EP3137822B1 - Refrigeration appliance having a defrost water drainage line anti-blockage mechanism - Google Patents

Refrigeration appliance having a defrost water drainage line anti-blockage mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3137822B1
EP3137822B1 EP14720603.1A EP14720603A EP3137822B1 EP 3137822 B1 EP3137822 B1 EP 3137822B1 EP 14720603 A EP14720603 A EP 14720603A EP 3137822 B1 EP3137822 B1 EP 3137822B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
discharge line
evaporator
cleaning apparatus
refrigeration appliance
refrigeration
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EP14720603.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3137822A1 (en
Inventor
Durser Cagatay BOLUKBASI
Ahmet SERT
Ahmet Onur Moza
Salih Pelin
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Arcelik AS
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Arcelik AS
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Publication of EP3137822A1 publication Critical patent/EP3137822A1/en
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Publication of EP3137822B1 publication Critical patent/EP3137822B1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/14—Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance having a heat exchanger with a defrost water drainage line anti-blockage mechanism.
  • the thermal energy absorbed from the inner cabin of the appliance is discharged by means of a condenser.
  • the refrigerant fluid is accordingly circulated between a condenser, a tube expander and an evaporator.
  • the refrigerant fluid undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase into the gas phase by way of absorbing the ambient heat of the foodstuff preserved within the cabin while passing through the evaporator.
  • Cooling devices allowing optional use for refrigeration of perishable materials e.g. as a fresh food refrigerator or alternatively, as a deep-freeze, utilize as such an evaporator, which is usually located between the inner plastic liner of the storage compartment and the outer housing of the device.
  • the evaporator serves for reducing the temperature of circulating air within the cooling device.
  • the surface temperature of the evaporator may go as low as -27° Celsius, which is way below the freezing temperature of water, eventually causing frost of the humidity contained in the air.
  • the defrost process should therefore be performed in order to deice the frost formed on the refrigeration system.
  • a defrost water drainage line in this respect leads to a water collection receptacle, the latter being employed for accumulating and optionally evaporating the defrost water.
  • the present invention is devised under the recognition that a facilitated way of cleaning the water drainage line remains a need, either by the maintenance staff or by directly the user of the refrigeration appliance.
  • the present invention affords a readily practical and straightforward system, which can be used without involvement of a maintenance staff member.
  • CN101936634 disclosing a refrigerator, wherein an evaporator, a thaw water removal device, a condenser and a water receiving tray are arranged in a refrigerator body; the thaw water removal device is arranged between the evaporator and the condenser, and comprises a thaw water drain pipe and a seal chamber; the seal chamber is communicated with the defrost water drain pipe; and the bottom of the seal chamber is provided with a drainage hole.
  • the invention also discloses the thaw water removal device.
  • the disclosed refrigerator with the defrost water removal device effects drainage and sealing, and simultaneously uses defrost water with lower temperature to cool the condenser.
  • Prior art document DE 10 2009 026 667 A1 discloses a household refrigerator with a passage leading from the storage room into the open air.
  • the invention also discloses the thaw water removal device.
  • the disclosed refrigerator with the defrost water removal device effects drainage and sealing, and simultaneously uses defrost water with lower temperature to cool the condenser.
  • the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance with a heat exchanger in fluid communication with a defrost water drainage line, whose blockage is being avoided by means of a discharge line cleaning mechanism, as provided by the features defined in Claim 1.
  • Primary object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance with a discharge line cleaning mechanism, which can effect cleaning of the discharge line without removing any shelf, connection element, cabin accessory or the storage compartment liner itself.
  • the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having a defrost system such as for instance a hot gas discharge system or an electric heater system for defrosting evaporator coils.
  • a water discharge line carries the defrosted water into a defrost water collection receptacle.
  • the discharge line cleaning apparatus of the invention has a handle grip mounted in a visible manner to be manually operable on the evaporator liner of the refrigeration compartment in order to clean the discharge line and the discharge line outlet by moving the handle grip back and forth and in the peripheral directions.
