Water supply device for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of a domestic refrigeration appliance having a carrier with specific retaining arm, and domestic refrigeration appliance having the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a water supply device (15) for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit (11) of a household refrigeration appliance (1), comprising a support (53) for carrying a pump (79, 80) of the water supply device (15) and / or hoses (78, 80, 95, 97) of the water supply device (15), wherein the support (53) has at least one, in particular freely cantilevered, retaining arm (77) for holding at least one hose (78, 85, 95, 97) and / or at least one pump (79, 80) of the water supply device (15), which is arranged projecting from a frame-like base body (54) of the support (53). Aspects also relate to a liquid and / or ice dispensing device (11), a household refrigeration appliance (1), and a method.

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a water supply device for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of a household refrigeration appliance. The water supply device has a support. This support is intended to support at least one pump of the water supply device and / or to support at least one hose of the water supply device. Another aspect of the invention relates to a liquid and / or dispensing unit of a household refrigeration appliance. Another aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining a fill level in a water tank of a water supply device.

[0002] In household refrigeration appliances, such as a refrigerator or a freezer or a fridge-freezer combination appliance, it is known that a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit can be present. This can be used to dispense water or water-containing beverages. It is also possible for ice to be produced from the liquid provided, in particular water. This can be ice cubes or crushed ice. This ice can then also be dispensed via the corresponding dispensing unit. In this context, household refrigeration appliances are known which have a dispensing device on the outside of a door of the household refrigeration appliance, for example. For this purpose, a niche can be arranged in the outside of the door. A container can be inserted into this, for example, in order to be able to place the liquid and / or ice to be dispensed.

[0003] In known water supply systems, it is known that level detection is carried out in a water tank of the water supply system. Sensor detection may also be provided for this purpose.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply device in which a compact design is achieved and a wide variety of functional units can be arranged in a space-saving manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by a water supply device, a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit and a household refrigeration appliance according to the independent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a water supply device for a liquid and / or ice dispenser of a household refrigeration appliance. The water supply device has a carrier. The carrier is intended to support at least one pump of the water supply device and / or at least one hose of the water supply device. The carrier has at least one, in particular cantilevered, holding arm. The holding arm is intended to hold at least one hose and / or at least one pump. In particular, these components can be arranged directly on the carrier. Furthermore, the carrier has a base body. This base body is in particular designed like a frame. The holding arm is arranged so as to protrude from this base body.

[0007] In one embodiment, the holding arm has a receptacle for a hose and / or for a portion of the pump on its upper edge. This allows the holding arm to hold the hose and / or the pump from above. It is therefore very easy to mount the hose and / or the pump on the holding arm from above. This enables very easy accessibility while still allowing the additional components mentioned to be positioned securely on the holding arm. In particular, the receptacle is open at the top. This creates a trough-like or ring-like depression in the upper edge of the holding arm.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a water supply device for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of a household refrigeration appliance. The water supply device comprises a support. This support is intended to support at least one pump of the water supply device and / or to support at least one hose of the water supply device.

[0009] The carrier also has a holding unit. This is designed to hold a sensor unit of the water supply device in a non-destructively removable manner.

[0010] The invention therefore forms a multifunctional carrier for a specific assembly of a liquid and / or dispensing unit, namely the water supply device. This carrier is intended, on the one hand, to accommodate water delivery components, such as a pump and / or a hose, and, on the other hand, to accommodate a detection device, in particular the sensor unit. This allows a wide variety of different components of the water supply device to be arranged on this multifunctional carrier. This enables a space-saving design. Furthermore, these individual components can be attached in such a way that their functions are not restricted or do not restrict one another. A detachable connection, with which a sensor unit can be arranged on this carrier, is particularly advantageous.This holding unit allows for the reversible attachment and removal of such a sensor unit. This allows the sensor unit to be removed for maintenance or replacement purposes. This makes this installation process very easy.

[0011] In one embodiment, the carrier is formed in one piece. This means in particular that it is manufactured in a single manufacturing process. In this context, the overall geometry of the carrier is therefore only formed during this manufacturing process. One-piece manufacturing therefore does not mean that individual components of the carrier are first manufactured separately, generated in their basic shape and then subsequently joined together, for example by gluing or the like. A one-piece formation of the carrier can be achieved, for example, by injection molding. In such an embodiment, the carrier is then an injection-molded component. The carrier is made in particular from plastic. This allows it to be provided with a low weight. Furthermore, this material is robust against a wide variety of even strongly fluctuating environmental influences and is therefore also low-wear.A carrier made of metal, in particular a one-piece one, is also possible, in particular as a bent and / or punched and / or embossed component.

[0012] In one embodiment, the holding unit has at least one receptacle into which the sensor unit can be inserted, at least in part. This improves the positioning of the sensor unit on the holding unit. This enables the sensor unit to be embedded in at least part of the holding unit. Furthermore, such a concept also enables the sensor unit to be positioned in a way that protects it, at least in part.

[0013] In one embodiment, the receptacle has at least one receiving web. In one embodiment, this has a support bed for the sensor unit. Such a receiving web is, in itself, compact in design yet mechanically stable. As a result, it requires little space yet can withstand corresponding mechanical loads. The support bed can be designed as an annular section. This enables the sensor unit to be inserted and held in a very secure position. In particular, the sensor unit, in particular with its housing, can thus rest in a strip-like manner on the support bed. In particular, a form-fitting fit can also be provided here.

[0014] In one embodiment, the holder has at least two separate receiving webs. These can each be provided with a corresponding support bed. This enables a further improvement in the secure positioning of the sensor unit. Nevertheless, a very compact and lightweight holding unit is still provided.

[0015] Especially when the sensor unit is elongated, a secure and precise reception and holding of the sensor unit can still be made possible by such a plurality of receiving webs, which are arranged separately and at a distance from one another.

[0016] In one embodiment, the holding unit has at least one snap element for snapping the sensor unit into place. This is an advantageous embodiment for non-destructively detachable holding of the sensor unit. This is because it enables the position of the sensor unit to be fixed particularly securely in the arranged state. At the same time, rapid assembly and disassembly is achieved. These advantages of rapid assembly and disassembly are particularly noteworthy when only one such snap element is provided. Such a snap element can be designed as a freely projecting tongue. This can then snap directly onto the housing of the sensor unit when the latter is arranged in the holding unit. As a result, the basic design of this snap connection is also very simple, both geometrically and functionally.

[0017] In one embodiment, the snap element is a separate component from the at least one receiving web. It can also be arranged at a distance from the receiving web. This concept improves the mechanically stable mounting, since different components of the holding unit engage directly at different points on the sensor unit.

[0018] Last but not least, this also improves handling and accessibility to the individual components of the holding unit.

[0019] In one embodiment, the holding unit has a stop wall. This is intended for the abutting positioning of a stop web of the sensor unit. This is particularly true when the sensor unit is arranged in the mounted end position on the carrier. Such an additional stop connection further improves the positional accuracy of the sensor unit in the holding unit. In particular, the stop wall is a different component than the snap element and a receiving web. As a result, the direct contact between the stop web and the stop wall can create an additional mechanical connection area between the holding unit and the sensor unit. The positionally fixed fit is thus further improved. This enables a very precise end position of the sensor unit on the carrier. This can then also be maintained permanently.This improves the permanently safe and accurate detection with the sensor unit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the carrier has a base body. In particular, this base body is formed like a frame. Preferably, the carrier can have a support wall. This is different from the base body. It can be provided that this support wall is arranged so as to protrude from the base body. The holding unit is arranged, in particular completely, on the support wall. As a result, the base body is not impaired by such additional components of the carrier. In this context, the base body can then be fully coupled for coupling to other units, for example an insert part of the household refrigeration appliance. In this context, no holding units or other components of the carrier are in the way. Furthermore, the positioning on the support wall also enables a more exposed attachment of the holding unit. This improves both accessibility and mechanically stable attachment.

[0021] In one embodiment, the support wall is formed as a stiffening strip, in particular a multiple, angled strip. This increases the rigidity of the support as such. In particular, it can also stiffen the frame-like base body. Because the support wall is also formed as a strip, it has a compact structure in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the base body. The strip geometry also means that the dimensions of this support wall perpendicular to its longitudinal axis are smaller than the length along this longitudinal axis.

[0022] In one embodiment, the water supply device has at least one sensor unit. In particular, the sensor unit can be a reed switch. Such a sensor unit is very simply designed and yet permanently functionally reliable and robust in its detection function. In particular, such a reed switch can be switched, or closed and opened, by the influence of a magnetic field. It is therefore very advantageous and easily possible for such a detection element, for example a magnetic float, to be arranged in a water tank of the water supply device. This magnetic float floats upwards or downwards in a vertical direction depending on the fill level of the liquid in the water tank. Thus, through the interaction between this detection element and the reed switch, a simple yet reliable and safe concept for fill level detection can be achieved.

[0023] By holding or installing this sensor unit, which can in particular be a level detection sensor unit, detachably on this carrier, it is possible to achieve a precise level determination on a permanent basis.

[0024] In one embodiment, the water supply device comprises a water tank separate from the carrier. In particular, its fill level with liquid, in particular water, can be detected using the aforementioned sensor unit.

[0025] In one embodiment, the carrier has a counter-coupling device. This is intended for coupling to a coupling device. The coupling device is designed in particular on an insert part of the household refrigeration appliance that is separate from the water supply device, such that the carrier is held so as to be attachable to this insert part. In particular, it is provided that the carrier is held in a freely supporting manner so as to be directly attachable to the insert part. In particular, a non-destructively detachable connection can also be provided here. The carrier thus provides a further additional function. In this context, it is therefore in particular a central component of the water supply device. In this context, in the aforementioned embodiment, it is precisely the central component that is to be mechanically connected directly to this insert part.This means that the carrier can also provide and absorb these corresponding holding forces, even though it may already be extensively equipped with other components, such as a pump and / or hoses, as well as the sensor unit.

