Refrigeration device

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly (100) for a refrigeration appliance (200), in particular for a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprises a compact condenser (32) for discharging heat to the environment, a fan (4) for conveying an airflow over the condenser (32) and an air duct (5) extending between the fan (4) and the compact condenser (32), wherein the fan (4) is positioned in the air duct (5) in the region of an intake opening (51) of the air duct (5) and the compact condenser (32) is positioned in the air duct (5) in the region of an exhaust opening (52) of the air duct (5) on a pressure side (PS) of the fan (4).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer combination, and a heat exchanger assembly for a refrigeration appliance. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In household refrigeration appliances, such as refrigerators, fridge-freezers, or similar units, it is generally desirable for the storage compartment for refrigerated goods to be as large as possible relative to the space the appliance requires that is not used for storage. Therefore, it is advantageous if the components of a refrigerant circuit can be housed in a space-saving manner within a machine compartment. Furthermore, it is desirable for the refrigerant circuit to operate as energy-efficiently as possible.

[0003] US 2019 / 0011172 A1 describes a built-in refrigerator in which a condenser and a refrigerant compressor of a refrigerant circuit are arranged in a machine room. An axial fan is located in the machine room between the condenser and the compressor, with one pressure side of the fan facing the compressor and one suction side facing the condenser. The fan draws ambient air through the condenser and directs the air, heated at the condenser, through a duct to the compressor to cool it.

[0004] US Patent 7 950 248 B2 describes a refrigerator-freezer combination with a condenser arranged horizontally under the floor of a freezer compartment, wherein an axial fan is arranged in a machine room, which draws in air over the condenser and expels it towards a compressor in the machine room.

[0005] EP 2 743 618 A1 discloses a built-in refrigeration unit in which a condenser is arranged on a rear wall of the refrigeration unit. Furthermore, a radial fan is arranged in a machine compartment of the refrigeration unit. The radial fan draws air from the machine compartment and blows it into an air duct, which directs the air along the rear wall over the condenser.

[0006] In CH 713 485 A2 a refrigeration unit is described in which a condenser is positioned in the engine room and air is drawn in from the engine room via a deflection duct by means of a radial fan.

[0007] WO 2016 / 177803 A1 discloses a refrigeration device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] JP 2009 068754 A and DE 18 93 941 U describe further refrigeration appliances. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide improved solutions for heat dissipation at a condenser of a refrigeration unit.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by a refrigeration device having the features of claim 1.

[0011] According to the invention, a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator, a freezer, or a fridge-freezer combination, comprises a storage compartment for holding refrigerated goods, a separate machine compartment, and a refrigerant circuit for absorbing heat from the storage compartment and dissipating heat to the environment. The refrigerant circuit includes a heat exchanger assembly located in the machine compartment. The heat exchanger assembly comprises a compact condenser for dissipating heat to the environment, a fan for conveying an airflow over the condenser, and an air duct extending between the fan and the compact condenser. The fan is positioned in the air duct in the region of an intake opening, and the compact condenser is positioned in the air duct in the region of an exhaust opening on the pressure side of the fan.

[0012] One of the underlying ideas of the invention is to arrange a compact condenser, e.g., a so-called MCHE condenser, on the pressure side of a fan within an air duct. "MCHE" is an abbreviation for "Multi Channel Heat Exchanger." The air duct defines an interior space or flow chamber and has a first opening or intake opening and a second opening or exhaust opening. The fan is arranged in the interior of the air duct in the region of the intake opening such that one suction side of the fan faces the intake opening and one pressure side of the fan faces the exhaust opening. The compact condenser is arranged in the interior of the air duct in the region of the intake opening, so that the fan draws in air through the intake opening, blows it through convection channels of the compact condenser, and expels it at the exhaust opening.

