WO2014095729A1

WO2014095729A1 - Vacuum insulation element for a household refrigeration appliance with a functional component arranged in sections in a support body and household refrigeration appliance with a vacuum insulation element

Info

Publication number: WO2014095729A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/076712
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Ehninger; Alexander GÖRZ; Michael Seelmeier
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2012-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-16
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: EP2936016A1; CN104956170A; DE102012223547A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum insulation element (8) for a household refrigeration appliance (1) which has an enveloping (19) which surrounds an evacuated cavity (20) which is at least partially filled with a support body (12), and a functional component (21) is arranged in the cavity (20). Said functional component (21) is embedded at least in sections in the support body (12). The invention also relates to a household refrigeration appliance (1) comprising a vacuum insulation element (8).

Description

Vacuum insulation element for a household refrigerator with a partially arranged in a support body functional component and household refrigeration appliance with a

The invention relates to a vacuum insulation element for a household refrigerating appliance, which has a casing which encloses an evacuated cavity which is at least partially filled with a supporting body. A functional component is arranged in the cavity. Furthermore, the invention relates to a household refrigerator with at least one vacuum insulation element.

In domestic refrigerators, such as a refrigerator or a freezer or a fridge-freezer combination device is an interior in which refrigerated goods in the form of food, which include food and drinks, limited by walls. For this purpose, an inner container may be provided which has an opening on the front side which can be closed by a door. The door also represents a wall in the context.

The thermal insulation body can be provided in different embodiments. Thus, it is known that an insulation foam is provided. Likewise, vacuum insulation elements are known in newer embodiments. Thus, for example, from WO 2012/031885 A2 a housing for a refrigeration device is known, in which an insulating body is delimited by an outer and an inner shell and in an intermediate space between the shells an insulation material pack is arranged. The insulating material may be, for example, a highly porous solid. From DE 10 2009 002 800 A1 a household refrigerator and a heat-insulating wall is known. In this embodiment, the insulation body may have two shells or skins, between which in turn a cavity is formed, which may be evacuated. In one embodiment, it may be provided that a skin of this insulating body itself has a polygonal frame, to which a plate-like inner skin and an outer skin are then fastened, thereby forming an overall covering for the insulating body. In such plate-like insulating bodies positioning and attachment is difficult. In this context, a full-surface adhesion may be provided, for example, on an inner container or else on an inner side of the outer container. For example, the outer container can then form an outer housing wall, which surrounds the inner container. The space between the inner container and the outer container may additionally be filled with a thermally insulating foam material.

Especially with a door, however, such a structure is installation-intensive and the door is also made relatively thick by the large number of components. As a result, either the device is increased or a useful volume of the interior reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum insulation element in which a functional component arranged in the cavity is improved with regard to its secure positioning in the cavity.

This object is achieved by a vacuum insulation element and a household refrigerator according to the independent claims.

A vacuum insulation element according to the invention for a household refrigerating appliance comprises a casing which encloses an evacuated cavity. In the cavity, a support body is arranged at least partially, wherein a functional component is arranged in the cavity. It is provided that the functional component is at least partially embedded in the support body. By such a configuration, the mechanically stable positioning of the functional component in the cavity can be improved.

It is preferably provided that the functional component is embedded completely enclosed in the support body. With this configuration, the mechanically stable positioning can be further improved and beyond a certain shock and impact protection can be ensured from all sides. In comparison to the functional component lying against at least one of the shells on at least one surface, this complete embedding is a significant advantage. It is preferably provided that the functional component rests with one side on the shell. In such a configuration, although a certain disadvantage, as explained above, then provided, on the other hand, however, advantages in terms of accessibility and optionally viewing and / or actuation of the functional component from outside the vacuum insulation element and thus outside of the shell allows.

It is preferably provided that the functional component is glued or welded to an inner side of the envelope. Compared to a mere concern on this inside, the abovementioned advantages with regard to the mechanically stable and permanent positioning are once again improved here.

It is particularly advantageous if a position marking for mounting the functional component is formed on an inner side of the sleeve. As a result, the exact position and orientation of the functional component can be recognized easily and reliably during production.