[0026] In one embodiment, the carrier has at least one holding arm for holding at least one hose of the water supply device. This holding arm is in particular arranged in a freely cantilevered manner. In one embodiment, the holding arm is arranged protruding from a frame-like base body of the carrier. By providing and orientating a holding arm in this way, simplified assembly of components on the carrier can be carried out. Nevertheless, the holding arm is stably arranged, namely on the frame-like base body. Due to the freely cantilevered arrangement, the holding arm is also accessible in many ways and can accommodate such additional components in various positions. In particular, a holding arm arranged in this way is also correspondingly resilient and serves as an advantageous support component for corresponding additional components.Due to the exposed orientation, other parts or components can also be easily handled when attached to the support arm and are therefore easily accessible.

[0027] In one embodiment, the carrier has at least one water basin. In particular, this water basin is integrated into the carrier. This means, in particular, that the water basin is formed integrally with the carrier. Such a water basin or reservoir advantageously makes it possible to prevent an undesired inflow of water into an ice tray of the liquid and / or dispensing unit. In particular, if a water tank of the water supply device is arranged higher in height than this ice tray, the corresponding pressure conditions, in particular hydrostatic pressure, can cause water to continue to run or drip from the hoses leading from the water tank to the ice tray, even if the ice tray is already sufficiently filled. Such undesired running or dripping can lead to an undesired overflow of the ice tray.By having the water basin between the water tank and the ice tray in the hose system, or by interposing it, pressure regulation can be improved to the extent that any subsequent running or dripping of liquid into the ice tray can be better prevented. Due to the larger volume of the water basin compared to the subsequent hoses, pressure equalization advantageously occurs on the path between the higher water tank and the lower ice tray, so that the previously explained dripping into the ice tray can be avoided. The water basin can therefore also be referred to in this context as a pressure equalization chamber or dosing chamber. By integrating this water basin into the support in one advantageous embodiment, the number of components is also reduced.This means that there is no need to provide a separate water basin, which would have to be mounted on the support through a corresponding assembly process.

[0028] This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the water basin also serves as a support component of the carrier. In this context, the water basin can, for example, be integrated into a support structure of the carrier.

[0029] This holding structure serves on the one hand to accommodate further components of the water supply device, such as a pump and / or at least one hose, but on the other hand also serves to temporarily store the water on the way from the water tank to an ice tray.

[0030] Thus, in one embodiment, such a water basin is essentially integrated into such a support structure, in particular also into a specifically designed support arm. In one embodiment, this water basin can be arranged directly on a base body, in particular a frame-like base body, of the carrier. In one embodiment, the water basin can be oriented so as to project freely from this base body. Thus, the advantages already explained above for the advantageous embodiment with the support arm can also be achieved with this water basin.

[0031] In one embodiment, the holding arm can be provided in addition to the water basin. These components can then be arranged at a distance from one another, in particular each cantilevered from the base body. In this context, they can be arranged projecting from the base body in the same direction. In one advantageous embodiment, this creates a free space or an air space between the holding arm and the water basin, in which additional components of the water supply device can be arranged in a very compact yet highly functional manner. This is because at least one pump and / or at least one hose can then be arranged and held in this free space in a compact yet securely positioned manner. In this context, it is also particularly advantageous for these additional components to be arranged suspended in the free space.This can be achieved, for example, by providing the support arm with corresponding receptacles, in particular recesses, into which, for example, a hose can be inserted. The water basin can also have such a receptacle, in particular an opening, at least on one boundary wall, into which at least one hose can be inserted and received. This allows these additional components to be suspended from the support arm and / or the water basin.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the carrier has at least one, in particular several, separate retaining claws. These retaining claws are intended for holding one or more hoses of the water supply device and / or at least one pump of the water supply device. In this context, a retaining claw is a component that at least partially encompasses a hose and / or a pump. Thus, a retaining claw has at least two retaining fingers that partially encompass the object to be held. In one embodiment, a retaining claw can be a freely projecting web, at the end of which these claw fingers are arranged. Such retaining claws are then arranged in an exposed manner, enabling a particularly simple assembly scenario. Due to the advantageous accessibility, a hose and / or a pump can then be very easily inserted into the retaining claw.In particular, the retaining claw is designed so that a hose and / or a pump component is held in the retaining claw with a positive fit. A force-fitting attachment can also be provided. In particular, a clamping force can then be created, with which the hose and / or the pump component is held in the retaining claw. This enables a particularly stable and secure fit. Even during operation of the water supply device, in particular during operation of a pump, the respective position is then permanently and securely held, even if vibration forces occur due to the operation of the pump.

[0033] In one embodiment, these preferably multiple retaining claws are integrated into a retaining arm. Additionally or instead, one or more retaining claws can be integrated into a boundary wall of the water basin. In particular, one retaining claw is arranged in the free space, as explained above and as it can be formed between a retaining arm and the water basin in the support. This further improves the secure and simple installation of these additional components in this free space between the retaining arm and the water basin.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention relates to a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit for a household refrigeration appliance. The liquid and / or ice dispensing unit can have a water supply device according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The liquid and / or ice dispensing unit can additionally have a dispensing device. This is provided for directly dispensing the liquid and / or ice. This dispensing device can, for example, be arranged on a door of the household refrigeration appliance. It can be arranged in a niche in the door that is open on the outside. The liquid and / or ice dispensing unit can also have an ice generation unit. This is a separate unit from the water supply device of the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit. The liquid and / or ice dispensing unit can also have an ice tray.With this ice tray, water can be frozen into ice cubes, for example.

[0035] The liquid and / or ice dispensing unit may also comprise a conveyor unit with which ice produced and temporarily stored in a storage trough, such as ice cubes or crushed ice, can be conveyed to the dispensing device.

[0036] A further aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance comprises a water supply device according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The household refrigeration appliance can also comprise a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit. In one embodiment, the water supply device comprises a water tank. This is preferably reversibly removable and reinsertable. This allows it to be filled by a user with liquid, in particular water, external to the household refrigeration appliance. This can be done, for example, at a faucet.

[0037] A further aspect relates to a method for determining a fill level in a water tank of a water supply device. In one embodiment, the water supply device can be designed according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The method comprises, in particular, the following steps: In particular, detecting a detection element of the water supply device arranged vertically on the water tank with the sensor unit arranged externally to the water tank when, due to the fill level in the water tank, a specific height position of the detection element, whose height position changes with the fill level, is reached; in particular, detecting when the detection element leaves the detection range of the sensor unit when the fill level in the water tank drops; in particular, detecting the further operating time and / or the further delivery rate of at least one pump of the water supply device since the detection element detects when it leaves the detection range of the sensor unit; in particular, comparing the further operating time and / or the further delivery rate with a reference operating time and / or a reference delivery rate;In particular, recognizing an empty water tank as an empty fill level if the remaining operating time corresponds to the reference operating time and / or if the remaining flow rate corresponds to the reference flow rate.

[0038] This method makes it particularly easy to detect specific fill levels in the water tank. It is no longer necessary to provide multiple separate sensor units, each detecting different, discrete fill levels. In particular, it is provided that only a single sensor unit is provided. Particularly advantageously, the method makes it possible to detect a fill level of liquid in a water tank that is different from the maximum fill level and / or different from the empty tank. Because the proposed new concept uses the sensor unit to directly detect a fill level that is different from the empty water tank, it is possible to draw conclusions about other fill levels, in particular an empty water tank, by specifically evaluating parameters of operating units of the water supply facility.In particular, the empty water tank and thus an empty fill level no longer have to be detected directly with a sensor unit, but this can be done indirectly using the proposed method. The reaching of the empty fill level is therefore calculated on the basis of a liquid fill level in the water tank that is different from the empty fill level and additional information from operating parameters, in particular at least one pump of the water supply device. This also makes it possible to detect the empty fill level more precisely. When magnetic floats, for example, are used as a detection element, inaccuracies in the fill level detection can occur due to their size and also their at least partial immersion in the water. This can be avoided by the method, and the empty level or empty fill level in the water tank can therefore be recorded and calculated more precisely.

[0039] Since in an advantageous embodiment the volume of the water tank is known, in particular also predetermined and stored in a memory unit of the water supply device, it can also be determined via the recorded current operating times and / or delivery quantities how much liquid has been delivered from the water tank since the time at which the detection element detected that the sensor device left the detection range, it can also be determined very easily and yet accurately and quickly when the liquid level in the water tank is reached.

[0040] In particular, the sensor unit is positioned such that a fill level is detected through the interaction of the detection element and the sensor unit that is different from the maximum fill level and different from the empty liquid level. Such direct detection of an intermediate level or an intermediate fill level allows for the precise calculation of possible additional fill levels. Thus, based on such a single directly detected fill level, at least one other fill level in the water tank can be deduced or precisely calculated.

[0041] In this context, the reference operating time indicates the time that, based on the volume of the water tank and the pump's operating mode, elapses from the time the sensor unit detects that the water has left the detection range until the water tank just reaches the empty level. The same applies to the reference flow rate; here, too, the known volume of the water tank and the knowledge of the amount of water still present in the water tank when the detection element detects that the water has left the detection range of the sensor unit allow the precise detection of when the empty level in the water tank is reached.

[0042] In one embodiment, the detection element is a detection element partially immersed in the water in the water tank. Preferably, the sensor unit is positioned vertically such that the detection zone is exited when the submerged portion of the detection element, viewed vertically, is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inside of the bottom of the water tank or is positioned directly on this inside.If, for example, this lower end is still approximately less than 2 millimeters, in particular between less than 2 millimeters and more than 0.5 millimeters, away from the bottom of the water tank and this lower end is therefore not yet sitting on this floor, a very precise level for an intermediate fill level can be detected here too. Starting from this level, based on the preferably present parameters outlined above and their evaluation, a very simple check and calculation can then be made as to when exactly the empty fill level in the water tank will be reached. However, in another exemplary embodiment, it is also possible for the seating to occur and thus precisely this state and this point in time to occur when the detection element detects that the sensor unit has left the detection range.Because part of the detection element is immersed in the water, this embodiment also makes it easy to calculate when the actual empty level in the water tank has been reached. Even when the lower end of this detection element is just beginning to rest on the inside of the base, there is still liquid, particularly water, in the water tank, and thus, even with this positional state of the detection element, the empty level of the water tank has not yet been reached. However, since it is then known how much water is still in the water tank and by comparing the above-mentioned parameters with corresponding reference values, the empty level in the water tank can be calculated very precisely.

