WO2022243032A1

WO2022243032A1 - Refrigeration appliance and method for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2022243032A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/061915
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Schäfer; Alex Sperling; Claudia Weiß; Ming Zhang
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2021-05-20
Filing date: 2022-05-04
Publication date: 2022-11-24
Also published as: EP4341624A1; DE102021205140A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance (100), more particularly a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: - a storage compartment (1), which is delimited, with respect to a vertical direction (V), by a base (10) and by a top wall (11) spaced apart from the base (10) and, with respect to a depth direction (T), by a rear wall (12) extending between the base (10) and the top wall (11); - an air distribution channel (2), which extends on an outer surface (12b) of the rear wall (12) along the vertical direction (V); and - an evaporator assembly (3), which is disposed on the outer surface (12b) and which has an evaporator (30), a suction port (31), which is connected to the storage compartment (1), a pressure port (32), which is connected to the air distribution channel (2), and a fan (33), which is designed to draw in air from the storage compartment (1) through the suction port (31) and through the evaporator (30) and to discharge said air through the pressure port (32) into air distribution channel (2); wherein: the storage compartment (1) has a warm storage region (15), which, with respect to the vertical direction (V), extends between the base (10) and a first intermediate base (16A) extending in the depth direction (T), a cold storage region (16), which extends, with respect to the vertical direction (V), between the first intermediate base (16A) and a second intermediate base (16B) extending in the depth direction (T), and a cool storage region (17), which extends from the second intermediate base (16B) in the vertical direction (V); the suction port (31) of the evaporator assembly (3) is connected to an exhaust air opening (18C), which is formed between the base (10) and the first intermediate base (16A) in the rear wall (12); and the air distribution channel (2) is connected to a first supply air opening (18A), which is formed between the first intermediate base (16A) and the second intermediate base (16B) in the rear wall (12), and at least a second supply air opening (18B), which is formed between the second intermediate base (16B) and the top wall (11) in the rear wall (12). The invention also relates to a method (M) for defrosting an evaporator (30) in a refrigeration appliance (100) of this type.

Description

Refrigeration device Method for defrosting an evaporator in one

refrigeration device

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator or a fridge-freezer combination, and a method for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance.

STATE OF THE ART

Refrigeration devices, such as refrigerators, usually have an inner container which defines an interior space or a refrigeration compartment for accommodating refrigerated goods and is cooled by an evaporator integrated into a refrigerant circuit. In so-called no-frost devices, the evaporator is accommodated in an evaporator chamber that is fluidically conductively coupled to the interior, and air is circulated between the evaporator chamber and the interior by means of a fan.

In order to create optimal storage conditions for different types of refrigerated goods, it can be advantageous to provide different temperature zones within a refrigeration compartment. For example, refrigeration devices with separate vegetable compartments are known, in which there is an increased temperature compared to the average temperature in the refrigeration compartment. Furthermore, it can also be advantageous to provide cold storage compartments in which there is a reduced temperature compared to the average temperature in the cold compartment. If different temperature zones are to be provided, efficient distribution of the cooling air is required.

JP 2002 318055 A discloses a household refrigeration appliance which has a refrigerator compartment, a vegetable compartment and a freezer compartment. The vegetable compartment is arranged between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment with respect to a vertical direction, the refrigerator compartment being arranged above and the freezer compartment below the vegetable compartment with respect to the vertical direction. The vegetable compartment is separated from the other compartments by partitions and is accessible through a separate door. Between a back wall of the compartments and an outer case, an air distribution space is formed. An evaporator is arranged in an evaporator chamber, which has a suction inlet and a blower outlet. The suction inlet is connected to the vegetable compartment in the area of a lower partition that separates the vegetable compartment from the freezer compartment. Furthermore, a connecting channel is provided between the vegetable compartment and the refrigerator compartment. A Ge blower is arranged in the blower outlet and designed to suck air from the vegetable sefach through the suction inlet, via the evaporator and expel it into the air distribution space. The air cooled by the evaporator is introduced at a plurality of openings formed in a rear wall of the refrigerating compartment into ducts formed in shelves of the refrigerating compartment and discharged through the ducts into the refrigerating compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide improved solutions for refrigeration devices in which different temperature zones are provided in the interior.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a refrigeration device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 12 .

