EP4650695A1

EP4650695A1 - Refrigerating appliance

Info

Publication number: EP4650695A1
Application number: EP25175290.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudia Weiß; Benjamin Schmidt; Dmitriy Bakulin; Simon Krämer; Semih Tinmaz; Andreas Lindel
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2024-05-14
Filing date: 2025-05-09
Publication date: 2025-11-19
Also published as: CN120947259A; TR2024005848A2

Abstract

Disclosed is a refrigerating appliance (100) including an inner liner (1) defining a storage compartment (10) for receiving items to be cooled with a rear wall limiting the storage compartment in a depth direction. A pair of fixation structures (2) is formed in the rear wall spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction, wherein each fixation structure defines an undercut (20) with respect to the depth direction. Further, the refrigerating appliance includes an air distribution assembly (3) having an insulating plate (31a) facing an inner surface of the rear wall and a cover plate disposed on the second surface of the insulating plate. The cover plate includes a plurality of hooks (35), and each hook engages the undercut of a respective one of the fixation structures. Each fixation structure includes a pocket (21) forming a recess in the inner surface of the rear wall, and a bulge (22) forming a protrusion in the inner surface of the rear wall. The undercut is defined by an overlap of the pocket and the bulge in the transverse direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerating appliance, in particular, to a domestic refrigerating appliance such as a refrigerator, a freezer, or a combined fridge-freezer.

