RU2734934C2 - Refrigerator and/or freezer - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: refrigerating equipment.

SUBSTANCE: refrigerator and/or freezer with at least one housing having at least one insulating body for full vacuum, and with at least one cooled internal space located in housing, wherein this unit has at least one coolant circuit intended for cooling of internal space, wherein the complete coolant circuit is made as a structural unit, which is installed in the housing.

EFFECT: technical result is providing maximally simple and thereby reliable manufacturing of insulating body for complete vacuum, which is relatively difficult to create.

9 cl, 2 dwg

Description

This invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer, comprising at least one housing, which contains at least one insulating body for a full vacuum, and at least one cooled internal space located in this housing, and this unit contains at least one refrigerant circuit for cooling the interior.

Refrigerators of this kind are known from the prior art, and thus freezers.

In this context, an insulating body for full vacuum is preferably understood to mean that the housing of the unit consists of a continuous insulating vacuum space for more than 90% of the insulating surface.

Preferably, the insulating body for full vacuum according to the present invention consists of a foil bag, the interior of which is filled with a spacer material, for example perlite, and a vacuum prevails in this interior.

According to the invention, this insulating body for full vacuum can only be located in the area of the housing or additionally also in the closure element, i.e. in the door, drawer or lid of the unit, with which the cooled interior can be closed.

Typically, the foil bag envelope is an anti-diffusion insulating layer, with which the ingress of gas into the foil bag is reduced so that the increase in thermal conductivity of the resulting vacuum insulating body due to the ingress of gas is negligible during its life.

The service life should be considered, for example, a period of 15 years, preferably 20 years and especially preferably 30 years. Preferably, the increase in thermal conductivity of the vacuum insulating body due to the ingress of gas during its service life is about <100%, and particularly preferably about <50%.

Preferably, the specific gas velocity per unit surface of the insulating layer is <10 ^-5 mbar * l / s * m ² and particularly preferably <10 ^-6 mbar * l / s * m ² (measured according to ASTM F-1249-90 - Standard Method determination of the rate of transfer of water vapor through polymer films and protective coatings). This gas velocity is valid for nitrogen and oxygen. For other types of gas (in particular for water vapor), low gas flow rates are also obtained, preferably in the range <10 ^-2 mbar * l / s * m ² and especially preferably in the range <10 ^-3 mbar * l / s * m ² (measured according to ASTM F-1249-90). Preferably, these low gas velocities achieve the aforementioned slight increase in thermal conductivity.

The above values are given by way of example, as preferred values, which do not limit the present invention.

Advantageously, no other insulating materials, such as polyurethane foam, are used besides such thermal insulation.

The refrigeration or freezing unit according to the invention is provided with a thermal insulation of this kind, which preferably has one or more of the aforementioned features, and which forms a housing component and, if necessary, is additionally located in the closure element.

Continuous vacuum insulation is essential for the operation of the refrigerator and therefore the freezer. Due to the greatly reduced heat flow into the cooled interior, the required cooling capacity is reduced, and the requirements for the heat exchangers (evaporator, condenser) of the refrigerant circuit change, due to the lower heat fluxes.

In the case of vacuum insulation according to the invention, it should be taken into account that thermal bridges in this insulation have a percentage increase in the effect on the total heat loss or on the heat flow into the cooled interior. However, wiring through an insulating vacuum space creates increased complexity, and in order to achieve a sufficient level of quality, they should be avoided as much as possible during manufacture.

Thus, the present invention is based on the object of further improving the refrigerator and / or freezer of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way as to ensure the most simple and thus reliable manufacture of an insulating body for a complete vacuum, the creation of which is relatively difficult.

This problem is solved by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of the independent claim 1 of the claims. According to the invention, it is provided that the complete refrigerant circuit is designed as a structural unit, which is inserted into the housing. By this it is to be understood that the assembly is suitably fitted to the housing. The sign "in" does not mean that this entire structural unit is inside the body, i.e. inside the cooled inner space.

Preferably, this component is connected to the housing so that a part of the refrigerant circuit components are located inside the refrigerated interior space and a portion of the refrigerant circuit components are located outside the refrigerated compartment.

In another aspect of the present invention, it is provided that at least one and preferably only one edge recess is provided in the insulating body for the full vacuum, through which the suction line from the evaporator to the compressor of the refrigerant circuit passes, and which is provided with at least one thermal insulation, preferably at least at least one conventional thermal insulation.

Thanks to both aspects, which can be combined, the framework conditions changed due to the application of the full vacuum system are taken into account.

Thanks to the use of a structural unit that contains a complete refrigerant circuit, i.e. the evaporator, suction line, compressor, condenser and choke, respectively, capillary, it is ensured that the insulating body for the full vacuum can be produced relatively easily, since only one requirement is made within the manufacturing process: that this component can be suitably inserted into the housing or, accordingly, it is mounted on the housing, and it would not require a large number of holes in the insulating body for a full vacuum.

It is particularly advantageous here if the insulating body for the full vacuum has at least one and preferably only one edge recess or recess through which said at least one suction line from the evaporator to the compressor runs.

