Refrigeration appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance (100), in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: an inner container (1) which defines an interior space (10); and a separating wall assembly (2) which divides the interior space (10) into a first chamber (11) for accommodating refrigerated goods and a second chamber (12) for accommodating functional components, the separating wall assembly (2) having a cover (20) which forms a wall (11A) that delimits the first chamber (11); wherein the cover (20) of the separating wall assembly (2) has a groove (21) on a surface (20a, 20b), which groove extends peripherally around an aperture region (22) and defines a predetermined breaking point, the aperture region (22) being separable from the cover (20) by applying a force (F) thereto in a direction transverse to the surface (20a, 20b) along the groove (21) in order to form a through-opening (22A) from the first chamber (11) into the second chamber (12).

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. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Refrigeration appliances, such as freezers, typically have an inner container that defines an interior space for storing goods and is cooled by an evaporator integrated into a refrigerant circuit. In some appliances, particularly so-called no-frost models, the interior is divided by a partition into a first chamber for storing the goods and a second chamber for functional components, such as the evaporator.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2018 201 970 A1 discloses a refrigeration appliance in which the interior of the inner container is divided into a refrigerated goods chamber and an evaporator chamber by a partition wall assembly.

[0004] US 2004 / 031275 A1 and DE 102018201970 A1 disclose refrigeration equipment according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] A further state of the art is disclosed in document WO2017 / 060067A1.

[0006] In various situations, such as the aforementioned service scenario, it may be necessary to remove a partition assembly from the interior or to gain access to the area behind the partition assembly. This is generally easy to accomplish via openings provided in the partition assembly. However, it is also desirable for the partition assembly to have as few openings as possible, for example, to facilitate cleaning and to prevent liquids from entering the second chamber. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide improved solutions for a partition assembly in a refrigeration unit.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a refrigeration device having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, comprises an inner container defining an interior space and a partition assembly dividing the interior space into a first chamber for holding goods to be cooled and a second chamber for holding functional components. The partition assembly has a cover that forms a wall bounding the first chamber, e.g., a rear wall of the first chamber. The cover of the partition assembly has a groove on one surface, which is formed around a perforation area and defines a predetermined breaking point, wherein the perforation area can be detached from the cover by applying a force to it in a direction transverse to the surface along the groove, in order to form a through-opening from the first chamber to the second chamber.

[0011] One of the underlying ideas of the invention is to provide a section in the cover of a partition assembly that can be cut out along a predetermined breaking line formed by a groove, in order to gain access to an area of ​​the interior located behind the cover. The cover is realized as a planar component, e.g., plate-shaped, which, together with side walls and a top and bottom wall of the inner container, delimits the first chamber. The cut-out section or opening is surrounded by the groove. The groove can, for example, define a rectangular, circular, triangular, or other polygonal, or generally a closed area. The groove forms a recess in the surface of the cover, thereby reducing the material thickness of the cover. The opening surrounded by the groove has a material thickness of...The wall thickness increases to a greater thickness than that defined by the groove. If a force is applied to the area surrounded by the groove, either transversely or perpendicularly to the surface of the cover, for example with a pin-shaped tool such as a screwdriver, the cover material breaks in the groove, so that the area surrounded by the groove is torn out of the cover and a through-hole is formed in the cover.

[0012] An advantage of the invention is that no separate access holes need to be provided in the cover of the partition assembly to access the second chamber from the first chamber of the interior, which advantageously prevents liquid from penetrating into the second chamber. Furthermore, cleaning of the cover is facilitated and the cover's aesthetic appearance is improved.

