WO2006045697A1 - Refrigeration device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration device (1) comprising a housing (G), a door (7), a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator (8), a condenser (9) and a compressor (10) and electronic components (14, 15, 16, 16a, 17) for operating the refrigeration device (1). The invention is characterised in that a channel (31, 33) for conducting an electric line (30, 32) or a refrigeration circuit connection is integrated into the interior of the housing (G) and/or the door (7).

Description

 The refrigerator

The invention relates to a refrigeration device, comprising a refrigerant circuit comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, and electronic components for operating the refrigeration device.

In addition to the refrigeration cycle, a refrigerator includes electronic components, such as a regulation for maintaining a setpoint temperature within the refrigeration appliance, a temperature sensor for measuring the current temperature or a lighting within the housing of the refrigeration appliance. The electronic components are usually mounted at various locations within or on the refrigeration device and connected to electrical lines. The electrical wires are e.g. in the form of Kabel¬ trees within the housing of the refrigerator installed by being foamed, for example, in the manufacture of the housing in this. As a result of the fact that the electrical lines are foamed in, subsequent cable routing is if not impossible, but at least very complicated.

The object of the present invention is therefore to carry out a refrigeration device such that an electrical cable routing can be made more flexible.

The object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration device comprising a housing, a door, a refrigeration cycle comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, and electronic components for operating the refrigeration appliance, characterized in that inside the housing and / or the door a channel for carrying out an electrical line or a refrigeration circuit connection is integrated. Due to the integrated channel, it is possible to lay the electrical lines after the production of the Ge housing. Also, a defective electrical line can be replaced, which is not possible with a foamed-in electrical line.

According to one embodiment of the refrigeration appliance according to the invention, this is a modular refrigerator which comprises a plurality of planar heat-insulated elements which are connectable to one another and detachable from one another and which form the housing of the refrigerator in the connected state. An advantage of this embodiment is that the invention According to the refrigerator in unassembled state, so disassembled, for example, to an end user or an end user can be delivered so that this or these the areal thermally insulated elements, for example, two Seiten¬ elements, a bottom element, a ceiling element and a rear wall to ei¬ to assemble a functional refrigeration unit. However, areal thermally insulated elements can also be a combination of, for example, a side element and a ceiling element, ie a planar thermally insulated element is a part of the housing of the refrigeration device. The individual planar heat-insulated elements can each comprise an inner lining and an outer lining enclosing a cavity filled with heat-insulating material. If the rear wall is to be made particularly compact, this can comprise a niche arranged in the lower region of the rear wall, in which the compressor is fastened. The size of the niche is preferably adapted to the spatial dimensions of the compressor and therefore preferably does not extend over the entire width of the rear wall. So that the compressor can deliver waste heat to the environment of the assembled refrigeration device, the niche can be accessible from outside the housing.

According to a variant of the modular refrigeration device according to the invention, an electrical power supply for the electronic components of the refrigeration device and / or the electrical line for the electrical control signals sent by the electronic components for the refrigeration cycle are guided in the channel. In particular, if the electrical energy supply for the electronic components originates from the rear wall on which the refrigeration circuit is possibly arranged, then the outlay for the electrical energy supply of the entire refrigeration appliance can be minimized and thus the refrigeration appliance can be made as compact as possible.

If the refrigerating appliance according to the invention is a modular refrigerating appliance, then it is provided in particular for it to be assembled by a customer, for example at home, by a customer. Depending on the design, in addition to a mechanical connection of the areal thermally insulated elements, it may also be necessary to produce possibly electrical connections, such as, for example, an electrical conduction from the cold regulation to the refrigeration cycle. Such an electrical connection can then be produced relatively simply if, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the refrigeration appliance according to the invention, it is to be connected in two planar areas heat-insulated elements is in each case arranged a channel for an electrical line and in one of these planar heat-insulated elements an electrical Kontakt¬ device is integrated automatically during the mechanical connection of this planar heat-insulated element with the other planar heat-insulated element integrated in this planar heat-insulated element electrical Contacting device electrically contacted. Such a contact / mating contact device is, for example, an electrical plug-socket device and it is advantageous if the contact device is fastened to the rear wall at the location adjacent to the further planar heat-insulated element after the mechanical connection ,

In order for the refrigerator according to the invention to have as few electrical connection points as possible in the case of the modular refrigerating appliance, it is preferred to use both the electrical power supply for the electronic components and electrical control signals from the electronic components to the refrigeration cycle via the electrical contact / counter contact device directed.

