Heat exachanger assembly for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance using the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly (1) for a refrigeration device (100), comprising a condensed water tray (2) for receiving condensed water discharged from a cooling compartment (110) of the refrigeration device (100); and a heat exchanger (3) with a housing (30), a refrigerant line assembly (33) arranged in an inlet opening (31) of the housing (30), a ventilator (34) which is arranged in an outlet opening (32) of the housing (30), and a sealing plate (4) which projects from the housing (30) and protrudes into the condensed water tray (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance therewith, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator. State of the art

[0002] Refrigeration appliances, such as refrigerators, typically have a heat exchanger or condenser to condense compressed refrigerant. The heat exchanger is often located in a heat exchanger machine room along with a condensate or evaporation tray.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2011 007 412 A1 describes a refrigeration device with a machine room in which a compressor, a heat exchanger and a condensate tray are arranged.

[0004] DE 10 2011 007415 A1 and EP 3 473 953 A1 disclose refrigeration appliances with a heat exchanger arrangement according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0005] Documents US3225563A and DE102015 221659A1 are further relevant prior art documents.

[0006] In refrigeration appliances with such heat exchangers, it is desirable that as large a part as possible of the air flow sucked in by the fan is available for cooling the condenser or the refrigerant. Summary of the invention

[0007] One of the objects of the invention is to provide improved solutions for heat exchangers of refrigeration appliances, in particular to improve the efficiency of such heat exchangers.

[0008] This object is achieved by a heat exchanger arrangement having the features of claim 1 and by a refrigeration device having the features of claim 8.

[0009] The present invention is disclosed in independent claim 1. Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] The heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1 comprises a condensate tray for receiving condensate discharged from a cooling compartment of the refrigeration appliance and a heat exchanger with a housing, a refrigerant line arrangement arranged in an inlet opening of the housing, a fan arranged in an outlet opening of the housing and a sealing plate protruding from the housing and projecting into the condensate tray.

[0011] According to dependent claim 8, a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator or a fridge-freezer combination, is provided. The refrigeration appliance comprises a refrigeration compartment for storing refrigerated goods, such as food or beverages, a machine room, a heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1 arranged in the machine room, and a condensate line for draining condensate from the refrigeration compartment, which opens into the condensate tray.

[0012] One idea underlying the invention is to provide a sealing plate or baffle on a housing of a heat exchanger, in which a refrigerant line arrangement for cooling and / or condensing a refrigerant and a fan are arranged, which sealing plate or baffle projects from the housing into a condensate or evaporation tray, wherein the refrigerant line arrangement is arranged on a suction side of the fan. The fan draws in cooling air through an inlet opening of the housing, in which the refrigerant line arrangement is arranged, and expels the cooling air through an outlet opening of the housing. The baffle or sealing plate projects from the housing between the inlet opening and the outlet opening towards a base of the condensate tray and projects into the receiving volume defined by the condensate tray, so that a gap is formed between the base and one end of the baffle.

[0013] When the receiving volume fills with condensate to the point where the end of the sealing plate protrudes into the condensate, an airtight seal is achieved between the inlet and outlet openings of the housing outside the heat exchanger housing.

[0014] One of the advantages of the invention is that the sealing plate extending into the condensate tray reduces bypass or leakage airflow that bypasses the heat exchanger housing and thus the refrigerant line arrangement. This improves the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments and further developments result from the subclaims which refer back to the independent claims in conjunction with the description and the figures.

[0016] It is provided that the condensate tray has a bottom and a peripheral wall protruding from the bottom, wherein the sealing plate extends between opposite portions of the peripheral wall and a bottom gap is formed between the bottom and one end of the sealing plate.

