WO2012022625A2

WO2012022625A2 - Refrigerator having an ice maker

Info

Publication number: WO2012022625A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/063460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali Ihsan Topcu
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2010-08-19
Filing date: 2011-08-04
Publication date: 2012-02-23
Also published as: DE102010039536A1; WO2012022625A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator (1) which has an internal container (14) having an interior space (2) which can be cooled, an ice maker (9) which is arranged inside the interior space (2), a refrigeration apparatus for cooling the interior space (2), a duct (15) which is provided to conduct air, which is cooled by the refrigeration apparatus, into the interior space (2) via a first opening (17) and to conduct the cooled air to the ice maker (2) via a second opening (18), and a diverting apparatus (20, 20a) which is designed to divert the cooled air at least partially through the second opening (18). The diverting apparatus (20, 20a) can be switched over between at least two positions in which it conducts the cooled air through the second opening (18) at different levels of intensity.

Description

Refrigeration unit with an icemaker

The invention relates to a refrigerator with an icemaker.

US 6,732,537 B1 discloses a household refrigerating appliance having an inner container with a coolable interior and a refrigerating device for cooling the interior. Within the interior, which is cooled to temperatures below freezing, an icemaker is arranged. In the rear wall of the household refrigerator, a distribution channel runs, the cooled air from the cooling device via openings in the interior and the icemaker passes. The opening provided for the icemaker is associated with a baffle that diverts the cooled air through the orifice associated with the icemaker.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved refrigeration device with an icemaker, which can be supplied via a channel with cooled air.

The object is achieved by a refrigeration device, comprising an inner container with a coolable interior, an ice maker arranged inside the interior, a refrigeration device for cooling the interior, a channel which is provided via a first opening of the refrigeration device cooled air into the interior and via a second opening to direct the cooled air to the icemaker; and a diverter configured to at least partially redirect the cooled air through the second opening and to be switchable between at least two positions where the cooled air differs in intensity second opening directs. The refrigerator according to the invention is in particular a household refrigerator. The coolable interior is particularly a freezer compartment, i. the interior is preferably on

Freezing temperatures, that is cooled to temperatures less than 0 ° C. The

Refrigeration appliance according to the invention is preferably a Haushaltsgefriergerät or a

Household refrigerating appliance with a freezer compartment such as a freezer-fridge combination. According to the invention therefore comprises the refrigeration device, the channel through which the coolable

Interior is cooled. The channel is provided that of the refrigeration device, which is designed for example as a refrigeration cycle with an evaporator, cooled air over the channel and can flow through the first opening into the interior. The ice maker also requires cooling or cooled air for the production of ice pieces, or at least accelerate or support the production of ice pieces. For this purpose, the second opening of the channel is provided, through which air cooled by the refrigeration device can also escape, in order to cool the icemaker, at least thereof

Ice making device, which is intended to receive water, which then to

Ice pieces freeze. The refrigerator according to the invention further comprises the diverter, which is adapted to divert the cooled air through the second opening.

According to the invention, this can be switched over into at least two positions, in which the diverting device conducts air of varying degrees cooled air through the second opening. Thus, it is possible to adjust the cold air flow for the icemaker as needed.

The feature "to guide the cooled air to different degrees through the second opening" is intended to be interpreted broadly, which also includes the fact that the diverting device does not conduct any cooled air through the second opening, possibly even being formed, in one of the positions the second opening It can be provided that the diverting device between exactly two positions

is switchable. But it is also possible that this is switchable between more than two positions or even the positions are continuously adjustable.

By way of example, the diverting device can be configured to conduct the entire cooled air through the second opening in one of the positions. This position can e.g. be provided if the icemaker is to produce as many pieces of ice per unit time.

The diverting device may, for example, also be designed such that in one of the positions the cooled air is only partially guided through the second opening. In this position, then still cooled air can flow through the first opening to cool the interior.

The diverting device can be designed, for example, such that in one of the positions the cooled air can not be diverted or even the second opening can be closed. This position can be provided, for example, if currently the icemaker no Making pieces of ice. This position can also be finished for storage

Ice pieces should be advantageous because they are then less exposed to a risk of dehydration.

The diverter may be part of the icemaker, thereby facilitating its installation. The diverting device can be arranged at least partially outside the channel.

But it is also possible that the diverting device is disposed within the channel. According to a preferred embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention, the diverting device comprises a pivotable flap, which is pivotable between the at least two positions. A flap can be relatively easily implemented and controlled for example by a control device of the refrigeration device or the

Ice maker by means of an adjusting device, in particular by means of an electric motor, be pivotable between the at least two positions. The electric motor may e.g. be a stepper motor.

In order to guide the cooled air to different degrees through the second opening, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention that the flap at least partially pivots into the channel in at least one of the positions. In this case, it can be provided that the cooled air is redirected more strongly the farther it pivots into the channel.

