EP3045845B1 - Refrigeration and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one appliance body and with at least one cooled interior, which is at least partially surrounded by a foaming and which is located in the device body, and with at least one refrigerant circuit, the at least one no-frost Evaporator module located in the cooled interior or in a space in air flow communication therewith.

In known from the prior art freezers, it is known that the evaporator or an evaporator module is mounted after foaming of the device housing to the ceiling of the cooled interior.

Furthermore, devices are known from the prior art in which the evaporator is located on the rear side of the cooled interior. The suction line, which leads from the evaporator to the compressor of the refrigerant circuit, as well as cables run in known devices open between the evaporator and the cardboard rear wall of the device. For assembly is first the device housing is foamed and then the installation of the evaporator module takes place during the final assembly. In this case, the supply lines, such as cables and the suction pipe of the interior of the evaporator module are guided through openings to the outside, laid on the back of the device and connected to the corresponding components, such as a device control or to the compressor. All connections to be made are outdoors.

The document WO 2012/104884 A2 discloses a refrigerator and freezer according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention has the object of developing a refrigerator and / or freezer of the type mentioned in such a way that a cost-effective and production-safe solution for mounting the evaporator module is provided.

This object is achieved by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 1. Thereafter, it is provided that the evaporator module is arranged at least partially in said foaming.

This arrangement allows a procedure in which the evaporator module is already in the pre-assembly, i. So it is mounted before foaming.

This makes it possible to place the suction line, which leads from the evaporator to the compressor and the capillary, which leads from the condenser of the refrigerant circuit to the evaporator directly into the foam without the additional joints arise. The cables leading from the no-frost evaporator module can also be routed in foam to the respective interfaces, for example on the bottom of the device and on the device ceiling.

Preferably, the no-frost evaporator module, hereinafter also referred to simply as "evaporator module", is located in the upper region of the cooled interior and preferably directly below the ceiling of the inner container. This makes it possible to perform the back of the device smooth, ie run without components of the evaporator module and without lines and cables that extend from or to the evaporator module. Due to the fact that these lines are preferably laid within the foaming, a "smooth rear panel", ie provided without these cables and cables rear wall of the inner container of the device can be created.

An embodiment further relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 2.

Thereafter, it is provided that the evaporator module comprises a plurality of components, one or more of which can be removed from the evaporator module for repair purposes, etc., for service purposes. These components may be, for example, the evaporator itself, the defrost heater for the evaporator, a safety limiter, as well as sensors or temperature sensors and the fan assembly.

It is provided that the evaporator module has at least one housing, of which at least one section is located in the foaming or adjacent to the foaming. Preferably, this is the rear wall of the housing of the evaporator module.

The evaporator module is designed in several parts, for example, consists of an upper part and a relatively movable lower part, so that the evaporator module can be opened and faulty components can be replaced.

Since, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction line, which extends from the evaporator to the compressor, is foamed, it must remain in the device in case of a possibly necessary evaporator replacement. In order to ensure the required accessibility when separating and reconnecting the suction line and the capillary, it is preferably provided that the suction line is guided outside the evaporator and preferably to the rear.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the evaporator module comprises a fan assembly which comprises the fan, wherein the fan assembly is fixed by a positive or non-positive or other connection to the evaporator module and preferably to the housing. The fan has the task to promote the cold air produced in the evaporator module in the cooled interior of the device.

It is provided according to the invention that the cooled interior of at least one inner container is limited, which has an open front for removal and insertion of goods to be refrigerated or frozen and which has a rear side, in which an opening for insertion of the evaporator module provided in the inner container is.

The present invention further relates to a method for producing the refrigerator or freezer according to the invention, wherein the evaporator module is placed before the foaming of the device in the cooled interior or in a space communicating therewith (for air exchange) and wherein following the Arrangement of the evaporator module, the foaming is made. The evaporator module is thus already mounted in the device pre-assembly, ie before the foaming process. As a result, the suction line can be laid with the capillary directly into the foam without additional joints being created or required.

