Domestic refrigeration appliance arrangement, domestic refrigeration appliance

Abstract

The present application relates to a household refrigeration appliance arrangement and to a household refrigeration appliance. In order to provide a household refrigeration appliance arrangement with improved characteristics in terms of wiring, embodiments of the present application propose a household refrigeration appliance arrangement (78) for being placed into a refrigeration region (80) of a household refrigeration appliance (84) having a control unit (74) for controlling at least one functional unit (92) and an interface unit (12, 112) for connecting the control unit (74) with a main control unit (20) of the household refrigeration appliance (84).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a household refrigeration appliance device for placement in the refrigeration zone of a household refrigeration appliance. Furthermore, this application relates to a frost-free device having a household refrigeration appliance device, and a household refrigeration appliance having a household refrigeration appliance device. Background Technology

[0002] Frost-free devices for freezer compartments of household refrigeration appliances are known from the prior art. These devices are designed to resist the formation of ice and / or frost in the freezer compartment. To this end, air circulation is generated within the household refrigeration appliance by a fan, and accumulated frost is periodically removed by a defrosting heating device. To control and / or to power the functional components of the frost-free device (i.e., the defrosting heating device and the fan), a large number of wires are required to pass through the insulation components of the freezer compartment to the control electronics of the household refrigeration appliance. Here, the control electronics must also have a correspondingly large number of connection terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this application is to provide a household refrigeration appliance device with improved wiring characteristics.

[0004] According to this application, a household refrigeration appliance device is provided for placement in the refrigeration zone of a household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance device has a control unit for controlling at least one functional unit and an interface unit for connecting the control unit to the main control unit of the household refrigeration appliance.

[0005] This type of household refrigeration appliance device reduces the number of interfaces on the main control unit, thereby achieving advantageous characteristics in terms of electromagnetic compatibility. Furthermore, the household refrigeration appliance device according to this application enables a modular structure for the household refrigeration appliance, as the main control unit can be adapted to different design requirements of the household refrigeration appliance by using one or more household refrigeration appliance devices according to this application. Therefore, space can be saved, especially in household refrigeration appliances with simpler structures.

[0006] The household appliance may be part of a household refrigeration appliance, which may be configured as a refrigerator and / or freezer, a refrigerator and / or freezer, a wine cooler, or the like. The household refrigeration appliance may have at least one compartment configured as a refrigerator or freezer. The household refrigeration appliance may also have multiple compartments, such as two, three, four, five, six, or more than six compartments, which may be configured as freezers and / or refrigerators.

[0007] The functional unit may be part of a frost-free device, an ice-making device (particularly an ice cube maker device), or the like. A household refrigeration appliance may have a frost-free device and / or an ice-making device. A household refrigeration appliance device may be part of a frost-free device or an ice-making device. A frost-free device may be configured to resist unwanted frost and / or ice formation in the household refrigeration appliance. Functional components of a frost-free device may include a defrost heating unit, a fan unit, a sensor unit, an evaporator, a drain outlet, an evaporator coil, and / or the like. The evaporator of the frost-free device may correspond to the evaporator of the household refrigeration appliance, which is configured as part of the refrigeration system of the household refrigeration appliance to provide the refrigeration and / or freezing functions of the household refrigeration appliance. A household refrigeration appliance may also have multiple evaporators. The functional unit may, for example, have one or more electrical functional components of a frost-free device, i.e., a defrost heating unit, a fan unit, and / or a sensor unit, or an ice-making device.

[0008] A fan unit can be configured to generate air circulation within a household refrigeration appliance, this air circulation passing through the appliance's compartments. The refrigeration zone of the household refrigeration appliance can be defined by the appliance's compartments or by an air circulation zone defined by the fan unit, wherein the appliance unit is configured for placement and / or arrangement within the refrigeration zone. The fan unit can have one or more impellers and a drive unit (e.g., an electric motor). During operation of the household refrigeration appliance, moisture from the air circulated by the fan unit can condense on the evaporator, where frost and / or ice may form.