[0013] Advantageous designs and further developments result from the subclaims relating back to the independent claims in conjunction with the description.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the groove may define a first wall thickness, which lies in a range between 5% and 30%, and in particular between 10% and 20%, of a second wall thickness of the cover outside the penetration area. The groove can thus reduce the wall thickness of the cover by 70% to 95%, thereby further facilitating the removal of the penetration area.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the breakthrough area may have a third wall thickness, which is at least 40% of the second wall thickness of the cover outside the breakthrough area. As already explained, the breakthrough area generally has a wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness defined by the groove, thus preventing damage to the breakthrough area itself during force application. Optionally, the breakthrough area itself may have a reduced wall thickness compared to the second wall thickness of the cover outside the breakthrough area, so that a depression is formed on the respective surface of the cover. This can advantageously facilitate tool insertion. Alternatively, the breakthrough area may have the same or even a greater wall thickness than the cover outside the breakthrough area.If the third wall thickness of the opening area is equal to the second wall thickness, the flush surfaces on both sides of the groove further facilitate cleaning. The second wall thickness can, for example, be in a range between 1.8 mm and 3.2 mm, particularly between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the groove may be formed on the first surface of the cover facing the first chamber. This allows the groove to be visible from the first chamber. This offers the advantage that the area to be cut out is easily identifiable. Furthermore, for manufacturing the partition assembly, e.g., in an injection molding process, it may be advantageous to form the groove on the first surface.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the groove may be formed on a second surface of the cover facing the second chamber. Thus, the groove can be formed on the second surface opposite the first. This allows the first surface, facing the first chamber, to be completely free of any depression or opening for accessing the area behind the cover, further facilitating cleaning and improving the cover's aesthetic appearance.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the groove may be arranged in an edge region of the cover. In particular, the groove, and thus the opening area, may be arranged in the region of a circumferential edge, e.g., in an area facing one of the side walls of the inner container. This advantageously reduces the aesthetic impairment resulting from cutting out the opening area.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the cover may be made of a plastic material. For example, the cover can be manufactured using a plastic injection molding process or an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. An advantage of the invention is that the groove can be easily formed in one of these manufacturing processes.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the partition assembly may have an elastic locking arm on one side facing the second chamber, which engages with a locking contour of the inner container. The groove in the area of ​​the locking arm is formed on the cover, so that the locking arm is accessible from the first chamber through the opening after the opening in the cover has been separated. The locking arm may, for example, be formed integrally with the cover. Optionally, the locking arm may engage with a locking contour formed on a side wall of the inner container, such as a recess or indentation. The locking arm advantageously provides a simple and reliable means of detachably attaching the partition assembly to the inner container.By positioning the opening area in the area of ​​the locking arm, the partition assembly can be easily removed from the interior from the first chamber.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second chamber may contain an evaporator to extract heat from the first chamber. The evaporator may, for example, be integrated into a refrigerant circuit designed to release the heat absorbed by the evaporator from the first chamber to the environment, particularly by means of a condenser.

[0022] According to some embodiments, a fan may be additionally accommodated in the second chamber, the cover having a first recess and a second recess spaced apart from it, the fan being arranged to draw in an airflow from the first chamber through the first recess, pass it over the evaporator, and expel it into the first chamber through the second recess, or to draw in an airflow from the first chamber through the second recess, pass it over the evaporator, and expel it into the first chamber through the first recess. Accordingly, the refrigeration unit can, for example, be implemented as a no-frost unit. In this case, at least recesses are provided in the cover to allow air circulation between the first and second chambers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures in the drawings. The figures show: Fig. 1 a perspective front view of a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a fragmented detail view of the area marked by the letter Z. Fig. 1Fig. 4: A broken sectional view of a partition assembly of a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the invention in the area of ​​a breach in a cover, wherein the partition assembly is mounted to an inner container of the refrigeration unit; Fig. 5: A partial perspective sectional view of a cover of a partition assembly of a refrigeration unit according to an embodiment of the invention in the area of ​​the breach; Fig. 6: A partial sectional view of a cover of a partition assembly of a refrigeration unit according to a further embodiment of the invention in the area of ​​the breach, wherein a tool acting on the breach is additionally shown. Fig. 7: The cover made of Fig. 6, wherein the breakthrough area was cut out of the cover; Fig. 8 a partial sectional view of a cover of a partition assembly of a refrigeration unit according to a further embodiment of the invention in the area of ​​the breakthrough breakthrough.

[0024] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote identical or functionally equivalent components, unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0025] Fig. 1 Shows an example of a front view of a refrigeration unit 100 according to claim 1. In Fig. 2 A simplified, schematic sectional view of the refrigeration unit 100 according to claim 1 is shown. As in the Fig. 1 and 2 As shown, the refrigeration unit 100 has an inner container 1 and a partition assembly 2. As shown in Fig. 2 As shown schematically, an evaporator 3 and optionally a fan 4 can also be provided.