[0013] The fan blows air into the air duct, specifically into a space between the compact condenser and the fan. The compact condenser presents a flow resistance. Since the compact condenser is located on the pressure side of the fan, it acts as a kind of stagnant mass. It has been found that, due to the arrangement of the compact condenser on the pressure side of the fan according to the invention, a pressure chamber forms between the fan and the compact condenser in the air duct. Within this pressure chamber, the flow velocities are homogeneously distributed across the cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct occupied by the compact condenser. This means that there are only slight differences in flow velocities across the cross-sectional area. Thus, the compact condenser is subjected to a substantially uniform flow across its entire surface, which improves heat dissipation from the compact condenser.This is advantageous for the energy efficiency of the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, for a given thermal output, the compact condenser can be designed to be smaller and therefore more space-saving. Another advantage is that the homogeneous velocity distribution reduces pressure losses.

[0014] The fan is a radial fan. Radial fans offer the advantage of being stable against pressure fluctuations and efficiently conveying high mass flow rates, even against a certain back pressure on the pressure side. This allows for a more efficient creation of a pressure chamber upstream of the compact condenser, further promoting uniform airflow through the condenser. Another advantage of using a radial fan is its design: it draws in air along a primary axis and expels it along a secondary axis that extends perpendicular to the primary axis. This allows for flexible use of the available space in the refrigeration unit's engine room.

[0015] The compact condenser features a multitude of parallel plates, each containing multiple channels for the passage of refrigerant, and a multitude of fins arranged between the plates. These fins are in thermally conductive contact with the plates, and both extend parallel to a central axis of the discharge opening. Together, the plates and fins define the convection channels of the compact condenser, through which the air circulated by the fan can flow. Because the fins and plates extend parallel to the central axis of the discharge opening, the pressure drop during airflow is further reduced.

[0016] The machine compartment comprises a floor, a ceiling wall opposite the floor, and side walls extending between the floor and the ceiling wall. The floor, ceiling wall, and side walls define a rear opening, and the air duct's discharge opening is located in the area of ​​this rear opening. The ceiling wall and floor may extend transversely to a rear wall of the refrigeration unit that defines the storage compartment, for example, in a depth direction. Advantageously, the machine compartment can be open at the rear of the refrigeration unit defined by the rear wall, i.e., defined only by the floor, side walls, and ceiling. The rear opening may optionally be partially covered by a cover that leaves the area of ​​the air duct's discharge opening open. The air duct's discharge opening is located in the rear area.For example, the air duct's outlet opening can be located in the rear opening of the machine room to blow air along the rear wall of the refrigeration unit.

[0017] The central axis of the discharge opening is oriented perpendicular to the ceiling wall of the machine room, allowing air to be discharged along the rear wall of the refrigeration unit. For example, the central axis of the discharge opening can be parallel to the rear wall of the refrigeration unit or, more generally, form an angle with it in a range between 0 and 30 degrees, particularly between 0 and 15 degrees. Similarly, the central axis of the discharge opening can form an angle with the ceiling wall of the machine room in a range between 90 and 60 degrees, particularly between 90 and 75 degrees. This allows the air to be discharged along the rear wall of the refrigeration unit. This reduces the pressure drop of the outgoing air, as there are typically few flow obstructions along the rear wall. For example, at a typical installation location for the refrigeration unit, the rear wall is usually a wall, e.g.,Facing a building wall or the wall of a recessed installation, so that a gap is formed between the back wall and the wall, allowing air to flow through it. Furthermore, the airflow along the back wall prevents condensation from forming on the back wall, as the air is warmed by the compact condenser.

[0018] The compact condenser comprises a plurality of parallel plates, each containing a plurality of channels for the passage of refrigerant, and a plurality of fins arranged between the plates and in thermally conductive contact with them. The fins and plates extend parallel to a central axis of the discharge opening and perpendicular to the ceiling wall. Thus, the plates and fins extend parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of gravity when the refrigeration unit is mounted on a base, such as a floor or the floor of a recess, with the floor of the machine room facing the base. This promotes natural convection at the compact condenser, further improving heat dissipation.