[0043] One aspect of the invention relates to a water supply device for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of a household refrigeration appliance. The water supply device has a support for supporting at least one pump of the water supply device and / or for supporting at least one hose of the water supply device. The support has at least one holding structure for supporting the at least one pump of the water supply device and / or for supporting the at least one hose of the water supply device. This holding structure has at least one water basin. Thus, in this water supply device, it is preferably provided that a water basin is provided on the support. Thus, in an advantageous embodiment, such an intermediate reservoir for water can be provided on the water path between a water tank of the water supply device and an outlet.This advantageously enables hydrostatic pressure compensation, particularly when the water tank is located higher in height than the outlet of the water supply device. In one advantageous embodiment, this can prevent unwanted dripping of liquid from this outlet into, for example, an ice tray of the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit. This prevents unwanted overflow of the ice tray and / or the entire ice tray from freezing over.

[0044] Preferably, the water basin is integrated into the support structure. In one embodiment, the support structure can be arranged so as to project freely from a base body of the carrier, in particular a frame-like base body.

[0045] Preferably, at least one retaining claw, in particular a plurality of retaining claws, is arranged on the water basin for holding hoses and / or at least one pump of the water supply device. In particular, this at least one retaining claw is integrated into the water basin in a freely projecting manner. It can be provided that this at least one retaining claw extends into a free space between a retaining arm of the support and the retaining structure arranged separately and at a distance from it.

[0046] In one embodiment, the retaining claws have claw openings. In one embodiment, these are oriented upwards in the vertical direction of the water supply device. This makes it particularly easy to insert a hose and / or a pump from above. This enables a very simple assembly scenario with clearly arranged assembly steps. In this context, it is also particularly advantageous to create a pre-assembly module with at least one hose and at least one pump, which are then already pre-assembled with one another. This pre-assembly module can then be very easily inserted from above into the at least one retaining claw.

[0047] In one embodiment, the water basin has a boundary wall, in particular a boundary wall that faces a holding arm of the support. In particular, this boundary wall has a passage for a hose. In particular, the passage is arranged at an upper edge of the boundary wall. It is designed in particular as an upwardly open recess for receiving and passing through a hose. This also provides a simple holding and mounting scenario for a hose that is to be mounted directly on this boundary wall. Both the insertion and removal of this hose from this passage is therefore very easy. Nevertheless, a stable fit of the hose on this boundary wall is achieved.

[0048] One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with an outer housing. The household refrigeration appliance further comprises an inner container. The inner container is a separate component from the outer housing. In particular, the inner container is accommodated in the outer housing. In one exemplary embodiment, at least one receiving space for food is delimited by the inner container. The receiving space is a component of the household refrigeration appliance. Furthermore, an intermediate space is formed between the outer housing and the inner container. This is intended to be filled with thermally insulating material of the household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance further comprises an insert part. This can also be referred to as a backing part. The insert part is arranged in the intermediate space in the region of an opening formed in a wall of the inner container. The insert part has a coupling device.The household refrigeration appliance further comprises a water supply device. The water supply device is, in particular, a component of a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of the household refrigeration appliance. In one exemplary embodiment, the water supply device comprises a counter-coupling device. This is intended for coupling to the coupling device when the water supply device is mounted or is mounted on the insert. In particular, the coupling device and the counter-coupling device are designed such that at least one component, in particular a carrier, of the water supply device is arranged in a cantilevered manner on the insert and is also arranged in the receiving space.This means that with this specific structure, at least one component of the water supply device is held in place without any additional support and / or support below the component, solely by the holding forces between the coupling device and the counter-coupling device. It can therefore also be provided that this component, in particular the water supply device, extends freely into the receiving space and is held in place by the direct, in particular mechanical, coupling between the coupling device and the counter-coupling device. This enables a particularly advantageous assembly concept for the water supply device. This is because a specific insert part serves as the component to which the water supply device can be directly mounted.By designing the coupling device and the counter-coupling device in such a way that they can absorb the corresponding weight forces of the water supply device, additional support elements and components on which the water supply device would have to rest and support it can be avoided. This also reduces the number of components and enables a simpler and faster installation scenario. Furthermore, it also allows the water supply device to be positioned very specifically in the household refrigeration appliance and to be permanently held in place. Corresponding weight forces and leverage forces acting on the insert can be absorbed accordingly.This also makes it particularly advantageous for other components of the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit, which are also arranged adjacent to the water supply device and / or are directly connected thereto, to be easily removed without damaging the retaining connection between the water supply device and the insert. Even removing components that are arranged vertically below the water supply device and / or below the component that is directly connected to the insert does not result in damage to this connection interface, in particular the attachment interface, between the insert and the component of the water supply device.In this context, the coupling device and the counter-coupling device are mechanically so stable and robust that the position of the water supply device in its cantilevered extension and in its cantilevered arrangement on the insert part remains permanently.

[0049] In one embodiment, the coupling device extends through the opening into the receiving space. This also places it in a spatially exposed position, making direct coupling with the counter-coupling device easier. Especially when the water supply device, in particular the aforementioned component, is brought up to the insert and directly connected to it, this position of the coupling device makes it easier to carry out the coupling process, particularly the mechanical one, and to precisely reach the coupled end position.

[0050] In one embodiment, the coupling device has at least one coupling rail. The component can be directly attached to this. A coupling rail is, in particular, an elongated component. This allows an increased mechanical coupling with the counter-coupling device to be achieved. A suspended connection between the coupling device and the counter-coupling device is thereby improved. This is because the weight forces of the component can thus be transferred to the coupling device or absorbed by it over a larger area. Furthermore, such a rail can be relatively long in one spatial direction, but is relatively compact in the other two spatial directions. A space-saving arrangement can therefore also be achieved, at least in these other two spatial directions.

[0051] In one embodiment, the coupling device has several, in particular two, separate coupling rails. This improves the mechanically stable connection with the counter-coupling device. The absorption and dissipation of corresponding weight forces and lever forces is thereby further improved.

[0052] Preferably, at least one coupling rail can be L-shaped when viewed in cross-section. The cross-section is preferably formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling rail. Such a shape of a coupling rail creates a simple geometry on the one hand. On the other hand, it enables quick yet stable coupling with a counter-coupling device. In particular, hanging the counter-coupling device from above into such a shaped coupling rail is simple and safe. This prevents the counter-coupling device from slipping away or slipping out of the coupling rail. In particular, hanging the counter-coupling device from above into such a coupling rail also enables improved absorption of weight forces and leverage forces.

[0053] In particular, the L-shaped coupling rail is oriented so that one leg of the L points upwards in the vertical direction and cantilevers freely upwards. This essentially creates a receiving area into which the counter-coupling device can be inserted. This further improves the performance of a suspended connection, as the upwardly projecting leg of the L-shape prevents the counter-coupling device from slipping out.

[0054] In one embodiment, the coupling device comprises at least one positioning dome. This can be inserted into a dome receptacle of the counter-coupling device. This interlocking creates at least one plug-in connection. This further supports the positioning accuracy of the coupling device and the counter-coupling device relative to each other. Furthermore, this also enables easier assembly, as this positioning dome and the dome receptacle can also provide assembly coding.

[0055] In one embodiment, the positioning dome is additionally designed as a screw dome. This allows for an additional screw connection between the insert and the component of the water supply device to be directly connected to it. The screw connection improves the permanent, precise positioning of the component on the insert, and thus also of the water supply device on the insert.

[0056] In one embodiment, the coupling connection between the coupling device and the counter-coupling device can be removed without causing any damage. This allows for reversible assembly and disassembly of the water supply device on the insert. For maintenance work, cleaning work, and / or replacement work, the entire water supply device can be removed from the insert and subsequently reassembled.

[0057] The component of the water supply device that is attached, in particular, directly to the insert, can be a support in one embodiment. This support can be designed to support at least one pump of the water supply device and / or at least one hose of the water supply device. Thus, in one embodiment, a central component of the water supply device is also the component that is directly connected to the insert. This robust component thus not only serves to accommodate other components of the water supply device but also represents the interface to the insert.

[0058] In one embodiment, the insert has at least one retaining element. This extends in particular into the receiving space. The retaining element extends over the clear width of the opening, such that the retaining element overlaps with those surface areas of the wall of the inner container that border on or delimit the opening. This enables the insert to be attached to the wall of the inner container in the region of the opening in a very simple manner. In particular, this enables a self-retaining connection of the insert to the wall. It can be provided that the retaining element is formed integrally in the insert. The insert can be a plastic part, for example. It can be an injection-molded component, for example. By forming the retaining element in one piece with the insert, the number of components is reduced.The retaining element can be designed with the insert to be mechanically stable. This allows it to absorb corresponding forces and avoid positional tolerances of the retaining element.

[0059] In one embodiment, at least one holding element is designed as an elongated holding rail. In one embodiment, this elongated holding rail can be formed on a base body of the insert, so that a receiving groove for the surface area is formed between the holding rail and the base body. The surface area thus dips into this receiving groove, ensuring a stable fit of the insert. As this surface area is surrounded on both sides by partial areas of the insert, a stable fit of the insert on the wall can be achieved. This embodiment makes the installation of the insert particularly simple. Because a simple relative movement between the insert and the wall allows the surface area to be pushed into this receiving groove, thus very precisely creating the desired final position of the insert on the wall in the area of ​​the opening.In addition, such a geometry also prevents the insert from becoming undesirably detached from the wall.

[0060] The opening preferably has at least one threading area. This threading area has a larger clear width than an opening area of ​​the opening adjacent to the threading area. This locally limited widening of the opening makes it possible to particularly easily install the insert on the wall. This is because it makes it very easy for the insert to be inserted into the opening from one side of the wall in such a way that the retaining rail is inserted into the threading area from one side of the wall and can thus be moved through the opening to the other side of the wall. Thus, when the insert is installed, in particular moved, this retaining rail is locally pushed through this threading area so that the retaining rail is then arranged on the opposite side of the wall.As the insert is further moved in this linear installation direction, the surface area, which has already been slightly inserted into the receiving groove, slides further into it until the insert reaches its final position on the wall. This simple installation scenario is made possible in particular by this widened threading area. This eliminates the overlap between the retaining rail and the surface area that exists in the opening area.

