REFRIGERATOR WITH A VACUUM INSULATION PANEL

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device according to claim 1. It relates to a cooling device with a usable space in which a cooling element and insulation are arranged on the rear. background

[0002] Cooling appliances, particularly refrigerators or freezers, feature a cooling element, particularly the evaporator of a heat pump, to cool the usable space. In addition, in utility spaces operating at temperatures above freezing, a collecting container is usually provided below the cooling element to collect condensate. Condensation or defrost water may also occur in freezers and must be drained away. e.g. In the case of a No-Frost unit, in the middle or at the top of the appliance.

[0003] EP 1 505 359 A1 shows a refrigerator with a synthetic resin foam and a vacuum insulator. The vacuum insulators are essentially the same width as the rear wall.

[0004] JP 2004 10 1028 A describes a refrigerator with a vacuum insulation material arranged on the rear panel. The condensate drain line is foamed with urethane.

[0005] DE 10 2007 051333 shows a refrigeration appliance housing with a pipe duct. The housing wall comprises at least an outer skin and an insulation layer bounded by the outer skin.

[0006] US 5 251 455 relates to a refrigerator with insulation panels that cover at least one entire side of the freezer compartment and its ceiling.

[0007] DE 21 2014 000174 shows a refrigerator with a vacuum insulation material that covers the entire back of the appliance.

[0008] CH 711 097 shows a refrigerator in which the condensate pipe runs between the freezer compartment and the insulation element.

[0009] WO 2015 165526 ​​shows a water drainage system for a cooling device.

[0010] Document US2006 / 076863A1 discloses another prior art cooling device. Description of the invention

[0011] The task is to provide a cooling device of the type mentioned above with good efficiency.

[0012] This object is achieved by the cooling device according to claim 1.

[0013] The present invention is disclosed in independent claim 1. Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0014] Accordingly, the cooling device according to claim 1 has at least the following components: A usable space: The refrigerated goods are stored in the usable space. A cooling element: This is located on a wall of the usable space and serves to cool the usable space.

[0015] Furthermore, a vacuum insulation panel (VIP) is arranged outside the cooling element and the usable space. This covers at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, and in particular at least 80% of the usable space. This means that when viewed from the outside of the device, in a projection perpendicular to the vacuum insulation panel, the vacuum insulation panel covers at least 80% of the usable space.

[0016] This is based on the realization that optimal insulation of the device is important at this point, since the cooling element and thus also the rear area of ​​the usable space represent very cold components in the system.

[0017] The vacuum insulation panel advantageously covers at least 90% of the usable space, in particular the entire usable space.

[0018] The cooling device also has the following components: A collecting tank: This serves to collect water condensing from the cooling element. It is best located at the rear of the usable space. It can be formed integrally into the wall, e.g., as a recess or groove in the wall. A drain line: This leads from the collecting tank to an external area of ​​the cooling device. An "external area" is defined as an area of ​​the device that is in gas exchange with the environment, so that water, especially condensate or dew, brought there can evaporate.

[0019] The drain line shall have at least the following sections: A first section: This is connected to the collection container, e.g., via a suitable adapter or by gluing. A second section: The second section connects to the first section. As seen from the rear of the refrigerator, it runs down the side of the vacuum insulation panel. In other words, the second section is not covered by the vacuum insulation panel. This reduces the risk of this section icing.

[0020] This arrangement can be further improved by having the second section run in a corner of the refrigerator.

[0021] In a particularly compact design, the drain line leads to an evaporation tank located lower than the usable space. The evaporation tank is advantageously positioned at least partially vertically below the usable space.

[0022] To improve insulation, an insulating area filled with foam insulation material can be arranged between the vacuum insulation panel and the work space. In this case, the drain line advantageously runs at least partially through the insulating area. i.e. it is at least partially foamed into the insulation material.

[0023] The drain line can be connected to the collection tank via an adapter. This allows the design to be better adapted to specific requirements.

[0024] The adapter is advantageously made of a softer material than the drain pipe, so that it e.g. Movements of the drain line, for example during the foaming process, can be absorbed, and / or so that the position of the drain line can be selected more flexibly due to the at least partially flexible geometry of the adapter.

