Refrigerator and / or freezer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with a cooled interior, which has a usable space for storing cooled and / or frozen goods, and with a partition plate located in the cooled interior, which is arranged such that the partition plate separates the usable space from a further area of ​​the cooled interior that does not constitute a usable space, wherein the partition plate is formed partially or completely by an extruded element.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with a cooled interior, which has a usable space for storing cooled and / or frozen goods, and with a partition plate located in the cooled interior, which is arranged in such a way that the partition plate separates the usable space from a further area of ​​the cooled interior, which preferably does not constitute a usable space.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to provide a vertical partition plate in a cooled interior of a refrigerator and / or freezer, which serves, for example, as a separation of an air duct from the usable space.

[0003] Each length and height variant of this vertical separating plate requires its own tools for manufacturing the separating plate, which is associated with correspondingly high tooling costs.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a cooling and / or freezing appliance of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that its manufacture is simplified and made cheaper compared to known appliances.

[0005] This problem is solved by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 1.

[0006] The design stipulates that the separating plate is formed partially or completely by an extruded element. Unlike devices known from the prior art, an extrusion profile is thus used.

[0007] Preferably, this is a large-area cover for the cooled interior produced by extrusion, which is attached, for example, in front of the rear wall of the interior.

[0008] The invention includes the fact that the separating plate consists entirely of the aforementioned extrusion profile.

[0009] However, the invention also covers the case where the separating plate consists only partially of the aforementioned extruded profile. For example, it is conceivable that the separating plate comprises a base body and one or more further elements, and only the entire base body or a part thereof is designed as an extruded profile.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separating plate is arranged vertically. However, the invention also includes other embodiments, such as inclined or slanted versions or arrangements of this separating plate.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the cooled interior space is limited by an inner container and by the inside of a closure element, in particular a door, wherein the inner container has a rear wall and wherein the partition plate is positioned in front of the rear wall.

[0012] The partition plate can be attached to the rear wall of the inner container. However, other fastening options are also conceivable and included in the invention, such as fixing it to an element other than the inner container.

[0013] In principle, it is also conceivable that the partition plate is attached to a different wall than the back wall of the inner container, such as the ceiling, the floor or one of the side walls.

[0014] The further area according to the invention can represent or include an air duct. In this case, the partition plate thus serves to separate the usable space from one or more air ducts, one of which preferably flows through the partition plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the device may be designed to have a refrigerant circuit that includes an evaporator, and the evaporator may be located in the wider area. For example, it is conceivable that an evaporator, serving to cool the interior, is positioned upstream of the rear wall of the cooled interior. A partition, preferably a vertical one, may be positioned upstream of the evaporator. In this case, it serves as an evaporator cover.

[0016] The partition plate preferably extends over the entire width and / or height of the rear wall or other wall of the inner container. However, the invention also includes the possibility that the partition plate does not extend over the entire width and / or height of the rear wall or other wall of the inner container.

[0017] It is also conceivable that both options – the design as an air duct and the design as a mounting area for the evaporator – are combined. This allows the additional space to be used both as an evaporator mounting area and as an air duct. In this case, the air cooled by the evaporator can enter the cooled interior, for example, through the air duct(s) or through openings.

[0018] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the device has a fan located in the wider section. This wider section could therefore also contain a fan whose function, for example, is to guide air over the evaporator or through the air duct. The air cooled by the evaporator is then introduced into the cooled interior at a suitable point, e.g., through openings in the partition plate.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more fastening elements are arranged on the partition plate. These fastening elements can serve to fasten the partition plate itself.

[0020] They can also be used to mount other elements, such as rails or other support elements for shelves, etc., to the partition plate.

[0021] It is conceivable that the fasteners are elements extruded in one piece with the separating plate, or that the fasteners are connected to the separating plate by a joining technique, in particular by welding, such as vibration welding or ultrasonic welding, or by gluing, i.e., are connected to the separating plate after it has been extruded.

[0022] In the first case, the fasteners are extruded along with the rest of the machine, thus simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0023] However, it is also conceivable that the simplest starting point is an extruded plate, which, after the extrusion process, is fitted with fasteners and then mounted in the cooled interior or housing. These fasteners can be attached, for example, by gluing, welding, etc.

[0024] Furthermore, it may be provided that the separating plate is provided with a surface element or with any other coating that is co-extruded with the separating plate or exists as an element otherwise connected to the separating plate.

