EP3080528B1 - Domestic refrigeration appliance with a specific machinery-chamber boundary wall - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household refrigerator having a housing in which an inner container, which delimits an interior space for receiving food, is arranged. In addition, the household refrigeration appliance comprises a machine room which is separated from the interior and in which components of a refrigeration circuit of the household refrigeration appliance are arranged.

the US 5,000,010 A describes a refrigerator in which an outlet leg of a refrigerant line is led out of a machine room of the refrigerator, and an inlet leg of the refrigerant line re-enters the machine room.

A household refrigerator, such as a refrigerator or a freezer or a combined refrigerator-freezer, comprises a refrigeration circuit for generating cold in the food receiving space in the inner container. This usually includes a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser. This enables cold temperatures to be generated in the interior.

Usually it is provided that the compressor is arranged in the machine room. In addition, it is usually also provided that electronic components and / or collecting containers for defrosting water are arranged therein. The engine room is usually also delimited by walls.

For the electrical energy supply and / or for the fluidic conduction of the refrigerant, lines are led to the components in the machine room. In known designs, a type of chamber with slotted walls is provided here, the lines being placed in these slits in the chamber walls. Several foam parts are used to seal the foam side, which enclose the lines. Since an intermediate space is usually formed between the inner container and the housing which surrounds the inner container, in which a thermally insulating material, in particular a foam material, is introduced, there are thus disadvantages in this embodiment. Because occurs during production and thus the introduction of the foam in the intermediate space, such a part also enters the chamber, a part closing the chamber is pressed on within the manufacturing and assembly tolerances. This also has a detrimental effect on the tightness.

It is the object of the present invention to create a household refrigeration appliance in which a reliably tight line routing into the machine room is achieved.

This object is achieved by a household refrigerator which has the features according to claim 1.

A household refrigerator according to the invention comprises a housing which surrounds an inner container which delimits an interior space for holding food. In addition, the household refrigeration appliance comprises a machine room which is separated from the interior and in which at least some components of a refrigeration circuit of the household refrigeration appliance are arranged. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in the fact that the machine room has a delimitation wall on which a cable bushing box for leading through at least one cable from outside the machine room into the machine room is arranged. The box has a receptacle and a cover for closing the receptacle, the cover being connected in one piece to the receptacle. With this configuration, a line routing into the machine room is achieved, in which the box can be reliably closed and tightly designed. Even if thermally insulating material, in particular foam material, is introduced between the housing and the inner container during manufacture, the box remains closed. The problems mentioned from the prior art then do not arise here.

The box is formed at least with its receptacle on an outside of the boundary wall facing away from the machine room and extends outward from the outside facing away from the machine room. This box is thus a component that protrudes outward on the outside of the boundary wall. This is advantageous in that the machine room is not restricted in its usable volume. Since a corresponding intermediate space is then formed anyway between the machine room and the housing, in which the thermally insulating material, in particular the foam material, is then introduced, does not interfere with such an additional element in the form of this receptacle in this space. In addition, with such an arrangement of the box with the receptacle, the invention is particularly advantageous, since at least this receptacle is circumferentially exposed to the foam material. It is precisely the one-piece design of the receptacle with the lid that, with such a design, makes it particularly advantageous to prevent the box from being pushed open by the foam material and the foam material from reaching undesired locations.

It is preferably provided that the connection between the cover and the receptacle is a film hinge. This configuration enables a very smooth movement of the cover. In addition, it is permanently functionally stable and relatively easy to manufacture. A film hinge of this type is therefore particularly advantageous especially when the cover is designed in one piece with the receptacle.

It is preferably provided that the cover is arranged facing the machine room in some areas when the box is closed. This also provides a certain protection from the foam material, since the foam material then covers or surrounds the receptacle and partially the lid.

It is preferably provided that the box is formed in one piece with the boundary wall. As a result, the box is arranged in a secure position, and the integration of the box into the boundary wall also enables a reduction in the number of components. In particular, however, manufacturing advantages and assembly advantages are also achieved as a result, since no separate individual parts have to be produced, which would then have to be connected with additional effort.

The boundary wall with the box is preferably made of plastic, in particular as an injection-molded part.

It is preferably provided that the lid has an at least partially circumferential rib on a side facing the receptacle when the box is closed, which rests against the inside of the walls of the receptacle when the box is closed. A particular tightness of the closed box is achieved by such a configuration. In this way, not only is a lid constructed that rests on the pot, but rather an interlocking between the lid and the pot in the closing direction of the lid is achieved, so that in particular, this circumferential rib also engages and extends into the interior of the volume enclosed by the pot. Such a configuration also improves the positional fixation between the lid and the pot.