  • the handle grip is integrally connected with a cylindrical body as a tubular body inside a cleaning apparatus guiding housing, the latter extending in the discharge line.
  • the tubular body is moved in the cleaning apparatus guiding housing such that its cleaning head performs the cleaning operation.
  • the tubular body is a resilient part deformable into the shape of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing when moved back and forth.
  • An evaporator liner opening opens to the cleaning apparatus guiding housing through an elbow portion, the cleaning apparatus guiding housing then extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said water discharge line.
  • Said cleaning head extend to a lower point in comparison to the level at which the discharge line outlet is located in the discharge line. It has a bowl-shaped structure in the radial center of the discharge line, therefore collecting falling particles.
  • the cleaning head's head portion is smaller than the cleaning apparatus guiding housing's diameter as well as the diameter of the discharge line outlet wall.
  • the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance (1) having a cooling or refrigeration compartment for preserving foodstuff, a compressor circulating a refrigerant fluid, a condenser providing the refrigerant fluid to be condensed and an evaporator placed in an evaporator interspace (3) and effecting refrigeration by absorbing the ambient thermal energy.
  • a defrost system For defrosting the ice deposited on the evaporator surface caused by frozen water content, a defrost system is provided such that a water discharge line (4) leading from said evaporator interspace (3) to a discharge line outlet (10) allows drainage of the water. The drained water may then reach a defrost receptacle (not shown).
  • the evaporator is conventionally placed behind an evaporator liner (2) or cover defining the rear wall of the refrigeration appliance's (1) inner compartment.
  • the frost and particles formed around the evaporator coils and being melted by the defrost system, for instance in the form of an electric heater, may fall in large pieces so as to block the discharge line outlet (10).
  • the present invention provides a discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) readily mounted on the rear wall, i.e. the evaporator liner (2) of the storage compartment of the refrigeration appliance (1).
  • said discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) in accordance with the present invention comprises a handle grip (7) for conveniently holding the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) by reaching to the handle grip (7) at the lower part of the inner wall of the refrigeration cabin and pulling the same out from the evaporator liner (2) surface on which it is mounted.
  • the handle grip (7) is integrally connected with a resilient tubular body (8) extending into a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in the form of an internal cylindrical cavity.
  • the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) has an elbow portion (12) communicating with an evaporator liner opening (6) and the remaining portion thereof extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water discharge line (4).
  • Said tubular body (8) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is movably guided within the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
  • the handle grip (7) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5), normally closing the evaporator liner opening (6) can be pulled out so that the resilient tubular body (8) deforms into a longitudinal shape corresponding to the cavity formation of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) and a cleaning head (9) integral with the tubular body (8) at the lowermost end thereof moves upwards to reach the lowermost end of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11). While being moved up and down, the cleaning head (9) crush, disperse and disintegrate the ice deposits accumulated around the discharge line outlet (10).
  • the cleaning head (9) is designed as a bowl-shaped structure, having a larger top portion, normally retaining and collecting ice deposits as well as any other particles in its inactive state in the center of the flow path, while still allowing water flow down the inner walls of the discharge line (4).
  • the bowl-shaped structure therefore helps in maintaining the discharge line outlet (10) open so as to allow water flow.
  • the cleaning head (9) designed as a bowl-shaped structure can also be completely pulled up and removed because the head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the tubular cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  • This also provides that the cleaning head (9) can also be moved in radial directions against the inner walls of the discharge line (4) as well as against the surrounding discharge line outlet (10) wall, the latter's diameter being slightly larger than that of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  • the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) when not in use, can be stored in its inactive position until the next time it is used and can as such keep the evaporator liner opening (6) closed.
  • the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having a cooling or refrigeration compartment for preserving foodstuff, a compressor circulating a refrigerant fluid, a condenser providing the refrigerant fluid to be condensed, an evaporator placed in an evaporator interspace (3) separated from the refrigeration compartment by means of an evaporator liner (2) and effecting refrigeration by absorbing the ambient thermal energy, a defrost system for defrosting evaporator coils and a water discharge line (4) leading from the evaporator interspace (3) to a discharge line outlet (10) so as to allow drainage of defrost water.