[0061] In one embodiment, the clear width of the threading area is at least as large as the distance between a free edge of the retaining element and an opposite area of ​​the insert. In particular, this clear width of the threading area is at least as large as the distance between a free edge of the retaining element and another free edge of another retaining element. This makes it possible for the retaining element to be pushed from one side of the wall through the threading area to the opposite side of the wall when the insert is mounted to the wall by a sliding movement.

[0062] In one embodiment, one end of the holding element is widened, particularly as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding element. In particular, this end is designed as a threading end. This widening of the end makes it very easy to carry out the assembly process as explained above. This is because it allows a funnel-like inlet to be formed at this end of the holding element. This makes it easier to guide the holding element through the opening from one side of the wall, particularly in the threading area. Jamming, spreading, or unwanted impact is thus better avoided. This widening makes it easy to accommodate the particularly abrupt transition between the threading area and the further opening area.This also makes it easier to insert the surface area further into the receiving groove when the insert is moved further relative to the wall.

[0063] One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with an outer housing and with an inner container which is accommodated in the outer housing and which delimits a receiving space for food. The household refrigeration appliance has an intermediate space which is formed between the outer housing and the inner container and which is intended to be filled with thermally insulating material. The household refrigeration appliance has an insert which is arranged in the intermediate space in the region of an opening through a wall of the inner container. The insert has a base body, in particular a plate-like one, which has at least one hole onto which at least one pipe socket of the insert protruding into the intermediate space is formed. The pipe socket is designed as a coupling socket for a hollow part of the household refrigeration appliance. This enables the insert to be used as a multifunctional component.It serves as an interface between the receiving space and the intermediate space, enabling components to be connected to it. The integrated coupling sockets now also make it possible to specifically couple hollow parts locally to the insert, independent of the base body itself. This improves the routing of components in the intermediate space and in the immediate vicinity of the base body. This makes it easier to lay cables and hoses that carry media in a more directed manner. The coupling sockets enable components to be laid more precisely, particularly at the transition to the hole in the base body. They also improve the connection to the hollow parts and ensure leak-free performance. Connecting these hollow parts directly to pipe sockets is easier and more stable.

[0064] The coupling socket can have a coupling structure. This is intended for coupling, in particular mechanically, to an additional part. The coupling structure can have a thread. It can also have a snap-in device or a bayonet device. A plug-in coupling for easy connection to the additional part is also possible. This is advantageous if an extension is to be designed as a hollow part on the coupling socket, so that a laying channel for another component is formed through the coupling socket and the hollow part, in particular an empty conduit. The additional component can be a hose, for example. However, it is also possible for a hollow part in the form of a hose to be coupled directly to the coupling structure. The medium, for example water, then flows directly into this channel. An additional empty conduit in which the separate hose is then laid is then not required.

[0065] In one embodiment, the hollow part is an empty conduit for accommodating a separate hose. However, the hollow part can also be a hose itself. This allows liquids such as water to be directed more precisely.

[0066] In one embodiment, the coupling connector is curved, at least in some areas. This allows for a hose that is routed through the hole in the base body to be laid without kinks. It also allows for a more kinky-free routing into the hollow part.

[0067] In one embodiment, the insert comprises the plate-like base body, which has at least one further hole, to which at least one pipe socket of the insert is molded, extending into the intermediate space and serving as a coupling socket for another hollow part of the household refrigeration appliance. In addition to the advantages already mentioned above, this enables improved coupling and installation of multiple, even different, hollow parts.

[0068] In one embodiment, the hollow part is a conduit for accommodating a cable. This also allows electrical components to be safely installed and routed.

[0069] In one embodiment, the additional hole is positioned higher on the base body than the hole, as viewed vertically of the household refrigeration appliance. This also prevents, for example, the electrical components from being compromised in the event of a leak in the lower hole, through which liquid medium can be conducted.

[0070] In one embodiment, the hollow part is arranged on the inner side of a vertical side wall of the outer casing, facing the intermediate space. This provides an advantageous position and enables short routing distances to the devices of the household refrigeration appliance to which water is to be supplied.

[0071] In one embodiment, spacers are arranged on the inside of the side wall, on which the hollow part is arranged. This enables stable positioning while avoiding prolonged linear contact with this side wall. This has advantages in terms of thermal insulation. The hollow part can then be embedded circumferentially in the thermal insulation material arranged in the intermediate space.

[0072] In one embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance has at least one hose that extends through the hole in the coupling nozzle and from there projects into the intermediate space, wherein the hose is laid vertically upwards at least after the coupling nozzle in the intermediate space and is laid into a receiving area between a ceiling wall of the outer casing and an adjacent intermediate plate of the household refrigeration appliance. This also achieves a short laying path. Furthermore, existing installation space in this ceiling area of ​​the household refrigeration appliance is used to be able to route the hose, in particular to a door of the household refrigeration appliance. Especially when a water dispensing unit is arranged in this door, the hose can also be laid easily and quickly into the door via this ceiling area and a hinge with which the door is attached to the casing.In particular, no thermally insulating material is arranged in the receiving space.

[0073] In one embodiment, the intermediate plate has groove-like receptacles in which the hose is routed. This ensures the hose is positioned precisely.

[0074] In particular, a space is formed between the intermediate plate and a ceiling wall of an inner container of the household refrigeration appliance, which wall follows at a distance downwards and contains thermally insulating material.

[0075] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for mounting a household refrigeration appliance component of a household refrigeration appliance on an insert part of the household refrigeration appliance. In the method, a water supply device, in particular a carrier thereof, for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of the household refrigeration appliance is mounted on the insert part as a household refrigeration appliance component. The insert part is mounted in a space between an outer casing of the household refrigeration appliance and a separate inner container of the household refrigeration appliance in a region of an opening in a wall of the inner container. The insert part is coupled to a counter-coupling device of the water supply device by means of a coupling device, such that at least one component of the water supply device is arranged in a cantilevered manner on the insert part and is arranged in the receiving space.In particular, the water supply device, in particular a support of this water supply device, is attached directly to the insert in a self-supporting manner.

[0076] Advantageous embodiments of the household refrigeration appliance and / or the water supply device, as mentioned above, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method. In this context, the individual components, considered individually and / or in operative connection, are intended and suitable for enabling or carrying out corresponding method steps.

[0077] One aspect of the invention relates to a water supply device for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of a household refrigeration appliance. The water supply device has a housing. Components for supplying water are arranged in this housing. The components are part of the water supply device. In one embodiment, the housing has a housing cover. The housing also has, in particular, a base module. The base module is arranged on the housing cover with a non-destructively detachable connection. With such a concept, the components of the water supply device are housed and, in this context, are arranged in a protected manner. This allows the components to be protected, in particular, from undesirable forces, such as impacts or the like.Especially when the water supply device is arranged in a receiving space of the household refrigeration appliance, collision with food or storage containers, such as a storage tray or the like, cannot result in the components for supplying the water being damaged or displaced. This particularly advantageously prevents unwanted leaks in the components for supplying the water and / or extensive water leakage from occurring. Furthermore, because the housing is constructed from two separate components, access to the components in the housing is very easy. This means that, for example, the base module and / or the housing cover can be reversibly removed and the components in the housing are freely accessible.Because the housing cover is directly connected to the base module, especially with a non-destructively removable connection, these components can also be easily separated and reassembled.

[0078] In one embodiment, the base module is formed as a single piece. This reduces the number of components. In particular, when the housing needs to be opened, it is very easy to remove only the base module as a single component. This also reduces the assembly and disassembly effort.

[0079] In one embodiment, when the base module is in a connected end position with the housing cover, the base module is coupled to the housing cover with at least one snap connection. This is another very advantageous embodiment because it ensures that the assembled end position is reliably and securely held. Undesired slipping of the base module relative to the housing cover, or vice versa, can then be better prevented. Furthermore, a snap connection is a mechanically simple connection that can be reversibly released and re-established. It is permanently highly functional and robust. Any forces that arise can be easily absorbed. The snap connection also enables the end position between the housing cover and the base module to be held very securely in place.

[0080] In one embodiment, the housing cover has at least one guide element. A counter-guide element arranged on the base module can be coupled to this. This allows for a particularly simple, in particular linear, relative movement between the base module and the housing cover. This enables a jam-free and jerk-free connection between the housing cover and the base module. Especially when this guide device with the guide element and the counter-guide element specifies a linear assembly direction, a very simple assembly of the base module to the housing cover is also possible. This is because, in the coupled state, a rectilinear movement of the base module relative to the housing cover can then occur, which is then also reliably guided to reach the end position. This enables a very low-complexity assembly scenario.

[0081] In one embodiment, a guide element is formed on an outer side of the housing cover. This guide element is exposed and thus easily visible to the user. This enables the coupling of the counter-guide element to the guide element very easily and accurately. Furthermore, the relative movement between the counter-guide element and the coupled guide element can be observed over virtually the entire assembly path. The final assembled state is then also easily recognizable visually. Particularly when a snap connection is provided that holds the final position between the base module and the housing cover, the final position can also be clearly perceived through haptic feedback.

[0082] In one embodiment, a guide element is designed as a guide runner. In particular, a step is formed in the side wall of the housing cover. This guides the linear assembly direction in a particularly advantageous manner. Such a step determines the movement path of the counter-guide element on the guide element in at least two spatial directions.

[0083] In one embodiment, the guide element extends over at least 70 percent, in particular at least 90 percent, of the length of a side wall.

[0084] In particular, the side wall is a longitudinal side wall of the housing cover. A longitudinal side wall is, in particular, a wall oriented in the vertical direction that is longer than other adjacent, vertically oriented side walls of the housing cover. In particular, the housing cover has a cuboid design. Such long guide elements ensure that the entire assembly path between the currently coupled state and the end position between the base module and the housing cover is guided very evenly. Furthermore, even in the corresponding end position, a mutual contact between the guide elements and the counter-guide element can be maintained. Therefore, the end position between the aforementioned components is also supported by this length of the guide element.

[0085] In one embodiment, the base module has a guide part. The guide part is intended to guide a water tank of the water supply device as the water tank is brought closer to the housing. Thus, in one embodiment, this guide part is integrated into the base module. This means that it is manufactured in one piece with it. This also makes it easier to assemble and locate the final position of the water tank in the water supply device. This enables the water tank to be moved very precisely into the final position. This guided movement of the water tank is particularly advantageous if this assembly process also automatically involves a coupling between a hose and / or a nozzle of the water tank and a hose and / or a nozzle in a unit of the water supply device adjacent to the water tank.This not only ensures that the water tank's final position is reached reliably and safely, but also automatically generates the associated coupling process between the aforementioned nozzles. This allows this interface to be coupled precisely, thus effectively preventing unwanted leaks at this interface.