It is particularly advantageous if the position marking has an environmental contour which accommodates the functional component. It is thus quasi a mechanical representational component, which may also be designed as a wall, is provided, in which then the functional component can be used accurately position and orientation already. In addition to the simple goal-oriented recognition of where and how the functional component is to be arranged on the inside of the envelope, such a configuration of the position marker also additionally creates a then permanently following holder, which additionally and supportively contributes to the abovementioned advantages.

Additionally or instead, it may also be provided that the position marking has a color marking on the inside. It is preferably provided that the functional component is a magnetic switching element. For example, a permanent magnet may be provided as a switching element here. In particular, this may be, for example, a Hall sensor or a reed switch. As a result, for example, a door position can be detected when the Vacuum insulation element is a component of a door of the household refrigerator. Thus, it can be easily detected, for example, the open or closed position of the door. In addition, the switching on and off of a light source or a fan or other device function is possible with such specific switching elements.

It can also be provided that the functional component is in addition to or instead of a retaining element. For example, a permanent magnet can also be provided here as a fastening means. Thereby, components disposed outside of the vacuum insulation member can be fixed to the vacuum insulation member by magnetic force.

In addition, it can also be provided that the functional component is, for example, a microchip for identifying the vacuum insulation element. Such an identification unit may be, for example, an RFID chip or an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip or a comparable element.

With regard to the execution as an identification unit, information about the production location, the production date, the serial number, the fitter and other features can be detected and provided, for example. These can then be read out without contact.

In addition, it can also be provided additionally or instead that the functional component is an energy source. For example, here can be mentioned a battery, which is also preferably rechargeable. The charging can be done in particular by induction.

Furthermore, the functional component may additionally or instead be a stiffening element in order to stiffen the vacuum insulation element. This stiffening element can be formed in simple straight-line geometry or even of complex geometric shape. It can be made of different materials, such as metal or plastic. Likewise, as a functional component, a ferromagnetic element, such as a steel sheet, may be provided in order to allow permanent magnets to adhere to an outer side of the vacuum insulation element by magnetic force.

In the above-mentioned possibility that the functional component rests against at least one side on an inner side of the shell, its additional attachment thereto may be provided by means of adhesive or an adhesive tape or by ultrasonic welding.

Especially with the already mentioned above possibilities of holding elements, it is also achieved that the attachment of a door outer part, such as a door outer panel, is achieved on the vacuum insulation element. This allows a very simple and non-destructive detachable connection can be created.

By means of an energy source, components located on or in the vacuum insulation element can be supplied with electrical energy.

Likewise, the functional component can also be a display unit, by means of which information, preferably optically, can be generated from the vacuum insulation element through the envelope.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a wall for a household refrigerator, which has the vacuum insulation element. Preferably, the wall is a door of the household refrigerator. This can be designed in particular as a full vacuum door. This means that only the vacuum insulation element is provided for thermal insulation effect and, moreover, no further thermally insulating foam material is arranged, which surrounds the vacuum insulation element at least partially. By such a full-vacuum door can be configured more compact and in particular thinner with at least constant thermal insulation effect. Furthermore, the invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance with at least one vacuum insulation element according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The domestic refrigerator may be a refrigerator or a freezer or a refrigerator. Be freezer combination device. It is designed to hold foods, which can be food and drinks.

Preferably, the vacuum insulation element in a door, which is designed for closing an interior of the household refrigerator, arranged.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigerator according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of a door formed

Wall of the household refrigerator according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the door of FIG.

2;

4 is a sectional view through a vacuum insulation element according to a first embodiment;

5 is a sectional view through a vacuum insulation element according to a second embodiment; and 6 is a sectional view through a further embodiment of a

Vacuum insulation element.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1, a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown in a perspective view, which is designed for receiving food, such as drinks and food. The household refrigerator 1 may be, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer or a combined refrigerated freezer.