According to a first aspect of the invention, a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator or a fridge-freezer combination, comprises a storage compartment which, in relation to a vertical direction, is defined by a floor and a top wall arranged at a distance from the floor, and in relation to a Depth direction is limited by a rear wall extending between the bottom and the top wall, an air distribution duct which extends along the vertical direction on an outer surface of the rear wall, and an evaporator assembly arranged on the outer surface and having an evaporator, a suction port which is connected to the bearing compartment, a pressure port connected to the air distribution duct, and a blower configured to draw air from the storage compartment through the suction port and via the evaporator and expel it through the pressure port into the air distribution duct. According to the invention, the storage compartment includes a warm storage area which, in relation to the vertical direction, is located between the floor and a first intermediate floor extending in the depth direction. stretches, a cold storage area extending between the first intermediate floor and a second intermediate floor extending in the depth direction with respect to the vertical direction, and a cold storage area extending from the second intermediate floor in the vertical direction, the suction port of the evaporator assembly is connected to an exhaust air opening, which is formed between the floor and the first intermediate floor in the rear wall, and wherein the air distribution duct is connected to a first supply air opening, which is formed between the first intermediate floor and the second intermediate floor in the rear wall, and at least a second Zuluftöff voltage is connected, which is formed between the second intermediate floor and the top wall in the rear wall.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigerator according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. The method includes circulating refrigerant through the evaporator, with the fan drawing in air from the warm storage area through the suction port, passing it over the evaporator and expelling it through the pressure port into the air distribution duct to convey it through the supply air openings into the cold storage area and the cold storage area, interrupting the circulation of the refrigerant through the evaporator and maintaining the operation of the fan, in particular until an ice covering adhering to the evaporator is at least partially melted by the air sucked in from the warm storage compartment.

One of the ideas on which the invention is based is to arrange a cold storage area in a common storage compartment of a refrigeration device directly adjacent to a warm storage area in relation to a vertical direction, which is provided for vegetables, for example, to suck warm air out of the warm storage area, to cool it by means of an evaporator and to eject the chilled air via a vertical duct directly into the cold storage area and into a cold storage area located above the cold storage area with respect to the vertical direction. The warm storage area is adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment. Thus, warm air is sucked out of the storage compartment near the bottom, and cold air is discharged in an upper area with respect to the vertical direction and directly into the cold storage area. The cold storage area can, for example, be provided to be cooled to a temperature that is at least 1.5 Kelvin below the average temperature in the storage compartment. One advantage of the invention is that an even temperature distribution can be achieved within the cold storage area and the arrangement of the cold storage area and the warm storage area directly adjacent to one another results in a space-saving, practical division of space in the storage compartment.

Another advantage is that by sucking air out of the relatively warm warm storage area, efficient defrosting of the evaporator is possible, in particular without additional heating. Furthermore, temperature changes in the storage compartment, in particular special in the cold storage area, are advantageously reduced during the defrosting of the evaporator by the suction conditions near the floor and the discharge of air directly into the cold storage area without the use of an additional heater. In addition, a simple, low-loss me airflow is achieved within the storage compartment from the ceiling wall towards the floor.

The depth direction is transverse to the vertical direction. A transverse or width direction runs transversely to the depth direction and the vertical direction. For example, when the refrigeration device is set up on a solid surface, it can be oriented in such a way that the vertical direction runs along the direction of gravity.