[0026] The inner container 1 can, in particular, be a plastic container, which is optionally surrounded by an insulating material (not shown). As in the Fig. 1 and 2 As shown by way of example, the inner container 1 defines an interior space 10, which is, for example, essentially cuboid in shape. In particular, the inner container 1 can have a rear wall 10A, a bottom wall 10B extending transversely to the rear wall 10A, a top wall 10C extending transversely to the rear wall 10A and spaced apart from the bottom wall 10B, and two opposing side walls 10D, 10E extending between the bottom and top walls 10B, 10C, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 This is shown purely as an example. The walls 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D together define or delimit the interior space 10.

[0027] The partition wall assembly 2 is in Fig. 2schematically represented and has a cover 20 and optionally one or more locking arms 26 ( Fig. 4 ) on. As in Fig. 2 As shown schematically, the partition assembly 2 is arranged in the interior space 10 of the inner compartment 1 and divides the interior space 10 into a first chamber 11 for holding refrigerated goods, such as food, beverages, medicines, or the like, and a second chamber 12 for holding functional components. As shown in Fig. 2 As shown by way of example, the partition assembly 2 can extend from the bottom wall 10B to the top wall 10C of the inner container 1. However, the invention is not limited to such a design. Alternatively, it is also conceivable, for example, that the partition assembly terminates at a distance from the bottom wall 10B and / or the top wall 10C of the inner container 1.

[0028] The cover 20 is realized as a planar component, e.g. made of a plastic material, and forms a wall bounding the first chamber 11, e.g. a rear wall 11A of the first chamber 11, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 The cover 20 is shown schematically. It is thus arranged at a distance from the rear wall 10A of the inner container 1. The cover 20 generally has a first surface 20a, which faces the first chamber 11, and a second surface 20b, located opposite the first surface 20a and facing the second chamber 12. The first surface 20a thus forms a visible surface of the cover 20.

[0029] As in Fig. 2As further shown, an evaporator 3 can, for example, be arranged in the second chamber 12. The evaporator 3 is designed to extract heat from the first chamber 11 and can be part of a refrigerant circuit (not shown), which may also include a condenser for releasing heat to the environment and a compressor for circulating refrigerant between the evaporator 3 and the condenser. As shown in Fig. 2 In purely schematic terms, an additional fan 4 can optionally be included in the second chamber 12. As shown in Fig. 2 As further shown schematically, the cover 20 can have a first recess 27 and a second recess 28 arranged at a distance from it. The second recess 28 can, for example, be formed in an edge region of the cover 20 facing the bottom wall 10B, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2This is shown purely as an example. The first recess 27 is preferably spaced apart from the second recess 28 such that the evaporator 3 can be positioned between the first and the second recesses 27, 28. The fan 4 can, for example, be arranged in the area of ​​the second recess 28 in the second chamber 12, as shown in Fig. 2 The following is an example. Generally, the optional fan 4 can be arranged to draw an airflow from the first chamber 11 through the first recess 27, guide it over the evaporator 3, and expel it through the second recess 28 into the first chamber 11. Alternatively, the fan 4 can also be arranged to draw an airflow from the first chamber 11 through the second recess 28, guide it over the evaporator 3, and expel it through the first recess 27 into the first chamber 11. In this case, the fan 4 can, for example, be located in the area of ​​the first recess 27.

[0030] As in Fig. 1 recognizable and in Fig. 3 As shown enlarged, the cover 20 has at least one opening area 22 bounded by a circumferential groove 21, which may be formed, for example, in an edge area, in particular in an edge area of ​​the cover 20 facing a respective side wall 10D, 10E of the inner container 10.

[0031] The Fig. 5 to 8 Each figure shows a schematic sectional view of the cover 20 in the area of ​​the opening 22. The groove 21 can, for example, be formed on the first surface 20a of the cover 20, as shown in the figures. Fig. 5, 6 and 8 is shown schematically. Alternatively, the groove 21 can also be formed on the second surface 20b, as shown in Fig. 8 This is shown as an example. The groove 21 can, for example, have a rectangular cross-section, as shown in the Fig. 5, 6 , and 8This is shown as an example. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable, e.g., V-shaped or U-shaped. The groove 21 generally forms a recess in the respective surface 20a, 20b of the cover 20 and encloses or forms a frame around the opening area 22. As shown in the Fig. 3 and 5 In schematic terms, groove 21 can, for example, form a rectangular frame. Alternatively, other shapes are also conceivable, e.g., polygonal or circular.