[0025] Preferably, in addition to the first usable space, the cooling device has a second usable space which is arranged below the first usable space.

[0026] In particular, the cooling device is designed to cool the second usable space to a lower temperature than the first usable space. e.g. be designed to cool the second usable space to temperatures below -10°C, while it cools the first usable space to temperatures between 0°C and 10°C.

[0027] In this case, the vacuum insulation panel can cover at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 80% of both usable spaces, in particular 90% of both usable spaces, in particular both usable spaces completely, so that good insulation of the entire rear of the device is achieved.

[0028] The mentioned drain line can lead past the second usable space to below the second usable space.

[0029] Preferably, the drain line is located in a corner of the refrigerator over at least part of the height of the second usable space, so that it does not freeze even when the second usable space is very cold.

[0030] The cooling device is preferably a refrigerator and / or a freezer, in particular a household appliance for food or other refrigerated goods. Short description of the drawings

[0031] Further embodiments, advantages, and applications of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a schematic section through a refrigerator with two usable compartments, Fig. 2 a view of a cooling device from the rear, with the outer rear wall and the thermal insulation not shown, Fig. 3 the device after Fig. 2 , showing the vacuum insulation panel, Fig. 4a section along line IV-IV of Fig. 2 , Fig. 5 a vertical section perpendicular to the rear wall in the area of ​​the collecting container, Fig. 6 a section through the adapter, the nozzle of the collecting container and the drain pipe, Fig. 7 a view of the adapter and Fig. 8 a cut through the adapter. Ways to implement the invention Definitions:

[0032] The terms "rear", "back", "front", "front" are defined so that the door of the refrigerator is at the front, i.e. is located on the front, while the back, located at the rear of the device, refers to the side of the device opposite the door.

[0033] Terms such as "top", "bottom", "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to the intended orientation of the appliance, in which the door is vertical.

[0034] Terms such as "inside," "inside," "outside," and "outside" refer to the usable space of the device, which is considered the interior. For a component, "inside" refers to the side facing the center of the usable space, and "outside" refers to the side facing away from the center of the usable space.

[0035] An "insulating material" is a body with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / mK, especially less than 0.05 W / mK. For vacuum insulation panels, the value can even be below 0.01 W / mK. e.g. at 0.003 - 0.006 W / mK. Basic structure:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a cooling device with a housing 1 in which two usable compartments 2a, 2b are arranged. Each usable compartment 2a, 2b is accessible from the front of the device via a door 3a or 3b.

[0037] Suitable cooling elements 4 are provided for cooling the utility spaces 2a, 2b. These are e.g. evaporator of a heat pump circuit.

[0038] Preferably, the first usable space 2a is designed as a cooling compartment with a temperature range of e.g. 0°C to 10°C and the second usable space 2b as a freezer compartment with a temperature range of e.g. -25°C to -10°C.

[0039] The cooling elements 4 are preferably arranged at the rear of the respective usable space 2a, 2b. However, the cooling elements 4 can also be arranged on a side wall and / or on the ceiling of the respective usable space 2a, 2b.

[0040] As shown in the example and not restrictively for the first cooling chamber 2a, a rear wall element 5 can be provided in front of the cooling element 4 and form a cooling air duct 6 through which air to be cooled from the useful space 2a passes past the cooling element 4.

[0041] Optionally, a fan can be provided to convey the air through the cooling air duct 6.

[0042] During cooling, water may condense from the air and settle on the surface cooled by the cooling element 4. Therefore, a collecting container 8 is provided below the cooling element 4 at the rear of the usable space.

[0043] From the collecting container 8, a drain line 10, shown in dashed lines, leads into the base area 12 of the cooling device and there to an evaporation container 22. This is in contact with the environment so that the water collected there can evaporate.

[0044] The utility spaces 2a, 2b are thermally insulated from the outside. For this purpose, vacuum insulation panels 14 (and possibly 16) and insulation areas 18 filled with foam insulation material are provided. In the design according to Fig. 1 A vacuum insulation panel 14 is shown on the rear of the device and another vacuum insulation panel 16 on the top of the device. Additional such panels can e.g.in the doors 3a, 3b, the side walls of the device and below one or both of the usable spaces 2a, 2b. Rear wall insulation:

[0045] Fig. 2 - 4 show the structure of the rear wall insulation.