[0017] For example, the condensate tray can have two opposing side walls between which the sealing plate extends. In particular, the sealing plate can be in contact with the side walls or the opposing sections of the peripheral wall. This further improves the seal and can further reduce the leakage airflow.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the bottom gap can have a clear width of between 1 mm and 10 mm. In this range, a good compromise between tightness and manufacturing tolerances is achieved. In particular, the assembly of the evaporation tray and heat exchanger is easily possible. Further optionally, the clear width of the bottom gap can be between 2 mm and 3 mm. In this clear width range, a relatively narrow bottom gap is realized, whereby the bottom gap is closed by liquid even when the condensate tank is only slightly full. Furthermore, the small clear width creates a narrow flow cross-section, which creates a high flow resistance for leakage flows even when the condensate tank is not full enough to close the bottom gap. This further reduces the leakage air flow.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the condensate tray can have a sealing rib protruding from the base, which extends along the sealing plate between the opposite sections of the peripheral wall. The sealing rib thus divides the condensate tray into two sub-areas or sub-volumes. In particular, the sealing rib protrudes from a surface of the base to a height that is greater than the clear width of the base gap. Thus, a type of siphon is formed between the sealing rib and the sealing plate, which is filled with condensate. This further improves the seal. Even if the fill level of the condensate tray does not reach the lower end of the sealing plate, the sealing rib further improves the seal because the pressure loss of the leakage flow through the base gap and the gap between the sealing rib and the sealing plate is increased.

[0020] According to some embodiments, an overlap gap formed between the sealing plate and the sealing rib can have a clear width of between 0.2 mm and 10 mm. Further optionally, the clear width of the overlap gap can be between 0.3 mm and 5 mm. In this range, a relatively high flow resistance is realized for a possible leakage air flow. At the same time, any impact of the sealing plate against the sealing rib due to possible vibrations is reliably counteracted, thereby advantageously reducing noise generation.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the sealing rib may be formed integrally with the base of the condensate tray. For example, the sealing rib and condensate tray can be manufactured cost-effectively as plastic injection-molded parts.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the sealing plate may be formed integrally with the heat exchanger housing. For example, the sealing plate and housing can be manufactured cost-effectively as plastic injection-molded parts.

[0023] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the sealing plate is arranged in the region of the outlet opening of the housing of the heat exchanger.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the refrigeration appliance can be realized with a heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, in which the condensate tray has a sealing rib projecting from the bottom, which extends along the sealing plate between the opposing sections of the peripheral wall, as already described above, wherein a point at which the condensate line opens into the condensate tray and the sealing plate are located on the same side of the sealing rib. In this way, when condensate is introduced, the partial volume of the condensate tray into which the sealing plate projects is first filled.

[0025] With regard to directions and axes, in particular directions and axes relating to the course of physical structures, the course of an axis, a direction or a structure "along" another axis, direction or structure is understood to mean that these, in particular the tangents resulting at a respective point of the structures, each run at an angle of less than 45 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees and particularly preferably parallel to one another.

[0026] With regard to directions and axes, in particular directions and axes relating to the course of physical structures, the term "transverse" to another axis, direction or structure is understood herein to mean that these, in particular the tangents resulting at a respective point of the structures, each run at an angle of greater than or equal to 45 degrees, preferably greater than or equal to 60 degrees and particularly preferably perpendicular to one another.

[0027] Herein, "one-piece", "one-piece", "integral" or "in one piece" components or structures are generally understood to mean that these components or structures are present as a single part forming a material unit and, in particular, are manufactured as such, one component or structure being not detachable from the other without disrupting the material cohesion. Short description of the characters

[0028] The invention is explained below with reference to the figures of the drawings. The figures show: Fig. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a heat exchanger arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the area marked by the letter Z of the Fig. 1 shown heat exchanger arrangement; Fig. 3 a plan view of a bottom of a condensate tray of a heat exchanger arrangement according to an embodiment, Fig. 4, showing a sealing plate in section; and a simplified, schematic sectional view of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote identical or functionally identical components, unless otherwise stated.

[0030] Figures 1, 2 and 4 show embodiments according to the present invention, which disclose a heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1.

[0031] The Figure 3 shows an embodiment which is useful for understanding the invention and lies outside the subject matter of the claims. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an example of a sectional view of a heat exchanger arrangement 1 according to claim 1 for a refrigeration device 100, such as a refrigerator or a fridge-freezer combination. As in Fig. 1 As shown, the heat exchanger arrangement 1 comprises a condensate or evaporation tray 2 and a heat exchanger 3.

[0033] Fig. 4 shows purely schematically a refrigeration device 100 in the form of a refrigerator with a cooling compartment 110 for storing refrigerated goods, such as food or beverages, a machine room 120 and a heat exchanger arrangement 1 according to claim 1.