  • a discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is provided such that a handle grip (7) thereof being mounted on the evaporator liner (2) of the refrigeration compartment is usable in position control of a cleaning head (9) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5).
  • the handle grip (7) is operable to be pulled out from an evaporator liner (2) surface.
  • the handle grip (7) is connected with a tubular body (8) extending into a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) being in the form of a longitudinal cavity.
  • the tubular body (8) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is movably guided within the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
  • the tubular body (8) is a resilient part deformable into a longitudinal shape dynamically corresponding to the longitudinal cavity formation of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  • the handle grip (7) is mounted in an evaporator liner opening (6) communicating with a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in the form of a longitudinal cavity extending inside the evaporator interspace (3).
  • the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) has an elbow portion (12) communicating with the evaporator liner opening (6) and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water discharge line (4).
  • the evaporator liner opening (6) is fully covered by the handle grip (7) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5).
  • the cleaning head (9) extends in its inactive state beyond the level at which the discharge line outlet (10) is located in the discharge line (4).
  • the cleaning head (9) is designed as a bowl-shaped structure. According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head's (9) head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11). According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head's (9) head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the discharge line outlet (10) wall.
  • the handle grip (7) is integrally formed with the tubular body (8) and the tubular body (8) is integrally formed with the cleaning head (9).
  • the present invention therefore provides an advantageous and practical solution to prevent total blockage of the discharge line (4).
  • the straightforward solution of the invention enables the users clean the discharge line (4) in a readily applicable manner without requiring maintenance service. Even if the deployment of repair or maintenance staff is requested, service members can effectively complete the cleaning operation in a matter of minutes.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Removal Of Water From Condensation And Defrosting (AREA)

Description

  • The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance having a heat exchanger with a defrost water drainage line anti-blockage mechanism.
  • It is well-known that in the refrigerant cycle effected in refrigeration appliances, the thermal energy absorbed from the inner cabin of the appliance is discharged by means of a condenser. The refrigerant fluid is accordingly circulated between a condenser, a tube expander and an evaporator. The refrigerant fluid undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase into the gas phase by way of absorbing the ambient heat of the foodstuff preserved within the cabin while passing through the evaporator. Cooling devices allowing optional use for refrigeration of perishable materials e.g. as a fresh food refrigerator or alternatively, as a deep-freeze, utilize as such an evaporator, which is usually located between the inner plastic liner of the storage compartment and the outer housing of the device.
  • The evaporator serves for reducing the temperature of circulating air within the cooling device. The surface temperature of the evaporator may go as low as -27° Celsius, which is way below the freezing temperature of water, eventually causing frost of the humidity contained in the air. The defrost process should therefore be performed in order to deice the frost formed on the refrigeration system. A defrost water drainage line in this respect leads to a water collection receptacle, the latter being employed for accumulating and optionally evaporating the defrost water.
  • The frost and particles formed around the evaporator and being melted by a defrost system, the latter system utilizing for instance an electric heater or performing hot gas discharge method, such particles may fall in large pieces into a water collection receptacle during the defrosting operation. It might happen that these relatively large pieces accumulate to the extent that the water drainage line will fulfill its function poorly. This situation, if severe, may lead to total blockage of the discharge line, in which case authorized maintenance staff will step in to address the problem. In any case, one has to remove all the shelves by unfastening several connection elements and also accessories, if any, such as vegetable compartments and glass covers thereof, in order for reaching the storage compartment liner, i.e. the rear wall of the storage compartment of the refrigeration appliance. The water drainage line is behind the liner so one also has to dismantle the liner, i.e. the evaporator cover.
  • To this end, the present invention is devised under the recognition that a facilitated way of cleaning the water drainage line remains a need, either by the maintenance staff or by directly the user of the refrigeration appliance. The present invention affords a readily practical and straightforward system, which can be used without involvement of a maintenance staff member.