Preferably, a capillary also passes through said edge recess through which the refrigerant from the condenser flows to the evaporator.

The capillary can pass inside the suction line.

In one preferred embodiment, a pre-prepared vacuum housing for full vacuum, i. E. onto the body with an insulating body for full vacuum, then the complete refrigerant circuit is pushed in such that the suction pipe lies in the recess of the vacuum body for full vacuum. It can then be completely insulated with conventional insulation such as foam.

Furthermore, at least one condensate line can be provided, by means of which water is removed from the interior to be cooled, and this condensate drain line also passes through said edge recess, which is hereinafter also referred to as a recess.

In this case, not only the condensate drainage line, but also the suction pipe passes through the recess.

The condensate drain is preferably also provided with or covered with thermal insulation, in which case it is also preferably conventional thermal insulation.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the suction line extends at least in some areas along the outer side of the insulating body for full vacuum, respectively, of the housing, and said at least one thermal insulation, preferably conventional thermal insulation, for example, of polyurethane foam, this The suction line is present in one section or along the entire length of the suction line passing along the outside.

Furthermore, provision can be made for the refrigerant circuit to be located in the bottom region of the unit. In this case, it is possible that this component is located in the area of the bottom of the unit in such a way that the evaporator is located above the bottom, i.e. in the cooled interior, while the compressor and condenser are located under the bottom, i.e. outside the cooled inner space.

In this case, a “basement unit” is prepared containing a compressor and a condenser and, in addition, an evaporator located inside the interior to be cooled.

This structural unit can also comprise at least one fan, which supplies air to be cooled by the evaporator into the cooled interior space and accordingly makes it circulate therein.

In principle, it is also possible to locate this component in another area of the refrigerator and thus the freezer, for example on the rear side of the housing.

This invention is not limited to refrigerators and / or cabinet-type freezers, but also includes refrigeration and / or freezer counters.

The insulating body for full vacuum may, for example, have a simple rectangular shape comparable to a shoebox and have no or only slight elevations or depressions.

Preferably, such a full vacuum insulating body does not have any openings.

It is advantageously provided that the insulating body for the full vacuum has only one single recess, namely the edge opening mentioned at the outset, which forms a recess for the door panel or, respectively, for the closing element panel. As indicated above, this recess forms a recess, preferably for refrigeration lines, which lines are preferably completely isolated locally in the usual way.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the insulating body for full vacuum comprises at least one foil - as indicated at the outset - this foil being shaped as a concave bag with a rectangular bottom and side folds.

In the region of the recess, this bag may have a foil fold that contains the excess foil necessary to form the recess.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a refrigerator or a freezer according to the invention, one step of the method comprising installing a complete refrigerant circuit as a component in a housing. The installation is carried out in such a way that at least said suction line is located in said recess, i.e. in the edge recess of the body and, accordingly, the insulating body for full vacuum.

As indicated above, this pre-fabricated structural unit may comprise at least one compressor, condenser, choke or, respectively, a capillary, an evaporator, including connecting lines and, if necessary, one or more fans designed to create air flow through the evaporator and / or condenser. ...

It is possible that the refrigerant circuit is already filled with refrigerant when installed in the enclosure.

As mentioned, the suction pipe and, if necessary, the additional refrigerant circuit piping in the region of the recess and, if necessary, the adjacent sections are preferably completely insulated with commonly used insulating materials, for example, polyurethane foam, in order to lengthen the thermal path through the metal pipes and reduce heat loss.

Preferably, the refrigerant circuit, designed as a structural unit, is also provided with all the actuators, for example valves, etc., necessary for the operation of the refrigerant circuit. Preferably the same applies to the control or regulation unit for controlling or regulating the refrigerant circuit.

Other details and advantages of the present invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. They show the following.

FIG. 1 schematic longitudinal sectional views of the housing before and after installation of the refrigerant circuit; and

FIG. 2 are different views of the refrigerator or freezer according to the invention according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows the body of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention, designated 10.

The housing has an inner container 12, an outer casing or, respectively, an outer casing 14 and an insulation 16 for high vacuum located between them. Apart from this insulation, no additional thermal insulation is provided for the high vacuum.

The housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1, in longitudinal section is made in the form of a box. The inner container or the inner shell 12 can be made, for example, as a piece of plastic and, in particular, as a piece of deep-drawn polystyrene. The outer shell 14 can be made of sheet metal or plastic with an abutting metal sheet.

The foil forming the vacuum insulating body 16 or, respectively, its outer shell is completely protected by the inner container 12 and the outer casing 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigeration or freezing unit according to the invention has a structural unit 20, which contains a complete refrigerant circuit, including the necessary actuators, for example valves, and, if necessary, control or regulation means, for example, a control or regulation unit for controlling or regulation of the components of the refrigerant circuit.

As shown in FIG. 1 and as shown by the arrow, this assembly 20 is pushed from the front onto the bottom B of the housing 10, so that the one shown in FIG. 1 (right image) condition. Thus, the entire refrigerant circuit is subsequently pushed onto the previously prepared vacuum-insulated housing 10.