[0009] The defrosting heating unit can be configured to remove moisture condensed on the evaporator. The defrosting heating unit can have one or more heating elements configured as ohmic heating elements or the like. Defrosting of the evaporator can be performed during the defrosting phase of a frost-free system, which can be repeated at regular time intervals and / or initiated based on information regarding ice and / or frost formation on the evaporator. For example, information regarding ice and / or frost formation on the evaporator can be obtained via a sensor unit.

[0010] The sensor unit may, for example, have one or more temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may be arranged accordingly on the compartments to measure their temperature, or they may be configured as functional component temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of at least one functional component, such as an evaporator temperature sensor. The sensor unit may include one or more humidity sensors, airflow sensors, or the like.

[0011] The control unit may include a processor and a storage element, as well as a running program stored on the storage element. The storage element may be configured as a digital storage medium, such as a memory chip or the like. The control unit may be configured to control functional units when connected to the interface unit. The control unit may include corresponding control components for controlling electrical functional components connected to the interface unit.

[0012] The main control unit and / or functional unit can be connected to the interface unit via a wired connection. To connect the interface unit to the functional unit, according to embodiments of this application, the interface unit may have at least one connection terminal. Preferably, the interface unit may have multiple electrical connection terminals for electrical functional components.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the household refrigeration appliance device of this application, a circuit board may be included, on which an interface unit and a control unit are arranged. The connection end of the interface unit may be configured as a connection end on the circuit board, such as a pad, a through contact, a terminal block, a socket, or the like.

[0014] The interface unit may have at least one connection end for wired connection between the control unit and the main control unit. According to an improvement of this application, the interface unit may have only one communication interface and one energy supply interface for connection to the main control unit. Therefore, the number of connection cables between the household refrigeration appliance and the main control unit can be kept small.

[0015] The interface unit may have at least one communication interface and / or energy supply interface for connecting to other household refrigeration appliances. Therefore, more than one household refrigeration appliance can be arranged in the refrigeration area without requiring additional wiring to the main control unit. Thus, especially when multiple household refrigeration appliances are used, the required number of wiring remains particularly small.

[0016] According to an improvement of this application, a household refrigeration appliance may have an identification unit configured to determine and / or set at least one configuration parameter for communication with a main control unit based on the connection status of an interface unit. The identification unit may be data-connected to the interface unit, i.e., at least enabling the identification unit to recognize the connection status of the interface unit. At least a portion of the identification unit may be disposed on a circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the identification unit may also be disposed on the main control unit. The connection status may include information about occupied connection terminals of the interface unit. In other words, the connection status may include information about electrical functional components connected to the interface unit.

[0017] At least a portion of the identification unit may be part of the control unit. Configuration parameters may be parameters related to proper communication between the main control unit and the control unit. Configuration parameters may, for example, be set for the main control unit to recognize the household appliance device. The main control unit may be located outside the refrigerated area, wherein the main control unit may be separated from the refrigerated area at least by an insulating component (e.g., insulating foam).

[0018] The identification unit can be configured to determine at least one usage parameter based on the connection status of the interface unit, and to determine and / or set configuration parameters based on the usage parameter. The usage parameter can be, for example, a location parameter and / or a refrigeration system parameter. The location parameter can be information about the placement of the control unit or household appliance within the household appliance, such as which compartment the control unit or household appliance is located in and / or its position within that compartment. The refrigeration system parameter can include information about the refrigeration system of the household refrigeration appliance, i.e., operating parameters of the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, or the like. The identification unit can determine the configuration parameter from the usage parameter (e.g., based on a table or similar stored in the identification unit).

[0019] According to a variant of this application, the configuration parameter can be a communication address, more specifically a DBus address. The communication address can be assigned to the control unit to enable correct communication between the main control unit and the control unit. The DBus address can be stored on the control unit. The identification unit can be configured to retrieve and / or set the configuration parameters based on the connection status of the interface unit when the household appliance is first put into operation. It can be configured that the identification unit periodically checks the configuration parameters at predetermined time intervals or when the household appliance is turned on.