[0019] Advantageous designs and further developments result from the subclaims relating back to the independent claims in conjunction with the description.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the discharge opening of the air duct may be longitudinally shaped, particularly rectangularly, and the flow cross-section of the air duct widens from the intake opening to the discharge opening. An elongated design of the discharge opening and the condenser positioned therein offers the advantage that, for a given cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge opening, a relatively narrow opening is achieved, allowing the end section of the air duct, in which the discharge opening and the compact condenser are located, to be positioned in a space-saving manner in the machine compartment of a refrigeration unit.

[0021] In some embodiments, the intake opening of the air duct can be circular. This allows for a large cross-sectional area of ​​the intake opening while saving space. Since the fan preferably has blades that rotate around an axis of rotation, the air duct can have a circular cross-section in the area of ​​the intake opening.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the discharge opening of the air duct may be positioned in the area of ​​the ceiling wall of the engine room. Accordingly, an end section of the air duct, in which the discharge opening and the compact condenser are located, is situated in a rear, upper area of ​​the engine room, i.e., in an area where the ceiling wall and the rear wall merge at the rear opening of the engine room. This area advantageously offers sufficient space for accommodating the compact condenser. In particular, due to the arrangement of the compact condenser on the pressure side of the fan, the compact condenser can be designed to be relatively small, thus achieving a further space saving. Furthermore, the arrangement of the discharge opening in this area facilitates the outflow along the rear wall.Another advantage lies in the easy accessibility of this area through the rear opening. This makes it easy to install the heat exchanger assembly in the engine room. At the same time, it simplifies cleaning the compact condenser.

[0023] In some embodiments, a recess may be formed in a transition area between the ceiling wall of the machine compartment and a rear wall of the refrigeration unit extending transversely to the ceiling wall, which defines the storage compartment. The discharge opening of the air duct is located in this recess. The transition area connects essentially flat surface sections of an outer surface of the rear wall and a surface of the ceiling wall of the machine compartment, with the transition area forming a depression relative to the outer surface of the rear wall. The air duct projects from the machine compartment into this depression. This allows the heat exchanger assembly to be positioned even closer to the ceiling wall, saving further space in the machine compartment. Furthermore, the airflow along the rear wall is facilitated.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the recess on an outer surface of the rear wall may form an opening, wherein the outer surface of the rear wall and a surface of the ceiling wall of the engine room are connected by a transition surface running obliquely to the outer surface of the rear wall and to the surface of the ceiling wall. The transition surface forms the connection between the essentially flat surface sections of the outer surface of the rear wall and the surface of the ceiling wall of the engine room. The transition surface may, for example, be curved, in particular convexly curved, or flat.

[0025] In some embodiments, the recess may be formed in an insulating layer of the rear wall. The recess can thus be easily created by locally reducing the thickness of the insulating layer. In the area of ​​the transition from the machine room ceiling to the rear wall, which extend transversely to each other, there is already an excess of insulating material due to the corner formed there. Therefore, the recess does not significantly impair the insulating effect of the insulating layer. At the same time, insulating material is saved and the functional integration of the refrigeration unit is improved.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the discharge opening may extend longitudinally in a direction transverse to the side walls of the machine compartment. For example, the discharge opening may have a rectangular perimeter, with one long side of the rectangle extending from side wall to side wall. This allows the width of the refrigeration unit to be advantageously utilized for air discharge.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the discharge opening may extend over at least 30 percent, in particular at least 50 percent, and preferably at least 80 percent of the distance between the side walls of the engine compartment. In this way, a large portion of the available width of the rear wall can advantageously be used for flow guidance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures in the drawings. The figures show: Fig. 1 a simplified, schematic sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 simplified perspective view of a sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 a further sectional view of the in Fig. 3 refrigeration unit shown, with a fan of the refrigeration unit's heat exchanger assembly not shown; Fig. 5 a perspective partial view of a rear side of the refrigeration unit shown in the Fig. 3 and 4The refrigeration unit shown; Fig. 6 a simplified sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to a further embodiment of the invention, wherein a fan of the heat exchanger assembly of the refrigeration unit is not shown; Fig. 7 a simplified sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 7 a simplified sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 8 a simplified sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0029] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote identical or functionally equivalent components, unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0030] Fig. 1Figure 2 shows an example of a refrigeration appliance 200 in the form of a refrigerator. The following description refers to this refrigeration appliance 200 by way of example, although the invention is not limited to this. In general, the refrigeration appliance 200 can be a household refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator, a fridge-freezer combination, or a freezer. As shown in Figure 200, the invention is described in Figure 200. Fig. 1 Schematically shown, the refrigeration unit 200 has a storage compartment 1, a machine room 2, a refrigerant circuit 3 and a heat exchanger assembly 100.

