WO2016134894A1

WO2016134894A1 - Refrigeration device

Info

Publication number: WO2016134894A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/051426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Schäfer; Robert Stahl; Markus Mayer; Ralf Spiller
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2015-02-23
Filing date: 2016-01-25
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: DE102015203145A1; PL3262357T3; EP3262357B1; EP3262357A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration device, comprising an inner container, an air channel element (201), which is arranged on an inner wall (205) of the inner container and has an air channel (203) for feeding cold air into the inner container, and a covering element (207) for covering the air channel element (201), characterized in that a seal (209) is arranged on the air channel element (201), and that the covering element (207) is connected to the inner wall (205) by means of a latching connection and presses the air channel element (201) against the inner wall (205).

Description

COOLING UNIT

The present invention relates to a refrigeration device.

A refrigerator, such as a fridge-freezer, often includes an air duct for supplying cold air into an inner container of the refrigerator. For example, the air duct is an element of a multi-airflow (MAF) system and the inner container is a refrigerated and / or frozen food compartment. To avoid escape of cold air from the air duct, often all connections of the air duct are sealed consuming. It is the object underlying the invention to provide a refrigeration device with an air duct, in which the air duct is sealed efficiently.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a refrigeration device with an inner container, with an air duct element which is arranged on an inner wall of the inner container and having an air duct for supplying cold air into the inner container, and with a cover element for covering the air duct element, in which a seal is arranged on the air duct element, and in which the cover element is connected to the inner wall by means of a latching connection and presses the air duct element against the inner wall. This provides the advantage that the seal can be compressed efficiently to ensure the sealing effect of the seal.

A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerated freezer combination, a freezer or a wine fridge. The refrigerator may be a fridge-freezer. Furthermore, the inner container may be a refrigerated goods container or a refrigerated compartment. The refrigeration device can also have a further inner container, in particular a frozen food container or a freezer compartment. Furthermore, the inner container can be supplied by means of the air duct cold air from the other inner container. The refrigerator may further comprise a fan, by means of which the cold air is supplied to the inner container. The inner wall of the inner container may be a rear wall of the inner container. For example, the inner wall is a Kühlgutbehälterrückwand. The air channel element may further be made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Furthermore, an electric or motorized flap for opening or closing the air duct can be arranged in or on the air duct element. The seal may further comprise a foam strip or be formed by a foam strip. Furthermore, the seal with the air duct element or the inner wall can be cohesively, positively and / or kraftformschlüssig connected. The cover member may further be formed by a plastic cover. According to one embodiment, the cover member may further be non-positively connected to the inner wall.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover is designed to press the seal by means of the air duct element against the inner wall at a latching connection with the inner wall. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the air duct can be sealed against the inner wall.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the seal comprises a sealing strip, which is arranged parallel to the air duct. This provides the advantage that the air duct can be sealed along its entire length. The sealing strip may be formed by a foam strip. Furthermore, the seal may comprise two sealing strips, which are each arranged parallel to the air duct. For example, a first sealing strip is located to the left of the air channel and a second sealing strip is arranged to the right of the air channel. In a further advantageous embodiment, the seal comprises a U-shaped sealing element, wherein the legs of the U-shaped sealing element are each arranged parallel to the air duct. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that an opening of the Can be efficiently sealed air duct element for conducting cold air into or out of the air duct.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the seal is integrally connected to the air duct element. This provides the advantage that the seal can be mounted very easily. The seal may be glued to the air duct element or glued to the air duct element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the inner wall has a latching cam, and the cover element has a latching element, wherein the latching element undercuts the latching cam in the case of a latching connection. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the cover can be efficiently locked to the inner wall.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the inner wall also has a securing cam, wherein the securing cam is arranged at a distance from the locking cam, and a securing element is arranged on the detent element, wherein the securing element engages in a receptacle formed between the securing cam and the detent cam, around the detent element to fix on the locking cam. As a result, the advantage is achieved that inadvertent release of the cover, for example, by a user of the refrigerator, can be avoided. The safety cam may be formed by an increase in the inner wall. Furthermore, the receptacle formed between the safety cam and the detent cam can form a safety cup.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the safety cam is arranged offset from the latching cam. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the insertion of the securing element can be facilitated in the recording.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the receptacle formed between the securing cam and the locking cam has an insertion opening, wherein a dimension of the insertion opening is smaller than a dimension of the securing element, and the cover is elastically deformable at least in sections, to insert the securing element in between Safety cam and the locking cam formed To enable recording. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the cover can be efficiently fixed to the inner wall.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cover is made of plastic. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the cover can be particularly easily deformed sections. The cover member may be made of polystyrene (PS) and / or high impact polystyrene such as high impact polystyrene (HIPS).