The household refrigerating appliance 1 comprises a housing 2, which comprises an outer housing or an outer container 3 and an inner housing arranged therein, which is an inner container 4. The outer container 3 surrounds the inner container 4, wherein both front side have a feed opening which can be closed by a door 5. The inner container 4 bounded by lateral walls or side walls 4a and 4b and a rear wall or a rear wall 4c, and a bottom wall 4d and a top wall 4e an interior 6. Depending on how the household refrigerator 1 is formed, this interior can completely a freezer compartment or include a no-frost compartment or a freezer compartment. It can also be provided that the household refrigerating appliance 1 has as an interior 6 a cooling compartment, in which a freezer compartment is integrated on the inside, which in particular can then be closed by another own freezer compartment door. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the door 5 for closing the inner space 6 is a vacuum insulation door, in particular a full vacuum door. For this purpose, it is provided that the door 5 has at least one vacuum insulation element which constitutes a thermal insulation body. In addition, the door 5 also represents a wall of the household refrigerating appliance 1.

FIG. 2 also shows an inside view 7 of the door 5 with the vacuum insulation element 8 in a perspective view. The door 5 comprises, in addition to the plate-like rectangular vacuum insulation element 8, a support frame 9. The support frame 9 surrounds circumferentially the vacuum insulation element 8 completely. The vacuum insulation element 8 is thus held by the support frame 9.

The support frame 9 is also rectangular in shape and formed in several parts. Also conceivable is a one-piece design of the support frame. 9

The support frame 9 is also made of plastic and realized in particular as an injection molded part. It can be provided that the support frame 9 is formed from a single plastic material or from at least two different plastic materials.

In Fig. 3, the door 5 is shown in an exploded view.

It can be seen that the vacuum insulation element 8 has a rear or inner shell 10, which is integrally formed from plastic. In addition, the vacuum insulation element 8 comprises a front shell or an outer shell 1 1, which is also integrally formed of plastic. In the assembled state of the vacuum insulation element 8, the two shells 10 and 1 1 are interconnected. For example, a gluing or welding can be provided here. In the intermediate space or cavity formed between the shells 10 and 1 1, a packing or supporting body 12 is introduced. For example, a porous solid can be provided here. Preferably, silica is provided as filler. This space between the shells 10 and 1 1 is evacuated.

In addition, a circumferential seal 13 is shown in Fig. 3, which is arranged in the assembled state on the support frame 9. The support frame 9 is thus designed multifunctional and provided for receiving a plurality of different separate objective components. In addition to the seal 13, however, also another functional component may additionally be arranged on the support frame 9. For example, a hinge and / or a bearing unit and / or a stiffening part can be provided here.

In the exemplary embodiment, the carrier frame 9 comprises four carrier frame parts 14, 15, 16 and 17 due to its rectangular shape. The two carrier frame parts 14 and 16, which are rectilinear elongated members, extend vertically and in parallel. Likewise, the horizontally arranged carrier frame parts 15 and 17 extend parallel to each other.

An alternative also possible, one-piece design of the support frame 9 is designed in particular by the shape formed during a single manufacturing process. Thus, in particular, no embodiments are understood to mean a one-piece construction, which first comprises the production of separate carrier frame parts which are subsequently adhesively bonded together, for example, or the like.

The door 5 further includes an outside or front cover 18, which is for example a plate-like outer panel.

In at least one of the carrier frame parts 14 to 17 can also be integrated and thus embedded on the inside a metallic stiffening part. In particular, this integration is such that the metallic stiffening part is completely enclosed by the plastic material of the support frame part 14 to 17.

4, an embodiment of a vacuum insulation element 8 is shown in a sectional view along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 2. The filling material or the support body 12, which is preferably silica, is arranged between the shells 19 forming shells 10 and 11, which delimit a cavity 20 in which this support body 12 is arranged. In the cavity 20, a functional component 21 is arranged, which is embedded in the support body 12. It is provided in the embodiment of FIG. 4 that the functional component 21 is arranged with a surface 21 a on an inner side 10 a of the inner shell 10. It may also be provided here a specific connection, for example, a gluing or welding. For example, an ultrasonic welding is provided here. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a further component 22 is additionally arranged outside the vacuum insulation element 8, which component is fastened directly to an outer side 10b of the inner shell 10.

The two components 21 and 22 may be magnets, for example.

It can also be provided that the functional component 21 is arranged at the opposite point and rests according to the dashed symbolic representation on an inner side 1 1 a of the outer shell. If the functional component 21 is then also a magnet, it can be provided that the outer part 18 is connected exclusively to the vacuum insulation element 8 via magnetic holding forces and held thereon.

