EP4403854A1 - Refrigeration and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer, preferably a multi-zone refrigerator and/or freezer with vacuum thermal insulation, with at least one body with at least one inner container, at least one evaporator, at least one door seal and at least one condensate drain, wherein the condensate drain runs at least once through the region of the sealing plane, wherein the device comprises at least one outer wall, wherein the condensate drain is arranged at least in sections between the inner container and the outer wall and runs at least in sections on the inner container and/or on the outer wall.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer, preferably a multi-zone refrigerator and/or freezer with vacuum thermal insulation, with at least one body with at least one inner container, at least one evaporator, at least one door seal and at least one condensate drain, wherein the condensate drain runs at least once through the region of the sealing plane.

State-of-the-art refrigerators and/or freezers, in which a significant part of the insulation effect is provided by vacuum insulation, are advantageous due to increasing energy efficiency requirements. The use of vacuum insulation also has consequences for the design of the refrigeration system, for example in the EP 3 371 530 A2 described.

The EP 3 371 530 A2 The solution shown with a base unit can be used well in refrigerators and/or freezers with only one compartment, which can be a cooling compartment or a freezing compartment. Thanks to a retractable base module in which the cooling lines do not go through the vacuum body, the concept offers advantages in terms of maintenance, repair and recycling.

Multi-zone refrigerators and/or freezers with vacuum insulation and several compartments or temperature zones in which different temperatures prevail are also known. For example, multi-zone refrigerators and/or freezers with vacuum insulation and a refrigerator and a freezer section are known. However, the challenge here is to drain the condensation or defrost water from the refrigerator section out of the device.

In conventionally insulated refrigerators and/or freezers using foam insulation, there is a hole through the insulation on the rear wall of the appliance for this purpose. The condensate is directed downwards through this hole, either on the rear wall or in the foam, where it is usually collected in the area of the compressor or condenser and evaporates.

In full vacuum devices, a breakthrough through the vacuum insulation represents a significant process complexity and therefore a major cost factor.

Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of developing an above-mentioned refrigerator and/or freezer in an advantageous manner, in particular to provide a drainage of condensate from the refrigerator part without requiring a passage through a vacuum insulation body.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, according to the invention, it is provided that the device comprises at least one outer wall, wherein the condensate drain is arranged at least in sections between the inner container and the outer wall and runs at least in sections on the inner container and/or on the outer wall.

The region of the sealing plane is preferably the region of the body which is located between a first plane formed by the contact plane of the door seal and the body and a second plane parallel to the first plane, wherein the second plane is offset from the first plane by a certain amount to the rear, i.e. towards the rear wall.

The amount can, for example, be in a range from 5 cm to 15 cm. An example value is 10 cm.

Between the first and the second level is the area of the sealing level, which represents a volume.

The amount can also be selected so that the condensate drain finds space in the area if the condensate drain is placed close to the front of the appliance. In other words, the condensate drain is preferably guided through a front area of the refrigerator and/or freezer, the front area preferably being the front third or the front quarter or the front eighth of the appliance.

In other words, the area of the sealing plane indicates the volume of the housing which results between the plane on which the door seal rests on the housing and a plane parallel to it, e.g. 10 cm further back towards the housing body.

The vacuum insulation is preferably a full vacuum insulation, i.e. one (or more) bodies surrounding the inner container on its outside, which has a high-barrier film filled with a supporting material, such as perlite, and in which a vacuum prevails.

The outer wall preferably comprises an at least partially metallic sheet, in particular a steel sheet.

Preferably, it is provided that the inner container or the outer wall has a preferably vertically running edge or bevel and the condensate drain runs at least partially in, on and/or in the region of the edge or bevel, wherein the edge or bevel is preferably arranged in a front region of the device.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the condensate drain comprises a hose and/or a pipe, wherein the hose and/or the pipe preferably consist at least partially of plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a sieve is provided which is arranged to prevent solids from entering the condensate drain and thus clogging it. The term "sieve" is understood to mean any retention means that fulfils this function. The sieve can be arranged at or in front of the inlet of the pipe, hose, etc.

Preferably, it is provided that the condensate drain is at least partially in thermal contact with the outer wall and/or that the outer wall preferably comprises a metal sheet.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the device has means which are designed in such a way and are preferably arranged on the outer wall and/or on the inner container and on the condensate drain, that the condensate drain is pressed at least in sections against the outer wall and/or the inner container.

Preferably, the condensate drain has a, preferably automated, plug-in connection.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the condensate drain comprises a first and a second part, wherein the first part comprises a conical opening which is designed such that the second part can be threaded into the opening.