[0086] In one embodiment, the guide part is designed as a guide tongue. This allows for a very prominent positioning and orientation. This allows for a very simple and clear coupling to the water tank. It also improves the guidance of the water tank during assembly. This makes it easier to prevent the water tank from tipping over or slipping out of the coupled position with the guide tongue.

[0087] In one embodiment, the guide part is positioned protruding from a side wall of the floor module. This exposed position and orientation makes it particularly easy to couple the water tank to it and safely guide the assembly movement into the final position.

[0088] In one embodiment, the guide part can be arranged in a cantilevered manner. This supports the aforementioned advantages accordingly.

[0089] In one embodiment, the floor module has a support plate. The support plate is intended for the installation of the water tank. This support plate is oriented such that the water tank can be installed laterally and directly adjacent to the housing of the water supply device or to the housing of a free-standing assembly of the water supply device. The support plate is preferably dimensioned such that it corresponds to at least 90 percent of the surface area of ​​the water tank base. This allows the water tank to be placed with its base on the support plate, in particular with its entire surface.

[0090] In one embodiment, the guide part is integrated into this mounting plate. Thus, the mounting plate and the guide part are formed as a single piece. In one embodiment, the guide part can protrude upwards above the top of the mounting plate, viewed vertically. This concept stabilizes the guide part through its integration into the mounting plate. In the event of impact or other force, damage to the guide part is thus better prevented.

[0091] Furthermore, such a concept also prevents any additional components located external to the water supply system, onto which the base module is mounted, from being damaged, for example, scratched, during installation of the water tank. This is because the base plate forms an intermediate part between this additional component, for example, a shelf of the household refrigeration appliance, such as a glass plate, and the water tank.

[0092] A further aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with a water supply device according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0093] A household refrigeration appliance is designed in particular for storing and preserving food. A household refrigeration appliance can, for example, be a refrigerator or a freezer or a fridge-freezer combination appliance. It can have an outer casing and an inner container arranged therein. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner container can delimit at least one receiving space for food. Such a receiving space can, for example, be a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. Furthermore, a household refrigeration appliance can have at least one door that is movably arranged on the body of the household refrigeration appliance. In this door, for example, a dispensing device of the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of the household refrigeration appliance can be arranged.

[0094] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a water supply device, in particular according to an above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0095] In one exemplary embodiment, the base module is mounted in a first mounting direction on the housing cover of the housing. In particular, in a further step, a water tank of the water supply device, separate from the housing, is mounted in a second mounting direction oriented perpendicular to this first mounting direction. For this purpose, the water tank is also guided, in particular. The water tank is guided through this second mounting direction to a subassembly, which is in particular enclosed by the housing. The water tank is arranged outside this housing of the subassembly. In the final position, it directly borders the housing of the subassembly on the side.

[0096] One aspect of the invention relates to a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit of a household refrigeration appliance. In particular, the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit comprises a water treatment device according to an above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0097] Embodiments of an independent aspect relating to a water supply device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the other independent aspects. The same applies to the independent aspects relating to a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit and / or to a household refrigeration appliance. The same applies to the methods.

[0098] The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" indicate the positions and orientations given during proper use and positioning of the device or household appliance.

[0099] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced through separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments.

[0100] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1a perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance according to the invention with an embodiment of a water supply device according to the invention; Fig. 2aa partial view of the household refrigeration appliance according to Fig. 1 in one to Fig. 1 different perspective; Fig. 2b a partial view of another embodiment of the household refrigeration appliance according to Fig. 1 in one to Fig. 1 different perspective; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a section in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 a representation according to Fig. 3 , but with the water tank already removed; Fig. 5 the components according to Fig. 4 in the separated state of a housing cover and a base module of a subassembly of the water supply device; Fig. 6 a perspective sectional view through the arrangement in Fig. 4 ; Fig. 7 a perspective view of a partial area of ​​a wall of an inner container with an opening and an insert part of the household refrigeration appliance arranged thereon; Fig. 8 the view according to Fig. 7 with an additional component of a water supply device mounted on the insert; Fig. 9 the representation of the components in Fig. 7 in a first assembly state; Fig. 10 the components according to Fig. 9 in one to Fig. 9 different further assembly state; Fig. 11 a sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 12 a further vertical section through the arrangement according to Fig. 11 ; Fig. 13 an enlarged view of a portion of a subassembly of the water supply device with a holding unit for a sensor unit; Fig. 14 the representation of the components according to Fig. 13 with a sensor unit mounted on the holding unit in a Fig. 13 different perspective; Fig. 15 a perspective view of components of the subassembly of the water supply device; Fig. 16 the representation of the components in a plan view, but without hoses, as in Fig. 15 are shown; Fig. 17 an exploded view of subcomponents as shown in Fig. 15 are shown; and Fig. 18 the assembled state of the components according to Fig. 17 .

[0101] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0102] In Fig. 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown. The household refrigeration appliance 1 is designed for storing and preserving food. The household refrigeration appliance 1 can be a refrigerator or a freezer or a refrigerator-freezer combination appliance. The household refrigeration appliance 1 has a housing 2. This can also be referred to as a body. The housing 2 has an outer casing 3. The outer casing also has vertical side walls 3a and 3b. It also has a ceiling wall (not shown here). Fig. 1 an intermediate plate 3c is shown in one exemplary embodiment. This intermediate plate 3c is arranged between the top wall of the outer housing 3 and a top wall of an inner container 4 of the household refrigeration appliance 1. As a result, a receiving space is formed between the top wall of the outer housing 3 and the intermediate plate 3c, in which components can be arranged. Thermally insulating material is arranged in the space between the intermediate plate 3c and the top wall of the inner container 4. In one exemplary embodiment, receptacles 3d, 3e are formed on an upper side of the intermediate plate 3c facing the top wall of the outer housing 3. In particular, these can be receptacles 3d, 3e for at least one hose.

[0103] In addition, the housing 2 also has an inner container 4. The inner container 4 is separate from the outer housing 3. The inner container 4 is accommodated in the outer housing 3. The inner container 4 defines at least one receiving space 5 for food with walls. The receiving space 5 can be a refrigerator compartment. In a further embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 can have a further receiving space 6. This can be a freezer compartment.

[0104] Furthermore, the household refrigeration appliance 1 has at least one door 7. In the exemplary embodiment, two doors 7 and 8 are provided, which close the receiving space 5 at the front. It is also possible to provide additional doors 9 and 10, which preferably close the additional receiving space 6 at the front.

[0105] The household refrigeration appliance 1 preferably has a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit 11. This is intended to dispense liquids, such as beverages, and / or ice. As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment and in the further perspective in Fig. 2a As shown, this liquid and / or ice dispensing unit 11 has a dispensing device 12. In this exemplary embodiment, this is arranged in the door 7. A recess 13 is preferably formed on an outer side 7a of the door 7. A receptacle, such as a drinking glass, can be placed in this recess. Liquid is then dispensed by actuating the dispensing device 12.

[0106] As can be seen, the dispensing device 12 can be fluidly connected to a water supply device 15 by means of at least one line 14. The water supply device 15 is arranged here in the receiving space 5. In particular, it is a component of the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit 11. In another exemplary embodiment, the water supply device 15 can be connected via a further line 16 to a further device 17 arranged in the receiving space 6. This makes it possible, for example, to produce and provide very cooled liquid or ice. Water that reaches the device 17 from the water supply device 15 via this line 16 can then be very cooled, and in particular also frozen, in the receiving space 6, which is preferably designed as a freezer compartment here.In this context, in one embodiment, an ice tray, which may, for example, be part of the device 17, can be filled with water from the water supply device 15, and then corresponding ice can be produced. In one embodiment, this ice can then also be stored in a specific compartment, for example, a compartment 18, as shown in FIG. Fig. 1 shown. The device 17 can be an ice-making device or an ice maker of the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit 11.

[0107] In Fig. 2a the household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown from the side and the outer casing 3 is removed and the inner container 4 is shown transparently on this side wall so that the components can be seen as explained.

[0108] In Fig. 2b is, in a corresponding representation as in Fig. 2a , a further embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown. In contrast to Fig. 2a Here, the device 17 is arranged in the receiving space 5, particularly in an upper corner area. However, the device 17 is thermally insulated from the remaining receiving space 5. In this exemplary embodiment, ice can also be automatically dispensed from the device 17 to the dispensing unit 12, for example, by means of an ice chute arranged in the household refrigeration appliance 1.

[0109] In Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a section of Fig. 1 shown. The partial area in which the water supply device 15 is arranged is shown. A wall 19 of the inner container 4 is shown here. The water supply device 15 is arranged adjacent to this vertical wall 19. A partition wall 20, such as a shelf, is arranged below the water supply device 15. The water supply device 15 preferably has a subassembly 21. The subassembly 21 is equipped in particular with components such as at least one hose and / or at least one pump. It is therefore intended in particular for conveying or forwarding liquid, in particular water. The subassembly 21 has a housing 22. In one embodiment, this housing 22 has a housing cover 23. In one embodiment, this housing 22 has a base module 24.In particular, the partition wall 20 is arranged directly below the water supply device 15. It can be removed separately from the water supply device 15. This allows it to be easily cleaned independently of the water supply device 15.

[0110] Furthermore, in one exemplary embodiment, the water supply device 15 has a water tank 25. The water tank 25 is separate from the subassembly 21. It is thus also arranged outside the housing 22. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the water tank 25, in its illustrated end position, is arranged directly adjacent to and subsequent to the subassembly 21. It is arranged in front of the subassembly 21 in the depth direction (z-direction), in particular of the household refrigeration appliance 1. The water tank 25 is arranged so that it can be removed without destruction. It can thus be reversibly removed and reinserted. In particular, it can therefore be removed by a user and filled manually, for example at a water tap.

[0111] For this purpose, it is arranged to be movable in a linear direction, in this case in the depth direction.