According to a variant of the refrigerator according to the invention all electronic components are combined to form an electronic unit. By combining all the electronic components of the refrigeration device to the single electronic unit conditions are created to reduce the number of electrical lines. The electronic components include e.g. a temperature sensor, the temperature control electronics, an adjustment device for setting the desired temperature or a lighting device for illuminating the interior of the housing.

The electronic unit is mounted according to a variant of the refrigerator according to the invention on ei¬ ner inside of the planar heat-insulated elements in which the Ka¬ nal is integrated, so that it is accessible only when the door of the refrigerator. Suitably, the electronic unit is attached to the ceiling element or to one of the side elements.

Advantageously, the channel is laid in the planar heat-insulated element to which the electronics unit is also attached. It is particularly advantageous if one end of the channel to the electronics unit and the other end of the channel to the contact - A -

Device or mating contact device leads, so that e.g. Both the electrical E- nergieversorgung for the electronic unit and the electrical line for the sent from the electronic unit electrical control signals for the refrigeration cycle can be performed in the same channel. This results in a relatively clear and simple electrical cable management. It is also advantageous if the channel runs in the rear wall and ends one end of the channel at the electrical contact device or Gegenkontaktvor¬ direction, so that in turn this channel, the electrical power supply for the electronics unit and the electrical line for the sent from the electronics unit ¬ th electrical control signals for the refrigeration cycle are performed.

An exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration appliance according to the invention, which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is a modular refrigeration appliance, is shown by way of example in the following schematic figures. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows the modular refrigerating appliance in the assembled state,

FIG. 2 shows the rear wall with the refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the ceiling element with an electronics unit of the refrigeration device shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows the rear wall and the floor element in a detached state,

FIG. 5 shows the rear wall and the floor element in a connected state,

FIG. 6 shows the rear wall with a floor element connected thereto and with a ceiling element detached therefrom,

FIG. 7 shows the completely assembled housing of the refrigeration device,

Figure 8 shows the housing and a door of the refrigerator in the unmounted state and

Figure 9 shows the housing of the refrigerator with partially mounted door. FIG. 1 shows a modular refrigeration device 1 in the assembled and ready-to-use state. The refrigerator 1 comprises, in the case of the present embodiment, two side walls 2 and 3, a ceiling element 4, a bottom element 5, a rear wall 6 and a door 7, which have been assembled to the refrigerator 1. The two Seiten¬ walls 2 and 3, the ceiling element 4, the bottom element 5 and the rear wall 6 form in the case of the present embodiment, the housing G of the refrigerator 1, which is closable with the door 7. An interior of the refrigerator 1, such as Schub¬ loading or shelves are not shown in the figures. However, a rippling field R for receiving storage shelves is shown. In the case of the present embodiment, the rib field R was produced during a drawing or injection process of the inner lining of the side walls 2 and 3 enclosing a thermal insulation material. The two side walls 2 and 3, the ceiling element 4, the bottom element 5, the rear wall 6 and the door 7 are connected to each other in such a way that they are also detachable from each other again.

The two side walls 2 and 3, the ceiling element 4, the bottom element 5, the back wall 6 and the door 7 are formed as areal thermally insulated elements and surround in the case of the present embodiment in each case an inner and an Au¬ ßenverkleidung, the close a cavity filled with a heat insulation material. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the heat-insulating material is an insulating foam 12. FIG. 2 shows by way of example the rear wall 6 with its inner lining 6a and its outer lining 6b.

Furthermore, the entire refrigeration circuit of the refrigeration device 1 is fastened to the rear wall 6. The refrigeration cycle essentially comprises an evaporator 8, a condenser 9, a compressor 10, the evaporator 8, the condenser 9 and the compressor 10 connecting, not shown in the figures lines and a refrigerant not illustrated in more detail. Both the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9, which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment are tube-on-plate heat exchangers which, in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, are essentially identical, are attached to the insulating foam 12 the rear wall 6 foamed. The evaporator 8 is in heat-conducting contact with the inner lining 6a, and the condenser 9 is in heat-conducting contact with the outer lining 6b. As a result, the liquefier 9 can dissipate its heat relatively well to the ambient air of the cooling system. Give rätes 1 and the evaporator 8, the interior of the housing G of the refrigerator 1 cool relatively well. Furthermore, this makes it possible to arrange as much insulating foam 12 as possible between the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9, as a result of which the condenser 9 heats the evaporator 8 as little as possible.