[0020] According to an improvement of this application, the connection status can include information about the temperature sensor (preferably the temperature sensor of the functional unit) connected to the interface unit. Based on the connected temperature sensor, usage parameters can be obtained, for example, reliably and / or easily. One or more temperature sensors can be connected to the interface unit. The number and / or type of temperature sensors can vary depending on their location and / or use within the household appliance. It can be configured that the connection status includes information about the occupancy of the analog input ports of the interface unit. These analog input ports can be configured for connection to temperature sensors. Different analog input ports can be associated with the type and / or location of the temperature sensors. Therefore, the occupancy of the analog input ports can correspond to a predetermined location of the control unit or household appliance device within the household appliance.

[0021] To enable error-free acquisition and / or setting of configuration parameters based on connection status, the improved embodiment of this application includes an interface unit with an encoding unit for error-proof contact prevention at the interface unit's connection terminals. The encoding unit can be constructed as a mechanical encoding unit. For example, the connection terminals of the interface unit can be mechanically encoded so that these connection terminals can only contact predetermined temperature sensors among these temperature sensors. Therefore, incorrect connection of temperature sensors to the interface unit's connection terminals and, consequently, incorrect acquisition and / or setting of usage and communication parameters can be prevented.

[0022] To prevent damage to the electronic unit, including at least the identification unit, due to condensation during the defrosting phase, the household appliance may have a heating unit for heating the electronic unit. The heating unit heats the electronic unit so that its temperature is above the dew point during the defrosting phase of the frost-free device. The fact that the electronic unit heats up to a temperature below the dew point during the defrosting phase due to heat loss during operation should not be considered as heating the electronic unit by the heating unit. At least the control unit, circuit board, and / or interface unit may be part of the electronic unit. The electronic unit may also include at least a portion of the electrical functional components of the frost-free device.

[0023] At least a portion of the heating unit may be formed from components of an electronic unit. This component may be, for example, an electrical control component for at least one electrical function component, arranged on a circuit board, such as a processor, switching element, resistor, or the like. According to an improvement of this application, the component may be configured as a power switch, such as a power switch for a defrosting heating unit. Preferably, the power switch may be configured as a triac (three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch).

[0024] The heating unit may have at least one active heating element. "Active heating element" can be understood as a heating element primarily or solely used for heating. The active heating element may be constructed as an ohmic heating element or alternatively as an infrared heating element, an induction heating element, or the like. The active heating element may be arranged on a circuit board or spaced apart from the circuit board. The heating power of the heating unit can be set by a control unit and / or by a main control unit. The control unit may be configured to control the heating power based on temperature parameters. The household refrigeration appliance may have at least one electronic unit temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the electronic unit (preferably a circuit board). The temperature detected by the electronic unit temperature sensor may correspond to temperature parameters. The electronic unit temperature sensor may be arranged on a circuit board. The heating power of the heating unit may be set, for example, by controlling at least one heating element. Additionally or alternatively, the heating power may be set by selectively and inefficiently operating a power switch.

[0025] Furthermore, this application relates to a household refrigeration appliance device according to this application and a frost-free device with functional units. Thus, a frost-free device can be provided that requires a particularly small number of functional lines to the main control unit. According to an embodiment of this application, the functional units of the frost-free device may include a defrosting heating unit, a fan unit, and / or a sensor unit. In this case, redundant lines should not be understood as functional lines. Functional lines may have only one or more conductors.

[0026] Furthermore, this application relates to a household refrigeration appliance having a household refrigeration appliance unit and a main control unit connected to a control unit. The household refrigeration appliance of this application can provide a household refrigeration appliance requiring a particularly small number of wires passing through insulating material. Moreover, in such a household refrigeration appliance, a particularly short wiring path is sufficient. According to an embodiment of this application, the main control unit can be connected to the household refrigeration appliance unit via up to five function lines. It can be configured that the household refrigeration appliance has at least one household refrigeration appliance unit connected to the main control unit via the household refrigeration appliance unit in terms of energy supply technology and / or communication technology.

[0027] Furthermore, this application relates to a method for operating (e.g., according to this application) a household refrigeration appliance, wherein functional units are controlled by the household refrigeration appliance device. Through this method, the main control unit of the household refrigeration appliance can be modularly expanded and operated as needed within the household refrigeration appliance device.