Advantageous refinements and developments result from the dependent claims referring back to the independent claims in conjunction with the description.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the storage compartment is delimited in relation to the transverse direction by two opposite side walls, which extend between the top wall and the bottom.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the refrigeration device has a further storage compartment, which is designed as a freezer compartment, and a further evaporator assembly, which is thermally coupled to the further storage compartment. The further evaporator assembly can have, for example, a suction connection connected to the further storage chamber, a pressure connection connected to the further storage chamber, an evaporator and a blower which is designed to blow air to be sucked in from the further storage compartment through the suction connection and via the evaporator and to be ejected through the pressure connection into the further storage compartment. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the further evaporator assembly comprises only one evaporator, which is arranged on a rear wall of the further storage compartment.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that in the rear wall between the second intermediate floor and the top wall, a multiplicity of second inlet air openings are formed which are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction and which are connected to the air distribution duct. Thus, a plurality of air outlets can be formed in the cold storage area along the vertical direction, through which cold air can be expelled Shen. This achieves an even more even temperature distribution in the refrigerated storage area.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that in the cold storage area a large number of shelves are arranged spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction, with at least one second air inlet opening being arranged between each two adjacent shelves. This further facilitates achieving an even temperature distribution, particularly when the volume of the storage compartment in the cold storage area is divided by shelves in relation to the vertical direction.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the air distribution channel defines a flow path, the first air inlet opening being at a smaller distance from the pressure connection of the evaporator assembly along the flow path than the at least one second air inlet opening. The flow path is generally from the pressure port of the evaporator assembly along the back wall. For example, the first air inlet opening, through which cold air is ejected into the cold storage compartment, can be in the immediate vicinity of the pressure connection, while the second air inlet opening(s) can be located at a greater distance, e.g. in relation to the vertical direction, from the pressure connection is (are). Thus, the air expelled at the pressure connection can heat up more on its way to the second air inlet openings than on the short way to the first air inlet opening. This facilitates cooling of the cold storage compartment to a temperature lower than that of the cold storage compartment. According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the air distribution channel is formed at least partially by an insulating panel arranged on the outer surface of the rear wall. Since the insulating plate is used both for thermal insulation and for air flow, the number of parts is advantageously reduced.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the insulating plate is arranged between the outer surface of the rear wall and an inner surface of an outer cover, with the insulating plate having at least one groove on an outer surface facing the inner surface of the outer cover, so that the air distribution channel can pass through the groove and the inner surface of the outer cover is defined, and the groove is connected by a respective through-hole to a respective second inlet air opening. The groove can in particular run at least in regions along the vertical direction. The formation of the groove on the surface of the insulating plate advantageously facilitates manufacture and assembly.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that a warm storage drawer that can be pulled out in the depth direction is arranged in the warm storage area.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that a cold storage drawer that can be pulled out in the depth direction is arranged in the cold storage area. In particular, if both a warm storage drawer and a cold storage drawer are provided, a practical division of space in the storage compartment is achieved by the adjacent arrangement of warm and cold storage compartments. The cold storage drawer also makes it easier to maintain a low temperature, since an at least partially enclosed volume is defined by the cold storage drawer and the intermediate floors.

According to some embodiments it can be provided that the storage compartment has an access opening arranged opposite the rear wall, which extends between the floor and the top wall and through which the warm storage area, the cold storage area and the cold storage area are accessible.

According to some embodiments, provision can be made for the evaporator assembly to be arranged in the area of the base on the outer surface of the rear wall, with the evaporator assembly having an insulating part which is at least in the area of the Warm storage area is arranged with respect to the depth direction between the evaporator and the rear wall. Accordingly, the evaporator, which is very cold per se, is arranged adjacent to the comparatively warm warm storage area. The insulating part advantageously prevents the formation of condensation on the rear wall in the warm storage area. A further advantage of the arrangement of the evaporator adjacent to the warm storage area is that due to the short distance that the air sucked in from the warm storage area has to travel to the evaporator, defrosting can be carried out even more efficiently.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the evaporator forms part of a refrigerant circuit which is set up to circulate a refrigerant in order to evaporate it on the evaporator, absorbing heat, and condense it on a condenser, emitting heat to the environment, for defrosting of ice on the evaporator, the circulation of the refrigerant can be interrupted and the fan can continue to be operated to maintain air circulation.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the operation of the fan is maintained after the interruption without switching on an additional heater.