[0032] The breakthrough area 22 is, as in the Fig. 5, 6 , and 8 As shown by way of example, a discrete, planar area of ​​the cover 20 is formed, which is surrounded by the groove 21 or delimited from the rest of the cover 20. As shown in the Fig. 5, 6 , and 8As shown schematically, the cover 20 has a first wall thickness t21 where the groove 21 is formed. Outside the opening area 22, where the groove 21 is not formed, the cover 20 has a second wall thickness t20, which is greater than the first wall thickness t21. The second wall thickness t20 can, for example, be in a range between 1.8 mm and 3.2 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 3 mm. In the opening area 22 surrounded by the groove 21, the cover 20 has a third wall thickness t22, which is also greater than the first wall thickness t21. The first wall thickness t21 can, for example, be in a range between 5% and 30%, in particular between 10% and 20% of the second wall thickness t20 of the cover 20. The third wall thickness t22 can, for example, be at least 40% of the second wall thickness t20 of the cover 20. As shown in Fig. 5As shown by way of example, the third wall thickness t22 can be smaller than the second wall thickness t20, so that on the respective surface 20a, 20b, where the groove 21 is formed (the first surface 20a in Fig. 5 ), the breakthrough area 22 forms a depression 23. In the Fig. 6 Figure 9 illustrates that the second and third wall thicknesses t21, t22 are equal. In this case, the surface areas of the respective surfaces 20a, 20b, on which the groove 21 is formed (the second surface 20b in Fig. 5 ), on both sides of the groove 21.

[0033] The groove 21 thus forms a predetermined breaking point or breaking line, along which the opening area 22 can be separated from the rest of the cover 20. Fig. 6is exemplified by showing that a force F is applied in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the respective surface 20a, 20b of the cover 20 (first surface 20a in) by means of a pin-shaped tool W, e.g. a screwdriver. Fig. 6 ) can be applied to induce a fracture along the predetermined breaking line. If the force F is sufficient to cause the material of the cover 20 to fracture in the groove 21 or at the bottom of the groove 21, the breakthrough area 22, i.e., the area enclosed by the groove 21, detaches from the rest of the cover 20, and a through-opening 22A extending between the first and second surfaces 20a, 20b of the cover 20 is formed, as shown in Fig. 7 This is shown schematically. The through-opening 22A thus forms an access from the first chamber 11 to the second chamber 12.

[0034] As already explained and in Fig. 4As shown schematically, the partition assembly 2 can have an optional locking arm 26. As shown in Fig. 4 As shown purely by way of example, the locking arm 26 can be formed integrally with the cover 20 and connected to the second surface 20b of the cover 20. However, it is also conceivable that the locking arm 26 is formed on another component of the partition assembly 2, which is arranged on one side of the cover 20 facing the second chamber 12 and to which the cover 20 is fixedly or detachably connected. In general, the locking arm 26 is formed on one side of the partition assembly 2 facing the second chamber 12. As shown in Fig. 4 As shown by way of example, a support structure 24 extending transversely to the cover 20 in the direction of the rear wall 10A of the inner compartment 10 can be provided, which firmly connects the locking arm 26 to the cover 20.

[0035] The locking arm 26 is generally designed to be elastically deformable. As in Fig. 4As shown, the locking arm 26 can have a substantially linear arm section 26A, which extends at an angle from the support structure 24 towards the cover 20, an engagement section 26B formed at the end of the arm section 26A, which extends approximately in a U-shape, and an actuating section 26C, which projects from the engagement section 26B towards the cover 20. At an end facing away from the engagement section 26B or towards the cover 20, the actuating section 26C can have a bent nose 26D, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown schematically. As in Fig. 4 As further shown by way of example, the inner container 1 has a detent contour 15 on each side wall 10D, 10E, with which the detent arm 26 is detented. As in Fig. 4As shown by way of example, the locking contour 15 can have a bulge 15A into which the engagement structure 26B of the locking arm 26 projects or in which the engagement structure 26B of the locking arm 26 is received.