[0028] The apparatus and methods disclosed herein should not be limited to the applications and embodiments described above. In particular, the apparatus and methods may have a number different from the number of individual elements, components and units, and method steps mentioned herein, in order to fulfill the functional arrangements described herein. Furthermore, the numerical ranges given in this disclosure should be considered as values ​​within the mentioned limits being public and freely usable.

[0029] It should be specifically noted that all features, characteristics, and operating methods described regarding the apparatus can be analogously transferred to the method and used in the sense of this application, and are considered as common disclosures. Conversely, the same applies. This means that structural, i.e., apparatus-related features mentioned regarding the method can also be considered within the framework of the apparatus, claimed, and equally included in the disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The present application will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and description contain many combinations of features. Those skilled in the art will also appropriately consider these features individually and reasonably combine them within the framework of this application.

[0031] If an object has more than one instance, only one may be labeled with a reference numeral in the figures and description. The description of that instance can be transferred accordingly to the other instances of the object. If the objects are named in particular by numerals, such as first, second, third, etc., these are used for naming and / or assigning the objects. Thus, for example, first and third objects may be included, but second objects may not be included. However, the number and / or order of objects can also be inferred from the numerals.

[0032] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a household appliance with two frost-free devices. Figure 2 The main control unit of household appliances and Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the connection of one of the frost-free devices in the diagram. Figure 3 : Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a household appliance device that is one of the frost-free devices. Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the connection between a household appliance device and a temperature sensor. Figure 5 : A schematic diagram of a method for setting up and / or operating a household appliance device, and Figure 6 : A schematic diagram of the connection between the household appliance device and the temperature sensor in an alternative embodiment of the household appliance. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A household appliance 28 configured as a household refrigeration appliance 84 is illustrated in schematic diagram. That is, the household appliance 28 is configured as a refrigerator and has a refrigerator compartment 34, a freezer compartment 36, and a crisper compartment 38. Alternatively, the household appliance 28 may also have other numbers of refrigerator compartments 34, crisper compartments 38, freezer compartments 36, and / or other types of compartments. For example, the household appliance 28 may also be configured without a freezer compartment 36, a crisper compartment 38, or a refrigerator compartment 34. Alternatively, the household appliance 28 may also be configured as a freezer cabinet or the like.

[0034] Household appliance 28 has two frost-free devices 26, 32. Alternatively, household appliance 28 may have only one frost-free device 26, 32 or more than two frost-free devices 26, 32. The first frost-free device 26 of the two frost-free devices 26, 32 is arranged in the freezer compartment 36 and has household appliance device 10. Household appliance device 10 is configured for placement into a household refrigeration appliance device 78 in a refrigeration zone. Household appliance device 10 is arranged in the freezer compartment 36 (in... Figure 4 In the image, for better clarity, the household appliance 10 is shown as being spaced apart from the freezer compartment 36.

[0035] refer to Figure 3 The household appliance device 10 has an interface unit 12, which has multiple electrical connection terminals 14 for the functional component 16 (see also...). Figure 4 These functional components 16 are part of the functional unit 92 of the frost-free device 26 and include the electrical functional components 16 of the frost-free device 26, such as the sensor unit 100 with temperature sensor 22, the fan unit 206, and the defrosting heating unit 208. Apart from the temperature sensor 22, the electrical functional components of the frost-free device 26 are... Figure 4 It is schematically shown as block 50. In addition, the frost-free device 26 also has an evaporator 76 as a functional component.

[0036] The frost-free device 26 has only one temperature sensor 22. Alternatively, the frost-free device 26 may have more than one temperature sensor 22 (e.g., depending on the intended use), such as two, three or four temperature sensors 22.

[0037] The fan unit 206 of the frost-free device 26 is configured to generate air circulation within the household appliance 28, which passes through the freezer compartment 36. The fan unit 206 may have one or more impellers and a drive unit (e.g., an electric motor). Moisture from the air circulated through the fan unit 206 may condense on the evaporator 76, where frost and / or ice may form.

[0038] The air circulation area defined by the fan unit 206 defines the cooling area 80. The evaporator 76 is arranged in the freezer compartment 38 within the air circulation area of ​​the fan unit 206. Alternatively, the evaporator 76 may also be arranged outside the freezer compartment 38 within the air circulation area.