[0112] In Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 3 shown, where in Fig. 4 the water tank 25 has been removed. This shows a configuration of the base module 24 in this exemplary embodiment. The base module 24 has, in particular, a base unit 26. This delimits the housing 22 at the bottom. This base unit 26 is also directly connected to the housing cover 23.

[0113] In addition, the base module 24 has a guide part 27. The guide part 27 is intended to guide the water tank 25 during assembly and disassembly. This facilitates the linear assembly direction of the water tank 25. This guide part 27 can be provided as a cantilevered guide tongue. It can be integrally formed on a side wall 28 of the base unit 26 and arranged to protrude from there.

[0114] In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 As shown, this floor module 24 can have a storage plate or a mounting plate 29. This is intended to ensure that the water tank 25 in its final position, as shown in Fig. 3 shown, is placed thereon. As a result, components such as the partition wall 20 are not directly contacted by the water tank 25.

[0115] In the embodiment according to Fig. 4 The guide part 27 can also be formed integrally with this mounting plate 29. It is thus integrated into this mounting plate 29. In the vertical direction (y-direction), this guide part 27 preferably projects upwards relative to the upper side of the mounting plate 29.

[0116] The mounting plate 29 can have a raised stop 30 on the front. This prevents the water tank 25 from sliding forwards in its final position, as shown in Fig. 3 shown, prevented.

[0117] In addition, this specific guidance scenario also makes it possible for a coupling nozzle of the water tank 25 to be automatically coupled to a coupling nozzle 31 of the subassembly 21 when the water tank 25 is attached to the end position.

[0118] The housing cover 23 is connected to the base module 24 by a detachable connection. As shown in Fig. 5 As can be seen, the base module 24 can be separated from the housing cover 23. For this purpose, in one exemplary embodiment it can be provided that the base module 24 can be separated from the housing cover 23 in a relative movement, in particular a linear relative movement, as shown by way of example by the mounting direction P1. In one exemplary embodiment, a guide element 34 is formed on an outer side 32 of a side wall 33 of the housing cover 23. The guide element 34 is here integrated into this outer side 32. The guide element 34 can be formed as a guide runner. This also means that it can be formed, for example, as a step in this outer side 32. It can, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, be formed over at least 90 percent of the length of the side wall 33. Here it is formed over the entire length, which is measured in the width direction (x-direction).The side wall 33 here represents a longitudinal side wall of the housing cover 23. In particular, a counter-guide element 35 of the base module 24 can be coupled to this guide element 34, so that the relative movement between the housing cover 23 and the base module 24 is guided. In addition to or instead of this, a corresponding guide element can also be formed on the opposite longitudinal side wall of the housing cover 23. This can then be coupled to a counter-guide element 36 in order to guide the relative movement.

[0119] The base module 24 is preferably formed in one piece. It can, for example, be an injection-molded component. Fig. 5 the assembly direction P1 is shown, in which the floor module 24 is to be moved when it is moved from the end position according to Fig. 4 is to be removed and removed from the housing cover 23. If the base module 24 is to be reinstalled, it must be coupled to the housing cover 23 opposite to the mounting direction P1 and moved into the final position according to Fig. 4 In particular, the water tank 25 can then be pushed on in a perpendicular assembly direction P2 until it reaches the Fig. 3 has reached the end position shown.

[0120] In Fig. 6 is a perspective sectional view of the arrangement according to Fig. 4 shown, where in Fig. 4 the section line VI-VI is shown.

[0121] As can also be seen here, a snap connection 37 can be formed in one exemplary embodiment. This snap connection 37, in particular, allows the end position of the base module 24 to be held more effectively with the housing cover 23. Undesired slipping of the base module 24 can thus be prevented more effectively. In particular, the snap connection 37 can be overcome by overcoming a force threshold when moving the base module 24 from the end position. Therefore, in one exemplary embodiment, no additional release tool or the like is required to release the snap connection 37.

[0122] It is particularly advantageous that the household refrigeration appliance 1 has an insert 38 as shown in Fig. 7 shown in the assembled final position. The insert 38 can also be referred to as a backing part.

[0123] It is in a space 39 ( Fig. 1 ). This gap 39 is formed between the outer casing 3 and the inner container 4. The gap 39 is preferably filled with a thermally insulating material. The thermally insulating material may comprise insulation foam and / or vacuum insulation panels. As shown in Fig. 7 As can be seen, this wall 19 has an opening 19a. The insert 38 is arranged in the area of ​​this opening 19a. It extends with partial elements into the receiving space 5.

[0124] The insert 38 is preferably a one-piece component. It is particularly made of plastic. It can be an injection-molded component. In this embodiment, the insert 38 is provided for direct coupling to the water supply device 15. It is particularly designed so that the water supply device 15 can be coupled directly to this insert 38. In particular, this coupling connection is designed so that the water supply device 15 can be attached to this insert 38 in a self-supporting manner. The water supply device 15 can therefore also be suspended from this insert 38 and then extends cantilevered into the receiving space 5. In this context, for example, Fig. 5 This self-supporting attachment, there of the subassembly 21, to the insert 38 is shown. In particular, Fig. 4 a corresponding illustration is shown. Therefore, it is not necessary for the water supply device 15 to be supported downwards. Rather, this coupling connection between the insert 38 and at least one specific component of the water supply device 15 can absorb the corresponding weight forces and leverage forces.

[0125] For this purpose, the insert part 38 preferably has a coupling device 40. This coupling device 40 is provided for direct coupling with a counter-coupling device, such as that formed on the water supply device 15. In particular, the coupling connection here is a purely mechanical coupling connection. In the exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 40 can have a coupling rail 41. Preferably, a first, in particular upper, coupling rail 41 and a second, in particular lower, coupling rail 42 are provided here.

[0126] In one embodiment, these coupling rails 41 and 42 can be L-shaped in cross-section perpendicular to their longitudinal axes. The water supply device 15 can be directly arranged, in particular suspended, on these coupling rails 41 and 42.

[0127] In one embodiment, the coupling device 40 may also have at least one positioning dome 43. This is for inserting a dome receptacle 44, as shown in Fig. 8 This positioning dome 43 can be a screw dome in one embodiment. This allows a screw connection to be provided at the location of the positioning dome and the inserted dome receptacle 44. The coupling device 40 is provided with a counter-coupling device 45, as shown in Fig. 8 shown, detachably connected without destruction. This counter-coupling device 45 can have counter-coupling rails 46, as shown in Fig. 8 is shown. These counter-coupling rails 46 and 47 can engage, in particular be hooked, into the preferably present coupling rails 41 and 42.

[0128] As furthermore in Fig. 7 As can also be seen, the insert part 38 has additional integrated channels 48 which are provided for connecting to hoses for conducting media. This concerns the two channels 48 which have a rounder cross-section. They are provided here for two pumps 79, 80. In one exemplary embodiment, a household refrigeration appliance 1 can also have just one pump 79 or 80 for the liquid and / or ice dispensing unit 11. Furthermore, channels 48 are present which, for example, have a more angular cross-section. These are arranged vertically above the rounder channels 48. These more angular channels 48 are cable ducts here. In particular, a cable duct and a channel 48 arranged below it and which has a rounder cross-section always belong together. Lines for the respective pump 79, 80 can be laid in these cable ducts.

[0129] In Fig. 7 the base body 55 has a hole 55a which corresponds to one channel 48. A coupling socket 48a is formed on the rear of the hole 55a. This coupling socket 48a thus protrudes from the rear of the base body 55 into the intermediate space 39. The coupling socket 48a is formed integrally with the base body 55. The coupling socket 48a enables a coupling to a hollow part, such as an empty conduit for laying a separate hose or a hose. If two pumps 79, 80 are present, a second hole 55b can be provided in the base body 55. A coupling socket 48b, which is brought up to the rear, also ends at this hole. A hole 55c can be formed in the base body 55 for a channel 48 which is designed as a cable duct. It can then also be provided here that a coupling socket 48c ends at the rear at the hole 55c.In particular, the holes 55a and 55c for passing through a hose on the one hand and at least one cable for one of the pumps 79, 80 on the other hand are assigned to each other and arranged offset from each other in the height direction.

[0130] A further hole 55d can also be formed in the base body 55. A coupling socket 48d can also be molded onto this hole at the rear. In particular, the coupling sockets 48a and 48b can have coupling structures to allow for the direct connection of empty conduits or a hose.

[0131] The coupling pieces 48a to 48d are also in the Fig. 2a and 2b to recognize. In Fig. 2a and 2bEmpty conduits 14a and 16a are also shown schematically as examples. Hoses can be laid in these. In particular, the empty conduits can only be laid up to the transition at the ceiling area. In the receiving area between the ceiling wall of the outer housing 3 and the intermediate plate 3c, the hoses are laid, in particular, without empty conduits. These can be omitted there, since they are not laid in the thermal insulation material there, which is particularly the case in the lateral space 39. In order to be able to lay the hoses and cables in this area even after the thermal insulation material has been introduced, the empty conduits that are laid there before the thermal insulation material is introduced are advantageous.

[0132] As already mentioned in Fig. 7 As can be seen, the opening 19a has a threading area 49. This has a clear width 50. In particular, this clear width 50 is larger than a clear width 51 of an opening area 52 of the opening 19a.

[0133] As in Fig. 8 As can be seen, the water supply device 15 has a component, in particular a carrier 53. The carrier 53 is directly coupled to the insert 38. The carrier 53 is only partially shown here, so that the insert 38 can be seen behind it. In particular, in Fig. 8 only a base body 54 of this carrier 53 is shown. The base body 54 can be formed like a frame, as shown in Fig. 8 shown. This also allows hoses and cables to be passed through to the insert 38.