[0046] As can be seen, a single vacuum insulation panel 14 is provided for the rear wall. It covers at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of both interior spaces 2a, 2b.

[0047] In particular, thanks to the routing of the drain line 10 described below, it can be designed without any openings.

[0048] The space between the vacuum insulation panel 14 and the rear wall of the utility spaces forms part of the aforementioned insulation area 18 and can be foamed with an insulation material (where no other components are located). Drain line:

[0049] The aforementioned drain line 10 is provided to drain the water from the collecting tank 8.

[0050] The course of the drain line is in Fig. 2 to 4 shown.

[0051] The drain line 10 has a first section 10a, which is connected to the collecting container 8. It leads diagonally outwards from the drain container 8.

[0052] Furthermore, the drain line 10 has a second section 10b, which connects to the first section 10a. This section runs in a corner 20 of the refrigerator. "Corner" refers to an area where two vertical walls of the refrigerator meet, in this case, a side wall 1a and the rear wall 1c.

[0053] Furthermore, the drain line 10 can have a third section 10c, which connects to the second section 10b and leads to the evaporation container 22 in the base area 12 of the cooling device.

[0054] The first section 10a is designed to direct the water in the area of ​​the first usable space 2a to the outside, into the corner 20 of the device. It preferably runs entirely at a height above the second cooling area 2b to prevent water from freezing in this section.

[0055] In the area of ​​the second section 10b, the drain line 10 extends downwards over the height of the second usable space 2b next to the vacuum insulation panel 14. Since it does not run between the vacuum insulation panel 14 and the second usable space 2b at this point, but rather (seen from the rear) to the side of the insulation panel 14, the freezing of water in the line can be prevented.

[0056] As from Fig. 4 As can be seen, the drain pipe 10 can, at least in the second section 10b, touch the outer walls 1a and / or 1c, which converge in the area of ​​the corner 20, so that its temperature remains high.

[0057] The adjacent vacuum insulation panels 14 of the rear wall 1c and the side wall 1b do not insulate the second section 10b from the outside.

[0058] Advantageously, the drain line 10 extends over at least 40%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 80%, of the first and / or the second section 10a, 10b, i.e. grade.

[0059] The drain line 10 can be at least partially foamed into the insulation material in the insulation area 18 or otherwise embedded at least on one side. It should therefore have appropriate temperature resistance and tightness.

[0060] For example, the drain line 10 consists of a pipe made of polyethylene or rigid PVC.

[0061] As from Fig. 2As can be seen, the drain line 10 is connected to the collecting container 8 at a point 26 that is not located in the center plane of the device, but closer to one of the two side walls 1a, 1b of the device, namely closer to the side wall 1a along which the second section 10b of the drain line runs. This allows the water path to be shortened and reduces the risk of freezing. Adapter:

[0062] The drain line 10 is connected to the collecting container 8 via an adapter 30. A possible structure of the adapter 30 is shown in Fig. 5 - 8 .

[0063] The adapter 30 is attached to a nozzle 32 on the side of the collecting container 8. The nozzle 32 is arranged on the collecting container 8.

[0064] The nozzle 32 can in particular be formed directly on the material of the collecting container 8, or it can be welded or glued to the collecting container 8, for example.

[0065] On the side of the drain line 10, the adapter 30 is connected to the first section 10a of the drain line.

[0066] In other words, the adapter 30 connects the nozzle 32 to the drain line 10.

[0067] The adapter 30 can be connected to the nozzle 32 and / or the drain line 10 by plugging.

[0068] For this purpose, the adapter 30 has, as shown in Fig. 8 shown, e.g. a first section 34a and a second section 34b, which are connected to each other via a third section 34c.

[0069] The first and second sections 34a, 34b each have a cylindrical inner region 36a and 36b, respectively, the diameters of which are adapted to the drain line 10 and the nozzle 32, respectively.

[0070] The drain line 10 is connected to the first section, in particular inserted into the first section 34a. The nozzle 32 is connected to the second section 34b, in particular inserted into the second section 34b.