  • Among others, a prior art patent publication relevant to the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as CN101936634 , disclosing a refrigerator, wherein an evaporator, a thaw water removal device, a condenser and a water receiving tray are arranged in a refrigerator body; the thaw water removal device is arranged between the evaporator and the condenser, and comprises a thaw water drain pipe and a seal chamber; the seal chamber is communicated with the defrost water drain pipe; and the bottom of the seal chamber is provided with a drainage hole. The invention also discloses the thaw water removal device. The disclosed refrigerator with the defrost water removal device effects drainage and sealing, and simultaneously uses defrost water with lower temperature to cool the condenser.
  • Prior art document DE 10 2009 026 667 A1 discloses a household refrigerator with a passage leading from the storage room into the open air.
  • The invention also discloses the thaw water removal device. The disclosed refrigerator with the defrost water removal device effects drainage and sealing, and simultaneously uses defrost water with lower temperature to cool the condenser.
  • The present invention, on the other hand, proposes a refrigeration appliance with a heat exchanger in fluid communication with a defrost water drainage line, whose blockage is being avoided by means of a discharge line cleaning mechanism, as provided by the features defined in Claim 1.
  • Primary object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance with a discharge line cleaning mechanism, which can effect cleaning of the discharge line without removing any shelf, connection element, cabin accessory or the storage compartment liner itself.
  • The present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having a defrost system such as for instance a hot gas discharge system or an electric heater system for defrosting evaporator coils. A water discharge line carries the defrosted water into a defrost water collection receptacle.
  • The discharge line cleaning apparatus of the invention has a handle grip mounted in a visible manner to be manually operable on the evaporator liner of the refrigeration compartment in order to clean the discharge line and the discharge line outlet by moving the handle grip back and forth and in the peripheral directions.
  • The handle grip is integrally connected with a cylindrical body as a tubular body inside a cleaning apparatus guiding housing, the latter extending in the discharge line. The tubular body is moved in the cleaning apparatus guiding housing such that its cleaning head performs the cleaning operation. The tubular body is a resilient part deformable into the shape of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing when moved back and forth.
  • An evaporator liner opening opens to the cleaning apparatus guiding housing through an elbow portion, the cleaning apparatus guiding housing then extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said water discharge line.
  • Said cleaning head extend to a lower point in comparison to the level at which the discharge line outlet is located in the discharge line. It has a bowl-shaped structure in the radial center of the discharge line, therefore collecting falling particles.
  • The cleaning head's head portion is smaller than the cleaning apparatus guiding housing's diameter as well as the diameter of the discharge line outlet wall.
  • Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a refrigeration appliance whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.
  • The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
    • Fig. 1 demonstrates a front view of the inner space of a refrigeration cabin of the refrigeration appliance according to the present invention.
    • Fig. 2 demonstrates a cross-sectional side view along lines B-B as indicated in Fig. 1 according to the present invention.
    • Fig. 3 demonstrates an enlarged view of detail A as shown in Fig. 2 according to the present invention.
    • Fig. 4 demonstrates a cross-sectional side view along lines B-B as indicated in Fig. 1 while the discharge line cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is pulled back for effecting cleaning of the discharge line and the discharge line outlet.
    • Fig. 5 demonstrates an enlarged view of detail A as shown in Fig. 4 according to the present invention.
  • The following numerals are used in the detailed description:
    1. 1. Refrigeration appliance
    2. 2. Evaporator liner
    3. 3. Evaporator interspace
    4. 4. Discharge line
    5. 5. Discharge line cleaning apparatus
    6. 6. Evaporator liner opening
    7. 7. Handle grip
    8. 8. Tubular body
    9. 9. Cleaning head
    10. 10. Discharge line outlet
    11. 11. Cleaning apparatus guiding housing
    12. 12. Elbow portion
  • The present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance (1) having a cooling or refrigeration compartment for preserving foodstuff, a compressor circulating a refrigerant fluid, a condenser providing the refrigerant fluid to be condensed and an evaporator placed in an evaporator interspace (3) and effecting refrigeration by absorbing the ambient thermal energy.