[0134] In Fig. 9 The representation of the components is according to Fig. 7 However, unlike in Fig. 7 , the assembled final state of the insert 38 is shown. Rather, an intermediate assembly state is shown here. During assembly, in one embodiment, it can be provided that the provided insert 38 is brought from a side of the wall 19 facing the intermediate space 39 to the opening 19a. In this case, during an assembly process, it can be provided that the insert 38 has a base body 55, as is also shown in Fig. 7 is shown. At least one holding element 56 can be formed on this base body 55. Preferably, two holding elements 56 and 57 are formed thereon. The holding elements 56 and 57 can preferably be elongated holding rails 58 and 59. They protrude from the base body 55. This makes it possible for the holding rails 58 and 59, which are preferably L-shaped in cross section, to each form a receiving groove 60 and 61. According to the illustration in Fig. 7 In the final position of the insert 38, a respective surface area 62 and 63 of the wall 19 is inserted. The surface areas 62 and 63 delimit the opening 19a, here on the upper side and on the lower side. These surface areas 62 and 63 are thus inserted into these slot-like receiving grooves 60, 61, so that the insert 38 is held against the wall 19. In addition, this insert 38 is then surrounded by the insulating material, in particular the insulating foam, which is inserted into the gap 39 during the further assembly process, and is thus additionally stabilized and fixed in position.

[0135] The holding rails 58 and 59 are oriented and arranged in the vertical direction in particular such that their distance, in particular between the free edges 58a, 59a facing away from one another, is greater than the clear width 51. However, in an advantageous embodiment, this distance between the free edges 58a and 59a facing away from one another ( Fig. 7 ) is smaller than the clear width 50 of the threading area 49 measured in this direction. This advantageously, as shown in Fig. 9 shown, a simple installation is possible. Starting from the position in Fig. 9 The insert 38 can be positioned such that the retaining rails 58 and 59 are guided through the opening 19a in the threading area 49, so that the insert 38 then extends on both sides of the opening 19a. For this purpose, the threading ends 58b and 59b of the retaining rails 58 and 59 are preferably flared. This facilitates the threading of the surface areas 62 and 63 into these receiving grooves 60 and 61.

[0136] Based on the Fig. 9 The intermediate assembly state reached can then be achieved by further moving the insert 38 in the direction of the arrow P3, as shown in Fig. 10 shown, the insert part 38 can then already be guided and brought into the final position with a linear movement, as it is then shown in accordance with Fig. 7 is reached.

[0137] In Fig. 11 A perspective view of a sectional view of an embodiment of a water supply device 15 is shown. As can be seen in this illustration, a nozzle 64 of the water tank 25 is coupled to the nozzle 31 of the subassembly 21.

[0138] Furthermore, it can be seen that in one exemplary embodiment, a detection element 65 is arranged in the water tank 25. The detection element 65 can be a magnetic float. In one advantageous exemplary embodiment, its movement is guided by a guide device 66. As a result, a linear movement in the vertical direction, in particular, is guided particularly advantageously. This movement can be limited by a stop element 67. In particular, the stop element 67 is arranged below a maximum possible fill level of water in the water tank 25, viewed in the vertical direction. This means that the detection element 65 can only float up to this stop element 67.

[0139] This detection element 65 is in particular a component of a fill level detection device. This in turn is in particular a component of the water supply device 15. A further component of this fill level detection device can be a sensor unit 68, as shown in Fig. 12 This sensor unit 68 is arranged in particular in the subassembly 21, in particular in the interior of the housing 22.

[0140] In particular, the sensor unit 68 is installed therein in a fixed position.

[0141] As can be seen in this context, only a single such sensor unit 68 is provided here. The sensor unit 68 can be, for example, a reed switch. It is arranged, particularly in the vertical direction, such that, in conjunction with the detection element 65, it detects a water level in the water tank 25 that does not relate to the maximum fill level or the empty level, and thus to the empty fill level of the water tank 25. Rather, an intermediate level in between can be directly detected as the fill level.

[0142] This is advantageous in that with just a single sensor unit 68, the empty fill level of the water tank 25 can also be determined indirectly. In one exemplary embodiment, this is achieved by a detection element 65 arranged vertically movable on the water tank that can be detected with this sensor unit 68. In particular, when the fill level rises accordingly, for example during filling, this detection element 65 floats and thus moves vertically upwards. If it has moved upwards far enough that the reed switch, preferably present here in the form of the sensor unit 68, is triggered, in particular closed, due to the magnetic field, this intermediate fill level is detected directly. There may then also be a higher fill level in the water tank 25, for example the water tank 25 may be filled to its maximum. In the present exemplary embodiment, this is not directly detected by the sensor unit 68.In particular, overflow is prevented because the water tank 25 is filled manually by a user.

[0143] If water is then drawn from the water tank 25 during operation, the fill level drops. If this fill level drops below this intermediate fill level, the detection element 65 moves downward from its upper position on the stop element 67. As the fill level decreases, the sensor unit 68 detects that the water has left the detection range. This means that at a specific lower fill level, which is not the empty fill level, the sensor unit 68 detects that the detection element 65 has left the detection range of the sensor unit 68. In the exemplary embodiment, this means that the reed switch is opened again.Depending on the time at which the detection element 65 detects that the water has left the detection range of the sensor unit 68, a further operating time and / or a further delivery rate that is delivered from this time onwards is then detected, in particular by at least one pump of the water supply device 15. This can be done by appropriate sensors and / or a control unit. In particular, this further operating time and / or the further delivery rate is then compared with a predetermined reference operating time and / or a predetermined reference delivery rate. The reference operating time is a period of time that describes how long it takes until the residual amount of water still remaining in the water tank 25 has been pumped out, in particular sucked out by a pump, after the detection of the water leaving the detection range.This reference operating time therefore characterizes the time until the water in the water tank, starting from the fill level that was present when the detection element 65 detected the sensor unit 68 leaving the detection range, is completely empty in the water tank 25. A corresponding reference flow rate can be achieved. This then characterizes the flow rate per unit of time that is required, in particular by at least one pump, to pump the water still present in the water tank 25 at the time at which the detection element 65 detected the sensor unit leaving the detection range, until the water is completely pumped out of the water tank 25.

[0144] If, in this comparison, this additional operating time corresponds to the reference operating time and / or the additional flow rate corresponds to the reference flow rate, the empty fill level and thus the empty water tank 25 can be determined indirectly with great precision.

[0145] In an advantageous embodiment, the detection element 65 is one that is deliberately arranged so as to be immersed in the water, in particular only partially. In particular, the sensor unit 68 is positioned such that the detection zone is exited when the sub-area of ​​the detection element 65 immersed in the water is arranged with a lower end 65a, viewed in the vertical direction, at a predetermined distance, for example, approximately one millimeter, from the bottom 25a, in particular from the inside of the bottom 25a, of the water tank 25, or, in another embodiment, is arranged so as to be directly seated on this bottom 25a.This is because there is still a residual amount of water in the water tank 25 and, according to the scenario mentioned above, in an advantageous embodiment, when further water is pumped out of the water tank 25, the empty fill level can then be detected exactly, and in particular the time at which this empty fill level is reached can then be calculated very precisely.

[0146] In particular, the fill level is determined when the water level in the water tank 25 is reduced when at least one of the pumps 79, 80 is activated. If the switch is then opened, particularly because the detection element 65 moves out of the detection range of the sensor unit 68, the fill level is determined. However, if the switch is detected to be opened and the pumps 79, 80 are deactivated, it is also detected that the water tank 25 is being removed by a user. In this case, the fill level is not determined.

[0147] In Fig. 13 A perspective view of a partial section is shown illustrating the carrier 53. The carrier 53, which is preferably made in one piece, in particular from plastic, preferably as an injection-molded component, is a multifunctional carrier or a multi-component carrier. In particular, it is provided that the sensor unit 68 is arranged on this carrier 53 in a non-destructively detachable manner. The carrier 53 preferably has a holding unit 70 integrated therewith and thus formed in one piece therewith, which is designed to hold the sensor unit 68. In one exemplary embodiment, the holding unit 70 has a first receiving web 71 and a second receiving web 72. These preferably each have a receptacle. These receptacles are formed here as support beds 73 and 74. These support beds 73, 74 are formed here as ring sections. These freely projecting receiving webs 71 and 72 thus receive the sensor unit 68 in these support beds 73 and 74.The receiving webs 71, 72 can also be referred to as support brackets.

[0148] In one embodiment, the holding unit 70 also has at least one snap element 98. This is a freely projecting tongue. It is also integrally formed on a support wall 69, similar to the receiving webs 71 and 72 in this embodiment. The support wall 69 is preferably integrally formed on the base body 54, in particular projecting therefrom. The snap element 98 is arranged separately from the receiving webs 71 and 72. This snap element 74 can be used to create a snap connection with the sensor unit 68. In particular, the snap element 74 snaps onto a housing of the sensor unit 68.

[0149] In Fig. 14 is a partial section with the components according to Fig. 13 and the sensor unit 68 is shown in its final assembled state. As can be seen here, the housing of the sensor unit 68 engages in the receptacles of the receiving webs 71 and 72. In addition, a snap connection with this housing is formed via the snap element 98.

[0150] Furthermore, in one embodiment, it is provided that the holding unit 70 has a stop wall 75. This stop wall 75 can be a component of the support wall 69. The stop wall 75 is intended for the abutting positioning of a stop web 76 of the sensor unit 68. This is particularly the case when the sensor unit 68 is arranged in the mounted end position on the support 53. As already described in Fig. 13 As can be seen, the support wall 69 is designed as an angled, in particular multiply angled, stiffening strip.

[0151] In Fig. 15 an embodiment of the carrier 53 is shown in a perspective view. In particular, the carrier 53 is designed as a one-piece component. In particular, it is realized as an injection-molded component. In one embodiment, the carrier 53 has a holding arm 77. In particular, this holding arm 77 is arranged so as to protrude from the base body 54. It is oriented in a freely cantilevered manner. The holding arm 77 is intended to receive and thus also hold at least one hose 78 and / or at least one pump 79 and / or 80 of the water supply device 15. The holding arm 77 preferably has a receptacle 81. This can be a receptacle that is open at the top. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the hose 78 can thus be inserted into this from above. It is then positioned securely and reliably and can be easily assembled and disassembled thanks to this design. In particular, the nozzle 31 is also shown here.In particular, the receptacle 81 has engagement webs 82. These are integrally formed on the receptacle 81. They can engage in groove-like receptacles 83 of the hose coupling for the hose 78. This enables a particularly precise and stable mounting on the holding arm 77.

