Refrigeration appliance with an ice or water dispenser

Abstract

Refrigeration appliance (102, 104) with an ice dispenser (112) or a water dispenser (114), wherein a thermal bridge (510) connects the ice dispenser (112) or the water dispenser (114) to an outer surface section (512) of the refrigeration appliance (102, 104) in a thermally conductive manner, the thermal bridge (510) having a thermally conductive element (508) which is in thermally conductive contact with an ice dispenser housing (300) of the ice dispenser (112) or a water dispenser housing (400) of the water dispenser (114), the thermally conductive element (508) having a film, characterized in that the film is an aluminum adhesive tape (600).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser or a water dispenser. Furthermore, the invention relates to a refrigeration appliance assembly comprising two refrigeration appliances, the first of which has an ice dispenser and the second of which has a water dispenser.

[0002] Refrigeration appliances, particularly those designed as household appliances, are well known and are used for housekeeping in households or in the catering sector to store perishable food and / or beverages at specific temperatures.

[0003] Such refrigeration appliances are increasingly being equipped with an ice dispenser for dispensing ice cubes and / or crushed / shredded ice. Furthermore, such refrigeration appliances are also being equipped with a water dispenser for dispensing chilled water. Due to the temperature difference between the external surfaces of the ice or water dispenser and the air temperature, humidity can condense on the water dispenser. To prevent such condensation, it is known to arrange anti-condensation heating at critical points on the external surfaces of the ice or water dispenser. However, such anti-condensation heating increases the energy consumption of the refrigeration appliance. The same applies when two refrigeration appliances are combined to form a refrigeration appliance ensemble, with one of the refrigeration appliances having an ice dispenser and the other a water dispenser.

[0004] US 2012 / 061051 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a heated dispenser positioned in a recess of an outer wall of the refrigerator, the dispenser having a dispenser housing with a heating element that maintains the temperature of the dispenser housing above the dew point of the ambient air.

[0005] It is therefore the object underlying the invention to provide a refrigeration appliance or a refrigeration appliance ensemble with reduced energy consumption.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] The present invention is based on the finding that the energy consumption of such a refrigeration device can be reduced if heat is transferred from the door panel to the critical points.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration appliance in which a thermal bridge connects the ice dispenser or the water dispenser to an outer surface section of the refrigeration appliance in a heat-conducting manner. This achieves the technical advantage that, using simple means, the temperature of the ice dispenser and the water dispenser, particularly at critical points, is raised to a value at which no condensation of atmospheric moisture occurs. Thus, in the case of an ice dispenser, for example, an anti-condensation heater can be operated with reduced heating output since the anti-condensation heater is supported by the heat input via the thermal bridge. In the case of a water dispenser, however, the installation of an anti-condensation heater can be omitted entirely, which simplifies production.

[0009] A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to be a household appliance, i.e. a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management in households or in the catering sector and is used in particular to store food and / or beverages at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a fridge-freezer combination, a freezer chest or a wine refrigerator.

[0010] According to the invention, the thermal bridge comprises a heat-conducting element that is in heat-conducting contact with an ice dispenser housing of the ice dispenser or a water dispenser housing of the water dispenser. This achieves the technical advantage that the heat-conducting element improves heat transfer and thus reliably prevents condensation of air humidity.

[0011] According to the invention, the heat-conducting element comprises a foil. This achieves the technical advantage that, due to the easy deformability of the foil, it can be adapted to the contour of the sections to be connected by the thermal bridge. This can improve the thermal conductivity of the thermal bridge. The foil can form the thermal bridge together with a heat-conducting element, with the foil and the heat-conducting element being arranged in series, one behind the other, in the direction of heat transfer.