[0036] As in Fig. 4 As shown schematically, the groove 21 or the opening area 22 of the cover 20 can be formed in the area of ​​the locking arm 26, particularly in the edge region of the cover 20. After separating the opening area 22 from the cover 20, the locking arm 26 is accessible from the first chamber 11 through the through-opening 22A. As shown in Fig. 4As shown schematically by dashed lines, a pin-shaped tool W, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted through the through-opening 22A after the opening area 22 has been separated from the cover 20. This allows the tool to reach the actuating section 26C of the locking arm 26 at the nose 26D and exert a force on the actuating section 26C, directed away from the respective side walls 10D and 10E. This elastically deforms the arm section 26A, moves the engagement section 26B out of the recess 15A, and thus releases the locking mechanism of the locking arm 26 and the locking contour 15.

[0037] As can be seen from the preceding description and the figures, the opening 22, which can be separated from the rest of the cover 20, offers the advantage that the area behind the cover, in particular the second chamber 12, can be easily accessed, e.g., for servicing. At the same time, the number of openings provided in the cover 20 is reduced. This facilitates cleaning of the cover 20 and reduces the risk of liquids passing from the first chamber 11 into the second chamber 12.

[0038] Although the present invention has been explained above by way of example embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many ways, the invention being disclosed in the following claims. In particular, combinations of the foregoing embodiments are also conceivable, provided they comply with the following claims. REFERENCE MARK

[0039] 1 Inner container 2 Partition assembly 3 Evaporator 4 Fan 10 Interior 10A Rear wall 10B Bottom wall 10C Ceiling wall 10D, E Side walls 11 First chamber 11A Rear wall 12 Second chamber 15 Locking contour 15A Bulge 20 Cover 20a, 20b Cover surfaces 21 Groove 22 Breakout area 22A Through opening 23 Recess 24 Support structure 26 Locking arm 26A Arm section 26B Engagement section 26C Actuating section 26D Nose 27 First recess 28 Second recess FForce WTool

Claims

1. Refrigeration appliance (100), in particular household refrigeration appliance, with: an inner container (1), which defines an inner compartment (10); and a dividing wall subassembly (2), which subdivides the inner compartment (10) into a first chamber (11) for accommodating goods to be refrigerated and a second chamber (12) for accommodating functional components, wherein the dividing wall subassembly (2) has a cover (20), which forms a wall (11A) that delimits the first chamber (11); characterised in that the cover (20) of the dividing wall subassembly (2) has, on a surface (20a, 20b), a groove (21) which is embodied as running around a cut-out region (22) and defines an intended break point, wherein the cut-out region (22) can be detached from the cover (20) along the groove (21) by applying a force (F) thereto in a direction transverse to the surface (20a, 20b), in order to form a cut-out opening (22A) from the first chamber (11) into the second chamber (12).

2. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the groove (21) defines a first wall thickness (t21), which lies in a range between 5 % and 30 %, in particular in a range between 10 % and 20 % of a second wall thickness (t20) of the cover (20) outside of the cut-out region (22).

3. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the cut-out region (22) has a third wall thickness (t22), which amounts to at least 40 % of the second wall thickness (t20) of the cover outside of the cut-out region (22).

4. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the groove (21) is embodied on a first surface (20a) of the cover (20) which faces towards the first chamber (11).

5. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the groove (21) is embodied on a second surface (20b) of the cover (20) which faces towards the second chamber (12).

6. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the groove (21) is arranged in an edge region of the cover (20).

7. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover (20) is produced from a plastic material.

8. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dividing wall subassembly (2) has, on a side which faces towards the second chamber (12), an elastic latching arm (26), which is latched to a latching contour (15) of the inner container (1), and the groove (21) is embodied in the region of the latching arm (26) on the cover (20), so that the latching arm (26) can be accessed through the cut-out opening (22A) once the cut-out region (22) has been detached from the cover (20) and out from the first chamber (11).

9. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an evaporator (3) is accommodated in the second chamber (12), in order to extract heat from the first chamber (11).

10. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that a fan (4) is additionally accommodated in the second chamber (12), wherein the cover (20) has a first recess (27) and a second recess (28) arranged at a distance therefrom, wherein the fan (4) is arranged in such a manner so as to draw an air flow through the first recess (27) and out from the first chamber (11), to conduct it via the evaporator (3) and to expel it through the second recess (28) and into the first chamber (11), or so as to draw an air flow through the second recess (28) and out from the first chamber (11), to conduct it via the evaporator (3) and to expel it through the first recess (27) and into the first chamber (11).

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