In the case of the present embodiment, the rear wall 6 comprises a recess 6c arranged in the lower region of the rear wall 6, in which the compressor 10 is fastened. The niche 6 c is designed such that it is accessible from outside the housing G of the refrigeration device 1, so that the compressor 10 can deliver its heat relatively well to the environment of the housing G. The niche 6c does not extend in the case of the present embodiment over the entire width of the housing G. The compressor 10 is further supplied by means of a power cable 13 with electrical energy.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration cycle was tested prior to the delivery of the disassembled refrigeration device 1 and is fully functional, i. the refrigeration device 1 is ready for use as soon as it is assembled and connected to an electrical energy network.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration device 1 also comprises an electronic unit 14, in which all the electronic components of the refrigeration device 1 are combined. The electronic unit 14 is shown in more detail in FIG. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the electronic components comprise a regulating and control unit (not shown in detail) for regulating the internal temperature of the refrigerating appliance 1, a temperature sensor 15, input means 16 for setting the desired setpoint temperature of the refrigerating appliance 1, and a container In the case of the present embodiment, the electronic unit 14 is fixed to the inner surface of the ceiling member 4 and includes a switch 17 which cooperates with the door 7 so that the lighting 16a is turned on when the light source 16a is turned on Door 7 is open and turned off when the door 7 is closed.

In order to regulate the temperature of the refrigeration device 1, the electronics unit 14 is electrically connected to the compressor 10 in the assembled state of the refrigeration device 1. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, this electrical connection comprises a ne electric line 30, which runs in a running in the ceiling element 4 of the refrigerator 1 ver¬ channel, which is in the case of the present embodiment, an empty tube 31, an electrical line 32 which extends in a running in the rear wall 6 channel in the In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, an empty tube 33 extends and an electrical contact and mating contact device, which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is an electrical plug-socket device. The socket 34a of the plug-socket device is on the ceiling element 4 and the plug 34b of the plug-socket device is attached to the rear wall 6.

The empty tube 33 is in the case of the present embodiment in the insulating foam 12 of the rear wall 6 and the empty tube 31 is foamed in the insulating foam of the ceiling element 4. One end of the empty tube 31 integrated in the ceiling element 4 leads to the electronics unit 14 and the other end of the empty tube 31 leads to the socket

34a. One end of the empty tube 33 integrated in the rear wall 6 leads to the niche 6c and the other end of the empty tube 33 leads to the plug 34b. The running in the empty tube 31 electrical line 30 electrically connects the electronics unit 14 with the

Bushing 34 a, which runs in the conduit 33 extending electrical line 32 connects the

Compressor 10 electrically to the plug 34b and the plug 34b and the socket 34a are designed such that they electrically connect the electronics unit 14 in such a manner with the compressor 10 in the assembled state, so that the electronic unit 14 the compressor 10 according to the set target temperature and with the temperature sensor

15 measured actual temperature controls.

An electric power supply in the form of electrical lines 35 and 36 provided for the electronic unit 14 is likewise routed in the empty tubes 31 and 33 and is connected to one another via the plug and socket device. The power supply 37 required for the manufacture of the low voltage is fastened in the recess 6c of the rear wall 6 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment.

The assembly of the refrigeration appliance 1 by means of FIGS. 4 to 9 will now be explained in more detail. In order to obtain the housing G of the cooling device 1, first the bottom element 5 and the rear wall 6 are connected in the case of the present embodiment with furniture fittings 40. The furniture fittings 40 are designed such that the bottom element 5 and the rear wall 6 are again detachable from each other, ie that the Housing G can also be taken apart again. Some of the furniture fittings 40 are shown in more detail in FIG. FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 5 also illustrates by way of example how the rear wall 6 and the bottom element 5 are connected to one another by means of some of the furniture fittings 40.

The furniture fittings 40 in the case of the present embodiment each comprise a metal pin 40a provided with a thread 40b. The thread 40b is screwed, for example, with a screwdriver, not shown, in the case of the present embodiment in the back wall 6 pre-drilled holes 41. One of the metal pins 40a 'is shown in FIG. 4 in a non-screwed state. On the other hand, the remaining metal pins 40a shown in FIG. 4 are already screwed as screwed into the rear wall 6.

After the metal pins 40a are screwed into the rear wall 6, the bottom element 5, which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment comprises predrilled holes 42 corresponding to the metal pins 40a, is brought to the rear wall 6 in the direction of the arrows 43 in such a way that the in the back wall 6 screwed metal pins 40a are inserted into their corresponding holes 42 of the bottom element 5. Subsequently, the metal pins 40a are provided with locking nuts 40c by means of the screwdriver such that the rear wall 6 and the bottom element 5 are fixedly connected to each other, as shown in FIG.