[0012] According to the invention, the foil is an aluminum adhesive tape. This achieves the technical advantage that the aluminum ensures good heat transfer. In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat-conducting element comprises a sheet metal part. This achieves the technical advantage that the heat-conducting element can be easily manufactured, e.g., by punching and forming.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part is made of aluminum. This provides the technical advantage that the heat-conducting element can be manufactured from an inexpensive and easily machined material with good thermal conductivity.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the film and / or the heat-conducting element are designed in a mesh pattern. This achieves the technical advantage that the film and / or the heat-conducting element can be formed with openings rather than a full-surface surface. This achieves material savings.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat-conducting element is a coating on the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing. This achieves the technical advantage that the coating adapts to the contour of the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing during application, thus improving the thermal conductivity of the thermal bridge. Furthermore, the coating eliminates the need to install a heat-conducting element. A material with a thermal conductivity comparable to that of aluminum, for example, can be used as the coating material.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat-conducting element has a contact surface that is in surface contact with the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing. This achieves the technical advantage that the surface contact with the contact surface improves the thermal conductivity of the thermal bridge.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing has at least one rear wall that is in contact with the contact surface. This achieves the technical advantage that the contact surface can be made particularly large, since the rear wall of the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing is the surface section with the largest area of ​​the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing. This further improves the thermal conductivity of the thermal bridge.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the contact surface has a beveled section. This achieves the technical advantage of improving the thermal conductivity of the heat-conducting element, since the beveled section allows heat to be conducted to critical areas where the tendency for humidity to condense is particularly high.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the refrigeration appliance with the ice dispenser has a freezer door, or the refrigeration appliance with the water dispenser has a refrigerator door, wherein the freezer door or the refrigerator door forms the outer surface section at least in sections. This achieves the technical advantage that heat can be transferred from the freezer door or the refrigerator door through the thermal bridge.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the freezer door or refrigerator door has a door panel, with the door panel forming the outer surface section at least in part. This achieves the technical advantage that ambient heat from the surroundings of the refrigeration appliance can be transferred through the thermal bridge to the critical points where air humidity can condense. This allows the ambient heat to be used to prevent air humidity from condensing.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat-conducting element is integrally connected to the water dispensing housing. This achieves the technical advantage that no fastening elements, such as screws or nuts, need to be kept ready and installed during assembly. This reduces manufacturing and logistics costs, as no such fastening elements need to be stored and provided for assembly.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the heat-conducting element is bonded to the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing by adhesive bonding. This achieves the technical advantage that the heat-conducting element can be attached to the ice dispenser housing or the water dispenser housing using simple means. In particular, no heating of the components, as is required with welding or soldering, is required, which further simplifies production.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration appliance ensemble comprising two refrigeration appliances, of which the first refrigeration appliance has an ice dispenser and the second refrigeration appliance has a water dispenser, wherein a thermal bridge connects the ice dispenser or the water dispenser to an outer surface section of the refrigeration appliance in a heat-conducting manner, the thermal bridge having a heat-conducting element which is in heat-conducting contact with an ice dispenser housing of the ice dispenser or a water dispenser housing of the water dispenser, wherein the heat-conducting element has a film, characterized in that the film is an aluminum adhesive tape. This also achieves the technical advantage that, with simple means, the temperature of the ice dispenser and the water dispenser, in particular at critical points, is raised to a value at which no condensation of air humidity occurs. Thus, in the case of, for example,For an ice dispenser, an anti-condensation heater can be operated at reduced heat output, as the anti-condensation heater is supported by the heat input via the thermal bridge. In the case of a water dispenser, however, the installation of an anti-condensation heater can be omitted entirely, simplifying production.

[0024] Further embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a front view of a refrigeration appliance ensemble, comprising a first refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser and a second refrigeration appliance with a water dispenser, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the ice cream dispenser of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the inner door of a refrigeration appliance with a water dispenser, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the water outlet of the Fig. 1, Fig. 5 the door panel of the interior door of the Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a detailed representation of the Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a heat conducting element, and Fig. 8 a door panel of an interior door of an ice cream dispenser.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows two refrigerators as exemplary embodiments of a first refrigeration appliance 102 and a second refrigeration appliance 104, which together form a refrigeration appliance ensemble 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first refrigeration appliance 102 is designed as a freezer and the second refrigeration appliance 104 as a refrigerator.