[0031] Storage compartment 1 is designed to hold refrigerated goods, such as food, beverages, medication, or the like, and is bounded by a base 204, a ceiling wall 206 opposite the base 204, opposing side walls 205 extending between the base 204 and the ceiling wall 206, and a rear wall 202 extending between the base 204 and the ceiling wall 206 as well as between the side walls 205. The base 204, the ceiling 206, the side walls 205, and the rear wall 202 can, for example, be formed in one piece as parts of an inner container 203. The inner container 203 can, for example, be made of plastic, e.g., as an injection-molded plastic part, or of metal. As shown in Fig. 1As further shown, the inner container 203 can be surrounded, in particular overmolded, by an insulating layer 208 along the walls 202, 204, 205, 206. Opposite the rear wall 202, the storage compartment 1 has an opening 1A, which is bounded by the bottom 204, the side walls 205 and the ceiling 206.

[0032] Machine room 2 is defined as a separate room from storage compartment 1 and can be, as in Fig. 1 As shown by way of example, the floor 204 of storage compartment 1 adjoins it. For example, the engine room 2 can be bounded by a floor 21 and a ceiling wall 22 opposite it, as well as by opposing side walls 23 extending between the floor 21 and the ceiling wall 22. The ceiling wall 22 of the engine room 2 can, for example, be formed by the floor 204 of storage compartment 1, as shown in Fig. 1As shown by way of example. Optionally, a front cover 24 can be provided, which further delimits the machine compartment 2, the front cover 24 extending between the floor 21 and the ceiling wall 22 as well as between the side walls 23. The front cover 24 can in particular have an inlet opening 24A, as shown in Fig. 1 The inlet opening 24A allows air exchange between the engine compartment 2 and the environment. The front cover 24 is located at an end of the engine compartment 2 opposite the rear wall 202. Alternatively, the inlet opening 24A can also be formed in one of the side walls 23 of the engine compartment 2. The engine compartment 2 can be open in the area of ​​the rear wall 202, with the side walls 23, the ceiling wall 22, and the floor 21 together defining a rear opening 25. Optionally, part of the rear opening 25 can be covered by a cover (not shown).

[0033] The refrigerant circuit 3 comprises an evaporator 31, a condenser 32, a compressor 33, and an expansion valve (not shown). The compressor 33 is designed to circulate refrigerant, with a suction port of the compressor 33 connected to an outlet of the evaporator 31 and a pressure port of the compressor 33 connected to an inlet of the condenser 32. An outlet of the condenser 32 is connected to an inlet of the evaporator 31, with the expansion valve located between the outlet of the condenser 32 and an inlet of the evaporator 31. The evaporator 31 is thermally coupled to the storage compartment 1, and liquid refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator 31, absorbing heat from the storage compartment 1. The compressor 33 draws in the evaporated refrigerant and delivers it at increased pressure to the condenser 32, where the refrigerant condenses, releasing heat to the surroundings. The refrigerant is depressurized at the throttling point.The refrigerant circuit 3 is thus designed to remove heat from storage compartment 1 and to release heat to the environment.