[0034] The refrigeration device 100 has a refrigerant circuit (not fully shown) to dissipate heat from the refrigeration compartment 110 through the circulation of a refrigerant and thereby cool the refrigeration compartment 110. The heat exchanger assembly 1 is part of the refrigerant circuit and serves to condense the gaseous refrigerant compressed by a compressor 140, which can also be arranged in the machine room 120. As shown in Fig. 4 Also shown schematically, a condensate line 130 may be provided, which fluidically connects the interior of the cooling compartment 110 to the machine room and opens into the evaporation tray 2 of the heat exchanger arrangement 1. Condensate that forms in the cooling compartment 110 can thus be drained through the condensate line 130 into the condensate or evaporation tray 2.

[0035] As in Fig. 1 and especially in Fig. 3, which shows a plan view of the condensate tray 2, the condensate tray 2 has a bottom 20 and a peripheral wall 21.

[0036] The base 20 may be a flat, for example, flat plate. The peripheral wall 21 extends from the base 20 and protrudes in a vertical direction or vertical direction V from the base 20. The condensate tray 2 may, for example, have a rectangular periphery, optionally with rounded corners, as shown in Fig. 3is shown by way of example. The peripheral wall 21 can be composed, for example, of a first side wall 21A, a second side wall 21B arranged opposite thereto, a third side wall 21C extending between the first and second side walls 21A, 21B, and a fourth side wall 21D arranged opposite the third side wall 21C and extending between the first and second side walls 21A, 21B, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown purely as an example. Of course, other peripheral shapes or designs of the peripheral wall 21 are also conceivable.

[0037] In general, the base 20 and the peripheral wall 21 define a receiving volume of the condensate tray 2.

[0038] As this is the case in the Figs. 1 to 3 As shown by way of example, the condensate tray 2 can have an optional sealing rib 24. As shown particularly in Fig. 2As can be seen, the sealing rib 24 protrudes from the bottom 20 of the condensate tray 2. In particular, the sealing rib 24 protrudes in the vertical direction V with a height h24 from a surface 20a of the bottom 20. The height h24 can, for example, be in a range between 2 mm and 15 mm. As in Fig. 2 As shown by way of example, the sealing rib 24 can have a rectangular cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable. As shown in Fig. 4 As shown schematically, the optional sealing rib 24 extends between the first and second side walls 21A, 21B of the condensate tray 2. In general, the sealing rib 24 can extend between opposite or circumferentially spaced sections 21A, 21B of the peripheral wall 21.

[0039] The condensate or evaporation tray 2 can be made of a plastic material, e.g., a thermoplastic material. The optional sealing rib 24 can, for example, be formed integrally with the base 20 of the condensate tray 2.

[0040] As in Fig. 1 As shown, the heat exchanger 3 comprises a housing 30, a refrigerant line arrangement 33 and a fan 34. The housing 30 can be tubular or channel-shaped, for example, and has an inlet opening 31 and an outlet opening 32 located opposite thereto. As shown in Fig. 1As shown by way of example, the inlet opening 31 can, for example, have a rectangular circumference. The outlet opening 32 can, for example, have a circular circumference. The inlet opening 31 and the outlet opening 32 are connected by a housing wall 30A defining the cross-section of the housing 30. Thus, the housing 30 extends overall along a housing longitudinal direction L3. The housing 30 can be composed of several housing parts or implemented as a single piece as a continuous housing 30. The housing 30 can, for example, be formed from a plastic material.

[0041] The refrigerant line arrangement 33 can be realized, for example, as an MCHE unit, as shown in Fig. 1is shown purely by way of example. "MCHE" is an abbreviation for the term "Micro Channel Heat Exchanger." In general, the refrigerant line arrangement 33 can have a plurality of refrigerant channels 35 for conducting the refrigerant. Optionally, a plurality of cooling plates or cooling fins 36 can also be provided, which are connected to the refrigerant channels 35 in order to increase the surface area of ​​the refrigerant line arrangement 33. Between the refrigerant channels 35 and between the optional cooling fins 36, gaps are provided for the passage of cooling air. As shown in Fig. 1 As shown, the refrigerant line assembly 33 is arranged in the inlet opening 31 of the housing 30. As shown in Fig. 1As can be seen, the refrigerant line arrangement 33 can be arranged in the inlet opening 31 of the housing 30 in particular such that it fills the inlet opening 31. The cross-section or the circumference of the inlet opening 31 and the outer circumference of the refrigerant line arrangement 33 can be adapted to one another.