According to some specific embodiments, it can be provided that the interruption of the circulation of the refrigerant includes switching off a compressor coupled to the evaporator.

According to some embodiments, the blower can be an axial fan or a radial fan.

According to some embodiments, the evaporator can be a finned evaporator.

According to some embodiments, the air distribution duct may have a pressure space that is adjacent to the fan and a distribution section that is adjacent to the cold storage area. The first air inlet opening then supplies cold air from the pressure room to the cold storage area and the second air inlet opening or preferably a plurality of second supply air openings then supply cold air from the distribution section to the cold storage area.

The arrangement of the three storage areas with different target temperatures in conjunction with the air flow according to the invention has the advantage that on the one hand three storage areas with different target temperatures can be provided simultaneously with one evaporator, although the temperature control for the entire storage compartment is only possible via the temperature in the cold storage area is controlled. It has the further advantage that the evaporator, in particular the finned evaporator, is defrosted by circulating air from the storage room without the evaporator having an electrical defrost heater. It has the further advantage that during defrosting of the evaporator by air circulation, the three storage areas with different target temperatures are sufficiently supplied with cold air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained below with reference to the figures of the drawings. From the figures show:

1 shows a simplified, schematic sectional view of a refrigeration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a plan view of an outer surface of an insulating plate of a refrigeration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

3 shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

In the figures, the same reference symbols designate identical or functionally identical components, unless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 1 shows a refrigeration device 100, for example in the form of a refrigerator, by way of example and in a schematic manner. In general, the refrigeration device 100 can be a household refrigeration device. As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the refrigerator 100 has a storage compartment 1, an air distribution channel 2, and a refrigerant circuit 130 with an evaporator assembly 30 on.

The storage compartment 1 is intended to hold refrigerated goods such as food, drinks, medicines or the like. For example, the storage compartment 1 can be formed by an inner space bounded by a substantially rectangular storage compartment container 101 . In general, the storage compartment 1 is delimited with respect to a vertical direction V by a base 10 and a ceiling wall 11 arranged at a distance from the base 10 . With respect to a depth direction T running transversely to the vertical direction V, the storage compartment 1 is delimited by a rear wall 12 . The rear wall 12 can in particular extend between the floor 10 and the top wall 11, as is shown schematically in FIG. With respect to a transverse direction C extending transversely to the depth direction T and to the vertical direction V, the storage compartment 1 can also be delimited by side walls 13 extending between the top wall 11 and the bottom 10 . As further shown in FIG. 1, the storage compartment 1 can be accessed on a side opposite the rear wall 12 through an access opening 1A. For example, the access opening 1A may be defined by the side walls 12, the floor 10 and the top wall 11. The access opening 1A thus preferably extends continuously between the floor 10 and the top wall 11. The access opening 1A can also be covered by a door 8.

As is shown schematically in FIG. 1, a first intermediate floor 16A arranged at a distance from the floor 10 in relation to the vertical direction V is provided in the storage compartment 1 . The first intermediate floor 16A can extend in particular from the rear wall 12 in the depth direction T into the storage compartment 1 . A warm storage area 15 extends between the floor 10 and the first intermediate floor 16A, or the warm storage area 15 is delimited in relation to the vertical direction by the floor 10 and a first intermediate floor 16A. As shown schematically in FIG. 1 , a warm storage drawer 6 that can be pulled out in the depth direction T can be arranged in the warm storage area 15 . ok

As is also shown in FIG. 1, a second intermediate floor 16B arranged at a distance from the first intermediate floor 16A in relation to the vertical direction V is provided in the storage compartment 1 . The second intermediate floor 16B can extend in particular from the rear wall 12 in the depth direction T into the storage compartment 1 . A cold storage area 16, which is provided for cooling to a temperature which is at least 1.5 Kelvin below the average temperature in the storage compartment, extends between the first and the second intermediate floor 16A, 16B. Thus, the first and the second intermediate floor 16A, 16B delimit the cold storage area 16 in relation to the vertical direction V. As shown schematically in FIG.