[0034] The condenser 32 is part of a heat exchanger assembly 100 located in the engine room 2, which also includes a fan 4 and an air duct 5. Fig. 1 This schematically shows the basic structure of the heat exchanger assembly 100. In the Fig. 2 to 8 Various heat exchanger assemblies are shown in detail, including the Fig. 3 to 8 Additionally, show the arrangement of the respective heat exchanger assembly 100 in engine room 2.

[0035] As in Fig. 1 In schematic representation, the fan 4 is rotatable about a rotational axis A4, e.g. by means of a motor (not shown), to convey an airflow. The fan 4 has a suction port or suction side SS for drawing in air along the rotational axis A4 and a pressure port or pressure side PS for expelling air. As shown in Fig. 1 In schematic representation, fan 4 can be designed as a radial fan, which is configured to expel air in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation A4. The in the Fig. 2 to 8 The four fans shown are also implemented as radial fans.

[0036] The condenser 32 is implemented as a compact condenser, e.g., as a so-called MCHE condenser. As in Fig. 2 As shown, the compact condenser 32 can have a plurality of parallel plates 35, each containing a plurality of channels (not shown) for conveying refrigerant, and a plurality of fins 34 arranged between the plates 35 and in thermally conductive contact with them. The plates 35 and the fins 34 together define convection channels 36 through which air can flow through the compact condenser 32. As shown in Fig. 2As shown by way of example, the compact condenser 32 can have an essentially rectangular shape. The plates 35 extend parallel to a long side of the rectangle, and the fins 34 extend transversely to the plates 35, in particular between the plates 35.

[0037] The air duct 5 defines an interior space 50 and has an intake opening 51 and an exhaust opening 52. As in Fig. 2 As shown by way of example, the intake opening 51 can be circular. Regardless of the circumferential shape of the intake opening 51, the exhaust opening 52 can, for example, have a perimeter in the form of a rectangle. In particular, the long side of the rectangle can be significantly longer than the short side of the rectangle; for example, the ratio of the length of the long side to the short side can be greater than or equal to 5:1. In general, the exhaust opening 52 can be elongated. As shown in Fig. 2As further shown by way of example, a central axis M51 of the intake opening 51 can extend transversely or perpendicularly to a central axis M52 of the exhaust opening 52. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the central axes M51, M52 of the intake opening 51 and the exhaust opening 52 can also be parallel to each other, as shown in Fig. 7 shown, or angled, e.g. extending at an angle between 5 degrees and 30 degrees to each other. As in Fig. 1 purely schematic representation and especially in the Fig. 4 and 6 It can be seen that the flow cross-section of the air duct 5 can widen from the intake opening 51 to the exhaust opening 52.

[0038] The fan 4 and the condenser 32 are each arranged in the interior 50 of the air duct. As in Fig. 1 schematic and Fig. 2As shown in detail by way of example, the fan 4 is located in the area of ​​the intake opening 51, in particular directly adjacent to the intake opening 51, and the condenser 32 is located in the area of ​​the outlet opening 52, e.g. in the outlet opening 52. Optionally, the axis of rotation A4 of the fan 4 can be coaxial with the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51, as shown in Fig. 2 This is shown as an example. The suction side SS of fan 4 faces the intake opening 51, and the pressure side PS of fan 4 faces the interior 50 of the air duct 5. Thus, the compact condenser 32 is positioned on the pressure side PS of fan 4. Fan 4 can therefore draw air from the engine room 2 through the intake opening 51, transport it through the interior 50 to the compact condenser 32 and through its convection channels 36, and expel it through the exhaust opening 52. As shown in Fig. 2 to 5As shown, the fins 34 and the plates 35 can extend parallel to the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52. By arranging the compact condenser 32 on the pressure side PS of the fan 4 within the interior 50 of the air duct 5, a pressure chamber is formed between the fan 4 and the compact condenser 32, in which a relatively homogeneous velocity distribution prevails. This promotes a uniform flow across the surface of the compact condenser 32 with low pressure losses. In particular, this reduces the deviation of the mass flow rates flowing through the individual convection channels 36 of the compact condenser 32. If necessary, at least one deflector plate (not shown) can be provided in the interior 50 of the air duct 5, which extends at least partially curved around the axis of rotation A4 of the fan 4 on the pressure side PS of the fan 4.