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cover element has an upper cover element part and a lower cover element part, wherein the upper cover element part and the lower cover element part are connected by means of a latching connection. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the cover can be made efficiently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the upper cover element part is connected to the inner wall by means of a latching connection. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the cover can be mounted very easily. According to one embodiment, the upper cover member part may further be non-positively connected to the inner wall. For example, the upper cover member is bolted to the inner wall.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the lower cover element part is non-positively connected to the inner wall and / or by means of a latching connection. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the cover can be fixed to the inner wall. For example, the lower cover element part is screwed to the inner wall.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the air duct element is made of a foamed plastic. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the air duct element can be made particularly simple. For example, the air duct element is made of expanded polystyrene (EPS).

In a further advantageous embodiment, the inner wall has a first guide element, and the air duct element has a second guide element, wherein the first guide element bears against the second guide element in order to move the first guide element Position air duct element in a first direction. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the air duct element can be efficiently held in position. The first guide element may be formed by a hold-down or a projection. Furthermore, the second guide element may be formed by a projection. The first direction may further be a vertical direction.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first guide member further abuts on one side of the air passage member to position the air passage member in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the position of the air duct element can be efficiently fixed. The second direction may be a horizontal direction.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the inner wall has a third guide element, wherein the third guide element abuts against one side of the air duct element in order to position the air duct element in the first direction. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the air duct element can be efficiently held in position.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the third guide element bears against the second guide element in order to position the air channel element in the second direction. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the position of the air duct element can be efficiently fixed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a motorized flap for opening or blocking the air duct is arranged in or on the air duct element. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the supply of cold air into the inner container can be efficiently controlled.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator; Figs. 2 to 4 are sectional views of the refrigerator when mounting an air duct element and a cover member;

Fig. 5A is a sectional view of the locking connection between the inner wall and the

Cover member in the assembly step shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5B is a sectional view of the locking connection between the inner wall and the

Cover member in the assembly step shown in Figure 4; 6 shows the inner wall of the inner container.

FIG. 7 shows a positioning of the air duct element on the inner wall; FIG. and

Fig. 8 shows an arrangement with the air duct element and the seal.

1 shows a schematic view of a refrigeration device 100. The refrigeration device 100 is designed as a fridge-freezer combination. Furthermore, the refrigeration device 100 has a first refrigerator door 101, by means of which a non-imaged inner container, for example a refrigerated goods container, of the refrigeration device 100 can be closed. The refrigeration appliance 100 further has a second refrigerator door 103, by means of which a non-imaged further inner container, for example a frozen food container, of the refrigeration appliance 100 can be closed. Furthermore, the refrigeration device 100 has a non-illustrated air duct, by means of which the inner container cold air can be supplied. For example, the inner container is supplied by means of the air duct cold air from the other inner container. The refrigeration device 100 further comprises a non-illustrated refrigerant circuit with an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and a throttle body.

The evaporator is a heat exchanger in which, after the expansion, the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the medium to be cooled, such as the air in the respective inner container of the refrigerator 100. The compressor is a mechanically operated component that draws refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and expels it at a higher pressure to the condenser. The condenser is a heat exchanger, in which, after compression, the vaporized refrigerant is liquefied by dissipating heat to an external cooling medium, such as the ambient air. The throttle body is a device for the continuous reduction of the pressure by cross-sectional constriction. The refrigerant may be a fluid. Figs. FIGS. 2 to 4 show sectional views of the refrigerating appliance 100 when mounting an air duct element 201 and a cover element 207. The sectional views shown each show views from above. The air channel element 201 has an air channel 203. Furthermore, the air channel element 201 is arranged on an inner wall 205 of the inner container, not shown. Further, the cover member 207 and two seals 209 are shown. According to one embodiment, the two seals 209 may be legs of a U-shaped sealing element, which surrounds the air channel element 201 or a connection (not shown) of the air channel element 201. For producing a latching connection between the inner wall 205 and the cover element 207, the inner wall 205 has a locking cam 21 1 formed by an elevation in the inner wall 205 and the cover element 207 has a latching element 213. The inner wall 205 further has a securing cam 215 formed by an elevation in the inner wall 205, wherein a receptacle 219 is formed between the latching cam 21 1 and the securing cam 215. Furthermore, a securing element 217 is arranged on the latching element 213. The cover member 205 further includes an upper cover member and a lower cover member part, which are locked by further locking elements 221. Further, a foam 223 for thermal insulation of the inner container, a backing member 225 for screwing the lower Abdeckelementteils with the inner wall 205 and another air duct element 227 are shown. FIG. 2 shows a first assembly step, in which the air channel element 201 bears against the inner wall 205. Furthermore, the latching element 213 rests against the latching cam 21 1. Here, no latching connection between the inner wall 205 and the cover 205 is made. FIG. 3 shows a second assembly step, in which the latching element 21 1 is guided via the latching cam 21 1. In this case, the securing element 217 rests against the latching cam 21 1 and against the securing cam 215. For inserting the securing element 217 into the receptacle 219, the covering element 207 is elastically deformed. 4 shows a third assembly step, in which the inner wall 205 is latched to the cover element 207. Here, the locking element 213 undercuts the Locking cam 21 1. Furthermore, this is the securing element 217 inserted to secure the locking connection in the receptacle 219. By locking the cover element 207 with the inner wall 205, the air channel element 201 is pressed against the inner wall 205, whereby further the seals 209 are pressed against the inner wall 205. As a result, a sealing effect of the seals 209 can be increased.