The flap may also be designed to close the second opening in one of the positions.

The inner container of the refrigerator according to the invention may form a wall of the channel in which the second opening is arranged. According to a preferred embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention, it is provided that the flap is pivotable with respect to an axis which extends in or near the surface formed by the inner wall. According to this embodiment, it is possible that the flap in one of its positions closes the second opening and in another position at least partially in the Channel swings in to at least partially direct the cooled air through the second opening.

In order to guide the entire cooled air through the second opening, it may be provided that the remote from the axis end of the flap in one of the positions touches a opposite the second opening extending wall of the channel.

The flap may also be pivotally mounted with respect to an axis which extends in or near a wall of the channel, which is arranged opposite the second opening. In this case, the flap is located inside the channel. If, for example, the flap in one of the positions on the opposite wall of the second opening, then passes this no and if, then only slightly cooled air through the second opening. If the flap is at least partially pivoted into the channel, then at least partially directs cooled air through the second opening. In order to guide the entire cooled air through the second opening, it may be provided that the distal end of the flap in one of the positions touches that wall of the channel in which the second opening is arranged, or that of the axis remote end of the flap in one of the positions touches an edge of the second opening.

The refrigerator according to the invention may comprise a control device which is arranged to then operate the bypass device in that position in which it conducts more air through the second opening when the ice maker is currently producing ice cubes. The control device may also be arranged to operate the diverter in the position in which this air conducts less or not at all through the second opening when the icemaker is currently not producing ice pieces.

Depending on the embodiment, the refrigerating appliance according to the invention provides an icemaker or ice maker with air guidance, in particular with a motorized flap. For example, in order to increase the time unit per piece of ice produced, the air duct can be controlled by means of the diverter, in particular in the form of a motorized flap so that optionally the entire air flow in the channel, ie the entire cooled air is passed to the icemaker. It can also be provided that the whole air flow in the interior is headed. Thus, the refrigeration device according to the invention

if necessary, an icemaker with its own, controllable air supply.

To direct the flow of air, i. to conduct the cooled air, depending on

Embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention uses the diverter, which is switchable in at least two positions. The diverter optionally includes an electrically controlled motorized flap associated with the air duct of the icemaker. The diverter can for example be part of

Ice maker or can be directly injected e.g. integrated into the rear wall of the air duct, i. into the wall of the canal opposite the second opening.

The diverting device, for example the motorized flap, can be controlled by the icemaker, in order to preferably open the air supply preferably as needed, or to close it completely. Preferably, the motorized flap may be integrated into the icemaker.

The flap may e.g. be controlled stepwise by means of a stepper motor. The flap may e.g. have the position "half open", "completely open" or "completely close." The diverting device can also be designed purely mechanically The diversion device, in particular in the form of a motorized flap, can also be integrated into the air duct.

Advantages of the refrigeration device according to the invention can be: - A need-based increase ice-cream production can be achieved.

- It can be a targeted, possibly even an optimized air flow to

Ice maker can be achieved.

- The diverter, if necessary the motorized flap, can be controlled by the icemaker.

- Has the icemaker currently finished its production of pieces of ice or is the

Ice maker off, then it may be possible by means of the diverter to close the second opening. This allows the entire cooled air in the

Interior of the refrigerator according to the invention are passed, whereby the Cooling of the interior can be improved. While the icemaker is switched off, the air supply to the icemaker can also be reduced or even switched off. As a result, an air circulation, for example, in a storage device of the ice maker for storing the pieces of ice reduced or even prevented, causing the pieces of ice to shrink less.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying schematic drawings. Show it:

1 is a household refrigerator in a perspective view,

Figures 2, 3 are side views of a portion of the household refrigerator in cut

representations

4 is a schematic representation of a part of the household refrigerator,

Figures 5 - 7 are side views of part of another household refrigeration appliance in

cut representations.

FIG. 1 shows a household refrigerating appliance 1 as an example of a refrigerating appliance in a perspective illustration. Figures 2 and 3 show a side view of a portion of the household refrigerator 1 in sectional views.

The household refrigerator 1 is in the case of the present embodiment, a freeze-refrigeration combination in the form of a so-called side-by-side device. The household refrigerator 1, which is designed in particular as a no-frost device, has a body or a housing with a heat-insulating inner container 14. The inner container 14 is divided into a freezer compartment 2 and a cooling space 3 arranged next to the freezer compartment 2. The freezer compartment 2 is used for example for

Freezing frozen food at e.g. about minus 18 degrees Celsius.