BACKGROUND

In a modern domestic refrigerating appliance, cold air is circulated between a storage compartment for storing items, where the air absorbs heat, and an evaporator chamber, where the air releases heat to a refrigerant flowing in an evaporator. It is common to utilize air distribution assemblies that facilitate the uniform distribution of cold air throughout the storage compartment, ensuring that items placed within are cooled evenly. These air distribution assemblies, typically, are placed at a rear wall of an inner liner that defines the storage compartment.
EP 4 047 292 A1 discloses a refrigerating appliance comprising an inner liner and an air distribution assembly coupled to the inner liner. The inner liner comprises a back wall and side walls extending from the back wall, wherein a central recess extending in vertical direction is formed in the back wall. Along the vertical direction, multiple fixation pockets are formed pairwise on opposite sides of the channel. The air distribution assembly includes an insulating part and a cover plate positioned on a front surface of the insulating part. In a rear surface of the insulating part, air conduction recesses are formed. The rear surface is positioned facing a bottom of the channel of the back wall so that the back wall and the air conduction recesses, together, define air distribution channels. The cover plate comprises fixation hooks protruding towards the back wall. Each fixation hook is engaged with one respective fixation pocket of the back wall to fix the air distribution assembly to the back wall.
Further refrigerating appliances with air distribution assemblies arranged on a rear wall of an inner liner are described in US 2008 / 0 115 524 A1 and CN 115717802 A .
Typically, it is desirable to maximize the usable space within the storage compartment. Therefore, efforts are taken to provide the air distribution assembly in a space saving design. On the other hand, space for mounting the air distribution assembly is limited, too.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide improved solutions for arrangement and installation of an air distribution assembly within an inner liner of a refrigerating appliance.
To this end, the present invention provides a refrigerating appliance in accordance with claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are subject to the dependent claims and the following description, referring to the drawings.
According to the present invention, a refrigerating appliance, in particular, a domestic refrigerating appliance such as a refrigerator, a freezer, or a combined fridge-freezer is provided. The refrigerating appliance comprises an inner liner defining a storage compartment for receiving items to be cooled, and the inner liner comprises a rear wall limiting the storage compartment in a depth direction. Further, the refrigerating appliance includes a pair of fixation structures formed in the rear wall spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction, wherein each fixation structure defines an undercut with respect to the depth direction. Further, the refrigerating appliance includes an air distribution assembly comprising an insulating plate having a first surface facing an inner surface of the rear wall and an opposite second surface, and a cover plate disposed on the second surface of the insulating plate, wherein multiple air guiding recesses for guiding and distributing air are formed in the first surface of the insulating plate, and the cover plate includes a plurality of hooks, each hook engaging the undercut of a respective one of the fixation structures.
According to the invention, each fixation structure comprises a pocket forming a recess in the inner surface of the rear wall, and a bulge forming a protrusion in the inner surface of the rear wall, and the undercut is defined by an overlap of the pocket and the bulge in the transverse direction.
It is one of the ideas of the invention, to define an undercut for receiving a fixation hook by a combination of a bulge or protrusion and a pocket formed in the rear wall of the inner liner, respectively. The rear wall includes an inner surface limiting the storage compartment in a depth direction. In said inner surface, the pocket forms a recess, and the bulge forms a protrusion or convexity, and the bulge and the protrusion overlap in a transverse direction which extends transverse to the depth direction. In other words, the bulge extends beyond an end of the pocket in the transverse direction, so that a transition between the bulge and the pocket limits the undercut in the depth direction. The pocket forms a recess in the inner surface of the rear wall, and a correspondingly shaped protrusion is formed in an outer surface of the rear wall lying opposite to the inner surface. In the same way, a recess shaped correspondingly to the bulge may be formed in the outer surface of the rear wall.
An air distribution assembly comprises an insulating plate forming a structure designed to manage airflow within the appliance. The insulating plate has a first surface facing an inner surface of the rear wall. The insulating plate also has an opposite second surface. A cover plate is disposed on the second surface of the insulating plate. This arrangement implies a layered structure of the air distribution assembly, where the cover plate may serve to protect, reinforce, or further insulate the assembly, enhancing its overall effectiveness. Multiple air guiding recesses are formed in the first surface of the insulating plate. These recesses are designed to direct airflow within the appliance, ensuring that cool air is distributed evenly throughout the storage compartment. The cover plate includes a plurality of hooks. Thereby, a mechanism for attaching or securing the cover plate to the rear wall is provided. Each hook engages the undercut of a respective one of the fixation structures. This engagement mechanism ensures a secure and precise attachment between the cover plate and the rear wall, contributing to the appliance's structural stability.
One advantage of this design of the fixation structure with a combination of a pocket and a bulge is that, with a total dimension of the fixation structure in the depth direction being given, the fixation structure not only protrudes from one of the inner and outer surface of the rear wall, but from both surfaces. Therefore, a space saving design of the fixation structure is achieved on both sides of the rear wall. In particular, when space on the side of the outer surface is limited, a relatively deep undercut may be formed with a pocket only forming a small protrusion on the outer surface.
According to some embodiments, the inner liner comprises opposite side walls limiting the storage compartment in the transverse direction. The rear wall may extend between the side walls in the transverse direction. Further optionally, the inner liner may comprise a bottom wall and a ceiling wall that limit the storage compartment in a vertical direction extending transverse to the depth direction and the transverse direction. The bottom wall and the ceiling wall may extend between the side walls in the transverse direction and may extend from the rear wall in the depth direction.