It is preferably provided that the lid has a latching element on an inside facing the receptacle when the box is closed, which engages in a latching receptacle on an inside of a first wall of the receptacle when the box is closed. With this configuration, the closed state of the box is maintained in a mechanically improved manner. In addition, this specific design and arrangement of the latching element relieves the force of the connecting element, which is preferably designed as a film hinge, between the cover and the receptacle, even when the box is closed. As a result, it remains functionally stable over the long term. In this context, it is preferably provided that this latching element is arranged on the inside of the lid immediately adjacent to the film hinge and the latching receptacle is also arranged on the inside of the first wall of the receptacle adjacent to the film hinge. The advantages mentioned above are further enhanced.

It is preferably provided that the lid has a tab-like latching receptacle on one edge side, into which, when the box is closed, a latching element engages on an outside of a second wall of the receptacle pot. This edge side of the lid is preferably one of the edge sides on which the connecting element, in particular the film hinge, for connection to the pot, is not arranged. This edge side with the tab-like latching receptacle is preferably opposite that edge side of the cover on which this connecting element is arranged. This specific configuration then also achieves a mechanically firm coupling of the lid to the pot on the opposite side of the connecting element in the closed state, so that the closed state is maintained at several points and thus several edge sides.

It is preferably provided that at least one sealing element with a line bushing is arranged as a filler body in the box. As a result of this configuration, the at least one cable passed through the box is not inside the box exposed and running loosely, but at least partially surrounded by this sealing element and thus also positionally supported. In addition, this sealing element also provides improved protection against a foam material. The sealing element is thus also a support body for the lines passed through, and the sealing element completely surrounds the line on the circumferential side. This means that the sealing element has a passage in the form of a hole or a bore through which the at least one line then extends.

The sealing element is preferably arranged in an interior space of the box with an exact fit in at least two spatial directions. In this way, at least in these two spatial directions, a position fixation relative to the lid and the pot is achieved in the closed state of the box. It is preferably provided here that the sealing element is arranged precisely in three spatial directions in the interior of the box. As a result, the volume made available in the box is quasi filled by the sealing element and only the at least one bushing is still present for the line.

It is preferably provided that the cover has a groove on an outside facing away from an interior of the box for receiving a further boundary wall of the machine room. This enables a very simple connection between two separate boundary walls, and the cover then also serves as a multifunctional part in this context. Last but not least, such a design also ensures that the further delimiting wall extends into this groove in the cover and extends beyond the dimensions of the cover, so that by supporting this further delimiting wall, further components can be pressed shut and this further delimiting wall is held on the cover against an opening direction so that it is held. As a result, an undesired opening of the cover is prevented even further.

It is preferably provided that the groove in the cover is oriented vertically when the cover is closed. The groove on the outside of the cover is preferably designed as a slot-like configuration protruding from the outside and into which the further delimiting wall then extends.

Provision is preferably made for this cover-internal groove, when the cover is closed, to open at both ends into cover-external grooves, which are designed to accommodate the further delimiting wall. A continuous and directly merging overall groove is thus created, into which the further delimiting wall can extend beyond the dimensions of the cover and is therefore also reliably held in position outside the cover in this regard.

It is preferably provided that the further delimitation wall is a cardboard wall, which is thus made from the material cardboard. This can thus be made available relatively thin and yet fully functional and cost-effective.

It is preferably provided that the boundary wall with the box is made of plastic. The delimitation wall with the box is preferably a vertical side wall which delimits the machine room.

In particular, it is provided that a cable duct of the box is oriented at an angle between 30 ° and 70 °, in particular between 30 ° and 60 °, to a vertical. Such an inclined introduction brings about advantages with regard to undesirable and severe kinks in the line.