[0025] This surface element or coating can fulfill purely optical functions, i.e., result in a particularly appealing visual appearance. It is also conceivable that it could fulfill other functions alternatively or additionally, such as thermal insulation, radiation shielding, etc.

[0026] The surface element or coating can be, for example, a film or a straight or curved plate.

[0027] It is therefore conceivable, for example, that the extruded profile forms a base body which is covered by one or more coatings and / or surface elements. These can consist of a film, have a film, or be made of a sheet, etc.

[0028] Preferably, the film or plate follows the contour of the separating plate, at least on the side of the separating plate facing the user. If the separating plate is flat on its user-facing front surface, this preferably also applies to the film or plate. If the separating plate is curved on the user-facing side, for example, the film or plate can also have this contour, i.e., it can also be curved.

[0029] The surface element can be made of metal or contain metal. For example, a stainless steel plate or foil positioned on the side of the partition facing the usable space would be suitable.

[0030] In principle, it is conceivable that the surface element is applied directly to a base body of the separating plate, which is designed as an extruded profile. However, the invention also encompasses the case in which one or more further layers or layers of materials, such as a thermal insulation material, etc., are located between the surface element and a base body of the separating plate, which is designed as an extruded profile.

[0031] As explained in more detail above, one or more fastening elements can be located on the partition plate. These can be elements extruded with the partition plate or parts otherwise fixed to the partition plate.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the fastening elements are designed as locking elements or as barbs and / or that the fastening elements are arranged on the side facing the further area, i.e. on the side of the partition plate facing away from the usable space.

[0033] The locking elements or other fastening elements preferably serve to fasten the separating plate in the cooled interior in a way that is as tool-free, simple and releasable as possible.

[0034] Preferably, the fastening elements are designed as positive-locking fastening elements.

[0035] However, the invention also encompasses any other type of fastening of the partition plate, such as screwing, clamping, gluing, etc.

[0036] Preferably, the partition plate is detachably arranged so that it can be easily removed if necessary. This may be required, for example, to access an element located behind the partition plate, such as a fan or an evaporator.

[0037] Preferably, the fastening elements are designed to form a positive-locking or other connection with the inner container that defines the cooled interior space and / or with elements arranged therein.

[0038] Furthermore, it is conceivable that an insulating element is located in the wider area and that the fastening elements form a positive-locking or other connection with the insulating element.

[0039] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling and / or freezing appliance according to the invention, wherein the separating plate is extruded and the extrusion profile is cut to length when the desired length or height of the separating plate has been reached.

[0040] This is a significant advantage over prior art designs where a separate tool has to be manufactured for each dimension of a cooled interior or length, height and width of the partition plate.

[0041] According to the invention, this is no longer necessary. Instead, separating plates of different widths and lengths, i.e., different widths and heights when installed, can be produced using one and the same extrusion device. It is therefore also conceivable that different widths of separating plates can be produced using one and the same extrusion device.

[0042] Further advantages and preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below: Preferably, the partition plate serves as a vertical partition plate that is positioned in front of the rear wall of the cooled interior space or an inner container.

[0043] The partition plate is preferably a large-area cover for the interior produced by extrusion, which is preferably attached to or in front of the rear wall.

[0044] It enables the easy application of various surfaces in the inline extrusion process, such as metal applications.

[0045] As a simple embodiment, an extruded plate can be used, which is equipped with fastening elements, for example, and then mounted in the cooled interior.

[0046] Preferably, these fastening elements are located on the back of the partition panel, i.e., on the side of the partition panel facing the wider area and away from the usable space. Having the fastening elements on the back of the partition panel allows for a homogeneous, uniform, and visually appealing surface.

[0047] When manufacturing the component or separating plate as an extruded profile, the necessary fasteners can be extruded along with it. This means that the component, i.e., the separating plate with fasteners, can be installed after the profile has been cut to length without any additional effort.

[0048] In plastics extrusion, the desired color of the parting plate can be achieved by adding a color batch. It is also possible to easily apply different surface finishes inline during the extrusion process.

[0049] Such applications allow for the cost-effective application of desired surface colors and textures. In particular, it is possible to produce or apply real metal surfaces cost-effectively using thin foils, for example, with a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably with a thickness of 0.1 mm.

