Domestic refrigeration appliance having an ice and / or water dispenser device with specific pressure adjustment of the water, and method

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance (1) with an ice and / or water dispenser device (2) for dispensing water and / or ice, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) has at least one electronically controlled valve (7) with which the water flow can be adjusted, wherein a pressure reducer (10) is arranged upstream of the electronically controlled valve (7) in the direction of flow of the water, with which the water pressure can be adjusted and as a result the water has an inlet pressure of less than 4 bar at an inlet (7a) of the electronically controlled valve (7). Another aspect of the invention relates to a method.

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance has an ice and / or water dispenser device for dispensing water and / or ice. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a household refrigeration appliance.

[0002] A household refrigeration appliance for storing and preserving food is known in a variety of designs. Appliances are also known which additionally have an ice and / or water dispenser device. This allows liquid, in particular water, and / or ice to be dispensed from an outlet of the household refrigeration appliance as needed and desired. In this context, such household refrigeration appliances are connected to an external water supply network. Water is supplied to the appliance via such an external water supply network. The supply of water from this external water supply network to the household refrigeration appliance is subject to the respective local conditions. As a result, this water supply from outside the household refrigeration appliance to the household refrigeration appliance is also subject to different conditions with regard to water pressure.In this context, it is also known that very high water pressures sometimes occur in this external water supply network, which in Scandinavia, for example, can reach up to approximately 10 bar or higher. Therefore, it is planned to reduce these pressures and take appropriate precautions.

[0003] Regardless of the issue of potentially varying and / or excessively high external water pressures, the circulating water pressures within the household refrigeration appliance itself vary. This can lead to undesirable noise, for example, when dispensing media such as water and / or ice.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a household refrigeration appliance and a method for operating such a household refrigeration appliance, with which or in which the background noise in the household refrigeration appliance is reduced when media are conveyed in the household refrigeration appliance.

[0005] This object is achieved by a household refrigeration appliance and a method according to the independent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance can be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a fridge-freezer combination appliance. The household refrigeration appliance is designed for storing and preserving food. The household refrigeration appliance has an ice and / or water dispenser. This is designed for dispensing water and / or ice. The ice and / or water dispenser has at least one electronically controlled valve with which the water flow can be adjusted. The electronically controlled valve thus makes it possible, in particular, to enable or block the water flow. A pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the electronically controlled valve in the direction of water flow in the household refrigeration appliance, which is provided for the ice and / or water dispenser.This pressure reducer is therefore located upstream of the electronically controlled valve in the water circuit of the household refrigeration appliance. This pressure reducer is designed to adjust the water pressure in the household refrigeration appliance so that the water at one inlet of the electronically controlled valve has an inlet pressure of less than 4 bar.

[0007] Such a household refrigeration appliance now makes it possible to precisely adjust the pressure of the water flowing within the household refrigeration appliance itself, which is intended to supply the ice and / or water dispenser, to a correspondingly lower value. The position of this pressure reducer, upstream of the electronically controlled valve, is particularly advantageous. The position and setting of the specific inlet pressure of less than 4 bar enables, in a particularly advantageous and surprising manner, a significant reduction in background noise during operation of the household refrigeration appliance, particularly when dispensing water with the ice and / or water dispenser and / or when supplying water to produce ice in the ice and / or water dispenser. This concept makes it particularly advantageous to achieve a reduction in sound pressure of greater than 15 dB(A).In particular, sound pressure reductions of around 20 dB(A) can be achieved in this context. This significantly reduces the background noise. Especially when a user in the room in which the household refrigeration appliance is installed desires a quieter environment, for example when having a conversation and / or making a phone call or wanting to listen to other information sources such as a radio or TV, this is no longer disturbing or disruptive. Especially at night, when ice production is or should be automatic, the background noise is significantly reduced if the water in the household refrigeration appliance itself is fed to an ice production unit of the ice and / or water dispenser.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pressure reducer can be used to adjust the water pressure so that the water at the inlet of the electronically controlled valve has an inlet pressure of less than 3 bar, in particular an inlet pressure between 1.5 bar and 2.5 bar. This now makes it possible to set relatively low pressures in a defined and desired manner, which, in combination with the position of this pressure reducer in the overall water supply system of the household refrigeration appliance, leads to this significant reduction in noise.

[0009] In one embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance has a line via which the household refrigeration appliance, in particular the ice and / or water dispenser, is connected to a fixed water connection external to the appliance. The pressure reducer is preferably arranged in this line. This specific positioning enables a space-saving arrangement. On the other hand, in one embodiment, it also allows a corresponding reduction in the water pressure to be set at the inlet of the household refrigeration appliance.

[0010] In one embodiment, the pressure reducer is a separate component from the line. This allows the pressure reducer to be individually replaced.