According to some embodiments, the bulge connects the pocket to a side portion of the rear wall that extends between the respective bulge and the respectively neighboring side wall. That is, in a respective pair of fixation structures, the bulges may be arranged facing the side walls, and the pockets may be arranged facing each other in the transverse direction. The side portion of the rear wall may be a planar or substantially planar section, i.e., with a planar or substantially planar inner surface.
According to some embodiments, each fixation structure is positioned spaced to the respectively neighboring side wall in the transverse direction. For example, the fixation structures may be provided in a central region of the rear wall. Generally, a distance between the fixation structures in the transverse direction may be in a range between 15 % to 60% of a width of the rear wall in the transverse direction. Through the positioning distanced to the side walls, it is easier to attach air distribution panels of a different width to one and the same configuration of the rear wall.
According to some embodiments, the pocket and the bulge, together, define an S-shaped cross-section of the fixation structure. Thereby, the fixation structures may have an increased mechanical stiffness while a space saving design is achieved.
According to some embodiments, the pocket comprises a bottom extending in the transverse direction, a first pocket side wall connected to the bottom and extending in the depth direction, wherein the bulge comprises a curved portion extending beyond the first pocket side wall of the pocket in the transverse direction so as to overlap the bottom of the pocket, and an end wall extending from the curved portion in the depth direction, and the first side wall of the pocket and the end wall of the bulge are connected by a transverse or transition wall extending in the transverse direction overlapping with the bottom of the pocket so that the undercut is defined between the bottom and the transverse wall. That is, the transition wall bridges a distance in the transverse direction between the first pocket side wall and the end wall of the bulge. Thus, the transition wall, the first pocket side wall, and the bottom of the pocket limit a space for receiving the hook of the cover plate.
According to some embodiments, the rear wall comprises a central recess formed in the inner surface and extending in a vertical direction, wherein the fixation structures are positioned on opposite sides of the central recess in the transverse direction. The central recess of the rear wall may, for example, be an open channel formed in the inner surface of the rear wall. Optionally, the central recess of the rear wall may form a protrusion on the outer surface of the rear wall. The fixation structures may be positioned such that the pocket is placed at least partially within the central recess of the rear wall. Generally, the fixation structures may be positioned adjacent to the channel. Thereby, the air distribution assembly can be mechanically attached to the rear wall directly adjacent to the central recess of the rear wall. Hence, the central region of the air distribution assembly can be more reliably fixed. The central recess, together with the inner surface of the insulating plate of the air distribution assembly may form an air guide channel to guide the air along the vertical direction. By providing the fixation structures on opposite sides of the channel, interference of the hooks and the air flowing in the central recess may be avoided.
According to some embodiments, a width of the central recess of the rear wall in the transverse direction is in a range between 20 % to 55 % of a width of the rear wall in the transverse direction. Thus, the central recess of the rear wall is substantially smaller than a width of the rear wall.
According to some embodiments, the central recess comprises a recess bottom, and the bottom of the pocket is connected to the recess bottom by a second pocket side wall extending inclined relative to the recess bottom, wherein the recess bottom, with respect to the depth direction, is arranged between the bottom of the pocket and the side portion of the rear wall. The bottom of the central recess may be connected to the side wall portion of the rear wall by a recess side wall. The bottom of the central recess is arranged in a first distance to the side wall portion of the rear wall in the depth direction. Said first distance corresponds to a depth of the central recess. The bottom of the pocket is arranged in a second distance to the side wall portion of the rear wall in the depth direction. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Thereby, manufacturing of the inner liner, in particular, of the central recess of the rear wall and the fixation structures, e.g., in a deep drawing process is eased. Further, the negative of the central recess only protrudes minimally from the outer surface of the rear wall. Thereby, for example, insulation properties can be improved as a thickness of an insulating material provided on the outer side of the inner liner is only minimally reduced.
According to some embodiments, the insulating plate comprises a central recess extending in the vertical direction and multiple lateral recesses to distribute air flowing in the central recess, wherein the lateral recesses branch off from the central recess and extend along the transverse direction. The lateral recesses, for example, may extend in a straight or curved shape. The lateral recesses are distanced in the vertical direction, whereby a more uniform air distribution can be achieved.
According to some embodiments, the central recess of the insulating plate is arranged corresponding to the central recess of the rear wall, so that the central recess of the rear wall and the central recess of the insulating plate, together, define a central air guiding channel. Thus, a cross-sectional area of the central air guiding channel can be increased by the central recess of the rear wall. Thereby, flow resistance and pressure drop can be minimized.
According to some embodiments, a width of the central recess of the insulating plate in the transverse direction may be equal to or smaller than a width of the central recess of the rear wall in the transverse direction.