After the bottom element 5 and the rear wall 6 are firmly connected to each other by means of the furniture fittings 40, further metal pins 40a are screwed into the rear wall 6 in holes drilled therefor. These screwed metal pins 40a are shown in the screwed state in FIG. Thereafter, the ceiling element 4 is brought in the direction of the arrow 50 to the rear wall 6 such that the metal pins 40a in them corresponding, not shown in the figure 6 holes of the ceiling element 4 are inserted. By inserting the metal pins 40a of the rear wall 6 into the holes of the cover element 4, the socket 34a fastened to the ceiling element 4 and the plug 34b fastened to the rear wall 6 are also aligned with respect to one another in such a way that they join together when the ceiling element 4 and the cover are assembled Rear wall 6 verbin¬ automatically, so that the electrical Kohntakt between the compressor 10 and the Elektronikein¬ unit 14 is made. Finally, the metal pins 40a with locking nuts 40c provided such that the rear wall 6 and the ceiling element 4 are firmly miteinender ver bound.

Finally, in order to completely assemble the housing G, the two side walls 2 and 3 are also studded with furniture 40 connected to the rear wall 6, the ceiling element 4 and the floor element 5. The completely assembled housing G is shown in FIG.

In addition, two further fittings 70 and 71 are screwed with two screws 72 on the underside of the housing G. One of the fittings 71 is provided with a pin 73, with which the door 7 of the refrigerator 1 can be pivotally mounted. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the door 7 is first pushed onto the journal 73 of the fitting 71 for fastening the door 7 to the housing G. The door 7 comprises a suitable hole 74 for this purpose.

Subsequently, at the top of the housing G, as can be seen in Figure 9, another fitting 80 is screwed by means of screws 81. The fitting 80 includes a pin 82 which is inserted into another hole 83 of the door 7.

In the case of the present embodiment, the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9 are substantially identical tube-on-plate heat exchangers. In particular, different tube-on-plate heat exchangers for the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9 can be used. Other types of Wärmeü¬ transformer are for the evaporator 8 and the condenser 9 also conceivable. In particular, a roll-bond evaporator is suitable.

The refrigeration appliance according to the invention does not necessarily have to be a modular refrigeration appliance, as has been described by way of example. A refrigerator according to the invention can also have a conventional housing, that is to say a housing which can not be removed again.

Claims

claims 1. Refrigerating appliance, comprising a housing (G), a door (7), a, an evaporator (8), a condenser (9) and a compressor (10) comprising refrigerant circuit and e- lektronische components (14, 15, 16, 16a, 17) for operating the refrigerator (1), characterized in that within the housing (G) and / or the door (7) a Channel (31, 33) for performing an electrical line (30, 32) or a Käl¬ tekreislaufverbindung is integrated. 2. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigeration device (1) comprises several laminar heat-insulated elements (2 to 6) which are ver¬ bindable and detachable from each other and in the connected state, the housing (G) of the refrigeration device ( 1) and the channel (31, 33) is integrated within at least one of the planar heat-insulated elements (2 to 6). 3. Modular refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an electrical power supply for the electronic components (14, 15, 16, 16 a, 17) of the refrigerating appliance (1) and / or the electrical line (30, 32) for the from the electronic components (14, 15, 16, 16 a, 17) sent electrical Steuer¬ signals for the refrigeration cycle in the channel (31, 33) are guided. 4. Modular refrigerating appliance according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that in two to be connected planar heat-insulated elements (4, 6) each have a channel (31, 33) for an electrical line (30, 32) is arranged and in a die¬ An electrical contact device (34b) is integrated into these planar heat-insulated elements and automatically electrically contacts an electrical counter contact device (34a) integrated in this planar heat-insulated element during the mechanical bonding of this planar heat-insulated element to the other planar heat-insulated elements. 5. Modular refrigerating appliance according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that via the electrical KontakWund counter contact device (34 a, 34 b) both the electrical energy supply for the electronic components and electrical control signals from the electronic components to the refrigeration cycle are passed. 6. Modular refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that all the electronic components (14, 15, 16, 16a, 17) of the refrigerating appliance (1) are combined to form an electronic unit (14). 7. Modular refrigerating appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the electronic nikeinheit (14) on an inner side of the planar heat-insulated element (4), in which the channel (31) is integrated, is attached.