Preferably, the first part is arranged at least in sections on the outer wall and the second part is arranged at least in sections on the inner container.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the condensate drain runs at least in sections from a rear area of the device to a front area of the device and has a gradient.

Preferably, it is provided that the condensate drain is connected to a drain channel, preferably arranged in a rear region of the device, wherein the drain channel and the condensate drain are connected in such a way that condensate can flow from the drain channel into the condensate drain.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the condensate drain does not run through the vacuum thermal insulation and/or that the condensate drain is arranged at least in sections between the inner container or the outer wall and the vacuum thermal insulation.

The condensate drain preferably does not run into an area that has a temperature below 0 °C, as the condensate would otherwise freeze. In addition, the condensate drain should preferably be manufactured in an automated manner, in particular in order to meet the manufacturing conditions for full vacuum devices.

The device preferably has a refrigerator part and a freezer part, with the refrigerator part preferably being arranged above the freezer part. The condensate preferably accumulates in the refrigerator part and is drained from there.

It can be provided that the drainage of condensate from the cooling part takes place at least in sections along a front edge of the device and/or does not pass through the vacuum thermal insulation.

It can also be provided that condensate accumulates on a cold rear wall and is brought between the inner container and the outer wall or vacuum heat insulation via a hose or pipe to the front edge of the device, with a gradient in the hose or pipe. The condensate drain can run in the area of the cooling part within the vacuum heat insulation.

It can also be provided that in the area of the transition between the inner container and the outer wall there is an automated plug-in pipe or hose connection through which the condensate drains out of the cooling part.

The dew water can also be called condensation water.

It can also be provided that the drainage of condensate in the area of the freezer compartment takes place in the area of a front corner edge of the outer wall. The drainage of condensate can run outside the vacuum thermal insulation in the area of the freezer compartment.

It can also be provided that the condensate drain on the inner container is led to the bottom of the appliance, whereby the condensate is in close thermal contact with the outer wall.

It can also be provided that the condensate drain on the inner container is in the form of a plastic pipe, which is pressed towards the outer wall by clamps or structures on the inner container.

It can further be provided that the outer wall-side part of the condensate drain has a conical opening into which the inner container-side part is threaded.

It should be noted here that the terms "a" and "an" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements, although this is one possible embodiment, but can also refer to a plurality of the elements. Likewise, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular and, conversely, the singular also includes several of the elements in question. Furthermore, all features of the invention described herein can be combined with one another as desired or claimed in isolation from one another.

Fig. 1:

einen seitlichen Schnitt durch eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kühl- und/oder Gefriergeräts.

Fig. 2:

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kühl- und/oder Gefriergeräts.

Further advantages, features and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures in which identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.

Fig.1:

a side section through an embodiment of a refrigerator and/or freezer according to the invention.

Fig. 2:

a horizontal section through an embodiment of a refrigerator and/or freezer according to the invention.

In Fig.1 a multi-zone refrigerator and/or freezer 100 is shown with a vacuum-insulated body 10, vacuum-insulated doors 20 and 30 and a dividing floor 40. The dividing floor 40 separates the refrigerator part 50 from the freezer part 60. Refrigeration technology 70 is arranged at the bottom of the device 100.

IT is used to schematically indicate a 0 °C isotherm. Below or within this isotherm IT, the device has a temperature below 0 °C, and no condensate should be allowed to enter the area enclosed by this isotherm IT, as it will otherwise freeze.

2 denotes a drainage channel into which condensate from the cold heat exchanger of the cooling part 50 flows. Therefore, the heat exchanger of the cooling part 50 is preferably located above the drainage channel 2.

The condensate drain runs along the dashed line T. The condensate drain includes, for example, a pipe 1 that runs outside the inner container to the front, as shown in Fig.2 is shown.

Fig.2 shows a horizontal section through the cooling part 50, whereby the rear wall is not shown.

The inner container 4 of the cooling part 50 has a drainage channel 2 on the rear wall. The inner container 4 is connected to an outer wall 5, which is designed as a sheet metal.

Between the inner container 4 and the outer wall 5 there is an insulating space in which a vacuum thermal insulation is arranged.

A first pipe or hose section 1 of the condensate drain runs horizontally with a vertical incline between the inner container 4 and the outer wall 5. The first pipe or hose section 1 runs from the drain channel 2 to the front and runs along the inner container 4.

At the front side of the device, the first pipe or hose piece 1 has a bend and ends in a conical opening of a second pipe or hose piece 3, wherein the first pipe or hose piece 1 is inserted into the conical opening.