In particular, it is provided that, through the preferred inclination of the box at an angle between 30 ° and 70 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °, with respect to a vertical, the cover also partially inside the machine room and partially outside the machine room in a space between the machine room and the inner container or also the housing is arranged. This arrangement, in which the further delimitation wall then, as it were, causes this division of the cover on the one hand into a sub-area that extends in the machine room and on the other hand into a sub-area that extends outside the machine room, the reliable closed position is maintained and then also part of the cover located outside the machine room is additionally pressed shut by the foam material which then acts directly.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features mentioned above in the description and Combinations of features, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the invention. There are thus also embodiments of the invention to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but emerge from the explained embodiments and can be generated by separate combinations of features.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Frontansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltskältegeräts;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Rückansicht des Haushaltskältegeräts gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische vergrößerte Darstellung des Haushaltskältegeräts im Bereich des Maschinenraums;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung der Ansicht in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

die perspektivische Schnittdarstellung gemäß Fig. 4 in anderer Perspektive;

Fig. 6

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Teilausschnitts in Fig. 4 und Fig. 5 in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer seitlichen Begrenzungswand mit einem integrierten Leitungsdurchführungs-Kasten im geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 8

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Teilausschnitts von Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

die Darstellung in Fig. 8 von einer gegenüberliegenden Betrachtungsrichtung gesehen; und

Fig. 10

zwei beispielhafte perspektivische Darstellungen von Dichtelementen zum Einsatz in den Kasten.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective front view of an embodiment of a household refrigerator according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a perspective rear view of the household refrigerator according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a perspective enlarged view of the household refrigerator in the area of the machine room;

Fig. 4

a perspective sectional view of the view in FIG Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

the perspective sectional view according to Fig. 4 in a different perspective;

Fig. 6

an enlarged view of the partial section in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in side view;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a lateral boundary wall with an integrated cable bushing box in the open state;

Fig. 8

an enlarged view of a partial section of Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

the representation in Fig. 8 seen from an opposite viewing direction; and

Fig. 10

two exemplary perspective representations of sealing elements for use in the box.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In Fig. 1 a household refrigerator 1 is shown in a perspective front view, which has a housing 2 designed as an outer housing. The housing 2 surrounds an inner container which delimits two different separate inner spaces 3 and 4, the inner spaces 3, 4 being designed to hold food. By way of example, the lower interior 4 is closed by a door 5. The upper interior 3 is shown without such a door, which is actually present in the domestic refrigeration appliance 1, so that it can be viewed.

The household refrigerator 1 can be a refrigerator or a freezer or a combined refrigerator-freezer. It comprises at least one cooling circuit, by means of which a corresponding cold temperature control is generated in the interior spaces 3 and 4. The refrigeration circuit includes an in Fig. 2 , which shows a perspective view of the domestic refrigerator 1 from the rear, shown refrigerant compressor 6 or compressor. The refrigeration circuit also includes, in particular, a condenser and an evaporator. The refrigerant circulates in the circuit.

As in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the refrigerant compressor 6 is arranged in a rear lower region of the domestic refrigerator 1. This area represents a machine room 12. It is separated from the interior spaces 3 and 4. The machine room 12 is designed to accommodate components of the refrigeration circuit.

The refrigerant compressor 6 generates waste heat during operation, which is used to add defrost water that has arisen in the domestic refrigeration device 1, which is collected evaporate. For this purpose, the household refrigerator 1 comprises a device 7 which is designed to receive defrost water and which is also arranged in at least partial components in the machine room 12. For this purpose, a collecting tray 8 of the device 7, which is designed to collect defrost water, is arranged in the machine room 12. It is arranged, as it were, above the refrigerant compressor 6, so that the thermal coupling for evaporation of the collected defrost water is provided.

The device 7 also includes a collecting tray 9 for the defrost water, which is connected to the collecting tray 8 by a connecting line 10.

The device 7 also comprises a carrier shell 11 which is provided for receiving the collecting shell 9 and which is also arranged in the machine room 12.

The machine room 12 is delimited by boundary walls. For this purpose, in the enlarged partial representation in Fig. 3 a first lateral delimiting wall 13 is provided, which is a vertical wall. Further boundary walls 14 and 15 are provided towards the inner container, and in addition one in Fig. 3 not shown and the first delimitation wall 13 opposite lateral delimitation wall is provided. These lateral boundary walls, of which in Fig. 3 only the boundary wall 13 is shown, are one-piece plastic parts, which are manufactured in particular as injection molded parts. In contrast, the other boundary walls 14 and 15 are cardboard walls.

In addition, it should be mentioned that in an intermediate space 16 between the machine room 12 and the inner container, which delimits the inner spaces 3 and 4, and also in the intermediate space between this inner container and the housing 2, a thermally insulating material, in particular a foam, is introduced.

As in Fig. 3 can be seen, one or more lines for the electrical energy supply of the components arranged in the machine room 12 and / or Provide lines for guiding the refrigerant, which are guided into this machine room 12. For this purpose, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment that a line bushing box 17 is formed integrally and thus in one piece on this lateral first delimiting wall 13. Lines 18a, 18b and 18c are shown by way of example.