  • For defrosting the ice deposited on the evaporator surface caused by frozen water content, a defrost system is provided such that a water discharge line (4) leading from said evaporator interspace (3) to a discharge line outlet (10) allows drainage of the water. The drained water may then reach a defrost receptacle (not shown).
  • The evaporator is conventionally placed behind an evaporator liner (2) or cover defining the rear wall of the refrigeration appliance's (1) inner compartment. The frost and particles formed around the evaporator coils and being melted by the defrost system, for instance in the form of an electric heater, may fall in large pieces so as to block the discharge line outlet (10). In order for cleaning the discharge line outlet (10) and restoring the proper functioning of the discharge line (4) without having to necessarily remove all the inner components of the refrigeration cabin and dismantling various parts and fastening members therein by a time-consuming and complicated process, the present invention provides a discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) readily mounted on the rear wall, i.e. the evaporator liner (2) of the storage compartment of the refrigeration appliance (1).
  • To this end, said discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) in accordance with the present invention comprises a handle grip (7) for conveniently holding the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) by reaching to the handle grip (7) at the lower part of the inner wall of the refrigeration cabin and pulling the same out from the evaporator liner (2) surface on which it is mounted.
  • The handle grip (7) is integrally connected with a resilient tubular body (8) extending into a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in the form of an internal cylindrical cavity. The cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) has an elbow portion (12) communicating with an evaporator liner opening (6) and the remaining portion thereof extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water discharge line (4). Said tubular body (8) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is movably guided within the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
  • The handle grip (7) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5), normally closing the evaporator liner opening (6) can be pulled out so that the resilient tubular body (8) deforms into a longitudinal shape corresponding to the cavity formation of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) and a cleaning head (9) integral with the tubular body (8) at the lowermost end thereof moves upwards to reach the lowermost end of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11). While being moved up and down, the cleaning head (9) crush, disperse and disintegrate the ice deposits accumulated around the discharge line outlet (10).
  • The cleaning head (9) is designed as a bowl-shaped structure, having a larger top portion, normally retaining and collecting ice deposits as well as any other particles in its inactive state in the center of the flow path, while still allowing water flow down the inner walls of the discharge line (4). The bowl-shaped structure therefore helps in maintaining the discharge line outlet (10) open so as to allow water flow.
  • On the other hand, the cleaning head (9) designed as a bowl-shaped structure can also be completely pulled up and removed because the head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the tubular cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11). This also provides that the cleaning head (9) can also be moved in radial directions against the inner walls of the discharge line (4) as well as against the surrounding discharge line outlet (10) wall, the latter's diameter being slightly larger than that of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  • The discharge line cleaning apparatus (5), when not in use, can be stored in its inactive position until the next time it is used and can as such keep the evaporator liner opening (6) closed.
  • In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having a cooling or refrigeration compartment for preserving foodstuff, a compressor circulating a refrigerant fluid, a condenser providing the refrigerant fluid to be condensed, an evaporator placed in an evaporator interspace (3) separated from the refrigeration compartment by means of an evaporator liner (2) and effecting refrigeration by absorbing the ambient thermal energy, a defrost system for defrosting evaporator coils and a water discharge line (4) leading from the evaporator interspace (3) to a discharge line outlet (10) so as to allow drainage of defrost water.
  • A discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is provided such that a handle grip (7) thereof being mounted on the evaporator liner (2) of the refrigeration compartment is usable in position control of a cleaning head (9) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5).
  • According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle grip (7) is operable to be pulled out from an evaporator liner (2) surface.
  • According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the handle grip (7) is connected with a tubular body (8) extending into a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) being in the form of a longitudinal cavity.
  • According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body (8) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is movably guided within the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body (8) is a resilient part deformable into a longitudinal shape dynamically corresponding to the longitudinal cavity formation of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the handle grip (7) is mounted in an evaporator liner opening (6) communicating with a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in the form of a longitudinal cavity extending inside the evaporator interspace (3).