[0026] The first refrigeration appliance 102 has a freezer door 106 on its front side 110. By opening the freezer door 106, an interior of the first refrigeration appliance 102 can be accessed for storing or removing frozen goods. An ice dispenser 112 is located on the outside, i.e., accessible when the freezer door 106 is closed. The ice dispenser 112 is designed to dispense water ice cubes and / or crushed ice.

[0027] Like the first refrigeration appliance 102, the second refrigeration appliance 104 has a refrigerator door 108 on its front side 110. By opening the refrigerator door 108, an interior of the second refrigeration appliance 104 can also be accessed in order to store or remove refrigerated goods. A water dispenser 114 is located on the outside, i.e., accessible when the refrigerator door 108 is closed. The water dispenser 114 is designed to dispense chilled, liquid water.

[0028] Both refrigeration devices 102, 104 each have a refrigerant circuit with an evaporator (not shown), a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown) and a throttle device (not shown) for cooling frozen or refrigerated goods.

[0029] The evaporator is designed as a heat exchanger in which, after expansion, the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the medium to be cooled, i.e. air inside the refrigerator.

[0030] The compressor is a mechanically driven component that extracts refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and expels it to the condenser at a higher pressure.

[0031] The condenser is designed as a heat exchanger in which, after compression, the evaporated refrigerant is liquefied by releasing heat to an external cooling medium, i.e. the ambient air.

[0032] The throttle device is a device for continuously reducing the pressure by reducing the cross-section.

[0033] The refrigerant is a fluid used for heat transfer in the refrigeration system, which absorbs heat at low temperatures and low pressure of the fluid and releases heat at higher temperatures and higher pressure of the fluid, usually involving changes in the state of the fluid.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows the ice dispenser 112. The ice dispenser 112 has an ice dispenser housing 200, which in the present embodiment was made of plastic by injection molding. The ice dispenser housing 200 has two opposing side walls 202, a rear wall 204, a ceiling 206, and a floor 208.

[0035] An ice dispensing opening 212 is arranged in the ceiling 206, through which water ice cubes and / or crushed ice can be dispensed. This process can be triggered by actuating an actuating lever 210, which is pivotably mounted on the ceiling 206 in the depth direction Y of the refrigeration device and actuates a microswitch (not shown) that is connected to a control (not shown) of the ice dispensing unit 112 to transmit control signals, in order to effect the dispensing of water ice cubes and / or crushed ice.

[0036] A collecting tray 214 is provided in the base 208 for collecting meltwater. The collecting tray 214 is lined with a cover 216 arranged above the collecting tray 214, which can be removed to clean the collecting tray 214. In the present embodiment, the cover 216 is also made of plastic by injection molding.

[0037] In the present embodiment, both the rear wall 204 and the cover 216 are designed as water-conducting surfaces that direct meltwater into the collecting tray 214. To improve water conductivity and prevent the formation of water stains that impair the visual appearance, the rear wall 204 and the cover 216 are provided with a lotus coating in the present embodiment. To allow meltwater to enter the collecting tray 214, a gap 218 is formed between the cover 216 and the rear wall 304.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an inner door 300 of the refrigerator door 108 with the water outlet 114. A heat exchanger or water tank 302 is arranged in the inner door 300, which is in heat-conducting connection with the interior of the refrigeration device 100, so that the cooling of the interior caused by the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration device 100 simultaneously cools the water located in the water tank 302.

[0039] The water tank 302 is supplied with water via pipes (not shown) that establish a water-carrying connection to a house's water supply network. Furthermore, the water tank 302 is connected to the water outlet 114 via additional pipes (not shown), which form a further water-carrying connection for supplying chilled liquid water to the water outlet 114.

[0040] The water tank 302 is covered with a water tank cover 304, which, together with the inner door 300, forms a flat surface. Thus, a door rack 306 for storing additional refrigerated goods can be arranged in the area of ​​the water tank 302 covered with the water tank cover 304.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the water dispenser 114. Since the structure of the ice dispenser 112 in the present embodiment is similar to the structure of the water dispenser 114, the following explanations also apply analogously to the ice dispenser housing 300 of the ice dispenser 112.