The evaporator module can be inserted through an opening located on the rear side of the inner container, wherein this opening is closed foam-tight after insertion of the evaporator module by a housing part of the evaporator module. Thus, the housing of the evaporator module serves not only to limit or to accommodate the components of the evaporator module, but in addition to closing the comparatively large container opening through which the evaporator module is inserted.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Innenbehälters von hinten mit der Öffnung zum Einschieben des Vedampfermoduls,

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische teilweise geschnittene Ansicht des auf die Öffnung aufgesetzten Gehäuses des Verdampfermoduls,

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Innenansicht auf das Oberteil des Verdampfermodulgehäuses,

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verdampfermoduls mit Gehäuseoberteil und Gehäuseunterteil, wobei das Gehäuseunterteil nach unten verschwenkt ist,

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf das Verdampfermodul mit außenliegender Saugleitung,

Figur 6:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verdampfermoduls mit Saugleitung und Ablaufrinne für Kondensat,

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Ventilatorbaugruppe,

Figur 8:

eine Detailansicht der Führungsschien im Gehäuseoberteil des Verdampfermoduls zur Aufnahme der Ventilatorbaugruppe,

Figur 9:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung von Rasthaken zur Fixierung der Ventilatorbaugruppe,

Figur 10:

eine Darstellung des Ventilators mit Dämpfungsteilen,

Figur 11, 12:

perspektivische Detailansichten der Ventilatorbaugruppe im Bereich der Dämpfungsteile.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of the inner container from the rear with the opening for insertion of the Vedampfermoduls,

FIG. 2:

a perspective partially sectioned view of the mounted on the opening housing of the evaporator module,

FIG. 3:

an interior perspective view of the top of the evaporator module housing,

FIG. 4:

a perspective view of the evaporator module with upper housing part and lower housing part, wherein the lower housing part is pivoted downward,

FIG. 5:

a perspective view of the evaporator module with external suction,

FIG. 6:

a perspective view of the evaporator module with suction line and gutter for condensate,

FIG. 7:

a perspective view of the fan assembly,

FIG. 8:

a detailed view of the guide rails in the upper housing part of the evaporator module for receiving the fan assembly,

FIG. 9:

an enlarged view of locking hooks for fixing the fan assembly,

FIG. 10:

a representation of the fan with damping parts,

FIGS. 11, 12:

perspective detail views of the fan assembly in the area of the damping parts.

FIG. 1 shows in a perspective view obliquely from behind the upper portion of an inner container 10 of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the present invention.

The inner container has a rear wall R, two oppositely disposed side walls S, a floor, not shown, a top wall D and an open front for removal or for insertion of refrigerated goods.

Like this FIG. 1 shows, the rear wall R of the inner container 10 is not pulled up to the top wall D, but ends below. Between the upper end region of the rear wall R and the top wall D there is thus an opening 12 on the rear side of the inner container 10.

This opening 12 extends over the entire width of the inner container, as is made FIG. 1 evident.

The opening 12 has a peripherally upstanding edge 13, which is used for foam sealing.

The evaporator module is inserted from the rear side through the opening 12 into the inner container 10 and positioned by means of lateral guide grooves 14. The guide grooves 14 extend in the two opposite side walls S in the receiving area for the evaporator module.

The evaporator module is a no-frost evaporator module, which means that it has at least one fan, by means of which air is conveyed via the evaporator and has at least one defrost heater, by means of which a defrost of the evaporator takes place at regular or specific time intervals.

The evaporator module has an evaporator module housing, which consists of an upper part 21 and a lower part 22.

Like this FIG. 2 shows, the upper part 21 of the evaporator module housing has a rear wall 21 ', which surrounds the edge 13 and which has a groove in which the edge 13 of the opening 12 is arranged. The rear wall 21 'of the upper part of the module housing thus serves apart from the normal housing functions, such as the limitation for receiving inner components, etc., as a lid for the foam-tight closing of the large container opening 12.

For the foam tightness provides a labyrinth, which consists of the upstanding container edge 13 and a special geometry, preferably a groove on the rear wall 21 of the housing, as is made FIG. 2 evident. After foaming the area around the inner container 10 around the upper part 21 is connected by means of the foam fixed to the device housing or with the body. This condition is in FIG. 3 shown.

The evaporator module housing, in addition to the upper part 21, which is firmly foamed, also a lower part 22 which is not foamed and which is movable relative to the upper part 21.

Like this FIG. 4 it can be seen, the housing base 20 can be folded forward or downward. On the lower housing part 22 are the evaporator 30, the heater 32, a safety limiter for limiting the temperature of the heater and a temperature sensor.

The reference numeral 34 denotes a cover of the evaporator 30, which rests on top of the evaporator.

These components arise in particular FIG. 5 and from FIG. 6 ,

So that parts of the evaporator module can be exchanged during servicing, two or more than two removable modules have been created.

The lower housing part 22 may as FIG. 4 can be folded forwards or downwards.