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) has an elbow portion (12) communicating with the evaporator liner opening (6) and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the water discharge line (4).
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator liner opening (6) is fully covered by the handle grip (7) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5).
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head (9) extends in its inactive state beyond the level at which the discharge line outlet (10) is located in the discharge line (4).
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head (9) is designed as a bowl-shaped structure. According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head's (9) head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11). According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head's (9) head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the discharge line outlet (10) wall.
  • According to a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the handle grip (7) is integrally formed with the tubular body (8) and the tubular body (8) is integrally formed with the cleaning head (9).
  • The present invention therefore provides an advantageous and practical solution to prevent total blockage of the discharge line (4). The straightforward solution of the invention enables the users clean the discharge line (4) in a readily applicable manner without requiring maintenance service. Even if the deployment of repair or maintenance staff is requested, service members can effectively complete the cleaning operation in a matter of minutes.

Claims (10)

  1. A refrigeration appliance having a refrigeration compartment for preserving foodstuff, a compressor circulating a refrigerant fluid, a condenser providing the refrigerant fluid to be condensed, an evaporator placed in an evaporator interspace (3) separated from the refrigeration compartment by means of an evaporator liner (2) and effecting refrigeration by absorbing the ambient thermal energy,
    the refrigeration appliance comprises a water discharge line (4) and a discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) with a handle grip (7) usable in position control of a cleaning head (9) of said discharge line cleaning apparatus (5), characterized in that
    - the refrigeration appliance further comprises a defrost system for defrosting evaporator coils and the water discharge line (4) leading from said evaporator interspace (3) to a discharge line outlet (10) so as to allow drainage of defrost water;
    - the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is provided such that the handle grip (7) thereof being mounted on the evaporator liner (2) of the refrigeration compartment;
    - the handle grip (7) is mounted in an evaporator liner opening (6) communicating with a cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11), the latter extending in the discharge line, in the form of a longitudinal cavity extending inside said evaporator interspace (3);
    - the evaporator liner opening (6) is fully covered by the handle grip (7) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5);
    - the cleaning head (9) extends in its inactive state beyond the level at which the discharge line outlet (10) is located in the discharge line (4).
  2. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1, characterized in that the handle grip (7) is operable to be pulled out from an evaporator liner (2) surface.
  3. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle grip (7) is connected with a tubular body (8) extending into the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) being in the form of a longitudinal cavity.
  4. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 3, characterized in that the tubular body (8) of the discharge line cleaning apparatus (5) is movably guided within said cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
  5. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the tubular body (8) is a resilient part deformable into a longitudinal shape dynamically corresponding to the longitudinal cavity formation of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  6. A refrigeration appliance as in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11) has an elbow portion (12) communicating with the evaporator liner opening (6).
  7. A refrigeration appliance as in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cleaning head (9) is designed as a bowl-shaped structure.
  8. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 7, characterized in that the cleaning head's (9) head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of the cleaning apparatus guiding housing (11).
  9. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cleaning head's (9) head portion's largest diameter is smaller than the diameter of a discharge line outlet (10) wall.
  10. A refrigeration appliance as in any of Claims 3 to 5 characterized in that the handle grip (7) is integrally formed with the tubular body (8) and the tubular body (8) is integrally formed with the cleaning head (9).
EP14720603.1A 2014-04-30 2014-04-30 Refrigeration appliance having a defrost water drainage line anti-blockage mechanism Active EP3137822B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2014/058816 WO2015165519A1 (en) 2014-04-30 2014-04-30 Refrigeration appliance having a defrost water drainage line anti-blockage mechanism

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EP3137822A1 EP3137822A1 (en) 2017-03-08
EP3137822B1 true EP3137822B1 (en) 2018-07-11

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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CN203719296U (en) * 2014-01-08 2014-07-16 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Refrigerator and drain pipe cleaning plug for refrigerator

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