The household refrigerating appliance 1 further comprises a non-illustrated, in principle, however, known in the art refrigeration device for cooling the freezer compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 3, which is controlled by a control device, not shown, so that the cooling chamber 2 and the freezer compartment 3 have at least approximately a pre-set target temperature. The refrigeration device comprises, for example, one or more refrigeration circuits, which have, for example, one or more evaporators, condenser, etc.

The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 has two door leaves 4, 5 hinged to the housing by means of hinges, for closing the freezer compartment 2 or the refrigerator compartment 3. When the door leaves 4, 5 open, the freezer compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 3 are accessible. On the side directed towards the refrigerator compartment 3 of the door panel 5 provided for closing the refrigerator compartment 3 and on the side of the door panel 4 intended to close the freezer compartment 2 in the direction of the freezer compartment 2, a plurality of door racks 6 are arranged in the case of the present exemplary embodiment.

In the case of the present embodiment, a plurality of shelves 7 are arranged one above the other in the cooling space 3 and the freezer compartment 2, on which refrigerated goods or frozen goods can be stored. In addition, several drawers 8 are provided for storing refrigerated goods or frozen food in the refrigerator 3 and in the freezer compartment 2.

In the case of the present embodiment, the household refrigerator 1 has an ice maker 9, which is arranged inside the freezer compartment 2. The ice maker 9 comprises e.g. an ice-making device 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3, which is arranged to produce pieces of ice, which are e.g. in a particular below the

Ice-making device 10 are arranged storage device of the ice maker 9 to be stored as needed by a. be arranged in the door leaf 4 of the freezer compartment 2 arranged output 1 1 with the door leaf 4 closed. The

Ice making device 10 includes e.g. several chambers for receiving from the water, which freezes to the ice pieces, as is in principle known to those skilled in the art.

In the case of the present embodiment run in the housing of the

Domestic refrigerating appliance 1, in particular in the rear wall 12 of the housing a plurality of channels 13, 15, are passed through the cooled by the refrigeration device, in particular by the evaporator air into the freezer compartment 2 and the cooling chamber 3. The channels 13, 15 run in particular behind the inner container 14 and in particular in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 4 is illustrated. The cooled air flows

for example, from the evaporator via the channels 13, 15 in the arrow directions of in Fig. 2nd shown arrows 16 and through openings 17 of the inner container 14 in the freezer compartment 2 and in the cooling space 3. The openings 17 are arranged in particular in the lower region of the freezer compartment 2 and the cooling chamber 3.

In order for the water filled into the ice making device 10 during operation of the ice maker 9 to freeze or accelerate this freezing process, at least one of the channels 15 has an opening 18 arranged in the region of the ice maker 9 in the inner container 14, through the air also cooled by the evaporator can flow. This is illustrated in FIG. 3 by means of arrows 19. In the case of the present embodiment, the opening 18 for the ice maker 9 relative to

Ice making device 10 is arranged such that the opening provided for the ice maker 9 opening 18 is disposed above the ice making device 10, so that provided for the ice maker 9 cooled air over the

Ice making device 10 flows. In the case of the present embodiment, the household refrigerating appliance 1 has a diverting device 20, which in a state shown in FIG. 3, the cooled air coming from the evaporator in the direction of the arrows 19 by the for the

Ice maker 9 provided opening 18 redirects. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the diverting device 20 closes the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9 so that the cooled air coming from the evaporator flows through the entire channel 15 and through the opening 17 provided in the lower area of the domestic refrigerator 1 in particular Freezer 2 flows.

The diverter 20 is e.g. Part of the icemaker 9 or is the rest

Domestic refrigerating appliance 1, in particular arranged on the inner container 14.

In the case of the present embodiment, the diverting device 20 is designed as a pivotable flap 21, which can be adjusted for example by means of an electric motor 22. The flap 21 is arranged relative to the inner container 14 such that on the one hand, in the state shown in FIG. 2, it closes the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the flap 21 is pivoted by means of the electric motor 22 into the channel 15, in particular pivoted completely in to open the opening 18 for the Einsbereiter 9 and in particular to divert cooled air through the opening 18. It can also be provided that the flap 21 pivots only partially into the channel 15 in order to guide the cooled air only partially through the provided for the ice maker 9 opening 18 so that a part of the cooled air provided by the for the freezer compartment 2 Opening 17 can flow.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the diverting device 20, in particular the electric motor 22, is controlled by a control device 23 of the ice maker 9, which may be carried out separately from the control device of the household refrigerating appliance 1 or is part of this control device, as follows:

If ice pieces are currently to be produced by means of ice making device 10, i. If the water in the chambers is to freeze into pieces of ice, then the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9 is opened by the control device 23 of the ice maker 9 driving the electric motor 22 so that the flap 21 pivots into the channel 15. As a result, the flap 21 deflects the opening 18 at least partially cooled air.