According to some embodiments, a first thickness of the insulating plate measured between the first surface and the second surface in the central recess is greater than a second thickness of the insulating plate measured between the first surface and the second surface in the lateral recesses. That is, a thickness of the insulating plate is increased in the central recess compared to the lateral recesses. Thereby, condensation can be more reliably prevented. Further, since the central recess of the insulating plate is positioned corresponding to the central recess of the rear wall, even though the thickness of the insulating plate is increased in the central recess, overall thickness of the insulating plate is not necessarily increased. Thereby, the usable volume of the storage compartment can be maximized without compromising insulating properties or causing excessive pressure drop in the air flow.
According to some embodiments, the lateral recesses extend beyond the central recess of the rear wall in the transverse direction. The lateral recesses, therefore, overlap the side portion of the rear wall. Hence, although a pair of fixation structures is provided in the rear wall, e.g., on opposite sides adjacent to the central recess of the rear wall, the area of the rear wall can still be used for guiding and distributing air. Further, a more uniform air distribution can be achieved.
According to some embodiments, multiple pairs of fixation structures are formed spaced to each other in the vertical direction in the rear wall, wherein one or more lateral recesses are positioned between neighboring pairs of fixation structures in the vertical direction. Thereby, the space provided at the rear wall is more efficiently used since the lateral recesses and the fixation structures overlap in the transverse direction. However, since they are arranged distanced or alternatingly in the vertical direction, no installation conflict occurs.
According to some embodiments, the lateral recesses extend to a respective side end of the insulating plate that faces the respectively neighboring side wall and define an air outlet facing the respectively neighboring side wall. That is, air is ejected from the outlets along the transverse direction. Thereby, it can be prevented that cold air is directly guided to or impacts an item stored in the storage compartment which is advantageous in terms of avoiding too low temperatures of individual items placed close to an air outlet. Further, no air outlets are to be provided in the cover plate which reduces the risk of blocking the air outlets and improves visual appearance.
According to some embodiments, the insulating plate is formed by a single piece. For example, the insulating plate may be one single piece of EPS or another suitable insulating material. Thus, if provided, both the lateral recesses and the central recess are formed in one and the same piece of insulating material. Thereby, installation of the air distribution assembly is further eased.
According to some embodiments, the air distribution assembly ends adjacent to the side walls. That is, a distance between the air distribution assembly and the respective neighboring side wall may be minimum, in particular, insignificant compared to a width of the rear wall. For example, the distance between the air distribution assembly and the respective neighboring side wall may be in a range between 0.5 % and 5 % of a width of the rear wall. A broad air distribution assembly with a width more or less corresponding to a width of the side wall may improve a more uniform air distribution in the storage compartment. According to alternative embodiments, the air distribution assembly ends distanced to the side walls in the transverse direction. For example, the distance between the air distribution assembly and the respective neighboring side wall may be in a range between 15 % and 35 % of a width of the rear wall. Thereby, an installation of the air distribution assembly is eased and the air distribution assembly may have lower manufacturing cost. In any case, the fixation structures provided distanced to the side walls, e.g., in a central region of the rear wall ease installing air distribution assemblies of different widths.
According to some embodiments, the refrigerating appliance includes an outer housing surrounding the inner liner, wherein the outer housing includes a rear wall placed opposite to the rear wall of the inner liner. The refrigerating appliance may further include an insulating panel attached to the rear wall of the outer housing, and a foam insulation disposed between the rear wall and the insulating plate. The combination of an insulating panel, e.g., a vacuum insulating panel, and a foam insulation improves heat insulation of the storage compartment which is advantageous for the overall energy efficiency of the refrigerating appliance. Furthermore, since the fixation structure is realized with the bulge and the pocket and, as a result thereof, only protrudes minimum from the outer side of the rear wall of the inner liner, space between the fixation structure and the rear wall of the outer housing may be maximized. Thus, installation of a combination of an insulating panel and a foam insulation can easily be realized, even with limited space between the inner liner and the outer housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1: schematically illustrates plane view into a storage compartment of a refrigerating appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2: shows a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 1.
Fig. 3: another plane view into a storage compartment of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 1, wherein an air distribution assembly is removed so that a rear wall of an inner liner of the refrigerating appliances is exposed.
Fig. 4: a detailed view of the region Z indicated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5: a further enlarged view of a fixation structure formed in the rear wall of the refrigerating appliance.
Fig. 6: shows a cross-sectional view along the line B-B of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 3.
Fig. 7: shows a cross-sectional view along the line B-B of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 3 in a state in which the air distribution assembly is installed on the rear wall.
Fig. 8: shows a cross-sectional view along the line C-C of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 3 in a state in which the air distribution assembly is installed on the rear wall.
Fig. 9: shows a perspective view of the air distribution assembly of a refrigerating appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 10: shows a plane view to an outer side of the rear wall of the inner liner of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 1, wherein the rear wall is depicted transparent to expose the air distribution assembly installed at the rear wall.
Fig. 11: schematically illustrates plane view into a storage compartment of a refrigerating appliance according to a further embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 12: shows a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of the refrigerating appliance from Fig. 11.
Fig. 13: shows an enlarged view of the region indicated by letter X in Fig. 7 in a refrigerating appliance according to a further embodiment of the invention.