The refrigerator 100 is formed with the inner container, with the air channel member 201 disposed on the inner wall 205 of the inner container and having the air passage 203 for supplying cold air into the inner container, and with the cover member 207 for covering the air passage member 201, wherein on the air passage member 201, the seal 209 is arranged, and wherein the cover member 207 is connected to the inner wall 205 by means of a latching connection and the air channel member 201 presses against the inner wall 205. A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerated freezer combination, a freezer or a wine fridge.

The refrigeration device 100 may further include a fan, by means of which the cold air is supplied to the inner container. The inner wall 205 of the inner container may be a rear wall of the inner container. For example, the inner wall 205 is a Kühlgutbehälterrückwand. The air channel element 201 may further be made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Furthermore, an electric or motorized flap for opening or closing the air duct 203 may be arranged in or on the air duct element 201. The seal 209 may further comprise a foam strip or be formed by a foam strip. Furthermore, the seal 209 may be connected to the air duct element 201 or the inner wall 205 in a material-locking, positive-locking and / or positive-locking manner. For example, the seal 209 is glued to the air channel element 201. The cover member 207 may further be formed by a plastic cover. FIG. 5A shows a sectional view of the latching connection between the inner wall 205 and the cover element 207 in the assembly step shown in FIG. 3. The securing element 217 abuts against an insertion opening 501 of the receptacle 219. Here, a length of the securing element 217 is smaller than a width of the insertion opening 501. For inserting the securing element 217 into the receptacle 219, the covering element 207 can be elastically deformed.

FIG. 5B shows a sectional view of the latching connection between the inner wall 205 and the cover element 207 in the assembly step shown in FIG. 4. Here, the securing element 217 is inserted to secure the latching connection between the inner wall 205 and the cover 207 in the receptacle 219.

Fig. 6 shows the inner wall 205 of the inner container. The inner wall 205 is arranged in a housing 601 of the refrigeration device. Furthermore, a cutout 603 of the inner wall 205 is shown enlarged. The inner wall 205 has a plurality of locking cams 21 1 and a plurality of securing cams 215. Here, the locking cam 21 1 and the safety cam 215 are each arranged offset. Furthermore, the inner wall 205 has two screw holes 605, by means of which the lower cover element part of the cover element 207 can be screwed to the inner wall 205. Here, the screw holes 605 may be elements of the unrepresented backing member 223. The inner wall 205 further comprises two first guide elements 607, which are formed by hold-down, by means of which the air channel element 201 can be positioned.

FIG. 7 shows a positioning of the air channel element 201 on the inner wall 205. The inner wall 205 has two first guide elements 607, which are in each case on one side of the air channel element 201 and on a second guide element 701 of the air channel element 201, which by a projection on one side of the Air channel member 201 is formed and has a rectangular surface, abut to position the air channel element 201 horizontally and vertically. 8 shows an arrangement with the air channel element 201 and the seal 209. The seal 209 is formed by a U-shaped sealing element, such as a foam strip, which surrounds a connection 801 of the air channel element 201. Below the Seal 209 may further be arranged the electric or motorized flap for opening or closing the air passage 203.

According to one embodiment, the cover element 207 may be formed by an upper cover element part and a lower cover element part. For this purpose, the upper cover element part and the lower cover element part can be latched over the further latching elements 221. In this case, the further latching elements 221 each have a latching opening, in which a latching lug of the lower cover element part is engaged. Furthermore, the upper cover element part can be locked to the inner wall 205 and the lower cover element part can be screwed and / or latched to the inner wall 205. According to one embodiment, the electric or motorized flap may be arranged behind the lower cover element part for opening or closing the air channel 203. In this case, a screwing of the lower cover element part with the inner wall 205 may be required. According to one embodiment, in the refrigeration appliance 100, an improved pressing of the seal 209, such as a MAF seal, can be achieved by a latching function on the cover element 207, such as a MAF cover.

According to one embodiment, the refrigeration device 100 may form an active ventilation refrigerator-freezer combination through the air passage 203 to optimally supply cold air to the inner container such as a refrigerated compartment.