[0011] In another embodiment, the pressure reducer can be integrated into the line. Such a design, especially one-piece design of the pressure reducer with the line, allows for savings in components. Furthermore, assembly effort is reduced. In particular, this also permanently prevents leaks at the interface between the pressure reducer and the connection points with the line.

[0012] In another embodiment, the pressure reducer is located within the ice and / or water dispenser. Thus, it is completely internally installed. Pressure fluctuations at the inlet of the electronically controlled valve can be better avoided because the paths between the pressure reducer and this inlet of the electronically controlled valve are minimized.

[0013] In one embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance, in particular the ice and / or water dispenser, has at least one additional valve. This is a separate valve from the above-mentioned electronically controlled valve. It is possible for this additional valve not to be an electronically controlled valve. In particular, it can be a mechanical check valve. In one embodiment, the pressure reducer can be built into the check valve. Such mechanically operated check valves do not have the above-mentioned problem of noise development when they are operating. This is particularly the case, however, with electronically controlled valves. A humming noise occurring during operation of such an electronically controlled valve, as an example of a corresponding background noise, is not the case with these mechanical check valves.It is therefore also an important aspect, especially in household appliances with such specifically installed electronically controlled valves in the ice and / or water dispenser device, to reduce the associated noise when this valve is operated or works.

[0014] Therefore, it is also advantageous to install such a mechanically operated check valve in those places in the household refrigeration appliance where such an electronically controlled valve is not required. This can also reduce the noise level, since the use of different types of valves reduces the number of electronically controlled valves. Furthermore, as explained in the advantageous embodiment mentioned above, such a valve can then also serve as a carrier unit for this pressure reducer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the ice and / or water dispenser device has at least two electronically controlled valves. These can be used to define the water flow in the pipe system of the household refrigeration appliance itself. The pressure reducer can be used to adjust the water pressure for both electronically controlled valves. In particular, this allows the water to be supplied to the respective inlets of these at least two separate electronically controlled valves with an inlet pressure of less than 3 bar, in particular between 1.5 bar and 2.5 bar. In particular, this inlet pressure is set to the corresponding stated value. This makes it very advantageous to use such a pressure reducer to jointly adjust several separate such electronically controlled valves in the household refrigeration appliance, which are functionally associated with the pipe system for conducting water for the ice and / or water dispenser device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the electronically controlled valve is a solenoid valve. This valve can be adjusted individually and with fine adjustment, enabling highly precise flow adjustments. Furthermore, such valves can be controlled very quickly, allowing the desired flow to be set very quickly.

[0017] In one embodiment, the ice and / or water dispenser device comprises an ice tray into which water can be individually and precisely controlled by the electronically controlled valve. This ice tray is a component of the ice production unit of the ice and / or water dispenser device. The water introduced into the ice tray is then frozen due to the temperature prevailing in the ice production unit. This creates ice, such as ice elements, which can be ice cubes.

[0018] In one embodiment, the ice and / or water dispenser device comprises a water tank and a water filter. At least one electronically controlled valve of the household refrigeration appliance, in particular of the ice and / or water dispenser device, is arranged upstream of the water filter and / or the water tank in the direction of water flow in the household refrigeration appliance. This also achieves technical installation advantages. On the one hand, this relates to the compact and space-saving design. On the other hand, this also enables a positive effect regarding the reduction of background noise.

[0019] In one embodiment, the ice and / or water dispenser device comprises a water tank and a water filter, with at least one electronically controlled valve arranged downstream of the water filter and / or the water tank in the direction of water flow in the household refrigeration appliance. This also supports the aforementioned advantages. In particular, this embodiment also makes it possible to at least reduce, and in particular, prevent, water from dripping from an outlet of the ice and / or water dispenser.

[0020] A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with an ice and / or water dispenser device. The household refrigeration appliance can be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a fridge-freezer combination appliance. The household refrigeration appliance is designed for storing and preserving food. The household refrigeration appliance has an ice and / or water dispenser device. This is designed for dispensing water and / or ice. The ice and / or water dispenser device has at least one electronically controlled valve with which the water flow can be adjusted. In the direction of water flow in the household refrigeration appliance, which is provided for the ice and / or water dispenser device, a pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the electronically controlled valve. This pressure reducer is thus arranged upstream of the electronically controlled valve in the water circuit of the household refrigeration appliance.