In the figures like reference signs denote like elements unless stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 to 3 exemplarily show different views of a refrigerating appliance 100 in the form of a refrigerator. The invention, however, is not limited to a refrigerator but may also be employed in other refrigerating appliances, in particular, domestic refrigerating appliances such as a freezer or a combined fridge-freezer.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the refrigerating appliance 100 comprises an inner liner 1 and an air distribution assembly 3. Further, the refrigerating appliance 100 may comprise a heat exchanger assembly 7 forming part of a refrigerant circuit (not shown in detail).
The inner liner 1 defines a storage compartment 10 for receiving items such as food, drinks, medicine and so on. The storage compartment 10 includes a rear wall of the inner liner 11, opposite side walls 12, 13, a bottom wall 14, and a ceiling wall 15. The rear wall of the inner liner 11 limits the storage compartment 10 in a depth direction T and extends in a vertical direction V and in a transverse direction C. The side walls 12, 13 are arranged opposite to each other in the transverse direction C and limit the storage compartment 10 with respect to the transverse direction C. The side walls 12, 13 extend from the rear wall of the inner liner 11 in the depth direction T and further extend in the vertical direction V.
The bottom wall 14 and the ceiling wall 15 are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction V and limit the storage compartment 10 with respect to the vertical direction V. The bottom wall 14 and the ceiling wall 15 each extend from the rear wall of the inner liner 11 along the depth direction T. Further the bottom wall 14 and the ceiling wall 15 extend between the side walls 12, 13 in the transverse direction C.
As shown in Fig. 3, the rear wall of the inner liner 11 comprises an inner surface of the rear wall 11i facing the storage compartment 10 and an opposite outer surface 11o defining an outer side of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. A central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 may be formed in the inner surface of the rear wall 11i of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. The central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 may extend in the vertical direction V. As visible in Fig. 3, the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 may be formed in a central region of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 with respect to the transverse direction C. The central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 may comprise a recess bottom 40 which is connected to respective side portions of the rear wall 11A of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 through respective recess side walls 41 which limit the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 in the transverse direction C. The recess bottom 40 may be planar or substantially planar. The side portions of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 extend between the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 and the respective side wall 12, 13. A width of the central recess of the rear wall w4 of the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 in the transverse direction C may be in a range between 20 % to 55 % of a width of the rear wall w11 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 in the transverse direction C, for example.
As shown in Fig. 3, multiple pairs of fixation structures 2 may be formed in the inner surface of the rear wall 11i of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. The fixation structures 2 of a respective pair are spaced to each other in the transverse direction C. Further, each fixation structure 2 may be positioned spaced to the respectively neighboring side wall 12, 13 in the transverse direction C. Generally, the fixation structures 2 may be formed in a central region of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. For example, when the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 is provided in the rear wall of the inner liner 11, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 3, the fixation structures 2 may be positioned on opposite sides of the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 in the transverse direction C. In particular, the fixation structures 2 may be partially formed within the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4. When multiple pairs of fixation structures 2 are provided, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 3, the pairs may be arranged spaced to each other in the vertical direction V. In the example of Fig. 3, three pairs of fixation structures 2 are provided. Although Fig. 3 shows multiple pairs of fixation structures 2, the invention is not limited thereto and, generally, at least one pair of fixation structures 2 may be provided.
Figs. 4 to 6 show the fixation structure 2 in detail. Generally, each fixation structure 2 defines an undercut 20 with respect to the depth direction T. To this end, each fixation structure 2 may include a pocket 21 and a bulge 22. The pocket 21 forms a recess in the inner surface of the rear wall 11i of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 and a correspondingly shaped protrusion in an outer surface 11o of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. The bulge 22 forms a protrusion in the inner surface of the rear wall 11i of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 and a correspondingly shaped recess in an outer surface 11o of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. In particular, the bulge 22 protrudes over or from the side portion of the rear wall 11A of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. As visible best in Fig. 6, the bulge 22 extends beyond an end of the pocket 21 with respect to the transverse direction C and, therefore overlaps the pocket 21 in the transverse direction C, whereby the undercut 20 is defined. Thus, the undercut 20 is defined by an overlap of the pocket 21 and the bulge 22 in the transverse direction C.
As exemplarily shown in Fig. 6, the pocket 21 and the bulge 22, together, may define an S-shaped cross-section of the fixation structure 2. For example, the pocket 21 may comprise a bottom of the pocket 21A and a first pocket side wall 21B. The bottom of the pocket 21A of the pocket 21 extends in the transverse direction C. The first pocket side wall 21B is connected to the bottom of the pocket 21A, e.g., through a curved transition portion as exemplarily shown in Fig. 6, and extends along the depth direction T. That is, the first pocket side wall 21B may limit the pocket 21 in the transverse direction C. As further exemplarily shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the pocket 21 may be formed within the optional central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11, if such a central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 is provided. The bulge 22 may include a curved portion of the bulge 22B and an end wall of the bulge 22A. As exemplarily shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the curved portion of the bulge 22B at the first or inner surface of the rear wall 11i of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 may form a convexity. The curved portion of the bulge 22B extends beyond the first pocket side wall 21B of the pocket 21 in the transverse direction C. Thus, the curved portion of the bulge 22B overlaps the bottom of the pocket 21A. The end wall of the bulge 22A extends from an end of the curved portion of the bulge 22B in the depth direction T. As further shown in Fig. 6, the first pocket side wall 21B of the pocket 21 and the end wall of the bulge 22A of the bulge 22 are connected by a transverse wall 21C extending in the transverse direction C. The transverse wall 21C overlaps with the bottom of the pocket 21A or, in other words, is positioned opposite to the bottom of the pocket 21A in the depth direction. Thus, the undercut 20 is defined between the bottom of the pocket 21A and the transverse wall 21C.
