EP2992284A1

EP2992284A1 - Refrigeration appliance comprising a water circuit

Info

Publication number: EP2992284A1
Application number: EP14719262.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elmar FÄHNLE; Eugen Gaplikow; Hans Gerd Keller; Michael Krapp; Karl-Friedrich Laible; Vitaliy Rimkevich; Hans Peter Werner
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2013-04-30
Filing date: 2014-04-16
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-16
Also published as: EP2992284B1; WO2014177382A1; US20160054048A1; PL2992284T3; CN105264313A; US9927166B2; DE102013207953A1; CN105264313B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance with a water supply conduit in the interior of the refrigeration appliance . The refrigeration appliance further comprises a collecting tray (103) for collecting leakage water and an empty conduit for conducting the leakage water from the water supply conduit in the interior of the empty conduit to the collecting tray (103).

Description

Refrigerating appliance with a water cycle

The present invention relates to a refrigerator with a water circuit inside the refrigerator. The document DE 1 1 2006 000 552 T5 describes a cooling device with a

A liquid supply system for a user device having a protection system to prevent overflow resulting from possible leakage of liquid.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a refrigeration device with water-bearing components, in which the refrigeration device and its environment are further protected against possible consequences of a water leak.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a refrigeration device with a water pipe inside the refrigeration device, in which the refrigeration device a

Drip tray for collecting leak water and a conduit for guiding the

Leakage water from the water pipe inside the empty pipe to the drip pan includes. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that leakage water can be removed from a hose via the conduits for hose guide.

Under a refrigeration device is in particular a household refrigeration appliance understood, ie a refrigerator, which is used for household management in households or catering trade, and in particular serves food and / or drinks at certain

Store temperatures such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a fridge freezer, a freezer or a wine fridge. In an advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the drip pan comprises an overflow for draining off leak water to an evaporation tray. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that leakage water can be collected in an additional collection volume. In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the empty tube is foamed in a wall of the refrigeration device. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that even with a leak of the empty pipe, an immediate outlet of water is prevented. In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the drip pan is arranged in a valve housing with a function valve for the controllable dispensing of water. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that additionally leakage water can be collected, which emerges from a function valve. In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the evaporation tray is arranged below the valve housing. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a compact valve housing can be realized.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the evaporation tray is arranged in thermal contact with a compressor. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that an evaporation of collected water from the evaporation tray is increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the valve housing comprises a connection for a conduit. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the empty tube can be plugged onto the valve housing and leakage water is passed directly into the interior of the valve housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the valve housing comprises a connection for a supply hose from a water connection of the refrigeration device, which comprises an outer tube and an inner tube. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that leakage water from the inner tube of the

Inlet hose is passed directly into the interior of the valve housing. In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the refrigeration device comprises a safety valve for shutting off the water connection. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a water cycle inside the refrigerator can be depressurized. In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the drip pan is integrated in the valve housing. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that simplifies the construction of the refrigeration device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the valve housing comprises a leak detection device for detecting a leak in the water cycle. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that automatically suitable measures can be carried out in the event of a detected leak.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device comprises the

Leak detection means a micro switch for interrupting a power supply in a detected leak. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that a short circuit is prevented in leaking water.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device comprises the

Leak detector means a float for actuating the microswitch. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a leakage water level can be detected in a simple manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the valve housing comprises a check valve between the connection for a supply hose and the

Function valve. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that an inadvertent leakage of water is prevented from the refrigerator.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the evaporation tray is formed from a thermally conductive material. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the evaporation of water from the

Evaporation tray increased.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator; 2 shows a refrigeration device with water supply; and

Fig. 3 shows a structure of a valve housing and other functional components.

1 shows a refrigerator representative of a general refrigeration device 100. The refrigerator is used for example for cooling food and includes a

Refrigerant circuit with an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and a throttle body. The evaporator is a heat exchanger in which after expansion the liquid refrigerant is absorbed by heat absorption from the medium to be cooled, i. the air inside the refrigerator is evaporated.

The compressor is a mechanically operated component, the refrigerant vapor from the

Evaporator sucks and ejects at a higher pressure to the condenser. Of the

Condenser is a heat exchanger in which, after compression, the vaporized refrigerant is released by heat release 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 cross-sectional constriction.

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 pressure of the fluid, usually including changes in state of the fluid.

Fig. 2 shows a water supply in the refrigerator 100 seen from the front of the device. The refrigeration device 100 is connected to an external water supply and is equipped with an automatic ice and / or water outlet with appropriate water-bearing

Equipped components. The refrigeration device 100 is connected to an external water connection 1 17 through a supply hose 127, which is a supply line of the

Water connection 1 17 forms. The inlet hose 127 comprises an electrical

Safety valve 121, which is located directly on the water connection 1 17 and from

Refrigeration device 100 is controlled. The safety valve 121 is located at the beginning of the inlet hose 127.