The box 17 has a cuboid shape and is also inclined at an angle α between 30 ° and 60 ° with respect to a vertical which thus extends in the y direction. This relates to a defined longitudinal axis A of the box 17.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the box 17 is integrally formed on an outer side 13a, which thus faces away from the machine room 12 and faces the intermediate space to the inner container and / or the housing 2. The box 17 thus extends in a raised manner opposite the outer side 13a into this intermediate space and it is thus arranged outside the machine room 12 and thus on the foam side. This means that it is surrounded by the foam in the interspace and thus extends substantially with its dimensions within this interspace.

In Fig. 4 FIG. 13 is a perspective sectional illustration of the view in FIG Fig. 3 shown. The box 17 comprises a receptacle 19 and a cover 20 which is integrally connected to the receptacle 19.

In Fig. 5 is the representation in Fig. 4 shown in a different perspective. The orientation via the arrangement of the box 17 relative to the walls 13, 14 and 15 can be seen.

In the closed state of the box 17, as shown in FIG Figures 3 to 5 is shown, the cover 20 is facing the boundary wall 13 and the pot 19 is facing away in this regard.

In Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the partial section of FIG FIGS. 3 to 5 shown in which the box 17 is arranged.

In this connection, the cover 20 is connected to the receptacle 19 via film hinges 21 and 22 and can be pivoted relative thereto. In addition, too recognize that a raised groove 23 is formed on an outer side 20a of the cover 20, which is thus facing away from the receptacle 19. This groove 23, which is also designed as a slot protruding in a raised manner with respect to the outside 20a, is inserted into the wall 15 and received. How to do this Fig. 6 As can be seen, the groove 23 is oriented vertically in the closed state of the box 17 and thus extends in the y-direction. Due to the orientation of the box 17 and thus also of the cover 20, this groove 23 runs quasi across the cover 20 and thus in particular between two opposite corners of this cover 20.

This orientation and arrangement of the groove 23 and the wall 15 then inserted into it, which also delimits the machine room 12, divides the outside 20a into two almost triangular surface areas or partial areas 20b and 20c. It can be seen that in the closed state of the box 17, the sub-area 20b is located in the machine room 12 and the sub-area 20c extends outside of it and is thus arranged in the intermediate space which is filled with foam. In addition, it can be seen that opposite ends 23a and 23b of the groove 23 open out into adjacent grooves 24 and 25 that extend beyond the cover, so that an overall groove is formed across the cover, into which the further delimiting wall 15 is inserted.

In Fig. 7 the boundary wall 13 is shown in a perspective view, the integrated box 17 being shown here in the open state. As in this view and also in the enlarged view in Fig. 8 As can be seen, an at least regionally encircling rib 27 is integrally formed on an inner side 20d which, when the box 17 is closed, faces the pot 19 and thus also the inner volume 26 of the box 17. This engages in the closed state of the box 17 in the receiving pot 19, so that the lid 20 not only sits on the pot 19, but is arranged in an interlocking manner. The rib 27 is preferably seated on a pedestal 35 which is formed on the inside of the circumferential boundary walls of the pot 19.

In addition, it is provided that the cover 20 has a latching element 28 on an inner side 20d facing the receptacle 19 in the closed state of the box 17. The locking element 28 is on the edge side on which the connection of the Lid 20 is given to the film hinges 21 and 22, arranged. In the closed state of the box 17, the latching element 28 engages in a latching receptacle 29 which is formed on an inner side of a circumferential first wall of the receptacle 19. This latching receptacle 29 is also arranged adjacent to the film hinges 21 and 22 and is thus designed in particular on that first wall of the receptacle to which the film hinges 21 and 22 also open.

This locking coupling, close to the film hinge, between the cover and the pot 19, when the box 17 is closed, relieves the load on the film hinges 21 and 22.

In addition, it is provided that a tab-like latching receptacle 31 is formed on an edge side 30 of the cover 20 which is opposite that edge side which opens onto the film hinges 21 and 22. This is designed so that in the closed state of the box 17 a latching element 32, which is formed on an outside of a further lateral wall of the receptacle 19, engages. This latching element 32 is formed on that peripheral wall or side wall of the receptacle 19 which is opposite that side wall to which the film hinges 21 and 22 open. For the latching coupling between the latching element 28 and the latching receptacle 29, an additional latching coupling is also achieved on opposite walls or edge sides, so that the closed state of the box 17 is maintained particularly advantageously.