[0039] The defrosting heating unit 208 is configured to remove moisture condensed on the evaporator 76. The defrosting heating unit 208 may have one or more heating elements configured as ohmic heating elements or the like. Defrosting of the evaporator 76 is performed during the defrosting phase of the frost-free device 26, which is repeated at regular time intervals and / or initiated based on information regarding ice and / or frost formation on the evaporator 76. For example, information regarding ice and / or frost formation on the evaporator 76 can be obtained via the sensor unit 100.

[0040] The household appliance device 10 has a circuit board 72. The household appliance device 10 has a control unit 74. An interface unit 12 and the control unit 74 are arranged on the circuit board 72. The control unit 74 is configured to control at least a functional unit 92. The control unit 74, arranged on the circuit board 72, has a processor and a storage element, as well as an operating program stored on the storage element. The storage element is constructed as a digital storage medium, such as a memory chip or the like. The control unit 74 is configured to control an electrical functional component 16 connected to the interface unit 12. The control unit 74 has corresponding control components for controlling the electrical functional component 16 connected to the interface unit 12.

[0041] The household appliance device 10 has an identification unit 18 configured to determine and / or set at least one configuration parameter for communicating with the main control unit 20 of the household appliance 28, based on the connection status of the interface unit 12. The identification unit 18 is part of the control unit 74. Alternatively, the identification unit 18 may be constructed separately from the control unit 74.

[0042] Interface unit 12 is configured to connect control unit 74 to main control unit 20. Interface unit 12 has only a communication interface 94 and a power supply interface 96 for connecting to main control unit 20. Main control unit 20 can be wired to control unit 74 via communication interface 94 and power supply interface 96. Main control unit 20 connects to household appliance 10 via up to five function lines. Communication connection 108 via communication interface 94 has three function lines. Power supply connection 202 via power supply interface 96 has two function lines.

[0043] The main control unit 20 is located outside the cooling zones 80 and 98 of the household appliance 28, specifically outside the refrigerator compartment 34, the freezer compartment 36, and the crisper compartment 38. The cooling zones 80 and 98 of the household appliance 28 are separated from the main control unit 20 at least by an insulating component 304 (e.g., insulating foam).

[0044] The connections 204 between interface unit 12 and electrical functional components 16 have at least partially different numbers of function lines. The connection 204 between interface unit 12 and temperature sensor 22 includes two function lines. The connection 204 between interface unit 12 and fan unit 206 includes four function lines. The connection 204 between interface unit 12 and defrost heating unit 208 includes two function lines. When using a damper (e.g., for air exchange between compartments of household appliance 28), the connection between interface unit 12 and the damper has an additional six function lines. In this case, the redundant lines should not be considered as function lines. A function line may have only one or more conductors.

[0045] The configuration parameter is the communication address, more precisely, the DBus address. The connection status includes information about the temperature sensor 22 connected to the interface unit 12. The connection status also includes information about the occupancy of the analog input ports 24, 52, 54, and 56 of the interface unit 12. Alternatively or additionally, the connection status of the interface unit 12 may also include information about the occupancy of the connection terminal 14 of the interface unit 12, which is different from the analog input ports 24, 52, 54, and 56, for example, through other functional components 16 or the like of the frost-free device 26.

[0046] The identification unit 18 is configured to determine at least one usage parameter based on the connection status of the interface unit 12, and to determine and / or set configuration parameters based on the usage parameter. The usage parameter is a location parameter and / or a refrigeration system parameter.

[0047] Location parameters are information about the arrangement of the control unit 74 or the household appliance device 10 within the household appliance 28, such as which compartment the control unit 74 or the household appliance device 10 is located in and / or its position within that compartment. Refrigeration system parameters include information about the refrigeration system of the household appliance 28, i.e., operating parameters for the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator 76, or the like. Alternatively, for household appliances 28 constructed differently from household refrigeration appliances 84, other types of parameters may be involved. The identification unit 18 retrieves configuration parameters from usage parameters, for example, according to a table or similar stored in the identification unit 18.