[0042] As in Fig. 1 As shown, the fan 34 is arranged in the outlet opening 32 of the housing 30. In particular, the fan 34 can be arranged in the outlet opening 32 such that the inlet opening 31 is located on a suction side of the fan 34. The fan 34 can thus suck in air through the inlet opening 31 and blow it out through the outlet opening 32 of the housing 30. Thus, by means of the fan 34, air is sucked through the interstices of the refrigerant line arrangement 33 in order to cool the refrigerant line arrangement 33.

[0043] As in Fig. 1As further shown, a sealing plate 4 is provided, which protrudes from the housing 30 of the heat exchanger 3. The sealing plate 4 protrudes from the housing 30 transversely to the housing longitudinal direction L3. As in Fig. 1 As shown by way of example, the sealing plate 4 can be designed in particular as a flat plate 4. In general, the sealing plate 4 is realized as a flatly extending component which extends between a first end 41, which is located on the housing 30, in particular on the housing wall 30A, and a second end 42 located opposite the first end 41. As in Fig. 1 As can also be seen, the sealing plate 4 can be arranged, for example, in the region of the outlet opening 32 of the housing 30 of the heat exchanger 3. Optionally, the sealing plate 4 can be formed integrally with the housing 30 of the heat exchanger 3.

[0044] As in Fig. 1As shown, the heat exchanger 3 can be arranged opposite the condensate tray 2, in particular with respect to the vertical direction V, so that the sealing plate 4 is located facing the condensate tray 2. As shown in Fig. 1 As can be seen, the sealing plate 4 protrudes into the condensate tray 2, whereby a bottom gap 5 is formed between the bottom 20 of the condensate tray 2 and the second end 42 of the sealing plate 4. The bottom gap 5 can, for example, have a clear width d5 ​​between 1 mm and 10 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0045] As in the Fig. 1 and 2 As can be seen, the peripheral wall 21 of the condensate tray 2 and the sealing plate 4 overlap with respect to the vertical direction V.

[0046] As particularly in Fig. 3As shown, it can be provided that the sealing plate 21 extends over an entire distance between opposing side walls 21A, 21B, in particular between the first and second side walls 21A, 21B. Independently of the circumference of the evaporation or condensation tray 2 defined by the peripheral wall 21, the sealing plate 4 extends between opposing sections 21A, 21B of the peripheral wall 21.

[0047] As in the Figs. 1 to 3 As further shown, the sealing plate 4 and the optional sealing rib 24 can extend in particular along each other, optionally parallel to each other. As shown in Fig. 2As shown, it can be provided in particular that the sealing plate 4 and the sealing rib 24 overlap with respect to the vertical direction V. An end 25 of the sealing rib 24 facing away from the surface 20a of the base 20 in this case protrudes further from the surface 20a of the base 20 than the second end 42 of the sealing plate 4 is spaced from the surface 20a of the base 20. For example, the clear width d5 ​​of the base gap 5 can be smaller than the height h24 of the sealing rib 24.

[0048] As in Fig. 2 As shown by way of example, the relative arrangement of the sealing plate 4 and the sealing rib 24 along one another forms an overlap gap 6 between the sealing plate 4 and the sealing rib 24. The overlap gap 6 can, for example, have a clear width d6 in a range between 0.2 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 5 mm.

[0049] As in Fig. 4As shown by way of example and purely schematically, the heat exchanger arrangement 1 according to claim 1 can be arranged in the machine room 120 of the refrigeration appliance 100. The condensate line 130 has a first end 131, which is connected to the interior of the cooling compartment 110. A second end 132 of the condensate line 130 opens into the condensate tray 2.