In Fig. 9 is the representation in Fig. 8 shown, but with a view of the outside 13a of the boundary wall 13, so that here one is not looking outward from the machine room 12, but looking from the outside in the direction of the machine room 12.

In Fig. 10 two exemplary embodiments of perspective representations of a sealing element 33 are shown, as they can be arranged in the box 17. The sealing elements 33 are likewise cuboid-shaped parts, which can preferably be fitted in the box 17 with an accurate fit in all three spatial directions and thus completely fill the inner volume 26 except for a passage 34. The passages 34 are axial and designed to accommodate different lines depending on the respective diameter. The sealing element 33 is thus also a filler body.

List of reference symbols

1

Household refrigerator

2

casing

3

inner space

4th

inner space

5

door

6th

Refrigerant compressor

7th

contraption

8th

Drip tray

9

Collecting bowl

10

Connecting line

11

Carrier shell

12th

Engine room

13th

lateral boundary wall

13a

Outside

14th

Boundary wall

15th

Boundary wall

16

Space

17th

Cable entry box

18a

management

18b

management

18c

management

19th

pot

20th

lid

20a

Outside

20b

Sub-area

20c

Sub-area

21

Film hinge

22nd

Film hinge

23

Groove

23a

The End

23b

end

24

Groove

25th

Groove

26th

Internal volume

27

rib

28

Locking element

29

Snap recording

30th

Marginal side

31

Snap recording

32

Locking element

33

Sealing element

34

execution

35

Pedestal

A.

Longitudinal axis

Claims (14)

1. Household refrigeration appliance (1) with a housing (2), in which is arranged an inner container, which bounds an inner chamber (3, 4) for holding food, and with a machine chamber (12) that is separated from the inner chamber (3, 4) and in which components (6 to 11) of a refrigeration circuit of the household refrigeration appliance (1) are arranged, wherein the machine chamber (12) has a boundary wall (13), on which a cable/line bushing box (17) is arranged for the passage of at least one cable or line (18a, 18b, 18c) from outside the machine chamber (12) into the machine chamber (12), and the box (17) has an accommodating receptacle (19) and a cover (20) for closing the accommodating receptacle (19) and the cover (20) is connected as a single piece to the accommodating receptacle (19), characterised in that the box (17) is configured at least with its accommodating receptacle (19) on an outer face (13a) of the boundary wall (13) facing away from the machine chamber (12) and extends outward from the outer face (13a) facing away from the machine chamber (12).
2. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection between the cover (20) and the accommodating receptacle (20) is at least one film hinge (21, 22).
3. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, when the box (17) is in the closed state, a first subregion (20b) of the cover (20) extends in the machine chamber (12) and a second subregion (20c) extends outside the machine chamber (12).
4. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box (17) is configured as a single piece with the boundary wall (13).
5. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (20) has an at least partially peripheral rib (27) on an inner face (20d) facing the accommodating receptacle (19) when the box (17) is in the closed state, said rib (27) resting against inner faces of lateral walls of the accommodating receptacle (19), in particular resting on a platform (35) on the inner faces of the walls, when the box (17) is in the closed state.
6. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (20) has a latching element (28) on an inner face (20d) facing the accommodating receptacle (19) when the box (17) is in the closed state, said latching element (28) engaging in a latching mount (29) on an inner face of a first lateral wall of the accommodating receptacle (19) when the box (17) is in the closed state.
7. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (20) has a tab-type latching mount (31) on an edge face (30), in which a latching element (32) on an outer face of a second lateral wall of the accommodating receptacle (19) engages when the box (17) is in the closed state.
8. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one sealing element (33) with a cable/line bushing (34) is arranged as a filler in the box (17), being arranged with a precise fit at least in two spatial directions, in particular being arranged with a precise fit in three spatial directions, in an inner chamber (26) of the box (17).
9. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (20) has a groove (23) for holding a further boundary wall (15) of the machine chamber (12) on an outer face (20a) facing away from an inner chamber of the box (17).
10. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the groove (23) is oriented vertically when the cover (20) is in the closed state.
11. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the groove (23) in the cover opens at both ends into external grooves (24, 25) configured to hold the further boundary wall (15) when the cover (19) is in the closed state.
12. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the further boundary wall (15) is a cardboard wall.
13. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the boundary wall (13) with the box (17) is made of plastic and/or is a side wall.
14. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cable/line bushing channel (34) of the box (17) is oriented at an angle between 30° and 70°, in particular between 30° and 60°, to the vertical and/or the box (17) is oriented at an angle between 30° and 70°, in particular between 30° and 60°, to the vertical.

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