[0048] Interface unit 12 has an encoding unit 46 for error-proof contact of the connection terminals 14 of interface unit 12, i.e., for error-proof contact between analog input ports 24, 52, 54, 56 and temperature sensor 22. Encoding unit 46 has one encoding element 58 for each analog input port 24, 52, 54, 56, i.e., four encoding elements 58. Encoding unit 46 is constructed as a mechanical encoding unit, wherein the encoding elements 58 encode the analog input ports 24, 52, 54, 56 for connecting to temperature sensor 22 through their different forms. Temperature sensor 22 has a plug (not shown) for connecting to interface unit 12, wherein the plug has a form corresponding to one of the encoding elements 58, thereby ensuring that temperature sensor 22 can only be connected to the analog input port 24 configured for this purpose.

[0049] The temperature sensor 22 of the frost-free device 26 is connected to the analog input port 24. Due to the encoding unit 66, the temperature sensor 22 cannot be connected to any of the other analog input ports 52, 54, or 56. The temperature sensor 22 is assigned to the freezer compartment 36.

[0050] The household appliance 10 has a heating unit 86 for heating the electronic unit 82 of the household appliance 10. The heating unit 86 is different from the defrosting heating unit 208. At least the control unit 74, the interface unit 12, and the circuit board 72 are part of the electronic unit 82. The heating unit 86 is configured to heat the electronic unit 82 such that the temperature of the electronic unit 82 is above the dew point during the defrosting phase of the frost-free device 26. The fact that the electronic unit 82 heats up to a temperature below the dew point during the defrosting phase due to heat loss during its operation should not be understood as heating the electronic unit 82 by the heating unit 86.

[0051] At least a portion of the heating unit 86 is formed by an assembly of the electronic unit 82. This assembly is configured as a power switch 88. The power switch 88 is configured as a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch. The power switch 88 is arranged on the circuit board 72.

[0052] The heating unit 86 has two active heating elements 90, which are configured as ohmic heating elements. Alternatively, the heating unit 86 may also have only one active heating element 90, more than two active heating elements 90, and / or be formed solely by active heating elements 90. Furthermore, the heating unit 86 may also lack active heating elements 90. Alternatively, the active heating elements 90 may be configured as infrared heating elements, induction heating elements, or the like. "Active heating element" should be understood as a heating element primarily or solely used for heating.

[0053] These heating elements 90 are arranged in the cold zones of the circuit board 72. The location of these cold zones depends on the arrangement of the household appliance 10 in the household appliance 28 and / or the arrangement of the components of the electronic unit 82 on the circuit board 72. These cold zones are arranged spaced apart from the power switch 88. These cold zones correspond to areas of the circuit board 72 where the temperature during operation is at least 30% lower than the temperature of the hottest part of the circuit board 72.

[0054] The heating power of the heating unit 86 can be set by the control unit 74. The control unit 74 is configured to control the heating power according to temperature parameters. The household appliance 10 has an electronic unit temperature sensor 106 for detecting the temperature of the electronic unit 82 (specifically the circuit board 72). The temperature detected by the electronic unit temperature sensor 106 corresponds to temperature parameters. The electronic unit temperature sensor 106 is arranged on the circuit board 72. The heating power of the heating unit 86 can be adjusted by controlling the active heating element 90. Alternatively or additionally, the heating power can be set by selectively inefficiently operating the power switch 88. The control unit 74 is configured to heat the electronic unit 82 during the defrosting phase of the evaporator 76. Alternatively or additionally, the heating unit 86 can also be controlled by the main control unit 20.

[0055] Electronic unit 82 is arranged in the proximal region of evaporator 76. Electronic unit 82 and evaporator 76 are arranged in a common and continuous space, wherein the area between electronic unit 82 and evaporator 76 may be without a separating component. The proximal region of evaporator 76 extends from evaporator 76 for example, up to 50 cm, preferably up to 30 cm, and particularly preferably up to 20 cm.