The safety valve 121 serves as a water valve in the water cycle of the refrigeration device 100 and blocks the line pressure at the external water connection 1 17, so that the subsequent water cycle in the interior of the refrigeration device 100 is depressurized. The inlet hose 127 has an inner tube 125 which carries the water from the water connection 17 to the refrigeration device 100 and an outer tube 123 which surrounds the inner tube 125 and the possible leakage water from the inner tube 125 or the safety valve 121 and their connection points to a collecting trough 103 leads. The inlet hose 127 is connected to a valve housing 1 13, which is inside the

Refrigeration device 100 is disposed and includes a leak detection device 101. From the function valve and the valve housing 1 13 performs a water pipe 1 1 1 to an automatic ice maker 139 and / or other water output. In the valve housing 1 13, the drip pan 103 is integrated for the leak water. The

Valve body 1 13 also serves as a receiving housing for a function valve and for the components that are responsible for the leak detection. Leaks in the interior of the refrigeration device 100 may occur in particular at connection points or connection points of different water-conducting components.

The elastic water pipe 1 1 1 is guided by a conduit 109 to the hose guide, which is laid in the insulation foam of the refrigerator 100. The empty tube 109 is used for easy hose routing. In addition, the empty tube 109 is used to discharge the leak water, which may occur in the course of the water pipe 1 1 1 and their connection point to other components. For this purpose, the conduits 109 are connected to the valve housing 1 13, that the leakage water is passed into the sump 103 in the interior of the valve housing 1 13. In particular, the connection points and transitions of different water-carrying components can be protected by surrounding conduits 109 from water leakage.

Fig. 3 shows a structure of the valve housing 1 13 and other functional components. The refrigeration device 100 includes the safety valve 121 at the water connection 1 17 and the

Functional valve 1 15 inside the refrigeration unit 100. The function valve 1 15 allows a regulated water flow to output water from the water cycle. The safety valve 1 15 is a valve without a flow control to complete

Release or lock the water supply.

The safety valve 121 and the function valve 15 are connected in series. The

Functional valve 1 15 is in the direction of the water flow in the water cycle after

Safety valve 121 is arranged. Even if one of the two valves has a water supply due to a malfunction should not be able to close, in this case, the water supply from the other of the two valves can be closed. Even with a temporary dripping valve, therefore, the water supply can be completely closed.

Both the safety valve 121 and the function valve 15 can be electrically switched by a control device. By the electronic control of the valves both a simultaneous as well as a time-delayed switching on and off of the valves is possible.

The aquiferous components and their water connections are in the

Valve housing 1 13 arranged such that possibly occurring leakage water is collected in the drip pan 103. The drip pan 103 has an overflow 105 for collected water leakage. The overflow 105 serves, on the one hand, to protect the electrical components from rising leakage water and, on the other hand, to remove the excess leakage water.

In order to collect this excess leak water, the drip pan 103 is arranged above an evaporation tray 107. The actual purpose of the evaporation tray 107 is to collect defrost water from the refrigeration device 100. The arrangement of the collecting tray 103 above the evaporation tray 107 creates an additional

Collection volume for the leak water, so that the valve housing 1 13 itself can be made as compact as possible.

The leak water is guided to the collecting trough 103 as part of the leak detection device 101. There, a float 131 is arranged, which floats through the rising leak water and actuated via a switch lever 133, a microswitch 129. The

Drip pan 103 in the interior of the valve housing 1 13 has a small collecting volume for leakage water. For actuation of the microswitch 129 by means of the float 131 in the event of a leak, therefore, only a small volume of water is required. As a result, the advantage is achieved that even with small amounts of leaking water a leak can be reliably detected. If additional water flows out of the leak, it is passed on via the overflow 105 in a controlled manner to the evaporation tray 107 with a larger collecting volume. The collecting trough 103 is arranged above the evaporation tray 107, so that water flows into the evaporation tray 107 from the overflow 105 due to gravity into the evaporation tray. For this purpose, the overflow 105 may be connected to the evaporation tray 107 by means of a hose. As a result, both a detection of the leak by small amounts of leakage water and leakage of the leak water is prevented. In addition, due to the low

Collection volume of the sump 103, the valve housing 1 17 in a compact

Construction can be made.

The microswitch 129 is so incorporated into the circuit of the safety valve 121 that it interrupts the power supply to the safety valve 121. The power supply is provided for example by a power supply. This ensures that in the event of leakage, the safety valve 121 is mechanically separated from the power supply.

Power lines and the line connector inside the refrigerator 100 are spatially arranged so that they can not come into contact with water. These are

water-bearing components and possible leaks below the electrical

Power lines and plugs arranged. As a result, the safety valve 121 is closed in the event of a leak and the water flow to the refrigeration device 100 is interrupted at the connection point to the water supply. The actuated microswitch 129 outputs a signal to a control device, so that a power supply to the function valve 1 15 via the control device is also interrupted. When the power supply is interrupted, both the function valve 1 15 and the safety valve 121 are in the closed state. If the power supply is interrupted, the valves close automatically. The direct interruption of

Power supply mechanically provides maximum shutdown safety.

If a water leak is detected by the leak detection device 101 with the microswitch 129, a visible or audible alarm is output on the operating part of the refrigeration device 100.