[0152] In one exemplary embodiment, the carrier 53 has a holding structure 84. In one exemplary embodiment, this holding structure 84 is a separate unit of the carrier 53 from the holding arm 77. The holding structure 84 is designed to receive and hold at least one hose 78 and / or 85. In particular, the holding structure 84 is provided in addition to or instead of receiving or holding at least one pump 79 and / or 80. In the exemplary embodiment, two pumps 79 and 80 are part of the water supply device 15. However, there may also be more or fewer such pumps.

[0153] The support 53 is preferably designed to be able to carry at least one hose, in particular all hoses, and / or at least one pump, in particular all pumps, of the water supply device 15. In particular, these components are accommodated, in particular suspended, in corresponding receptacles. In particular, the support 53 is thus designed such that the hoses and / or the pumps are arranged suspended from the support 53. In particular, the pumps 79 and 80 can also be arranged freely suspended from this support 53. In this case, only the hoses can be inserted directly into corresponding receptacles from above and suspended therefrom, and the pumps 79 and 80 can be arranged freely suspended. In this case, they are suspended from the support 53 in particular only via the hoses.In addition to or instead of this, it is also possible that nozzles of the pumps 79 and / or 80, to which the hoses 78 and 85 open, protrude into corresponding receptacles and therefore the pumps themselves are also attached or suspended from these components.

[0154] In one embodiment, the support structure 84 has a water basin 86. The water basin 86 therefore represents an intermediate reservoir for water, which is conveyed from the water tank 25 to an outlet of the water supply device 15. Such an outlet can, for example, be formed by an outlet 87 ( Fig. 2 ) may be formed. In particular, if this outlet 87 is arranged lower in height than the water tank 25, such a water basin 86 is particularly advantageous as an intermediate reservoir. This is due to the hydrostatic pressure that arises as a result of this height difference. This water basin 86 can thus equalize this hydrostatic pressure, so that unwanted dripping of water from this outlet 87 can be prevented. In particular, this makes it possible for no further water to drip out of this outlet 87 after filling, for example, the device 17, in particular an ice cream tray. Overflow of the ice tray can therefore be easily avoided.

[0155] In one embodiment, this water basin 86 is formed integrally with this carrier 53. It is particularly integrated into this carrier 53. As shown in Fig. 15 As can also be seen, in one embodiment, this water basin 86 can be arranged protruding from the base body 54. In particular, this water basin 86 can be oriented so as to protrude freely from this base body 54. The water basin 86 is designed in one embodiment as a shaft-like structure. It is particularly advantageous if an upwardly open receptacle 89 is formed in a boundary wall 88 of the water basin 86. In this receptacle, Fig. 15 An additional water hose (not shown) can be attached.

[0156] In one exemplary embodiment, the holding structure 84 has at least one holding claw 90. Preferably, a plurality of such holding claws 90, 91, 92, and 93 are provided. These holding claws 90 to 93, the number and position of which are to be understood merely as examples, extend freely projecting from the holding structure 84, in particular the water basin 86, in particular the inner boundary wall 88. In particular, they extend in the direction of the holding arm 77, which is preferably present and separate from the holding structure 84. In particular, this support 53 provides a free space 94 between the holding structure 84 and the holding arm 77. Components of the water supply device 15, such as hoses and / or pumps, can be arranged in this free space 94 in a very compact and space-saving manner and can be held very stably.

[0157] In Fig. 16 the arrangement is in accordance with Fig. 15 shown in a plan view, whereby the exemplary hoses 78, 85 and 95 are not shown here. The position and design of the holding claws 90 to 93 are shown. They each preferably have claw openings 90a, 91a, 92a and 93a. These are oriented upwards in the vertical direction and thus open at the top. This allows the additional components, such as hoses and pumps, to be mounted in a particularly simple manner. Furthermore, these attached components can then be easily held by these holding claws 90 to 93. In particular, they can then also be stably held in these claw openings 90a to 93a by the corresponding weight force.

[0158] In Fig. 17 An exploded view of an embodiment of the carrier 53 and a pre-assembly assembly or a pre-assembly module 96 is shown. The pre-assembly module 96 has, for example, the pumps 79 and 80 and at least some of the hoses 85, 78 and a further hose 97. This hose 97 is preferably the one which is also shown in the assembled state in Fig. 18 which flows into the water basin 86. In particular, it is inserted into the receptacle 89. The individual components of the carrier 53, as already explained in detail above, can be seen here in more detail. In Fig. 18 is the composite state of the Fig. 17 shown components. Bezugszeichenliste

[0159] 1 Household refrigeration appliance 2 Housing 3 Outer housing 3a Side wall 3b Side wall 3c Intermediate plate 3d Mount 3e Mount 4 Inner container 5 Mounting space 6 Mounting space 7 Door 7a Exterior 8 Door 9 Door 10 Door 11 Liquid and / or ice dispensing unit 12 Dispensing device 13 Niche 14 Pipe 14a Empty pipe 15 Water supply device 16 Pipe 16a Empty pipe 17 Device 18 Compartment 19 Wall 19a Opening 20 Partition wall 21 Subassembly 22 Housing 23 Housing cover 24 Floor module 25 Water tank 25a Floor 26 Base unit 27 Guide part 28 Side wall 29 Mounting plate 30 Stop 31 Coupling nozzle 32 Exterior 33Side wall 34Guide element 35Counter-guide element 36Counter-guide element 37Snap connection 38Insert 39Gap 40Coupling device 41Upper coupling rail 42Lower coupling rail 43Positioning dome 44Dome holder 45Counter-coupling device 46Counter-coupling rail 47Counter-coupling rail 48Channel 48aCoupling socket 48bCoupling socket 48cCoupling socket 48dCoupling socket 49Threading area 50Clear width 51Clear width52 Breakthrough area 53 Support 54 Base body 55 Base body 55a Hole 55b Hole 55c Hole 55d Hole 56 Holding element 57 Holding element 58 Holding rail 58a Free edge 58b Threading end 59 Holding rail 59a Free edge 59b Threading end 60 Receiving groove 61 Receiving groove 62 Surface area 63 Surface area 64 Nozzle 65 Detection element 65a Lower end 66 Guide device 67 Stop element 68 Sensor unit 69 Support wall 70 Holding unit 71 First receiving web 72 Second receiving web 73 Support bed 74 Support bed 75 Stop wall 76 Stop web 77 Holding arm 78 Hose 79 Pump 80 Pump 81 Receptacle 82Integration bar 83Receptacle 84Retaining structure 85Hose 86Water basin 87Outlet 88Boundary wall 89Receptacle 90Retaining claw 90aClaw opening 91Retaining claw 91aClaw opening 92Retaining claw 92aClaw opening 93Retaining claw 93aClaw opening 94Free space 95Hose 96Pre-assembly module 97Hose 98Snap element P1Assembly direction P2Arrow direction P3Arrow xWidth direction yHeight direction zDepth direction

Claims

1. Water supply device (15) for a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit (11) of a household refrigeration appliance (1), with a support (53) for supporting a pump (79, 80) of the water supply device (15) and / or hoses (78, 80, 95, 97) of the water supply device (15), wherein the support (53) has at least one, in particular freely projecting, holding arm (77) for holding at least one hose (78, 85, 95, 97) and / or at least one pump (79, 80) of the water supply device (15), which is arranged protruding from a frame-like base body (54) of the support (53).

2. Water supply device (15) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (53) has at least one holding structure (84) which has at least one, in particular freely projecting, water basin (86) integrated therein.

3. Water supply device (15) according to claim 2, wherein the holding arm (77) and the separate holding structure (84) are arranged so as to project freely from the, in particular frame-like, base body (54) of the carrier (53).

4. Water supply device (15) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a plurality of, in particular freely projecting, holding claws (90, 91, 92, 93) for holding hoses (78, 85, 95, 97) and / or at least one pump (79, 80) of the water supply device (15) are arranged on the water basin (86).

5. Water supply device (15) according to claim 4, wherein the holding claws (90 to 93) extend in a free space (94) between the holding arm (77) and the separate holding structure (84).

6. Water supply device (15) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the holding claws (90 to 93) have claw openings (90a, 91a, 92a, 93a) which are oriented upwards in the height direction (y) of the water supply device (15).

7. Water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, wherein the water basin (86) has a boundary wall (88) which faces the holding arm (77), wherein this boundary wall (88) has a passage (89) for a hose (78, 85, 95, 97), in particular an upwardly open passage (89) for receiving a hose (78, 85, 95, 97) is formed on an upper edge of the boundary wall (88).

8. Water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 6 and according to claim 7, wherein holding claws (90 to 93) are formed on the boundary wall (88), in particular are formed integrally therewith.

9. Water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (53) is formed in one piece, in particular from plastic.

10. Water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (53) has a holding unit (70) which is designed to hold a sensor unit (68) of the water supply device (15) in a non-destructively releasable manner.

11. Water supply device (15) according to claim 10, wherein the holding unit () has at least one receptacle into which the sensor unit (68) can be inserted at least in part, in particular the receptacle has at least one, in particular several separate, receiving webs (71, 72) which have a support bed (73, 74) for the sensor unit (68), which is formed as a ring section and / or in particular the holding unit (70) has at least one snap element (98) for snap-fitting the sensor unit (68).

12. Water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water supply device (15) has the sensor unit (68), which is designed in particular as a reed switch, in particular the water supply device (15) has a water tank (25) separate from the carrier (53), the fill level of which can be detected by the sensor unit (68).

13. Water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (53) has a counter-coupling device (45) which is designed for coupling to a coupling device (40) on an insert part (38) of the household refrigeration appliance (1) which is separate from the water supply device (15), so that the carrier (53) is held in a cantilevered manner on the insert part (38) so as to be attachable.

14. Household refrigeration appliance (1) with a liquid and / or ice dispensing unit (11) which has a water supply device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water supply device (15) has a water tank (25).

15. A method for assembling a water supply device (15), in particular according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps: - producing a pre-assembly module (96) from a hose (78, 85, 95, 97) and a pump (79, 80), in which at least the hose (78, 85, 95, 97) is connected to the pump (79, 80); - inserting the pre-assembly module into the carrier (53) such that a portion of the hose (78, 85, 95, 97) is received in a holding claw (90 to 93), and / or a hose (78, 85, 95, 97) is received in a receptacle of the holding arm (77), such that the pre-assembly module (96) is suspended in a cantilevered manner from the holding arm (77) and at least one holding claw (90 to 93).