When the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 is provided in the rear wall of the inner liner 11, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 3, the pocket 21 may be positioned within the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4, and the bulge 22 may be positioned adjacent to the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 or may extend into the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4, too. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the pocket 21 may further comprise a second pocket side wall 21D. The second pocket side wall 21D may connect the bottom of the pocket 21A to the recess bottom 40. Optionally, the second pocket side wall 21D may extend inclined relative to the recess bottom 40. Further optionally, it may be provided that the recess bottom 40, with respect to the depth direction T, is arranged between the bottom of the pocket 21A and the side portion of the rear wall 11A of the rear wall of the inner liner 11.
As exemplarily shown in Fig. 2, the heat exchanger assembly 7 includes an evaporator 71, a fan 72, and a cover 75. The evaporator 71 is part of a refrigerant circuit (not shown) in which refrigerant is circulated between the evaporator 71, where it absorbs heat and evaporates, and a condenser (not shown) in which it releases heat to the environment and condenses. The cover 75 is positioned in an end portion of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 facing the bottom wall 14 in the vertical direction V and, together with the lower end portion of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 defines or limits an evaporator chamber 70 in which the evaporator 71 and the fan 72 are accommodated. The evaporator chamber 70 is communicated to the storage compartment 10 so that the fan 72 is configured to circulate air between the storage compartment 10 and the evaporator chamber 70. Optionally, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 2, an insulating member 73 may be provided at an inner surface of the cover 75 that faces the rear wall of the inner liner 11 for thermally insulating the evaporator chamber 70.
The air distribution assembly 3 is arranged at the rear wall of the inner liner 11 and serves to distribute cold air, e.g., the air exhausted from the evaporator chamber 70, within the storage compartment 10. For example, the air distribution assembly 3 may be arranged adjacent to the heat exchanger assembly 7 in the vertical direction V, as exemplarily shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 exemplarily shows a perspective view of the air distribution assembly 3. Cross-sectional views of the air distribution assembly 3 are visible in Figs. 7 and 8. The air distribution assembly 3 includes an insulating plate 31 and a cover plate 32.
The insulating plate 31 may be realized as one single piece, e.g., made of an insulating hard foam material such as EPS, EPP, EPE or similar. Generally, the insulating plate 31 has an areal expanse and comprises a first surface of the insulating plate 31a and an opposite second surface of the insulating plate 31b. In the first surface of the insulating plate 31a, central recess of the insulating plate 33 and lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 are formed for guiding and distributing air. For example, as exemplarily shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the insulating plate 31 may comprise a central recess of the insulating plate 33 and multiple lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34. The central recess of the insulating plate 33 may extend in the form of a straight or substantially straight groove or channel, and the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 branch off from the central recess of the insulating plate 33. In particular, the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 may branch off at opposite sides from the central recess of the insulating plate 33. Additionally, or alternatively, the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 may be arranged spaced to each other. The lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 may extend to a respective side end of the insulating plate 31E where they define a respective air outlet 34A. Thus, cold air may flow along the central recess of the insulating plate 33, from there into the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34, and finally may be discharged through the air outlets 34A at the side ends of the insulating plate 31E.
As indicated in Fig. 8 and as also visible in Fig. 9, a first thickness of the insulating plate t33 of the insulating plate 31 measured between the first surface of the insulating plate 31a and the second surface of the insulating plate 31b in the central recess of the insulating plate 33 may be greater than a second thickness of the insulating plate t34 of the insulating plate 31 measured between the first surface of the insulating plate 31a and the second surface of the insulating plate 31b in the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34.
The cover plate 32 is a generally plate shaped member and is arranged or disposed on the second surface of the insulating plate 31b. The cover plate 32 may comprise a plate section disposed on the second surface of the insulating plate 31b and multiple hooks 35 for attaching the air distribution assembly 3 to the rear wall of the inner liner 11 as will be explained in more detail below. The hooks 35 protrude from the plate section and are dimensioned such that they protrude beyond the first surface of the insulating plate 31a. For example, the insulating plate 31 may include through holes 36 through which the hooks 35 extend as exemplarily shown in Fig. 9. The hooks 35 may be elastically deformable so as to be configured to snap fit into a fixation structure, in particular, into an undercut 20 as will be explained below.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 10, the air distribution assembly 3 is placed at the rear wall of the inner liner 11. Specifically, air distribution assembly 3 is placed at the rear wall of the inner liner 11 so that the first surface of the insulating plate 31a faces the inner surface of the rear wall 11i of the rear wall of the inner liner 11, as is shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 8.
With reference to Fig. 7, it may be possible to fix or attach the air distribution assembly 3 to the rear wall of the inner liner 11 by engaging the hooks 35 of the cover plate 32 with the undercut 20 of the fixation structures 2. In detail, the hook 35 with a head portion protrudes into the undercut 20 which may be formed between bottom of the pocket 21A and the transverse wall 21C.
With reference to Fig. 13, which shows the region marked by X (X) of Fig. 7 in more detail, one advantage of the configuration of the fixation structure 2 with a bulge 22 and a pocket 21 becomes apparent. Realizing the undercut 20 with a depth of the undercut d20 required to receive the hook 35 results in a certain overall depth of the fixation structure d1 of the fixation structure 2 with respect to the depth direction T. The overall depth of the fixation structure d1 of the fixation structure 2 is measured from a deepest or outermost point of the pocket 21, e.g., the bottom of the pocket 21A, to a highest or innermost point of the bulge 22, e.g., an innermost point of the curved portion of the bulge 22B. Since the bulge 22 protrudes inwardly into the storage compartment 10, a protruding height of the fixation structure d11 by which the fixation structure 2 protrudes from an outer side of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 may be advantageously reduced. The outer side of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 is defined by the outer surface 11o of the rear wall of the inner liner 11.