[0071] The third section 34c can typically be designed to be more flexible than the first and second sections and allows movements of the drain line 10, e.g. during the foaming of the insulation area 18, and the risk of the hose slipping at its connection is reduced.

[0072] In order to allow the freest possible movement, the drain line 10 and the nozzle 32 are kept spaced apart from each other by means of the adapter 30, i.e. They do not extend so far into the third section 34c of the adapter 30 that they would touch each other. This allows the adapter 30 to easily accommodate the movements between the two parts.

[0073] Advantageously, the adapter 30 is made of a thermoplastic material, e.g. made of TPE.

[0074] At the very least, it is advantageous if the adapter 30 is made of a softer and / or more elastic material than the drain line 10 and / or the nozzle 32, so that it can better absorb the movements of the drain line 10. The adapter 30 absorbs the movement, particularly in section 34c. Remarks:

[0075] As you can see, the drain line bypasses the vacuum insulation panel. It doesn't pass through the panel, simplifying panel manufacturing.

[0076] In principle, this technology can also be used for devices with only one usable space or with more than two usable spaces.

[0077] While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in this application, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied in other ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Cooling appliance with a first usable space (2a), a cooling element (4) arranged on a wall of the first usable space (2a) for cooling the first usable space (2a), a vacuum insulation panel (14) arranged outside the cooling element (4) and the first usable space (2a), which covers at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 80% of the first usable space (2a), a collecting container (8) for collecting liquid condensing on the cooling element (4), and a drain line (10), which leads from the collecting container (8) into an outer region of the cooling device, wherein the drain line (10) has a first section (10a), which is connected to the collection container (8), and a second section (10b), which connects to the first section (10a) and, viewed from the rear of the cooling device, runs downwards laterally next to the vacuum insulation panel (14).

2. Cooling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum insulation panel (14) covers at least 90% of the first usable space (2a), in particular the entire first usable space (2a).

3. Cooling appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer region is located in the base region (12) of the cooling appliance.

4. Cooling appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second section extends in a corner (20) of the cooling appliance.

5. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the drain line (10) leads to an evaporation container (22) which is arranged lower than the first usable space (2a), and in particular wherein at least a part of the evaporation container (22) is arranged below the first usable space (2a), vertically below.

6. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein an insulation region (18) foamed with an insulation material is arranged between the vacuum insulation panel (14) and the first usable space (2a), wherein the drain line (10) is at least partially foamed in the insulation material.

7. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the drain line (10) is connected to the collecting container (8) via an adapter (30).

8. Cooling appliance according to claim 7, wherein the adapter (30) is made of a softer material than the drain line (10).

9. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein a connecting piece (32) is arranged on the collecting container (8), and wherein the adapter (30) connects the connecting piece (32) to the drain line (10), and in particular wherein the adapter (30) is connected to the connecting piece and / or the drain line (10) by plugging.

10. Cooling device according to claim 9, wherein the adapter (30) has a first section (34a), a second section (34b) and a third section (34c), wherein the first and second sections (34a, 34b) are connected via the third section (34c), wherein the drain line (10) is connected to the first section, in particular is plugged into the first section (34a), and / or wherein the nozzle (32) is connected to the second section (34b), in particular is plugged into the second section (34b).

11. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the nozzle (32) and the drain line (10) are held spaced apart from each other by means of the adapter (30).

12. Cooling appliance according to one of the preceding claims, having a second usable space (2b) which is arranged below the first usable space (2a), and in particular wherein the cooling appliance is adapted to cool the second usable space (2b) to a lower temperature than the first usable space (2a), and in particular wherein the lower temperature is below the freezing point.

13. Cooling appliance according to claim 12, wherein the vacuum insulation panel (14) covers at least 80% of both usable spaces (2a, 2b), in particular covers 90% of both usable spaces (2a, 2b), in particular completely covers both usable spaces (2a, 2b).

14. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 12 or 13 and according to one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the drain line (10) leads past the second usable space (2b) to below the second usable space (2b).

15. Cooling appliance according to claim 14, wherein the drain line (10), seen from the rear of the cooling appliance, runs downwards over at least a part of the height of the second usable space (2b) next to the vacuum insulation panel (14).