[0056] The second frost-free device 32 of the two frost-free devices 26 and 32 is arranged in the refrigerator compartment 34 and has an additional household appliance device 30. The additional household appliance device 30 is constructed identically to household appliance device 10, that is, it is constructed as another household refrigeration appliance device 302 and has an additional interface unit 66 for connecting to functional components. The additional household appliance device 30 is arranged in the refrigerator compartment 34 (in... Figure 4 In the image, for better clarity, additional household appliance components 30 are shown separated from the refrigerator compartment 34. These functional components are formed by the electrical functional components 60 of the second frost-free device 32, which include two temperature sensors 64, a fan unit, and a defrosting heating unit. Apart from the temperature sensors 64, the electrical functional components 60 of the second frost-free device 32... Figure 4 The image is schematically shown as block 62. Furthermore, the second frost-free device 32 has an additional evaporator 102. The functional components of these frost-free devices 26, 32 may be at least partially different from or the same as each other, for example, in terms of quantity, power characteristics, and / or similar aspects.

[0057] The interface unit 12 of the household appliance 10 has at least one additional communication interface 306 and energy supply interface 308 for connection to another household appliance 30. The other household appliance 30 is connected to the main control unit 20 via the household appliance 10 in terms of energy supply technology and / or communication technology. The evaporator 76 of the frost-free device 26 and the additional evaporator 102 of the additional frost-free device 32 correspond to evaporators in the household appliance 28 that are configured as part of the refrigeration system of the household appliance 28 to provide refrigeration and / or freezing functions. Alternatively, the household appliance 28 may have only one evaporator 76, 102 and form evaporators for multiple frost-free devices 26, 32, i.e., for example, for frost-free device 26 and the additional frost-free device 32.

[0058] The fresh-keeping compartment 38 and the refrigerator compartment 34 are arranged in a continuous additional refrigeration zone 98. The additional refrigeration zone 98 is defined by an additional air circulation zone defined by a fan unit of an additional frost-free device 32, which passes through the fresh-keeping compartment 38 and the refrigerator compartment 34.

[0059] One of the two temperature sensors 64 is connected to the analog input port 68 of another interface unit 66, and the other temperature sensor 64 is connected to another analog input port 70 of another interface unit 70. Temperature sensor 64 is assigned to the refrigerator compartment 34, and the other temperature sensor 64 is assigned to the fresh food compartment 38.

[0060] Figure 5 A schematic flow diagram of a method for setting up and / or operating household appliance 28 is shown. In one method step, particularly in installation step 40, functional components 16, 60 of the two frost-free units 26, 32 are connected to household appliance devices 10, 30 and main control unit 20. In another method step, particularly in configuration step 42, configuration parameters for communication between household appliance device 10 and main control unit 20 are determined and set based on the connection status of interface unit 12. This is similarly performed for the other household appliance device 30 in configuration step 42. That is, at least one configuration parameter for communication between the other household appliance device 30 and main control unit 20 is determined and set based on the connection status of another interface unit 66 of the other household appliance device 30, via another identification unit (not shown here) of the other household appliance device 30.

[0061] In the additional method steps, particularly in step 44, the household appliance 28 is operated, wherein the main control unit 20 can communicate with the household appliance device 10 and the other household appliance device 30 via configuration parameters that are respectively obtained and set. Functional unit 92 is controlled by the household appliance device 10.

[0062] In heating step 104, the electronic unit 82 is heated. Heating step 104 is carried out during the defrosting stage of the evaporator 76. This is also similarly carried out in another household appliance device 30.

[0063] Figure 6 The connection between the appliance device 110 of the household appliance 128 and the temperature sensor 122 of the frost-free device 126 of the household appliance 128 is schematically shown. The temperature sensor 122 is part of the electrical functional component 116 of the frost-free device 126.

[0064] Household appliance 128 is configured as a household refrigeration appliance having a refrigerator compartment 134, a fresh food compartment 138, and a freezer compartment 136. The refrigeration zone defined by the refrigerator compartment 134 and the fresh food compartment 138 is connected to the refrigeration zone defined by the freezer compartment 136 via a damper 148 of the household appliance 128. The damper 148 is part of a functional component 116 of the frost-free device 126. Other electrical functional components 116 (such as a defrosting heating unit and a fan unit) are also present. Figure 6The diagram is schematically shown as block 162. Household appliance 128 has only one frost-free device 126, which has household appliance device 110 arranged in the freezer compartment 136 (in...). Figure 6 In the image, for better clarity, the household appliance 110 is shown as spaced apart from the freezer compartment 136.