The second pipe or hose section 3 runs vertically along an edge of the outer wall 5 at the level of the freezer compartment 60 and ends in a base area of the appliance 100.

The course of the condensate drain shown in the figures is advantageous for thermal reasons, since the insulation is not weakened by the course of the condensate drain in the corner area of the outer wall 5.

During the manufacture of the device 100, the outer wall 5 is joined to the inner container 4 in a fully or partially automated manner in order to reliably prevent damage to the high-barrier film. The condensate drain therefore preferably has an automatable plug connection in the transition from the inner container 4 to the outer wall 5.

It is also conceivable to guide the condensate drain downwards along an edge of the inner container 4. It is preferable to ensure that the condensate drain runs in the immediate vicinity of the outer wall 5 when installed, as this is the only way to ensure that the temperature in the condensate drain does not fall below freezing.

The condensate drain can be designed as a one-piece component. In this case, an opening or cutout must be provided in the base plate of the device 100 through which the condensate drain runs and preferably connects directly to an evaporation tray.

Preferably, the condensate drain has thermal contact with the outer wall 5 at least in sections. This is particularly relevant if the condensate drain runs downwards on the inner container 4. For example, the course of the condensate drain can be designed by structures arranged in the preferably deep-drawn inner container 4 so that it is pressed against an edge of the outer wall 5 into which the inner container 4 snaps. For this purpose, the section of the condensate drain running on the edge of the inner container 4 is preferably designed as a pipe 1 in order to keep the number of necessary support points as low as possible.

The condensate drain can also be supported by plug-on parts or the like, such as clamps, which enable the pipe 1 to be fixed to the inner container 4.

In order to be able to automatically make the plug-in connection to a section of the condensate drain running along the outer wall, it is preferably provided that the connection between the section of the condensate drain running along the inner container 4 and the section of the condensate drain running along the edge of the outer wall 5 can be automatically joined. For this purpose, it can be provided that the part of the condensate drain on the outer wall opens conically in the area of the plug connection, so that when plugging in, on the one hand, there is a threading slope to compensate for tolerances and, on the other hand, the necessary tightness with regard to water leakage is guaranteed. The joining direction of the two parts of the condensate drain can be perpendicular to one another, corresponding to the joining direction of the inner container 4 and the outer wall 5.

The conical part of the condensate drain on the outside wall can be supported by a structure in the outside wall 5. This makes it possible to use a softer structure, for example a hose. The part on the inside container side is then preferably a plastic pipe, which is connected to the inner container 4 in the joining area, e.g. by clamps or support structures provided on the inner container.

Claims (12)

Refrigerator and/or freezer, preferably multi-zone refrigerator and/or freezer with vacuum thermal insulation, with at least one body with at least one inner container, at least one evaporator, at least one door seal and at least one condensate drain, wherein the condensate drain runs at least once through the region of the sealing plane, characterized in that the device comprises at least one outer wall, wherein the condensate drain is arranged at least in sections between the inner container and the outer wall and runs at least in sections on the inner container and/or on the outer wall. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner container or the outer wall has a preferably vertically running edge or bevel and the condensate drain runs at least partially in, on and/or in the region of the edge or bevel, wherein the edge or bevel is preferably arranged in a front region of the appliance. Refrigerators and/or freezers according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the condensate drain comprises a hose and/or a pipe, wherein the hose and/or the pipe preferably consist at least partially of plastic. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain is designed with a sieve to prevent clogging of the condensate drain, wherein the sieve is preferably arranged at a position which is at or in front of the inlet of the hose or pipe according to claim 3. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain is at least partially in thermal contact with the outer wall and/or that the outer wall preferably comprises a metal sheet. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the appliance has means which are designed in such a way and are preferably arranged on the outer wall and/or on the inner container and on the condensate drain, that the condensate drain is pressed at least in sections against the outer wall and/or the inner container. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain has a, preferably automated, plug-in connection. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain comprises a first and a second part, wherein the first part comprises a conical opening which is designed such that the second part can thread into the opening. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 8, characterized in that the first part is arranged at least in sections on the outer wall and the second part is arranged at least in sections on the inner container. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain runs at least in sections from a rear region of the appliance to a front region of the appliance and has a gradient. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain is connected to a drain channel, preferably arranged in a rear region of the appliance, wherein the drain channel and the condensate drain are connected in such a way that condensate can flow from the drain channel into the condensate drain. Refrigerator and/or freezer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate drain does not run through the vacuum thermal insulation and/or that the condensate drain is arranged at least in sections between the inner container or the outer wall and the vacuum thermal insulation.

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