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a vacuum insulation element 8 in a sectional view analogous to FIG. 4. Again, it may be provided that the functional component 21 is partially embedded in the support body 12 and disposed with a surface on the inner side 10a or the inner side 1 1 a fitting.

The functional component 21 may be, for example, a microchip for identifying the vacuum insulation element. In this context, an identification unit is then implemented, which is designed for wireless communication.

Likewise, the functional component 21 may be an energy source, such as a battery, by means of which further components can be supplied with electrical energy on or in the vacuum insulation element.

However, the functional component 21 can also be a magnetic switching element, for example a Hall sensor or a reed switch.

FIG. 6 shows a further, preferred exemplary embodiment, in which the vacuum insulation element 8 is again likewise shown in a sectional view according to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. In contrast to the embodiments according to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, this embodiment provides that the functional component 21 is arranged completely embedded in the supporting body and thus completely surrounded by the material of the Support body 12 is surrounded. The functional component 21 is in this embodiment no longer in contact with the inner shell 10 or the outer shell 1 1. Regarding the possible specific embodiments of the functional component 21, this can be realized according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Thus, switching elements, holding elements, identification units, energy sources and the like can also be realized here. Likewise, it can be provided in all embodiments that the functional component 21 is a mechanical stiffening part.

In particular, in the embodiments according to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, provision may be made for a position marking 23 to be formed on the inner side 10a or 11a, against which the functional component 21 then bears. The position marker 23 is in the embodiment shown, for example, a surrounding contour, which is formed quasi as a receiving wall on the inner side 10a, in particular formed. The functional component 21 can thus be placed in this contour läge- and location accurate and also held by the specific design as environmental contour.

Especially with an embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can also be provided that the functional component 21 is a display unit or a display element which can display information optically and can communicate through the envelope 19 to the outside, so that it can pass through from outside a user is visible.

The door 5 is in particular a full vacuum door.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 household refrigerator 2 housing

3 outer casing

4 inner housing

4a, 4b Lateral walls

4c Rear wall

4d bottom wall

4e ceiling wall

5 door

6 interior

7 inside

8 vacuum insulation element

8a peripheral edge

9 support frame

9a, 9b, 9c, 9d corner areas

10 inner shell

10a inside

10b outside

1 1 outer shell

11 a inside

12 supporting bodies

13 seal

14, 15, 16, 17 support frame parts 18 cover

19 shell

20 cavity

21 functional component

21 a surface

22 component

23 position mark

Claims

claims

1 . A vacuum insulation element (8) for a household refrigerating appliance (1) which has a casing (19) which encloses an evacuated cavity (20) which is at least partially filled with a supporting body (12), a functional component (21) in

Cavity (20) is arranged, characterized in that the functional component (21) is at least partially embedded in the support body (12).

2. Vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional component (21) is completely embedded embedded in the support body (12).

3. Vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional component (21) with one side (21 a) on the sheath (19).

4. Vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that the functional component (21) on an inner side (10 a, 1 1 a) of the shell (19) is glued or welded.

5. vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that on an inner side (10 a, 1 1 a) of the sheath (19) has a position marking (23) for attachment of the functional component (21) is formed.

6. vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 5, characterized in that the position marking (23) has a surrounding contour, which receives the functional component (21) and / or a color marking on the inside (10a, 1 1 a).

7. Vacuum insulation element (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional component (21) comprises a magnet as a switching element and / or a holding element and / or an identification unit for electrically identifying the Vakuumisolungsköpers and / or an energy source and / or a stiffening element is.

8. Vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 7, characterized in that the functional component (21) is a magnetic holding element, which for magnetic attachment of the vacuum insulation element (8) on a front part (18), in particular an outer panel, a door (5) of the Household refrigerating appliance (1) is formed.

9. vacuum insulation element (8) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the magnetic switching element is a Hall sensor or a reed switch.

10. Domestic refrigerating appliance (1) with at least one vacuum insulation element (8) according to one of the preceding claims.

1 1. Domestic refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the vacuum insulation element (8) in a door (5) which is designed for closing an inner space (6) of the household refrigerating appliance (1) is arranged.

12. Domestic refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the door (5) is a full vacuum door.