[0065] The frost-free device 126 has three temperature sensors 122 connected to the household appliance device 110, more specifically to the analog input ports 124, 152, and 154 of the interface unit 112 of the household appliance device 110. The identification unit of the household appliance device 110 determines which compartment the household appliance device 110 is located in based on the occupancy status of the interface unit 112 (i.e., based on the inserted temperature sensors 122), and accordingly sets the configuration parameters for communication with the main control unit of the household appliance 128.

[0066] Figure Labels 10, 110 Household appliances Interface units 12 and 112 14, 114 connection terminals 16, 116 Functional Components 18, 118 identification units 20 Main Control Unit 22, 122 Temperature Sensors 24, 124 analog input ports 26, 126 Frost-free devices 28, 128 Household Appliances 30 Household appliances 32 Frost-free device 34. Refrigerator compartment 36 Freezer compartment 38 Fresh Food Storage Room 40 Installation Steps 42 Configuration Steps 44. Operating Steps 46 coding units 148 Air damper 50 pieces 52, 152 Analog Input Ports 54, 154 Analog Input Ports 56, 156 Analog Input Ports 58 coding elements 60 functional components 62,162 pieces 64 Temperature Sensor 66 Interface Unit 68 Analog Input Ports 70 Analog Input Port 72 Circuit Board 74 Control Unit 76 Evaporator 78 Household Refrigeration Appliances 80 Cooling Zone 82 electronic units 84 Household Refrigeration Appliances 86 heating units 88 Power Switch 90 Heating element 92 Functional Units 94 Communication Interface 96 Energy Supply Interface 98 Cooling Zone 100 sensor units 102 Evaporator 104 Heating Steps 106 Electronic Unit Temperature Sensor 108 Communication Connections 202 Energy Supply Connection 204 Function Line 206 Fan Unit 208 Defrosting Heating Unit 302 Household Refrigeration Appliances 304 Isolation Component 306 Communication Interface 308 Power Supply Interface

Claims

1. A household refrigeration appliance device (78) for placement in a refrigeration zone (80) of a household refrigeration appliance (84), the household refrigeration appliance device having a control unit (74) for controlling at least one functional unit (92) and an interface unit (12, 112) for connecting the control unit (74) to a main control unit (20) of the household refrigeration appliance (84).

2. The household refrigeration appliance (78) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interface unit has at least one connection end (14) for the functional unit (92).

3. The household refrigeration appliance (78) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A circuit board (72) is provided, on which the interface unit and the control unit (74) are arranged.

4. The household refrigeration appliance (78) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The interface unit has only one communication interface (94) and one power supply interface (96) for connecting to the main control unit (20).

5. The household refrigeration appliance (78) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The interface unit has at least one communication interface and / or energy supply interface for connection to another household refrigeration appliance (302).

6. The household refrigeration appliance (78) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, An identification unit (18, 118) is provided, which is configured to obtain and / or set at least one configuration parameter for communicating with the main control unit (20) based on the connection status of the interface unit (12, 112).

7. The household refrigeration appliance (78) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A heating unit (86) is provided with an electronic unit (82) for heating the household refrigeration appliance (78), wherein the electronic unit (82) includes at least the interface unit (12, 112) and the control unit (74).

8. A frost-free device (26, 32, 126) having a household refrigeration appliance device according to any one of the preceding claims and having the functional unit (92).

9. The frost-free device (26, 32, 126) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The functional unit (92) includes a defrosting heating unit (208), a fan unit (206), and / or a sensor unit (100).

10. A household refrigeration appliance (84) having a household refrigeration appliance device (78) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a main control unit (20) connected to the control unit (74).

11. The household refrigeration appliance (84) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The main control unit (20) is connected to the household refrigeration appliance (78) via up to five function lines.

12. The household refrigeration appliance (84) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, At least one additional household refrigeration appliance (302) is provided, wherein the additional household refrigeration appliance (302) is connected to the main control unit (20) via the household refrigeration appliance (78) in terms of energy supply technology and / or communication technology.

13. The household refrigeration appliance (84) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The main control unit (20) is located outside the refrigeration area.

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