[0039] During the Fig. 2 to 5In the exemplary heat exchanger assembly 100, as explained above, the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51 extends transversely or perpendicularly to the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52. Furthermore, the axis of rotation A4 of the fan 4 extends transversely to the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52. As shown in Fig. 2 As further shown, the fan 4 can also be positioned with respect to the central axis M51 of the inlet opening 51 in such a way that it is arranged overlapping with the outlet opening 52.

[0040] The Fig. 3 and 4 schematically show sectional views of a refrigeration unit 200, in whose machine room 2 the in Fig. 2 The illustrated heat exchanger assembly 100 is arranged.

[0041] Fig. 5 shows a view of the back of the refrigerator 200 from the Fig. 3 and 4 .

[0042] As in the Fig. 3 to 5As shown, the heat exchanger assembly 100 can be positioned in the area of ​​the rear opening 25 of the machine compartment 2. Generally, at least the discharge opening 52 of the air duct 5 can be arranged in the area of ​​the rear opening 25. The discharge opening 52 preferably extends longitudinally in a direction transverse to the side walls 23 of the machine compartment 2, i.e., parallel or substantially parallel to the rear wall 202 or along the width of the rear wall 202 of the refrigeration unit 200, as shown in particular in Fig. 5As shown, the discharge opening 52 can optionally extend substantially over the entire distance d23 between the side walls 23 of the engine room. For example, the discharge opening 52 can have a length w52 extending over at least 30 percent, in particular at least 50 percent, and preferably at least 80 percent of the distance d23 between the side walls 23. Regardless of the length w52 with respect to the distance d23 between the side walls 23, the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52 can extend transversely to the ceiling wall 52. For example, the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52 can extend parallel to the rear wall 202, as shown in the Fig. 2 to 5 This is shown purely as an example. Thus, the air can be blown out along the rear wall 202 of the refrigeration unit 200, as shown in Fig. 5This is symbolically represented by the arrows P1. The plates 35 and fins 34 of the condenser 32 preferably also extend transversely to the ceiling wall 22.

[0043] If the refrigeration unit 200 is positioned such that the rear wall 202 is aligned along the direction of gravity G, the plates 35 and fins 34 are also essentially parallel to the direction of gravity G. This advantageously promotes natural convection at the compact condenser 32.

[0044] As in the Fig. 3 to 5 As further illustrated by example, the exhaust opening 52 can be located in the area of ​​the ceiling 22 of the engine room 2. Accordingly, the intake opening 51 can be located closer to the floor 21 of the engine room 2 than the exhaust opening 52.

[0045] As in the Fig. 3 to 5As shown by way of example, it can be provided that a recess 207 is formed in a transition area between the ceiling wall 22 of the machine room 2 and the rear wall 202 of the refrigeration unit 200. As shown in Fig. 5 As shown by way of example, the recess 207 can extend from one side wall 23 to the opposite side wall 23 of the engine room 2. The recess 207 forms an opening or recess on an outer surface 202a of the rear wall 202, which is oriented away from the storage compartment 1, as shown in Fig. 5 is clearly recognizable. As is particularly evident in Fig. 4As shown, the transition area between the ceiling wall 22 of the engine room 2 and the rear wall 202 is formed by a transition or connecting surface 222a, which connects a substantially planar surface section of a surface 22a of the ceiling wall 22 facing the engine room 2 with a substantially planar surface section of the outer surface 202a of the rear wall 202. The transition surface 222a runs obliquely to the outer surface 202a and to the surface 22a. As shown in Fig. 4 To illustrate this purely by way of example, the transition surface 222a can, for instance, be convexly curved or at least have a curved area. The recess 207 can, for example, be formed in the insulating layer 208 or in the insulating material forming the insulating layer 208. As shown in Fig. 4This does not result in any significant weakening of the insulation layer 208, since, due to its arrangement in the transition area between the ceiling wall 22 and the rear wall 202, only a corner area of ​​the insulation layer 208 is removed. Thus, a substantially constant thickness d208 of the insulation layer 208 is maintained.