[0042] The water dispenser 114 has a water dispenser housing 400, which in the present embodiment was injection-molded from plastic. The water dispenser housing 400 has two opposing side walls 402, a rear wall 404, a top 406, and a bottom 408.

[0043] A dispensing opening 412 is arranged in the ceiling 406, through which chilled liquid water can be dispensed. This process can be triggered by actuating an actuating lever (not shown), which actuates a microswitch (not shown) that is connected to a control (not shown) of the water dispensing device 114 in order to transmit control signals, in order to effect the dispensing of water. A collecting tray 414 is provided in the floor 408, in which dripping water can collect. In the case of an ice dispenser 102, however, an ice dispensing opening 212 (see Fig. 2) is provided.

[0044] In particular, in the transition areas between the side walls 402, the rear wall 404 and the floor 408, i.e. in the edges and corners between them, there are critical points 416 where condensation of atmospheric moisture can occur.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a door panel 500 of the interior door 300. The water outlet housing 400 of the water outlet 114 is connected to the door panel 500. A connecting line 502 is provided to supply water to the water outlet 114, which establishes a fluid-conducting connection to a water exchanger (not shown). The water tank, in turn, is connected to a supply line 504 for supplying water to the water tank.

[0046] A recess liner or sealing element 506 is inserted between the water dispensing housing 400 and the recess 116, which in the present embodiment is designed in a ring shape surrounding the recess 116.

[0047] A heat-conducting element 508 is applied to the rear wall 404 of the water dispensing housing 400. In the present embodiment, it is firmly bonded to the rear wall 404 by adhesive. The heat-conducting element 508 is in thermally conductive contact with the rear wall 404 of the water dispensing housing 400 and thus forms a thermal bridge 510 between the water dispensing housing 400 and the heat-conducting element 508.

[0048] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the thermal bridge 510 further comprises an aluminum adhesive tape 600. The aluminum adhesive tape 600 connects the water dispenser housing 400 to the door panel 500. Thus, in the present embodiment, the thermal bridge 510 is extended by the aluminum adhesive tape 600 and now connects the door panel 500 to the heat-conducting element 508. The door panel 500 thus represents an outer surface section 512 of the refrigeration device 100, which is thermally connected to the water dispenser 114 via the thermal bridge 510.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the heat-conducting element 508. In the present embodiment, the heat-conducting element 508 is made of aluminum and has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 3 mm, e.g., 1 mm. The heat-conducting element 508 has a contact surface 700 and a beveled section 702. In the present embodiment, the contact surface 700 is designed such that it rests completely against the rear wall 404 of the water dispensing housing 400, thus ensuring optimal heat transfer from the heat-conducting element 508 to the water dispensing housing 400. In the present embodiment, the beveled section 702 of the heat-conducting element 508 is designed such that, in the assembled state, it extends into the region of the base 408 of the water dispensing housing 400.This ensures optimal heat transfer from the heat-conducting element 508 to the bottom of the water dispensing housing 400, in the area of ​​which there are critical points 416 where air humidity can condense.

[0050] Thus, the thermal bridge 510, formed in the present embodiment from the thermally conductive element 508 and the aluminum adhesive tape 600, creates a thermally conductive connection between the water dispenser housing 400 of the water dispenser 114 and the door panel 500 of the refrigerator door 108, allowing heat from the surroundings of the refrigeration appliance 100 to pass through the thermal bridge 510 to the critical points 416, thereby raising the temperature there to values ​​at which no condensation of air humidity occurs. Thus, in the case of the water dispenser 104 in the present embodiment, an anti-condensation heater can be dispensed with.

[0051] Fig.8 shows a further embodiment of the heat conducting element 508, which is arranged on an ice dispenser housing 300 of an ice dispenser 112.