According to one embodiment, the air channel 203 may be designed as a partially closed channel with the air channel element 201, such as an EPS molded part assembly, and the respective cover element parts, such as two plastic covers.

According to one embodiment, a portion of the air channel member 201 above the flap may be sealed by means of the seal 209, such as a foam strip, against the inner wall 205, such as a refrigerated goods container rear wall. Here, a pressure exerted on the seal 209 to ensure the sealing effect, by means of the cover member 207, such as a plastic cover, are applied. According to one embodiment, the cover element 207, like a plastic cover, may consist of two parts. The lower cover element part, such as a lower cover, can be held on the one hand by means of screws in the region of the flap and on the other hand held in the further course with a detent. The upper cover member, such as an upper part, of the cover can be held exclusively by means of the detent. The detent may consist of an undercut in the inner wall 205 or in the container and the safety cam 217, which is tightened as an increase in the inner wall 205 or in the container.

According to one embodiment, the cover member 207, such as a plastic cover, may be mounted in a joining direction on the inner wall 205 or in the container. To get over the safety cam, such as the fuse in the undercut, the cover 207 can be elastically deformed.

According to one embodiment, the air channel element 201, such as an EPS molded part, can be positioned by means of the first guide element 701 or by means of hold-down means tightened in the container. As a result, the air channel element 201, such as an EPS board assembly, consisting of an electric flap, two EPS molded parts and the seal 209 or sealing elements, positioned and mounted in the refrigeration device 100. After the electrical contact, for example, the electric flap, was prepared, the lower cover member and the upper cover member, such as plastic covers, on the one hand screwed and locked to the other.

According to one embodiment, by mounting the cover element 207 by means of latching in an undercut and additional container side tightened fuse on the safety cams 215 in part to an additional fixation, for example by means of screws or expanding rivets, are dispensed with.

In one embodiment, by spreading or holding the cover member 207, such as a plastic cover, a compressive force on the air channel member 201, such as an EPS molding, may be allowed to form a sealed air channel 203. This force can be targeted in a peripheral area of the Can be generated air duct element 201, without reducing the air cross-section of the air duct 203.

According to one embodiment, positioning of a fixing element directly in the air cross section of the air duct 203 can be dispensed with in the refrigeration appliance 100.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 refrigeration unit

101 First refrigerator door

103 Second refrigerator door

201 air duct element

203 air duct

205 inner wall

207 cover element

209 seal

21 1 locking cam

213 locking element

215 safety cam

217 fuse element

219 Further locking elements

221 foam

223 backing piece

225 Further air duct element

501 insertion opening

601 housing

603 detail

605 screw hole

607 First guide element

701 Second guide element

801 connection

Claims

Refrigerating appliance (100) with an inner container, with an air duct element (201) arranged on an inner wall (205) of the inner container and having an air duct (203) for supplying cold air into the inner container, and with a cover element (207) for covering the Air duct element (201), characterized in that on the air duct element (201) a seal (209) is arranged, and that the cover (207) with the inner wall (205) is connected by means of a latching connection and the air duct element (201) against the inner wall (205) presses.

Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Cover member (207) is formed, in a latching connection with the inner wall (205), the seal (209) by means of the air channel element (201) against the inner wall (205) to press.

Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (209) comprises a sealing strip which is arranged parallel to the air duct (203).

Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (209) comprises a U-shaped sealing element, wherein the legs of the U-shaped sealing element are each arranged parallel to the air duct (203).

Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (209) is connected in a material-locking manner to the air duct element (201).

Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall (205) has a latching cam (21 1), and the cover element (207) has a latching element (213), wherein the

Locking element (213) undercuts the locking cam (21 1) at a locking connection.

7. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner wall (205) further comprises a securing cam (215), wherein the securing cam (215) from the latching cam (21 1) is arranged spaced, and that on the latching element

(213) a securing element (217) is arranged, wherein the securing element (217) engages in a between the locking cam (215) and the latching cam (21 1) formed receptacle (219) to the latching element (213) on the latching cam (21 1) to fix.

8. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the

Locking cam (215) offset from the locking cam (21 1) is arranged.

9. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that between the securing cam (215) and the latching cam (21 1) formed receptacle

(219) has an insertion opening (501), wherein a dimension of the insertion opening (501) is smaller than a dimension of the securing element (217), and that the covering element (207) is elastically deformable at least in sections in order to prevent insertion of the securing element (217) in the between the locking cam (215) and the locking cam (21 1) formed receptacle (219) to allow.

10. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (207) is made of plastic. 1 1. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall (205) has a first guide element (607), and that the air duct element (201) has a second guide element (701), wherein the first guide element (607) on the second guide member (701) abuts to position the air channel member (201) in a first direction.

12. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the first guide member (607) further on one side of the air duct element (201) rests to positioning the air channel element (201) in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction differ.