[0046] As especially in the Fig. 4 and 5 As can be seen, an end section of the air duct 5, in which the discharge opening 52 of the air duct 5 is positioned, protrudes into the recess 207. Thus, the discharge opening 52 of the air duct 5 is located in the recess 207. This allows the heat exchanger assembly 100 as a whole, and in particular the compact condenser 32, to be positioned even closer to the ceiling wall 22 of the engine room 2, and the heat exchanger assembly 100 can be accommodated in the engine room 2 in a space-saving manner.

[0047] In Fig. 6A sectional view of another refrigeration unit 200 with a heat exchanger assembly 100 is shown, which according to Fig. 2 is trained. Unlike those in the Fig. 3 to 5 The refrigeration unit 200 shown includes the heat exchanger assembly 100, which is located in the... Fig. 6 The refrigeration unit 200 shown is arranged such that the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51 and the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52 each extend at an angle to the ceiling wall 22. This allows the air in the recess 207 to be discharged from the discharge opening 52 at a reduced angle, optionally essentially tangentially to the transition surface 222a. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the central axes M51 and M52 of the intake opening 51 and discharge opening 52 extend at an angle to each other, e.g., at an angle between 5 degrees and 30 degrees, with the central axis M52 of the discharge opening 52 as shown in Fig. 6shown runs and the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51 extends parallel to the ceiling wall 22.

[0048] In Fig. 7 A sectional view of another refrigeration unit 200 with a heat exchanger assembly 100 is shown. The in Fig. 7 The heat exchanger assembly 100 shown differs from the one in Fig. 2 The heat exchanger assembly 100 shown is characterized by the fact that the central axes M51, M52 of the intake opening 51 and the exhaust opening 52 extend parallel to each other. With respect to a direction perpendicular to the central axes M51, M52, the intake opening 51 and the exhaust opening 52 are located next to each other, that is, the central axes M51, M52 of the intake opening 51 and the exhaust opening 52 are spaced apart from each other. The axis of rotation A4 of the fan 4 is coaxial with the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51. As shown in Fig. 7As can be seen, the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51, and thus also the axis of rotation A4 of the fan 4, extends transversely to the ceiling wall 22. As in Fig. 7 As shown schematically, a very space-saving arrangement of the heat exchanger assembly 100 can be achieved by positioning an end section of the air duct 5, in which the intake opening 51 and the fan 4 are located, in the area of ​​the ceiling wall 22 of the engine room 2. The intake opening 51 faces the floor 21 of the engine room 2.

[0049] In Fig. 8 A sectional view of another refrigeration unit 200 with a heat exchanger assembly 100 is shown. The in Fig. 8 The heat exchanger assembly 100 shown differs from the one in Fig. 2The heat exchanger assembly 100 shown is distinguished by the fact that the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51 runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the discharge opening 52, e.g., to the long side of the rectangular circumference of the discharge opening 52, but parallel to the longitudinal extent of the discharge opening 52. Fig. 8 It is shown by way of example that the central axis M51 of the intake opening 51, and thus also the axis of rotation A4 of the fan 4, extend transversely to the side walls 23 of the engine room 2. REFERENCE MARK

[0050] 1 Storage compartment 1 Opening 2 Engine room 3 Refrigerant circuit 4 Fan 5 Air duct 21 Floor of the engine room 22 Ceiling wall of the engine room 22a Surface of the ceiling wall of the engine room 23 Side walls of the engine room 24 Front cover 24A Inlet opening 25 Rear opening 31 Evaporator 32 Compact condenser 33 Compressor 34 Fins 35 Plates 36 Convection channels 50 Interior 51 Intake opening 52 Exhaust opening 100 Heat exchanger assembly 200 Refrigeration unit 202 Rear wall of storage compartment 202a Outer surface of rear wall 203 Inner container 204 Bottom of storage compartment 205 Side walls of storage compartment 206 Top wall of storage compartment 207 Recess 208 Insulation layer A4 Rotation axis of the fan d208 Layer thickness of the insulation layer M51 Center axis of the intake opening M52 Center axis of the exhaust opening w52 Length of the exhaust opening d23 Distance between the side walls of the machine room