A cold storage area 17 extends in the storage compartment 1 from the second intermediate floor 16B in the vertical direction V. In particular, the cold storage area 17 can be limited with respect to the vertical direction V by the second intermediate floor 16B and the ceiling wall 11 . As is also shown schematically in FIG. 1 , it can be provided that several shelves 19 are provided in the cold storage area 17 , which are arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction V. As shown by way of example in FIG. 1 , the shelves 19 can extend in the depth direction T from the rear wall 12 into the storage compartment 1 .

Since the access opening 1A, as explained above, is preferably formed continuously between the floor 10 and the top wall 11, the hot storage area 15, the cold storage area 16 and the cold storage area 17 are each accessible through the access opening 1A, e.g. for putting in or removing chilled goods.

As is also shown schematically in FIG. 1, the rear wall 12 has a first air inlet opening 18A, which is arranged between the first and the second intermediate floor 16A, 16B with respect to the vertical direction V. Furthermore, the rear wall 12 can have a multiplicity of second air inlet openings 18B, which are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction V and, with respect to the vertical direction V, are arranged between the second intermediate floor 16B and the top wall 11 . For example, it can be provided that at least one second inlet air opening 18B is arranged between each two adjacent shelves 19, as is shown schematically in FIG. Basically It is also conceivable that only a second supply air opening 18B is provided in the rear wall 12, which is arranged between the second intermediate floor 16B and the top wall 11 in relation to the vertical direction V. Furthermore, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, an exhaust air opening 18C is formed in the rear wall 12, which is arranged between the floor 10 and the first intermediate floor 16A in relation to the vertical direction V.

As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the first and second air intake openings 18A, 18B and the exhaust air opening 18C each extend between an inner surface 12a of the rear wall 12, which faces the storage compartment 1, and an outer surface 12b, which is opposite to the inner surface 12a the rear wall 12. The first air inlet opening 18A thus forms a fluidically conductive connection between the cold storage area 16 and an outside or rear side defined by the outer surface 12b of the rear wall 12. In the same way, the second air inlet openings 18B form a fluidically conductive connection between the cold storage area 17 and the rear side, and the exhaust air opening 18C forms a fluidically conductive connection between the warm storage area 15 and the rear side.

The air distribution duct 2 extends on the rear or on the outer surface 12b of the rear wall 12. As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the air distribution duct 2 runs along the vertical direction V. In general, the air distribution duct 2 is through a cavity at the rear of the rear wall 12 is formed, which has an extension in the vertical direction 2 . As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the air distribution duct 2 can extend in relation to the vertical direction V from a lower end, which is located between the first air inlet opening 18A and the exhaust air opening 18C, to a last second air inlet opening in relation to the vertical direction V 18B. As shown schematically and purely by way of example in FIG. As shown in Fig. 1, the first supply air opening 18A extends between the air distribution duct 2 and the cold storage area 16. In the area of the cold storage area 17, the air distribution duct 2 can, for example, through the rear wall 12 and an outer cover 5 or, as shown in Fig. 1 by way of example , be defined by an optional insulating part or plate 4 and the outer cover 5. In general, the air distribution channel 2 is connected to the second air intake openings 18B. The insulating plate 4 is formed of a thermally insulating material and ßenfläche on the Au 12 b of the rear wall 12, in particular between the outer surface 12 b of the rear wall 12 and an inner surface 5 a of the outer cover 5 is arranged. In Fig. 2 is sche matically and purely by way of example a plan view of the inner surface 5a of the cover 5 Außenabde facing outer surface 4b of the insulating plate 4 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2 , at least one groove 41 can be formed on the outer surface 4b of the insulating plate 4 . The groove 41 runs at least in regions along the vertical direction V, as can be seen in FIG. 1 . For example, a first groove 41A running in the vertical direction V can be provided. Optionally, one or more second grooves 41B can branch off from the first groove 41A, which can in particular run in the transverse direction C, as is shown schematically in FIG. 2 . As in Figs. 1 and 2, a through hole 43 which penetrates the insulating plate 4 completely can be formed in each groove 41A, 41B. For example, a through hole 43 can be formed for every second intake air opening 18B. As shown schematically in FIG. 1, each through-hole 43 can be arranged in alignment with a respective second inlet air opening 18B. Thus, the duct 2 may be defined by the groove 41 and the inner surface 5a of the outer cover 5, and the groove 41 is connected through a through hole 43 to a second air intake port 18B, respectively.