Fig. 13 further shows an example of a refrigerating appliance 100, in which the inner liner 1 is surrounded by an outer housing 102 and a foam insulation 115. The outer housing 102 includes a rear wall of the outer housing 104 placed opposite to the rear wall of the inner liner 11 in the depth direction T. An insulating panel 110, e.g., in the form of a vacuum panel, may be attached to the rear wall of the outer housing 104, and the foam insulation 115 may be disposed between the rear wall of the inner liner 11 and the insulating panel 110. Thus, at a given minimum distance d2 between the rear wall of the inner liner 11 and the rear wall of the outer housing 104, the configuration of the fixation structure 2 with a bulge 22 and a pocket 21 helps to shift the side portion of the rear wall 11A of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 closer to the rear wall of the outer housing 104, whereby the volume of the storage compartment 10 can be maximized, as apparent in Fig. 13 by the difference between distances of overall depth of the fixation structure d1 and protruding height of the fixation structure d11.
When the air distribution assembly 3 is positioned at the rear wall of the inner liner 11, the central recess of the insulating plate 33 may be arranged corresponding to the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11, as shown, for example, in Figs. 7 and 8. Thus, the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 and the central recess of the insulating plate 33 together, define a central air guiding channel which is communicated with the evaporator chamber 70. Optionally, a width of the central recess of the insulating plate w33 of the central recess of the insulating plate 33 in the transverse direction C may be equal to or smaller than a width of the central recess of the rear wall w4 of the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4in the transverse direction C. One advantage of providing the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 in the rear wall of the inner liner 11 is that the insulating plate 31 may be realized with an increase first thickness of the insulating plate t33 in its central recess of the insulating plate 33, as described above, without compromising the usable volume of the storage compartment 10. Further, a cross-sectional area of the air guide channel may be increased or at least not reduced although the first thickness of the insulating plate t33 is increased.
As further visible in Figs. 8 and 10, the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 may extend beyond the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner 4 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 in the transverse direction C. Thus, at least an end portion of the lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 may define a channel for distributing cold air together with the side portion of the rear wall 11A of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. Thus, a more uniform distribution of cold air can be achieved in the storage compartment 10, and the cold air can be guided more precisely before being exhausted.
As shown in Fig. 10, when the pair of fixation structures 2 may be positioned between neighboring lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 in the vertical direction V. Likewise, when multiple pairs of fixation structures 2 are provided, one or more lateral recesses of the insulating plate 34 may be positioned between neighboring pairs of fixation structures 2 in the vertical direction V. Thus, the area of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 is efficiently used.
In a state in which the air distribution assembly 3 is attached to the rear wall of the inner liner 11, the respective side end of the insulating plate 31E faces the respectively neighboring side wall 12, 13. Therefore, the air outlets 34A also face the respectively neighboring side wall 12, 13, as schematically shown in Fig. 10.
Figs. 1 to 10 exemplarily show a refrigerating appliance 100 or parts thereof, in which the air distribution assembly 3 ends adjacent to the side walls 12, 13. That is, a distance between air distribution assembly and side wall d3 between the air distribution assembly 3 and the respectively neighboring side wall 12, 13 in the transverse direction is insignificant compared to the width of the rear wall w11 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11. For example, distance between air distribution assembly and side wall d3 between the air distribution assembly 3 and the respectively neighboring side wall 12, 13 may be in a range between 0.5 % and 5 % of the width of the rear wall w11 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11.
Figs. 11 and 12 exemplarily show a refrigerating appliance 100 which differs from that described above only in that the air distribution assembly 3 ends distanced to the side walls 12, 13 in the transverse direction C. For example, the distance between air distribution assembly and side wall d3 between the air distribution assembly 3 and the respective neighboring side 12, 13 wall may be in a range between 15 % and 35 % of a width of the rear wall w11 of the rear wall of the inner liner 11.
When comparing Fig. 12 with Figs. 7 and 8, a further advantage of providing the fixation structures 2 in a central portion of the rear wall of the inner liner 11 becomes apparent. Although the width of the air distribution assembly 3 in Fig. 12 is substantially smaller than that of the air distribution assembly 3 in Figs. 7 and 8, they may be combined with one and the same inner liner 1.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of at least ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1: inner liner
2: fixation structures
3: air distribution assembly
4: central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner
7: heat exchanger assembly
10: storage compartment
11: rear wall of the inner liner
11A: side portions of the rear wall
11i: inner surface of the rear wall
11o: outer surface
12, 13: side walls
14: bottom wall
15: ceiling wall
20: undercut
21: pocket
21A: bottom of the pocket
21B: first pocket side wall
21C: transverse wall
21D: second pocket side wall
22: bulge
22A: end wall of the bulge
22B: curved portion of the bulge
31: insulating plate
31a: first surface of the insulating plate
31b: second surface of the insulating plate
31E: side end of the insulating plate
32: cover plate
33: central recess of the insulating plate
34: lateral recesses of the insulating plate
34A: air outlet
35: hooks
36: holes
40: recess bottom
41: recess side walls
70: evaporator chamber
71: evaporator
72: fan
73: insulating member
75: cover
100: refrigerating appliance
102: outer housing
104: rear wall of the outer housing
110: insulating panel
115: foam insulation
C: transverse direction
d1: overall depth of the fixation structure
d2: minimum distance
d3: distance between air distribution assembly and side wall
d11: protruding height of the fixation structure
d20: depth of the undercut
T: depth direction
t33: first thickness of the insulating plate
t34: second thickness of the insulating plate
V: vertical direction
w4: width of the central recess of the rear wall
w11: width of the rear wall
w33: width of the central recess of the insulating plate
X: the region marked by X