Claims

1. Refrigeration appliance (200), in particular household refrigeration appliance, having: a storage compartment (1) for receiving items to be refrigerated; a machine space (2) separate from the storage compartment (1); and a refrigerant circuit (3) for absorbing heat out of the storage compartment (1) and for outputting heat to the surroundings, wherein the refrigerant circuit (3) has a heat exchanger assembly (100), which is arranged in the machine space (2), wherein the heat exchanger assembly (100) has: a compact condenser (32) for outputting heat to the surroundings; a fan (4) for guiding an air flow via the condenser (32); and an air conducting channel (5) which extends between the fan (4) and the compact condenser (32); wherein the fan (4) is positioned in the air conducting channel (5) in the region of an exhaust opening (51) of the air conducting channel (5) and the compact condenser (32) is positioned in the air conducting channel (5) in the region of an exhaust opening (52) of the air conducting channel (5) on a pressure side (PS) of the fan (4); wherein the compact condenser (32) has a plurality of parallel plates (35), in which a number of channels is embodied in each case for the conducting of refrigerant, and has a plurality of fins (34) which are arranged between the plates (35) and are in thermally conductive contact with the plates (35), wherein the fins (34) and the plates (35) extend parallel to a central axis (M52) of the exhaust opening (52), wherein the machine space (2) has a base (21), a ceiling wall (22) opposite the base (21) and side walls (23) extending between the base (21) and the ceiling wall (22), wherein the base (21), the ceiling wall (22) and the side walls (23) enclose a rear side opening (25) and the exhaust opening (52) of the air conducting channel (5) is arranged in the region of the rear side opening (25), characterised in that the fan (4) is embodied as a radial fan, wherein a central axis (M52) of the exhaust opening (52) is aligned transversely to the ceiling wall (22) of the machine space (52), such that air can be blown out along a rear wall (202) of the refrigeration appliance (200), and wherein the plates (35) and fins (34) extend transversely to the ceiling wall (22).

2. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust opening (52) of the air conducting channel (5) is embodied with a longitudinal, in particular rectangular shape, and a flow cross section of the air conducting channel (5) widens from the intake opening (51) to the exhaust opening (52).

3. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intake opening (51) of the air conducting channel (5) is circular.

4. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the exhaust opening (52) of the air conducting channel (5) is positioned in the region of the ceiling wall (22) of the machine space (2).

5. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to claim 4, wherein a recess (207), in which the exhaust opening (52) of the air conducting channel (5) is situated, is embodied in a transition region between the ceiling wall (22) of the machine space (2) and a rear wall (202) of the refrigeration appliance (200) extending transversely to the ceiling wall (22), which rear wall delimits the storage compartment (1).

6. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to claim 5, wherein the recess (207) forms an opening on an outer area (202a) of the rear wall (202), and wherein the outer area (202a) of the rear wall (202) and a surface (22a) of the ceiling wall (22) of the machine space (2) are connected by a transition area (222a) running obliquely to the outer area (202a) of the rear wall (202) and to the surface (22a) of the ceiling wall (22).

7. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the recess (207) is embodied in an insulating layer (208) of the rear wall (202).

8. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exhaust opening (52) extends longitudinally in a direction running transversely to the side walls (23) of the machine space (2).

9. Refrigeration appliance (200) according to claim 8, wherein the exhaust opening (52) extends over at least 30 percent, in particular at least 50 percent, in particular preferably at least 80 percent of a distance (d23) of the side walls (23) of the machine space (2).

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