[0021] With the pressure reducer, the water pressure at an inlet of the electronically controlled valve can be adjusted in such a way, in particular, that the operating noise of the electronically controlled valve is reduced by a value of at least 17 dB(A) compared to operation at a base pressure. In particular, the operating noise or the sound pressure of this operating noise is reduced by a value of at least 18 dB(A), in particular by a value of approximately 20 dB(A). In particular, the base pressure is a value greater than 4 bar, in particular greater than 5 bar.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments of the above-mentioned first independent aspect of the household refrigeration appliance according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of this further independent aspect relating to a household refrigeration appliance.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a household refrigeration appliance, in particular according to an above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The method preferably comprises the following steps: Activating the ice and / or water dispenser device of the household refrigeration appliance; supplying water to the ice and / or water dispenser device and dosing the water flow with at least one electronically controlled valve of the household refrigeration appliance; adjusting the pressure of the water with a pressure reducer of the household refrigeration appliance upstream of the electronically controlled valve such that the water has an inlet pressure of less than 4 bar at an inlet of the electronically controlled valve and / or an operating noise of the electronically controlled valve is reduced by a value of at least 17 dB(A) compared to operation with a base pressure.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the above-mentioned aspects relating to a household refrigeration appliance are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method. The components of the household refrigeration appliance in question, either alone or in operative connection with one another, enable the implementation of corresponding method steps. In particular, a control unit of the household refrigeration appliance can be provided in this context to control these processes.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance according to the invention, which is connected to an external water supply network; and Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance according to the invention, which is connected to an external water supply network.

[0026] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0027] In Fig. 1 A schematic representation of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown. The household refrigeration appliance 1 is designed for storing and preserving food. It is intended for this purpose. The household refrigeration appliance 1 typically has a housing in which at least one receiving space for food is formed. This receiving space can be a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. In addition, the household refrigeration appliance 1 has a door that is movably arranged on the housing in order to close or open the receiving space.

[0028] The household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises an ice and / or water dispenser device 2. This is installed in the household refrigeration appliance 1. The ice and / or water dispenser device 2 is designed and intended for dispensing water and / or ice.

[0029] To dispense water and / or ice, this ice and / or water dispenser device 2 requires water. In the exemplary embodiment, this water is supplied to the household refrigeration appliance 1 via an external water supply network 3. For this purpose, the household refrigeration appliance 1 is connected by a line 4 to a fixed water connection 5 of the external water supply network 3.

[0030] Furthermore, a piping system 6 is provided in the household refrigeration appliance 1. This piping system 6 conveys the externally supplied water. The piping system 6 can be part of the ice and / or water dispenser device 2.

[0031] In another exemplary embodiment, at least partial elements of this line system 6 can be part of the ice and / or water dispenser device 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the line system 6 has at least one electronically controlled valve 7. This is, in particular, a solenoid valve. This electronically controlled valve 7 is, in particular, connected to a control unit 8 of the household refrigeration appliance 1, so that this valve 7 is controlled by means of this control unit 8.

[0032] In addition, a further valve 9 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment, this is a mechanical check valve. In the exemplary embodiment, this further valve 9 is installed in the pipe system 6 upstream of the electronically controlled valve 7 in the direction of water flow.

[0033] In addition, the household refrigeration appliance 1 has a pressure reducer 10. This can also be referred to as a pressure reducer unit. The pressure reducer 10 is arranged in the direction of water flow in the pipe system 6 upstream of the electronically controlled valve 7. It is therefore installed upstream of this electronically controlled valve 7. In the illustrated embodiment, this pressure reducer 10 is installed upstream of the further valve 9.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 also has a water filter 11. This filter filters the water supplied externally. The water filter 11 is arranged here between the two valves 7 and 9. It is installed in the piping system 6, particularly upstream of the electronically controlled valve 7 and downstream of the additional valve 9.

[0035] The ice and / or water dispenser device 2 has a water outlet 12 through which the water can be dispensed. In particular, a water tank 13 is also provided, from which this already filtered water is discharged when water dispensing is requested. Furthermore, the ice and / or water dispenser device 2 has an ice outlet 14. From this, the frozen ice elements and / or crushed ice are dispensed.

[0036] The pressure reducer 10 allows the water pressure in the pipe system 6 to be adjusted in a defined manner. As a result, this piped water has an inlet pressure of less than 4 bar at an inlet 7a of the electronically controlled valve 7, in particular an inlet pressure of less than 3 bar, in particular an inlet pressure of less than 2.5 bar, in particular an inlet pressure of approximately 2 bar. When the valve 7 is operating and is controlled, in particular, by the control unit 8 to meter the water flow accordingly, this specifically set inlet pressure and the position of the pressure reducer 4 upstream of the valve 7 also result in a noise reduction of the operating noise of the valve 7 by at least 17 dB(A). This should be viewed in particular in relation to a base pressure. In this context, the base pressure is greater than or equal to 4 bar.

[0037] In particular, this also results in a reduction in the noise level when, in order to produce ice, water is poured via a supply line 15 into an ice mold tray of an ice production unit 16 of the ice and / or water dispenser device 2. In particular, noises that are operating noises of the valve 7 and / or noises that arise from the filling and / or dispensing of liquid, in particular water, can thus be significantly reduced.