Claims

A refrigerating appliance (100), in particular, a domestic refrigerating appliance, comprising:
an inner liner (1) defining a storage compartment (10) for receiving items to be cooled, the inner liner (1) comprising a rear wall of the inner liner (11) limiting the storage compartment (10) in a depth direction (T);

a pair of fixation structures (2) formed in the rear wall of the inner liner (11) spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction (C), each fixation structure (2) defining an undercut (20) with respect to the depth direction (T); and

an air distribution assembly (3) comprising an insulating plate (31) having a first surface of the insulating plate (31a) facing an inner surface of the rear wall (11i) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11) and an opposite second surface of the insulating plate (31b), and a cover plate (32) disposed on the second surface of the insulating plate (31b), wherein multiple central recess of the insulating plate (33) and lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34) for guiding and distributing air are formed in the first surface of the insulating plate (31a), and the cover plate (32) includes a plurality of hooks (35), each hook (35) engaging the undercut (20) of a respective one of the fixation structures (2);

characterized in that

each fixation structure (2) comprises a pocket (21) forming a recess in the inner surface of the rear wall (11i) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11), and a bulge (22) forming a protrusion in the inner surface of the rear wall (11i) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11), and

the undercut (20) is defined by an overlap of the pocket (21) and the bulge (22) in the transverse direction (C).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 1, wherein the inner liner (1) comprises opposite side walls (12, 13) limiting the storage compartment (10) in the transverse direction (C), and wherein the bulge (22) connects the pocket (21) to a side portion of the rear wall (11A) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11) that extends between the respective bulge (22) and the respectively neighboring side wall (12, 13).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 2, wherein each fixation structure (2) is positioned spaced to the respectively neighboring side wall (12, 13) in the transverse direction (C).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket (21) and the bulge (22), together, define an S-shaped cross-section of the fixation structure.
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 4, wherein the pocket (21) comprises a bottom of the pocket (21A) extending in the transverse direction (C), a first pocket side wall (21B) connected to the bottom of the pocket (21A) and extending in the depth direction (T), wherein the bulge (22) comprises a curved portion of the bulge (22B) extending beyond the first pocket side wall (21B) of the pocket (21) in the transverse direction (C) so as to overlap the bottom of the pocket (21A), and an end wall of the bulge (22A) extending from the curved portion of the bulge (22B) in the depth direction (T), and the first pocket side wall (21B) of the pocket (21) and the end wallof the bulge (22A) are connected by a transverse wall (21C) extending in the transverse direction (C) overlapping with the bottom of the pocket (21A) so that the undercut (20) is defined between the bottom of the pocket (21A) and the transverse wall (21C).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear wall comprises a central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner (4) formed in the inner surface of the rear wall (11i) and extending in a vertical direction (V), wherein the fixation structures (2) are positioned on opposite sides of the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner (4) in the transverse direction (C).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 6 insofar as being dependent upon claims 2 and 5, wherein the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner (4) comprises a recess bottom (40), and the bottom of the pocket (21A) is connected to the recess bottom (40) by a second pocket side wall (21D) extending inclined relative to the recess bottom (40), and wherein the recess bottom (40), with respect to the depth direction (T), is arranged between the bottom of the pocket (21A) and the side portion of the rear wall (11A) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the insulating plate (31) comprises a central recess of the insulating plate (33) extending in the vertical direction (V) and multiple lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34) to distribute air flowing in the central recess of the insulating plate (33), the lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34) branching from the central recess of the insulating plate (33) and extending along the transverse direction (C), wherein the central recess of the insulating plate (33) is arranged corresponding to the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner (4) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11), so that the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner (4) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11) and the central recess of the insulating plate (33), together, define a central air guiding channel.
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 8, wherein a first thickness of the insulating plate (t33) of the insulating plate (31) measured between the first surface of the insulating plate (31a) and the second surface of the insulating plate (31b) in the central recess of the insulating plate (33) is greater than a second thickness of the insulating plate (t34) of the insulating plate (31) measured between the first surface of the insulating plate (31a) and the second surface of the insulating plate (31b) in the lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34) extend beyond the central recess of the rear wall of the inner liner (4) of the rear wall of the inner liner (11) in the transverse direction (C).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein multiple pairs of fixation structures (2) are formed spaced to each other in the vertical direction (V) in the rear wall of the inner liner (11), and wherein one or more lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34) are positioned between neighboring pairs of fixation structures (2) in the vertical direction (V).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the lateral recesses of the insulating plate (34) extend to a respective side end of the insulating plate (31E) of the insulating plate (31) that faces the respectively neighboring side wall (12, 13), and define an air outlet (34A) facing the respectively neighboring side wall (12, 13).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating plate (31) is formed by a single piece.
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of claims 2 to 13, insofar as being dependent upon claim 2, wherein the air distribution assembly (3) ends adjacent to the side walls (12, 13) or distanced to the side walls (12, 13) in the transverse direction (C).
The refrigerating appliance (100) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
an outer housing (102) surrounding the inner liner (1), wherein the outer housing (102) includes a rear wall of the outer housing (104) placed opposite to the rear wall of the inner liner (11);

an insulating panel (110) attached to the rear wall of the outer housing (104); and a foam insulation (115) disposed between the rear wall of the inner liner (11) and the insulating panel (110).