[0050] The surface element can also be made of a material other than metal, such as plastic or a combination of several materials.

[0051] The application of metal foils or other foils and layers can either be done in co-extrusion or after extrusion, for example with a hot melt adhesive.

[0052] Applying metal foils or other surfaces after the extrusion profile has been manufactured offers the advantage of increased flexibility, as the profile can be produced from the same extrusion tool both with and without application.

[0053] As explained above, the attached locking profiles or other fastening elements can serve both to secure the partition plate in the cooled interior or in the housing of the device and to fix attachments, such as insulation elements, for example in the form of polystyrene sheets.

[0054] By processing the extrusion profile after the extrusion process, it is easy to incorporate features such as air outlets for controlling airflows or contours for attachments, such as fans, air distributors or a horizontal separating plate.

[0055] As explained above, a significant advantage of the extrusion process is not only the reduced cost, but also the fact that any length variant of the profile can be produced by cutting it to length, thus enabling the production of separating plates for a wide variety of device heights.

[0056] It should be noted here that the terms "ein" and "eine" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements, although this is a possible interpretation, but can also denote a plurality of elements. Likewise, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and conversely, the singular also includes several of the elements in question.

[0057] Furthermore, all features of the invention described herein can be combined with one another or claimed separately from one another as desired.

[0058] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0059] They show: Fig. 1: A perspective view of a partition plate with two welded-on mounting profiles, which were also manufactured using an extrusion process, Fig. 2: A perspective view of a partition plate with integrated mounting contour and additionally incorporated features, Fig. 3: A perspective view of the inner container with an extruded partition in front of the rear wall of the inner container, Fig. 4: An enlarged view of the upper corner area of ​​the inner container with partition plate and fastening element according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5: a perspective view of a side area of ​​the extruded partition plate with fastening element and metal foil applied to the front.

[0060] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a separating plate 10 of a cooling and / or freezing appliance according to the invention, produced by an extrusion process.

[0061] The separating plate 10 has fastening profiles 20 on both sides of its reverse side, as shown above. These fastening profiles 20 were also manufactured by extrusion. They extend over the entire length of the separating plate 10.

[0062] The invention also includes the fact that the fastening profiles 20 extend only over a partial length of the partition plate 10 and / or that several fastening profiles 20 are present on each side of the plate 10.

[0063] As this is shown Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, both fastening profiles 20 have a web 30 rising vertically from the plate 10, from which two fastening webs 40, 50 extend. These run at an acute angle to the vertical web 30 and extend from it at different heights.

[0064] In principle, it is also conceivable to use the in Fig. 1 to produce the fastening profiles 20 shown in the same extrusion process as the separating plate 10 itself.

[0065] Fig. Figure 2 shows another perspective view of a partition plate with two laterally arranged mounting profiles 20. As also in Fig. 1. These can be subsequently attached to plate 10 or - as in Fig. 2 shown - to be co-extruded with plate 10.

[0066] Apart from that, the structure of the fasteners corresponds to 20 according to Fig. 2 according to Fig. 1.

[0067] Out of Fig. 2 further indicates that the plate 10 itself may contain cutouts or other manufactured designs and openings.

[0068] These can, for example, serve to introduce cold air flowing in the wider area, i.e., the area furthest from the usable space, into the cooled interior at different positions. These openings are located in Fig. 2 marked with reference numeral 55. The two openings 60 shown below serve to receive or fix a horizontal partition plate or other functional element.

[0069] Reference numeral 70 indicates a cutout located at the top of the separating plate 10, which serves as a receptacle for a fan.

[0070] Cutouts or other openings for other functions, such as lighting elements, are also conceivable in principle.

[0071] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the upper area of ​​an inner container 80 of a cooling and / or freezing appliance according to the present invention.

[0072] The inner container 80 has two opposing side walls S, each provided with ribs for receiving or placing shelves, drawers, etc. The reference symbol R designates the rear wall of the inner container 80.

[0073] The plate 10, produced as an extrusion profile, is positioned in front of this. The plate 10 thus divides the space bounded by the inner container 80 into a usable space 90 located in front of the plate 10, in which chilled or frozen goods can be placed, and into a further area 100 located behind the plate 10.

[0074] Out of Fig. 4 the detail of the upper rear corner according to Fig. 3 in more detail.

[0075] Reference numeral 10 again designates the vertical separating plate, which is manufactured as an extrusion profile.