The evaporator assembly 3 has an evaporator 30 , a blower 33 , a suction port 31 , a pressure port 32 and an optional insulating part 35 . As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the evaporator 30 is part of a refrigerant circuit 130 which, in addition to the evaporator 30, has a compressor 131, a throttle (not illustrated) and a condenser 132. The compressor 131 serves to circulate refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 130, with an input of the compressor 131 to the evaporator 30 and an output of the compressor 131 to the condenser 132 is connected ver. The throttle is between the condenser 132 and the evaporator 30 is arranged. In the evaporator 30, the refrigerant is evaporated while absorbing heat. The compressor 131 sucks the gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 30 and conveys the compressed refrigerant into the condenser 132, where it condenses, giving off heat to the environment. The pressure of the refrigerant is reduced again at the throttle. As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the evaporator assembly 3 is arranged on the outer surface 12b of the rear wall 12, in particular in the area of the bottom 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the optional insulating part 35 can be arranged in particular between the rear wall 12 and the evaporator 30 be. It is optionally provided that the evaporator 30 is arranged in the area of the warm storage area 15 and the insulating part 35 is located at least in the area of the warm storage area 15 between the evaporator 30 and the rear wall 12 .

The suction connection 31 of the evaporator assembly 3 is located in an area facing the base 10 and can be formed, for example, by a recess in the insulating part 35 extending in the depth direction T, as is shown schematically in FIG. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the suction port 31 may be positioned flush with the exhaust port 18C of the rear wall 12. Generally, suction port 31 of evaporator assembly 3 is connected to exhaust port 18C. The pressure connection 32 can be arranged at a distance from the suction connection 31 in relation to the vertical direction V and can be positioned in particular in an end region of the evaporator assembly 3 facing the top wall 11 . For example, the pressure connection 32 can be designed as a recess in the insulating part 35 that extends in the depth direction T and opens into the air distribution channel 2, as shown schematically in FIG. In general, the pressure connection 32 is connected to the air distribution channel 2 in a fluidly conductive manner.

The evaporator 30 can generally be arranged in an evaporator chamber, which is connected through the suction connection 31 to the storage compartment 1 , in particular to the warm storage area 15 , and through the pressure connection 32 to the air distribution channel 2 . For example, the evaporator chamber may be delimited by the insulating part 35 and the outer cover 5, as shown schematically in fig. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the evaporator chamber to be completely surrounded by an insulating part 35 .

The blower 33 is arranged between the evaporator 30 and the pressure connection 32, for example in the pressure connection 32, as shown schematically and purely by way of example in FIG. In particular, the blower 33 is arranged and designed to suck air out of the storage compartment 1 through the suction connection 31 so that it can be evaporated via the fer 30 is directed, and push through the pressure port 32 in the air distribution channel 2 from.