In this position the evaporator, heating, safety limiters and sensors can be changed. The connection of the lower housing part 22 relative to the upper housing part 22 can be effected in that the lower part is rotatably mounted by means of a receiving geometry left and right, wherein the pivot points are preferably in the rear region of the housing lower part 22. In the front, a locking of the housing base 22, for example, by screwing both sides done.

Since the suction line 40 is foamed, it must remain in the device at a required evaporator replacement.

In order to ensure the required accessibility for separating and reconnecting the suction line of the capillary, the suction line 40 as shown in Figure 5 and 6 can be seen lying outside on the evaporator and led to the rear. Since condensate inevitably precipitates on the suction line during the defrosting process and to prevent the condensate from entering the lower housing part 22, it is collected by means of a channel 35 formed on the cover 34 and directed to a lower water sump 36 from which it is then controlled can conclude.

The evaporator module according to the invention further comprises a fan assembly, which may be designed as a separate unit. This fan assembly is identified by reference numeral 50 in FIG FIG. 7 characterized.

The fan assembly 50 is held by a geometry similar to a guide rail 60 in the upper part 21 of the evaporator module housing and secured by latching hooks, preferably by two lateral latching hooks in the final position, as is apparent from FIG. 9 evident. There, the latching hooks are identified by the reference numeral 70. They communicate with the upper housing part via a fluid connection and in this way hold the fan module 50.

The fan assembly can also be removed with the housing lower part 22 closed.

The fan assembly consists of the fan housing, a front cover with an aperture made of an insulating material, from the fan itself, wherein the motor can be integrated into the impeller and wherein the fan may further comprise a support plate. Other ingredients The fan assembly is a lid forming the back, three dampers each, locking pins and plugs.

The mounting of the fan on the back cover will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

First, damping members 80 are inserted into provided pockets on the carrier or on the support plate 90. This off FIG. 10 apparent arrangement is then slid onto slotted retaining bolts 100 which are arranged on the inside of the cover lid 110.

Finally, a backup by inserting locking pins, so that the carrier with the motor and impeller arranged thereon is reliably fixed to the lid 110, which forms the back of the fan group 50. In operation, the fan is arranged such that it conveys or sucks in air from the front to the rear via the no-frost evaporator module and then distributes the air cooled in this way through an air duct, etc., into the cooled interior.

The present invention preferably relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer which is designed as a standalone unit. Also, the invention comprises an embodiment of the device according to the invention as a built-in device.

As already stated in the introduction, the no-frost evaporator module is in a preferred embodiment above in the inner container or directly below the ceiling of the inner container and is preferably designed lying, as can also be seen from the figures.

The air flow is preferably from the front to the rear of the evaporator module, i. comparatively warm air is led over the front of the evaporator module, then cooled and discharged back as cold air.

Claims (9)

1. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having
   a unit carcass;
   a cooled inner space that is at least partly surrounded by foaming and that is located in the unit carcass; and
   a refrigerant circuit that comprises a no-frost evaporator module that is located in the cooled inner space or in a space in communication therewith, wherein the evaporator module is foamed in said foaming, and
   wherein the cooled inner space is bounded by an inner container (10) that has an open front side for removing and inserting refrigerated and/or frozen goods,
   characterized in that
   the cooled inner space has a rear side (R) that has an opening (12) for leading through the evaporator module; and
   in that the evaporator module has a housing (21, 22) that is formed in multiple parts and that can be opened.
2. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaporator module has a plurality of components of which one or more can be removed from the evaporator module.
3. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporator module has a housing (21, 22) of which a section is located in the foaming.
4. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a capillary extending to the evaporator of the evaporator module and a suction line (40) leading away from the evaporator are present that extend at least partly in the foaming.
5. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigerant circuit has a compressor and a suction line (40) that extends from the evaporator of the evaporator module to the compressor; and in that the section line (40) is arranged at least partially outwardly disposed at the evaporator or at the evaporator module.
6. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the components of the evaporator module are the evaporator (30) and/or the defrost heating (32) for defrosting the evaporator (30) and/or a temperature sensor and/or a safety delimiter and/or a fan.
7. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporator module has a fan assembly (50) that comprises the fan, with the fan assembly (50) being fixed to the evaporator module by a shape-matched or force-transmitting connection.
8. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the evaporator module is arranged in the cooled inner space or in a space in communication therewith before the foaming of the unit; and in that the foaming is subsequently carried out.
9. A method in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the evaporator module is inserted through an opening (12) located on the rear side (R) of the inner container (10); and in that this opening (12) is closed in a foam-tight manner by a housing part of the evaporator module after the insertion of the evaporator module.

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