[0038] In another embodiment, it is also possible for the pressure reducer 10 to be arranged externally to the household refrigeration appliance 1 and located in the line 4 between the fixed water connection 5 and the household refrigeration appliance 1. It can not only be a separate component from the line 4 in this context. In another embodiment, it can be integrated into the line 4.

[0039] In Fig. 2A further embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown in a schematic representation. In contrast to the representation according to Fig. 1 Here, the pressure reducer 10 is connected directly upstream of the electronically controlled valve 7. In the example, the preferably present additional valve 9 and the water filter 11 are therefore arranged upstream of this pressure reducer 10 in the pipe system 6.

[0040] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 In the embodiments shown, the pressure reducer 10 is separate from the preferably present further valve 9.

[0041] In one embodiment, it can also be provided that the pressure reducer 10 is arranged in the further valve 9, in particular is installed therein. The further valve 9 is a mechanically operated valve. List of reference symbols

[0042] 1 Household refrigeration appliance 2 Ice and / or water dispenser 3 External water supply network 4 Pipe 5 Permanent water connection 6 Piping system 7 Valve 7a Inlet 8 Control unit 9 Valve 10 Pressure reducer 11 Water filter 12 Water outlet 13 Water tank 14 Ice outlet 15 Supply line 16 Ice production unit

Claims

1. A household refrigeration appliance (1) with an ice and / or water dispenser (2) for dispensing water and / or ice, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser (2) has at least one electronically controlled valve (7) with which the water flow can be adjusted, wherein a pressure reducer (10) is arranged upstream of the electronically controlled valve (7) in the direction of water flow, with which the water pressure can be adjusted and thereby the water has an inlet pressure of less than 4 bar at an inlet (7a) of the electronically controlled valve (7).

2. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure of the water can be adjusted with the pressure reducer (10) and thereby the water at the inlet (7a) of the electronically controlled valve (7) has an inlet pressure of less than 3 bar, in particular between 1.5 bar and 2.5 bar.

3. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the household refrigeration appliance (1) has a line (4) with which the household refrigeration appliance (1), in particular the ice and / or water dispenser device (2), is connected to a fixed water connection (5) external to the appliance, wherein the pressure reducer (10) is arranged in the line (4).

4. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the pressure reducer (10) is a separate component from the line (4).

5. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the pressure reducer (10) is integrated into the line (4).

6. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pressure reducer (10) is arranged in the ice and / or water dispenser device (2).

7. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household refrigeration appliance (1), in particular the ice and / or water dispenser device (2), has a further valve (9), in particular a mechanical check valve, and the pressure reducer (10) is installed in the further valve (9) or is arranged upstream or downstream of the further valve (9).

8. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) has at least two electronically controlled valves (7) with which the flow of water can be adjusted, wherein the pressure of the water for both electronically controlled valves (7) can be adjusted with the pressure reducer (10) and as a result the water at inlets (7a) of the electronically controlled valves (7) has an inlet pressure of less than 3 bar, in particular between 1.5 bar and 2.5 bar.

9. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one electronically controlled valve (7) is a solenoid valve.

10. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) has an ice production unit (16) into which water can be supplied in a controlled manner by the electronically controlled valve (7).

11. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) has a water tank (13) and a water filter (11), wherein at least one electronically controlled valve (7) is arranged in the flow direction of the water upstream of the water filter (11) and / or upstream of the water tank (13).

12. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) comprises a water tank (13) and a water filter (11), wherein at least one electronically controlled valve (7) is arranged downstream of the water filter (11) and / or downstream of the water tank (13) in the direction of water flow.

13. Household refrigeration appliance (1) with an ice and / or water dispenser device (2) for dispensing water and / or ice, wherein the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) has at least one electronically controlled valve (7) with which the flow of water can be adjusted, wherein a pressure reducer (10) is arranged upstream of the electronically controlled valve (7) in the flow direction of the water, with which pressure reducer the pressure of the water at an inlet (7a) of the electronically controlled valve (7) can be adjusted such that at least an operating noise of the electronically controlled valve (7) is reduced by a value of at least 17 db(A) compared to operation with a base pressure.

14. A method for operating a household refrigeration appliance (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - activating the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) of the household refrigeration appliance (1); - supplying water to the ice and / or water dispenser device (2) and dosing the water flow with at least one electronically controlled valve (7) of the household refrigeration appliance (1); - adjusting the pressure of the water with a pressure reducer (10) of the household refrigeration appliance (1) upstream of the electronically controlled valve (7) such that the water has an inlet pressure of less than 4 bar at an inlet (7a) of the electronically controlled valve (7).

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