[0076] This has the fastening profile 20 on its reverse side, i.e. on the side facing the further area 100.

[0077] In the further area 100 there is also an insulating molded part 110, which is located between the separating plate 10 and the rear wall R of the inner container 80.

[0078] The separating plate 10 is held such that the web 50 is supported against an undercut H. The undercut H is located in an area of ​​the inner container formed by an inward offset V of the side wall S, as shown by Fig. 4 emerges.

[0079] The further web 40 is supported by an undercut of the insulating molded part 110.

[0080] In this way, the vertical partition plate 10 can simply be inserted from the front until the two webs 40, 50 snap into place, with the web 50 reliably supporting the partition plate 10 on the inner container 80 and the web 40 reliably supporting the insulating molded part 110 on the partition plate 10.

[0081] Preferably, the two webs 40, 50 are resiliently designed so that they are compressed together during insertion and remain in their position. Fig. 4. The end positions shown are automatically pushed outwards so that they interact with the undercuts, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown.

[0082] Out of Fig. Figure 5 shows the fastening element 20 in detail. The web 30 extending vertically backwards from the plate 10 and the two webs 40, 50 extending from it at an acute angle are clearly visible.

[0083] How this will develop further Fig. As can be seen from Figure 5, the fastening element 20 in the case shown here is not attached subsequently, but is manufactured in one piece in a common extrusion process with the plate 10 or with the plate base body.

[0084] Out of Fig. 5 further indicates that a real metal foil 120 is applied to the front side, i.e., the side facing the usable space, of the plate 10, for example by gluing. The foil can have a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm and preferably less than 0.25 mm.

[0085] Instead of a foil, a real metal plate can also be used, for example.

[0086] The fastening elements 20 can also extend from the partition plate at other points. In principle, other fastening methods are also conceivable besides those shown in Fig. 5 shown.

[0087] Therefore, other profiles and grid geometries are also conceivable.

[0088] Instead of a locking mechanism, another fastening technique for the separating plate 10 is also possible, such as screwing or clamping the separating plate 10.

Claims

[1] A refrigerator and / or freezer with a cooled interior, which has a usable space for storing cooled and / or frozen goods, and with a partition plate located in the cooled interior, which is arranged in such a way that the partition plate separates the usable space from a further area of ​​the cooled interior, which preferably does not constitute a usable space, characterized by that the separating plate is formed partially or completely by an extruded element. [2] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1, characterized by that the partition plate is arranged vertically or at an angle. [3] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the cooled interior space is bounded by an inner container and by the inside of a closure element, in particular a door, wherein the inner container has a rear wall and wherein the partition plate is positioned in front of the rear wall. [4] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the further area represents or contains an air duct. [5] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device has a refrigerant circuit which includes an evaporator, and that the evaporator is located in the wider area. [6] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device has a fan located in the wider area. [7] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that one or more fastening elements are arranged on the separating plate and / or that one or more recesses are present in the separating plate, which are preferably designed as punched-out sections. [8] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 7, characterized bythat the fasteners are integrally extruded elements with the separating plate, or that the fasteners are connected to the separating plate by a joining technique, in particular by welding, such as vibration welding or ultrasonic welding, or by gluing. [9] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the separating plate is provided with a surface element that is co-extruded with the separating plate or is otherwise connected to the separating plate. [10] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 9, characterized by that the surface element is a foil or a straight or a curved plate. [11] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 10, characterized by that the foil or plate follows the contour of the partition plate at least on the side of the partition plate facing the usable space. [12] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the surface element is an element that consists of metal or plastic or contains metal or plastic. [13] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the partition plate has one or more fastening elements for fastening the partition plate. [14] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 13, characterized by that the fastening elements are arranged as elements extruded with the separating plate or as a part otherwise fixed to the separating plate. [15] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that the fastening elements are designed as locking elements and / or as barbs and / or that the fastening elements are arranged on the side of the separating plate facing the wider area. [16] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by that the fastening elements form a positive-locking connection with the inner container that defines the cooled interior space and / or with an element located therein. [17] Refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by that an insulating element is located in the further area and that the fastening elements form a positive connection with the insulating element. [18] Method for manufacturing a refrigerator and / or freezer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the separating plate is extruded and that the extrusion profile is cut to length when the desired length or height of the separating plate is reached.

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