In the refrigeration device 100 shown in FIG. 1, warm air in the warm storage area 15 is thus sucked out of the storage compartment 1 by means of the blower 33 through the exhaust air opening 18C. This is shown symbolically in FIG. 1 by the arrows P1 shown in dash-dotted lines. The warm air is passed over the evaporator 30 where heat is extracted from it. The air cooled by the evaporator 30 is conveyed by means of the blower 33 through the pressure connection 32 into the air distribution duct 2 and ejected from there through the first air inlet opening 18A directly into the cold storage area 16 and through the at least one second air inlet opening 18B into the cold storage area 17. as is shown symbolically in FIG. 1 by the dashed arrows P2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first air inlet opening 18A can have a smaller distance to the pressure connection 32 of the evaporator assembly 3 than the at least one second air inlet opening 18B along a flow path along which the air flows in the air distribution channel 2 . For example, the first air inlet opening 18A can be arranged in the area of the pressure connection 32, as shown schematically in FIG. The air thus covers a longer distance on its way to the second air inlet opening(s) 18B, which means that the air is already warming up. This makes it easier to achieve a temperature difference between the cold storage area and the cold storage area.

In Fig. 3, the sequence of a method M for defrosting the evaporator 30 of a refrigeration device 100 is shown schematically, which can be implemented in the refrigeration device 100 shown in FIG. In step M1, refrigerant is circulated through the evaporator 30 by the compressor 131 as described above. At the same time, the blower 33 sucks in air from the warm storage area 15 through the suction connection 31, directs the sucked-in air via the evaporator 30 and expels the air through the pressure connection 32 into the air distribution duct 2 in order to transport it through the air inlet openings 18A, 18B into the cold storage area to promote rich 16 and the cold storage area 17, as described above. Since the evaporator 30 itself is very cold, moisture contained in the air can condense on the surface of the evaporator 30 and freeze. Such a layer of ice reduces the exchange between refrigerant and air, which is why it is advantageous to defrost the ice layer at regular intervals.

In step M2, the circulation of the refrigerant through the evaporator 30 is interrupted, e.g. by switching off the compressor 131.

In step M3, the operation of the fan 33 is maintained even after stopping the refrigerant circulation. Thus, air which has heated up in the storage compartment 1 continues to be sucked in through the suction connection 31 . This air, which is warm compared to the surface of the evaporator 30 , gives off heat to the evaporator 30 . Since the refrigerant circulation is interrupted, the evaporator 30 is heated by the air, which is sufficient for defrosting the layer of ice. In particular, in this way it is advantageously possible to dispense with switching on an additional heater.

Although the present invention has been explained above using exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted to them, but can be modified in many different ways. In particular, combinations of the above exemplary embodiments are also conceivable.