Components of structural unit 20 include compressor 21, line 22 between compressor and condenser 23, condenser 23, capillary 24 from condenser and evaporator 25, evaporator 25, suction line 27 from evaporator 25 to compressor 21.

In addition, one or more fans 26 are provided, which feed the cold air produced in the evaporator into the cooled interior.

The capillary 24 can pass in certain areas, in particular in the region of the recess R (cf. FIG. 2c)) inside the suction line.

FIG. 2a) shows the bottom region of a refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention in longitudinal section with an integrated refrigerant circuit as well as a door 100 which closes the unit from the front.

FIG. 2b) - Fig. 2e) are sectional views taken along the lines A-A through E-E in FIG. 2a).

As shown in FIG. 2a) as well as from FIG. 1, the compressor 21 and the condenser 23 are located under the bottom B of the housing 10, and the evaporator 25 as well as the fan 26 are located above the bottom B of the housing 10 and thus in the interior to be cooled.

From FIG. 2c), it follows that the bottom B of the housing 10 is in the area of the door, i.e. on the front side, it has an edge, i.e. depression R open on one side - in front.

It thus extends between the upper and lower sides of the bottom B, respectively, between the surrounding space and the cooled interior space. A suction line 27 as well as a condensate outlet, which leads the condensate out of the evaporator or outside the interior to be cooled, run through this recess or through this edge recess.

The suction line 27 extends, for example, as seen from FIG. 2a), not only through this recess, but also through one section along the underside of the housing 10 to the compressor.

The suction pipe 27 is usually completely insulated, that is, for example, with foam, to avoid heat loss and therefore heat gain.

Accordingly, the same also applies to the recess R, which is thermally insulated in order to optimally seal the opening between the outer space and the cooled inner space with respect to heat transfer.

FIG. 2b) is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 2a) illustrating that the evaporator 25 is integrated in the heat exchanger W1. Such a heat exchanger can be, for example, a latent heat accumulator.

The reference numbers KT and GT denote fans which serve, for example, to supply cold air to the refrigerating section or the freezing section.

FIG. 2d) is a sectional view taken along the line D-D. This figure shows the device in the area under the bottom B of the housing 10. The compressor 21 as well as the condenser 23 are visible. The condenser is located in a water bath that serves as a thermal buffer.

FIG. 2e) shows a cross-sectional view along line E-E at 2a) illustrating the arrangement of heat exchangers W1 and W2. They are designed in such a way that the condenser, respectively the evaporator and, accordingly, the pipelines forming them run inside these heat exchangers.

FIG. 2e), it can also be seen that the suction line 27 runs in one section to the compressor under the bottom B of the housing 10.

As indicated above, in FIG. 2c) shows the device in section along the line C-C in FIG. 2a) and clearly shows the location of the recess R in the vacuum housing 10 for full vacuum.

According to the invention, only the housing 10 is provided with high vacuum insulation, while the door 100 is provided with conventional thermal insulation, for example foam.

However, according to the invention, the door 100 or other locking element, for example the counter lid, is also made with high vacuum insulation.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, this component of the refrigerant circuit also contains one or more fans 26.

The air duct is installed during final installation in the inner vessel. This is preferably to be understood as ducts or the like which supply air, guided by one or more fans, to the respective areas of the cooled interior to be cooled.

Claims (12)

1. Refrigerator and / or freezer, comprising at least one housing, provided with at least one insulating body for full vacuum, and having at least one cooled interior space located in the housing, and this unit has at least one refrigerant circuit, providing cooling of the internal space, and the complete refrigerant circuit is designed as a structural unit installed in a housing, characterized in that The vacuum-tight shell of the vacuum insulating body is at least partially composed of a foil, this foil being shaped like a concave bag with a rectangular bottom and side folds. 2. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one edge recess is provided in the insulating body for full vacuum, through which the suction line from the evaporator to the compressor passes and which is provided with at least one thermal insulation. 3. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with at least one condensate line, by means of which this water is removed from the cooled inner space, and this line for removing condensate also passes through said edge notch. 4. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigerant circuit comprises at least one suction line that extends from the evaporator to the compressor of the refrigerant circuit and which, at least in some areas, runs along the outside of the vacuum insulating body , respectively, of the housing, and wherein at least one thermal insulation of the suction line is provided in one section or along the entire length of the suction line extending on the outside of the vacuum insulating body. 5. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigerant circuit is located at the bottom of the unit. 6. Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum insulating body and also the body are made in the form of a box, and preferably the vacuum insulating body is made without holes. 7. A refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag with a rectangular bottom and side folds in the region of the recess has foil folds to provide the excess foil required to form a depression. 8. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complete refrigerant circuit is formed as a structural unit that is installed in a housing. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the refrigerant circuit is filled with refrigerant during installation, and / or the refrigerant circuit is installed in such a way that its suction line, at least in some areas, runs in the edge recess according to claim 2.

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