If the ice maker 9 is currently not producing any pieces of ice, then the control device 23 controls the electric motor 22 in such a way that the flap 21 holds the ice maker 9

provided opening 18 closes.

Figures 5 to 7 show an alternative embodiment of a diverter 20a, which is adapted to redirect from the evaporator-derived cooled air through the provided for the ice maker 9 opening 18. Unless otherwise described, components of diverter 20a shown in FIGS. 5-7 are substantially identical in construction and function to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3

Diverter 20 are provided with the same reference numerals.

The diverting device 20a shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is arranged, for example, in the channel 15 or at least partially in the housing of the household refrigerating appliance 1, in particular in the rear wall 12. The diverting device 20a likewise includes, for example, a flap 21 and an electric motor 22 which pivots the flap 21 and which is controlled in particular by the control device 23 of the ice maker 9.

In the position shown in FIG. 5, the flap 21 bears against an inner wall 24 of the channel 15, which lies opposite the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9. Although the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9 is opened in this position, the flap 21 does not redirect the cooled air coming from the evaporator through the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9. As a result, the largest part of the cooled air flows through the channel 15 in the direction of the arrow 16 to the opening 17 provided for the freezer compartment 2. This position of the flap 21 is provided in particular when the ice maker 9 is currently not producing any pieces of ice.

In order to cool the ice making device 10 improved and simultaneously allowed to flow cooled air through the channel 15 to the opening provided for the freezer compartment 2 opening 17, the control device 23 in the case of the present embodiment, the electric motor 22 drive such that the flap 21 in a 6 is shown in FIG. In this position, the flap 21 is partially pivoted into the channel 15 in, but is not with its swung in the channel 15 end 21a on the inner wall 25 of the channel 15, in which the intended for the ice maker 9 opening 18 is arranged. A portion of the cooled air is thus diverted from the flap 21 in the direction of the arrow 19 through the opening 18 provided for the ice maker 9.

To substantially all the cooled air through the for the icemaker 9

To guide provided opening 18, the control device 23 in the case of

present embodiment, the electric motor 22 also drive such that the flap 21 is brought into a position shown in FIG. 7. In this position, the flap 21 is fully pivoted into the channel 15 and is located with its pivoted into the channel 15 end 21a on the inner wall 25 of the channel 15, in which the intended for the ice maker 9 opening 18 is located or lies at the lower edge 18 a of the opening 18 at. The electric motor 22 is e.g. a stepper motor.

Claims

Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance, having an inner container (14) with a coolable interior (2), one inside the interior (2)

arranged icemaker (9), a cooling device for cooling the interior (2), a channel (15) which is provided, via a first opening (17) of the

Cooling device cooled air in the interior (2) and a second opening (18) to direct the cooled air to the icemaker, and a diverter (20, 20a) which is adapted, the cooled air at least partially through the second opening (18 ), characterized in that the diverting device (20, 20a) can be switched between at least two positions in which it conducts the cooled air to different degrees through the second opening (18).

Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the diverting device (20, 20a) in one of the positions, the entire cooled air passes through the second opening (18), the cooled air partially through the second opening (18) passes, the cooled air even does not conduct, and / or the second opening (18) closes.

Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Diverter (20) part of the ice maker (9) or at least partially outside the channel (15) is arranged.

Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Diverter (20a) within the channel (15) is arranged.

Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diverting device (20, 20a) comprises a pivotable flap (21) which is pivotable between the at least two positions, wherein in particular the flap (21) controlled by a control device (23 ) of the refrigeration device (1) or the

Ice maker (9) by means of an adjusting device, in particular by means of a

Electric motor (22), between the at least two positions is pivotable.

6. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the flap (21) in at least one of the positions at least partially in the channel (15)

into pans.

7. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the flap (21) in one of the positions closes the second opening (18).

8. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the inner container (14) forms an inner wall (25) of the channel (15), in which the second opening (18) is arranged, and the flap (21) with respect an axis which is in or near the surface formed by the inner wall (25) pivotable.

9. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that of the axis

the distal end of the flap (21) in one of the positions of an opposite the second opening (18) extending inner wall (24) of the channel (15) touched.

10. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the flap (21) is pivotally mounted relative to an axis which extends in or near an inner wall (24) of the channel (15) opposite to the second opening (18 ) is arranged.

11. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that the remote from the axis end of the flap (21) in one of the positions that inner wall (25) of the channel (15) contacts, in which the second opening (18) is arranged, or in that the end of the flap (21) remote from the axis touches an edge of the second opening (18) in one of the positions.

12. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a

Control device (23) arranged to then operate the bypass device (20, 20a) in the position in which it conducts more air through the second opening (18) when the ice maker (9) is currently producing ice pieces, and / or then

Diverter (20, 20a) to operate in the position in which this air less or not at all through the second opening (18) passes, when the ice maker (9) currently does not produce pieces of ice.