 Latches 130 first tube evaporator 600 Impressions 140 frame 610 Through holes 150 Jacks 620 Back wall 160 inner space 630 Through holes 200 second tube evaporator 640 duct tape 210 Evaporator tube 700 Afford 220 Cross ribs 710 Back wall 230 Pipe ends 720 Bottom wall 400 strip 730 Middle wall 410 Back wall 420 Bottom wall 430 Middle wall 440 Latches 450 Clip recordings 460 Front wall 470 Latches

Claims (11)

1. Refrigeration appliance with a refrigerated goods container (110), the refrigerated goods container 110 has essentially the shape of a cuboid open toward the front side and truncated to the rear with a top wall (120), base walls (122 and 124), left and right side walls (126 and 128) and a graduated rear wall, which define an interior (160), with a first tube evaporator (130), which is disposed on the refrigerated goods container (110) outside the interior (160) and which is wound around the top wall 120, the base walls (122, 124) and the left and right side walls (126 and 128), and with a second tube evaporator (200), wherein the first tube evaporator (130) and the second tube evaporator (200) are connected in series with one another for flow purposes, characterised in that the second tube evaporator (220) is arranged within the interior (160) on the top wall (120) of the refrigerated goods container.
2. Refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the second tube evaporator (200) is fastened to the refrigerated goods container (110) by means of latching devices (500).
3. Refrigeration appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second tube evaporator (200) is fastened to at least one strip (400; 700), which is fastened to a top wall (120) of the refrigerated goods container (110) at a predefined distance from the top wall (120) by means of latching devices (500).
4. Refrigeration appliance according to claim 3, characterised in that the second tube evaporator (200) is fastened to the top wall (120) by means of two strips (700) at a distance from one another.
5. Refrigeration appliance according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the at least one strip (400; 700) has a lip (480), which rests against the top wall (120) in a tensioned manner.
6. Refrigeration appliance according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that latching devices (500) are configured as clips.
7. Method for producing a refrigeration appliance having a refrigerated goods container (110) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised by the following steps:

   - winding the first tube evaporator (130) around the refrigerated goods container (110) outside the interior (160); and

   - disposing the second tube evaporator (200) on the refrigerated goods container (110) inside the interior (160) on the top wall (120);

   - serial connection, for flow purposes, of the first tube evaporator (130) to the second tube evaporator (200).
8. Method according to claim 7, characterised by the following step:

   - fastening the second tube evaporator (200) to a top wall (120) of the refrigerated goods container (110) by means of latching devices (500), in particular by means of clips.
9. Method according to claim 8, characterised by the following steps:

   - surrounding the refrigerated goods container (110) with a thermally insulating foam material;

   - after applying the foam, detaching the second tube evaporator (200) from the latching devices (500);

   - fastening the second tube evaporator (200) to at least one strip (400; 700); and

   - fastening the strip (400; 700) by means of the latching devices (500).
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised by the following step:

    - resting the second tube evaporator (200) against a top wall (120) of the inner container (110) before the foam application.
11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that during the foam application a foam core is disposed in the inner container (110), with the lower face of the second tube evaporator (200) being supported on the foam core.

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