In addition, in the valve housing 1 13 a check valve 133 between the

Safety valve 121 and the function valve 1 15 installed. The check valve 133 prevents uncontrolled leakage of water from the water circuit of the refrigerator, for example, when the refrigerator 100 is disconnected during disassembly of an external water supply. In addition, the check valve 133 prevents that the water contained in the refrigerator 100 flows back into the domestic water pipe. By using the check valve 133 in the interior of the water cycle, this can be achieved in a particularly safe and space-saving manner. Unlike other home appliances, such as dishwashers, which have a free-flow path use, the use of the check valve 133 in the water cycle of the

Refrigeration device 100 easily possible, since the water in the water cycle of the refrigerator 100 no dirt residue carries with it and has a high water quality.

The installation of water pipes 1 1 1 in the refrigerator 100 via the conduits 109, in which hoses are performed. These conduits 109 are used to direct the leakage water from the aquiferous components to the drip pan 103. For this purpose, the valve housing 1 13 a Leerrohranschluss 135 with a

Hose outlet 143 on. The inlet hose 127 of the safety valve 121 is connected to a connection 1 19 with a hose inlet to the valve housing 1 13.

The drip pan 103 has the overflow 105, which lies directly above an evaporation tray 107. The function valve 1 15 is mechanically coupled via a connecting part 141 with the check valve 133. In addition, the valve housing 1 13 more

Plug-in terminals 137 for supplying the leak detection device with electrical energy. The plug connections 137 serve to supply electrical energy or to transmit control signals. A first plug connection 137 is provided, for example, for supplying power to the function valve 15, a second plug connection 137 is provided, for example, for the transmission of electrical signals from the microswitch 129, and a third plug connection 137 is provided for connecting a control line for the safety valve 121.

In further embodiments, the check valve 133 may be interposed between the

Safety valve 121 and the water connection 1 17 be positioned. The inlet hose 127 may be connected directly to the safety valve 121 without a connecting piece. The function valve 1 15 may be integrated directly behind the safety valve 121 in the inlet hose 127.

The illustrated system can be used in all refrigeration appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers or combi appliances. By the system, a prevention of damage by leakage water from water-bearing components and their connection points is achieved. A direct arrangement of the safety valve 121 at the water connection 1 17 allows a pressureless water system in the interior of the refrigeration device 100 when no water is requested from the refrigeration device 100. Through a combination of safety valve 121 and function valve 1 15 increased reliability of the water cycle is achieved. The empty tubes 109 in the insulating foam of the refrigeration device 100 are not only the Management of water pipes and hoses, but also for the discharge of

Leak water. The safety valve 121 and / or the function valve 1 15 may be formed by a solenoid valve.

Through the overflow 105 for water leakage from the sump 103 in the

Evaporation tray 107, the valve housing 1 13 can be realized in a compact manner. The evaporation tray 107 may form part of the valve housing 1 13. In addition, the evaporation tray 107 may be formed of a thermally conductive material such as metal or metal sheet, so that the transfer of heat to the evaporation tray 107 improves and the evaporation is increased.

All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention, in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects. The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 refrigeration unit

101 leak detection device

103 Drip tray

105 overflow

107 evaporation tray

109 empty pipe

1 11 water pipe

1 13 valve housing

1 15 function valve

1 17 water connection

1 19 connection

121 safety valve

123 outer tube

125 inner tube

127 Inlet hose / supply line

129 microswitches

131 swimmers

133 Check valve

135 empty pipe connection

137 plug connection

139 ice maker

141 connecting part

143 hose outlet

Claims

1. Refrigeration device (100) with a water pipe (1 1 1) inside the refrigeration appliance (100), which comprises a collecting trough (103) for collecting leak water, characterized

characterized in that the refrigeration device (100) comprises an empty tube (109) for conducting the leak water from the water line (1 1 1) inside the empty tube (109) to the drip pan (103).

2. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting trough

(103) comprises an overflow (105) for draining leaking water to an evaporation tray (107).

3. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the empty tube (109) is foamed in a wall of the refrigeration device (100).

4. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting trough (103) in a valve housing (1 13) with a function valve (1 15) is arranged for the controllable dispensing of water.

5. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the

Evaporation tray (107) below the valve housing (1 13) arranged.

6. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the

Evaporation tray (107) is arranged in thermal contact with a compressor.

7. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the valve housing (1 13) comprises a connection (135) for the empty tube (109).

8. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the valve housing (1 13) comprises a connection (1 19) for a supply hose (127) of a water connection (1 17) of the refrigerating appliance (100) comprising an outer tube (123) and an inner tube (125).

9. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the refrigeration device (100) comprises a safety valve (121) for shutting off the water connection (1 17).

10. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the collecting trough (103) in the valve housing (1 13) is integrated.

1 1. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the valve housing (1 13) comprises a leak detection device (101) for detecting a leak in the water cycle.

12. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the

Leak detection device (101) comprises a micro-switch (129) for interrupting a power supply in a detected leak.

13. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the

Leak detection device (101) comprises a float (131) for actuating the microswitch (129).

14. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the valve housing (1 13) comprises a check valve (133) between the port (1 19) for a supply hose (127) and the function valve (1 15) ,

15. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporation tray (107) is formed of a thermally conductive material.