[0050] This drains condensate that forms in the refrigerator compartment 110 into the condensate tray 2. If the condensate tray 2 has the optional sealing rib 24, the point at which the condensate line 130 enters the condensate tray 2 and the sealing plate 4 can be located on the same side of the sealing rib 6, as shown in Fig. 4 For example, it can be provided that the sealing rib 24 divides the receiving volume into two different sized sub-volumes, as shown in the Fig. 1 , 3 and 4is shown as an example. Depending on the design constraints, the sealing plate 24 can protrude into the larger or smaller partial volume. Figs. 1 to 4 For example, it is shown that the sealing plate 24 protrudes into the larger partial volume. Accordingly, Fig. 4 the condensate pipe 130 also into the larger partial volume.

[0051] As in Fig. 4 symbolically represented by the arrows S1 and S2, a cooling air flow S1 is sucked in by the fan 34 through the inlet opening 31 and guided via the refrigerant line arrangement 33 to cool the refrigerant. Since the sealing plate 4 protrudes into the condensate tray 2 filled with condensate K, a seal between the inlet opening 31 and the outlet opening 32 of the housing 30 is improved outside the housing 30. A leakage flow S2 is thus reduced or even completely blocked, as shown in Fig. 4 is represented symbolically.

[0052] Although the present invention has been explained above by way of example with reference to embodiments, the present invention is actually disclosed in the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0053] 1Heat exchanger arrangement 2Condensate tray 3Heat exchanger 4Sealing plate 5Bottom gap 6Overlap gap 20Bottom of the condensate tray 21Perimeter wall of the condensate tray 21AFirst section of the peripheral wall / first side wall 21BSecond section of the peripheral wall / second side wall 24Sealing rib 25End of the sealing rib 30Heat exchanger casing 30AHousing wall 31Housing inlet opening 32Housing outlet opening 33Refrigerant line arrangement 34Fan 35Refrigerant channels 36Cooling fins 41First end of the sealing plate 42Second end of the sealing plate 100Refrigeration unit 110Cooling compartment 120Machinery room 130Condensate line 131First end of the condensate line 132Second end of the Condensate pipe d5Clear width of the floor gap d6Clear width of the overlap gap h24Height of the sealing rib KCondensate S1Cooling air flow S2Leakage flow VVertical direction

Claims

1. Heat exchanger assembly (1) for a refrigeration appliance (100), having: a condensation pan (2) for receiving condensation discharged from a refrigerator compartment (110) of the refrigeration appliance (100); and a heat exchanger (3) with a housing (30), a refrigerant pipe arrangement (33) arranged in an inlet opening (31) of the housing (30), a fan (34) which is arranged in an outlet opening (32) of the housing (30), and a sealing plate (4) which projects from the housing (30) and protrudes into the condensation pan (2), wherein the condensation pan (2) has a bottom (20) and a peripheral wall (21) which projects from the bottom (20), wherein the sealing plate (4) extends between opposing portions (21A; 21B) of the peripheral wall (21), characterised in that a bottom gap (5) is formed between the bottom (20) and an end (42) of the sealing plate (4).

2. Heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom gap (5) has a clear width (d5) of between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

3. Heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condensation pan (2) has a sealing rib (24) which projects from the bottom (20) and which extends along the sealing plate (4) between the opposing portions (21A; 21B) of the peripheral wall (21).

4. Heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein an overlapping gap (6) which is formed between the sealing plate (4) and the sealing rib (24) has a clear width (d6) of between 0.2 mm and 10 mm, preferably of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm.

5. Heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sealing rib (24) is configured in one piece with the bottom (20) of the condensation pan (2).

6. Heat exchanger assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing plate (4) is configured in one piece with the housing (30) of the heat exchanger (3).

7. Heat exchanger assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing plate (4) is arranged in the region of the outlet opening (32) of the housing (30) of the heat exchanger (3).

8. Refrigeration appliance (100), having: a refrigerator compartment (110) for storing goods to be refrigerated; a machine compartment (120); a heat exchanger assembly (1) which is arranged in the machine compartment (120) according to one of the preceding claims; and a condensation pipe (130) for discharging condensation from the refrigerator compartment (110) and which feeds into the condensation pan (2).

9. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 8, having a heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein a point at which the condensation pipe (130) feeds into the condensation pan (2) and the sealing plate (4) are located on the same side of the sealing rib (24).

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