[0052] Here, analogous to the ice dispenser 102, a heat-conducting element 508 adapted to the ice dispenser housing 300 is used together with an aluminum adhesive tape 600 to form a heat bridge 510, creating a heat-conducting connection between the ice dispenser housing 300 of the ice dispenser 112 and the door panel 500 of the freezer door 106, so that heat from the surroundings of the refrigeration appliance 100 can be transferred through the heat bridge 510. Thus, by transferring heat from the surroundings of the refrigeration appliance 100, the heating power with which an anti-condensation heater 800 is operated can be reduced to prevent condensation of air humidity. This can reduce energy consumption. List of reference symbols 100 refrigeration appliance ensemble 102 first refrigeration device 104 second refrigeration device 106 Freezer door 108 Refrigerator door 110 Front of the refrigeration unit 112 Ice cream dispenser 114 Water dispensing 116 recess 200 ice dispenser housings 202 side wall 204 rear wall 206 Ceiling 208 Floor 210 operating lever 212 Ice dispensing opening 214 drip tray 216 Cover 218 gap 300 interior door 302 Water tank 304 Water tank cover 306 door racks 400 water dispenser housings 402 side wall 404 rear wall 406 Ceiling 408 floor 412 Dispensing opening 414 drip tray 416 critical point 500 door panels 502 connecting line 504 supply line 506 sealing element 508 Heat conducting element 510 thermal bridge 512 outer surface section 600 aluminum adhesive tape 700 contact area 702 beveled section 800 anti-condensation heating

Claims

[1] Refrigeration device (102, 104) with an ice dispenser (112) or a water dispenser (114), wherein a heat bridge (510) connects the ice dispenser (112) or the water dispenser (114) to an outer surface section (512) of the refrigeration device (102, 104) in a heat-conducting manner, the heat bridge (510) having a heat-conducting element (508) which is in heat-conducting contact with an ice dispenser housing (300) of the ice dispenser (112) or a water dispenser housing (400) of the water dispenser (114), the heat-conducting element (508) having a film, characterized by that the film is an aluminum adhesive tape (600). [2] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to claim 1, characterized by that the heat-conducting element (508) comprises a sheet metal part. [3] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to claim 2, characterized by that the sheet metal part is made of aluminum. [4] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the film and / or the heat-conducting element (508) is net-shaped. [5] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the heat conducting element (508) is a coating on the ice dispensing housing (300) or the water dispensing housing (400). [6] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the heat-conducting element (508) has a contact surface (700) which is in planar contact with the ice dispensing housing (300) or a water dispensing housing (400). [7] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to claim 6, characterized by that the ice dispensing housing (300) or the water dispensing housing (400) has at least one rear wall (404) which is in contact with the contact surface (700). [8] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the contact surface (700) has a beveled section (702). [9] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the refrigeration appliance (102) with the ice dispenser (112) has a freezer door (106) or the refrigeration appliance (104) with the water dispenser (114) has a refrigerator door (108), wherein the freezer door (106) or the refrigerator door (108) forms the outer surface section (512) at least in sections. [10] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to claim 9, characterized by that the freezer door (106) or the refrigerator door (108) has a door panel (500), wherein the door panel (500) forms at least in sections the outer surface section (512). [11] Refrigeration device (102, 104) according to claim 10, characterized by that the heat-conducting element (508) is integrally connected to the ice dispensing housing (300) or the water dispensing housing (400). [12] Refrigeration device ensemble (100), comprising two refrigeration devices (102, 104), of which the first refrigeration device (102) is an ice dispenser (112) and the second refrigeration device (114) is a water dispenser (114), wherein a thermal bridge (510) connects the ice dispenser (112) or the water dispenser (114) to an outer surface section (512) of the refrigeration device (102, 104) in a thermally conductive manner, the thermal bridge (510) having a thermally conductive element (508) which is in thermally conductive contact with an ice dispenser housing (300) of the ice dispenser (112) or a water dispenser housing (400) of the water dispenser (114), the thermally conductive element (508) having a film, characterized by that the film is an aluminum adhesive tape (600).

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