REFERENCE MARKS

1 storage compartment

1A access port

2 air distribution duct

3 evaporator assembly

4 isolation plate

4b Outer surface of the insulation board

5 outer cover

5a Inner surface of the outer cover

6 warm storage drawer

7 cold storage drawer

8 door

10 floor

11 ceiling wall

12 back panel

12a inner surface of the rear wall

12b outer surface of the back wall

13 side walls

15 warm storage area

16 cold storage area

16A first mezzanine

16B second shelf

17 cold storage area

18A first supply air opening

18B second intake air opening

18C exhaust port

19 shelves

30 vaporizers

31 suction connection

32 pressure port

33 blowers

35 insulating part 41 slots

41 A first groove

41 B second groove

43 through hole 100 refrigeration device

101 containers

130 refrigerant circuit

131 compressors

132 condenser

C transverse direction

M procedure

M1-M3 Process steps P1 arrow P2 arrow

T depth direction

V vertical direction

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Refrigeration appliance (100), in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: a storage compartment (1) which, in relation to a vertical direction (V), has a bottom (10) and a top wall (11) arranged at a distance from the bottom (10) and in relative to a depth direction (T) by a rear wall (12) extending between the bottom (10) and the top wall (11); an air distribution duct (2) extending on an outer surface (12b) of the rear wall (12) along the vertical direction (V); and an evaporator assembly (3) arranged on the outer surface (12b) with an evaporator (30), a suction connection (31) which is connected to the storage compartment (1), a pressure connection (32) which is connected to the air distribution channel (2) and a blower (33) which is designed to draw in air from the storage compartment (1) through the suction connection (31) and via the evaporator (30) and to eject it through the pressure connection (32) into the air distribution channel (2). ; characterized in that the storage compartment (1) has a warm storage area (15) which, in relation to the vertical direction (V), extends between the floor (10) and a first intermediate floor (16A) extending in the depth direction (T), a cold storage area (16) which, with respect to the vertical direction (V), extends between the first intermediate floor (16A) and a second intermediate floor (16B) extending in the depth direction (T), and a cold storage area (17) which extends from the second intermediate floor (16B) in the vertical direction (V); the suction port (31) of the evaporator assembly (3) is connected to an exhaust port (18C) formed between the floor (10) and the first intermediate floor (16A) in the rear wall (12); and the air distribution duct (2) is connected to a first air inlet opening (18A), which is formed between the first intermediate floor (16A) and the second intermediate floor (16B) in the rear wall (12), and at least one second air inlet opening (18B). , which is formed in the rear wall (12) between the second intermediate floor (16B) and the top wall (11).

2. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the rear wall (12) between the second intermediate floor (16B) and the top wall (11) a plurality of second air inlet openings (18B) spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction (V). are formed, which are connected to the air distribution duct (2).

3. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to Claim 2, characterized in that in the cooling storage area (17) a large number of shelves (19) are arranged spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction (V), with shelves (19 ) at least one second air inlet opening (18B) is arranged.

4. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air distribution channel (2) defines a flow path, the first air inlet opening (18A) along the flow path being at a smaller distance from the pressure connection (32) of the evaporator assembly (3). has, as the at least one second air inlet opening (18B).

5. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air distribution channel (2) is formed at least partially by an outer surface (12b) of the rear wall (12) arranged insulating panel (4).

6. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the insulating plate (4) is arranged between the outer surface (12b) of the rear wall (12) and an inner surface (5a) of an outer cover (5), the insulating plate (4) has at least one groove (41) on an outer surface (4b) facing the inner surface (5a) of the outer cover (5), so that the air distribution channel (2) passes through the groove (41) and the inner surface (5a) of the outer cover (5) is defined, and the groove (41) by a respective through hole (43) with a respective second air inlet opening (18B) is a related party.

7. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the warm storage area (15) in the depth direction (T) from pullable warm storage drawer (6) is arranged.

8. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the cold storage area (16) in the depth direction (T) extendable bare cold storage drawer (7) is arranged.

9. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage compartment (1) has an access opening (1A) which is arranged opposite the rear wall (12) and is located between the floor (10) and the top wall (11 ) extends and through which the warm storage area (15), the cold storage area (16) and the cold storage area (17) are accessible.

10. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporator assembly (3) is arranged in the region of the base (10) on the outer surface (12b) of the rear wall (12), the evaporator assembly (3) an insulating part (35) which is arranged between the evaporator (20) and the rear wall (12) at least in the region of the warm-up area (15) with respect to the depth direction (T).

11. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporator (30) forms part of a refrigerant circuit (130) which is adapted to circulate a refrigerant in order to fer this on the evaporator (30) under heat absorption to evaporate and to condense at a condenser (132) while giving off heat to the environment, wherein the circulation of the refrigerant can be interrupted to defrost ice on the evaporator (30) and the fan (33) can continue to be operated to maintain air circulation.

12. Method (M) for defrosting an evaporator (30) in a refrigeration device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

Circulating (M1) refrigerant through the evaporator (30), with the fan (33) sucking air from the warm storage area (15) through the suction port (31), passing it over the evaporator (30) and through the pressure port (32) into the Air distribution channel (2) ejects to promote it through the air inlet openings (18A, 18B) in the cold storage area (16) and the cold storage area (17); stopping (M2) the circulation of refrigerant through the evaporator (30); and

maintaining (M3) operation of the fan (33).

13. The method (M) according to claim 12, wherein the operation of the fan (33) after the interruption (M2) is maintained without switching on an additional heater.

14. The method (M) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the interruption (M2) of the circulation of the refrigerant comprises switching off a compressor (131) coupled to the evaporator (30).