Refrigeration appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising a heat exchanger housing which is arranged on a rear wall of the inner container and has an outlet opening for ejecting air into a storage compartment delimited by the inner container, and an intermediate base which, together with a base of the inner container, delimits a sub-compartment within the storage compartment. The outlet opening is located above the intermediate base and thus outside the sub-compartment. A gap is therefore provided between an end of the intermediate base facing the rear wall and the heat exchanger housing, and an air-guiding structure is arranged at the outlet opening of the heat exchanger housing, the air-guiding structure being designed to guide the air ejected through the outlet opening through the gap into the sub-compartment.

Description

[0001] Refrigeration appliance

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a freezer chest or a fridge-freezer combination.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In household refrigeration appliances, a storage compartment containing refrigerated goods is cooled using a refrigerant circuit. In particular, heat is extracted from the storage compartment by evaporating refrigerant in an evaporator thermally coupled to the storage compartment. It has proven advantageous to position the evaporator in an evaporator chamber fluidly connected to the storage compartment and to circulate air between the storage compartment and the evaporator chamber using a fan. Air is drawn from the refrigeration compartment through one or more inlet openings into the evaporator chamber, and heat is extracted from the drawn-in air at the evaporator. The cooled air is then expelled back into the storage compartment through one or more outlet openings. Refrigeration appliances constructed in this way can also be referred to as NoFrost refrigeration appliances.

[0006] Drawers or other receptacles may occasionally be provided within the storage compartment to hold refrigerated goods. In this case, a uniform air flow around the receptacle is desirable. In this context, DE 10 2009 029 141 A1 describes a refrigeration appliance in whose storage compartment a receptacle near the floor is separated from the rest of the storage compartment by an intermediate floor. A receptacle is arranged in the receptacle near the floor. An evaporator chamber, in which an evaporator and a fan are accommodated, is positioned on a ceiling of the storage compartment, with the air cooled by the evaporator being guided back into the storage compartment via a distribution line extending along a rear wall of the storage compartment, in which a plurality of outlet openings are formed. The distribution line has an opening that opens into the receptacle in which the receptacle is arranged.

[0007] Close to the floor: Subcompartments within the storage compartment are often shortened in relation to the depth of the storage compartment, as the rear wall of the storage compartment frequently forms a step there to create space behind the rear wall for a machine room in which various components of the refrigerant circuit, such as a compressor, are housed. The evaporator chamber is typically located above this step in relation to the vertical direction, and air is drawn into the evaporator chamber from the floor area. A NoFrost refrigeration appliance with such an arrangement of the evaporator chamber is described, for example, in EP 3 701 204 A1.

[0008] In refrigeration appliances with a compartment close to the floor, which is located in front of a step in the rear wall, and an evaporator chamber arranged above the step, the air supply into the compartment close to the floor can be difficult if an intermediate floor delimiting the partial compartment in the vertical direction is located lower than the evaporator chamber.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide improved solutions for transferring cooling air from an evaporator chamber into a compartment near the bottom of a refrigeration device.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a refrigeration device having the features of claim 1.

[0012] According to the invention, a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator, a freezer or chest freezer, or a fridge-freezer combination, is provided. The refrigeration appliance according to the invention comprises an inner container defining a storage compartment for accommodating refrigerated goods, an intermediate floor arranged within the storage compartment, a heat exchanger housing, a refrigerant circuit configured to extract heat from the storage compartment by evaporating refrigerant and releasing it to the environment by condensing the refrigerant, an intake panel, and an air guide structure.

[0013] The inner container comprises a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor in a vertical direction, and a rear wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, which delimits the storage compartment in a depth direction and forms a step in an end region facing the floor. The rear wall thus has a first step section extending from the floor along the vertical direction, an upper section extending along the vertical direction and located at a distance from the first step section in the depth direction, and a second step section connecting the first step section and the upper section. For example, a machine room can be provided outside the inner container behind or below the step.

[0014] The intermediate floor extends in the depth direction and is arranged in the region of the step with respect to the vertical direction, e.g., such that it is located approximately at the level of the end of the upper section of the rear wall with respect to the vertical direction. The intermediate floor, together with the floor, delimits a subcompartment with respect to the vertical direction. The subcompartment is thus a subcompartment close to the floor, extending between the floor of the inner container and the intermediate floor. Preferably, no further insert shelf is provided between the intermediate floor and the floor of the inner container, which would further subdivide the subcompartment close to the floor.

[0015] The heat exchanger housing is arranged above the step on the rear wall with respect to the vertical direction and defines an evaporator chamber and an air distribution duct. The evaporator chamber can be delimited, for example, by the heat exchanger housing and the upper section of the rear wall in relation to the depth direction. The air distribution duct has an outlet opening which is positioned above the intermediate floor with respect to the vertical direction. Air can thus be guided from the evaporator chamber into the storage compartment through the air distribution duct, which can extend, for example, along the vertical direction. The outlet opening is located above the intermediate floor with respect to the vertical direction and thus between the intermediate floor and the ceiling. In particular, the outlet opening can be formed in an end region of the heat exchanger housing facing the intermediate floor with respect to the vertical direction.

[0016] The intake aperture is arranged on the step and defines an intake channel that fluidically connects the subcompartment to the evaporator chamber. This means that the intake aperture extends at least partially along the step, e.g., along the first step section and along the second step section. The intake channel, which is at least partially defined by the intake aperture, has an intake opening located within the subcompartment and opens into the evaporator chamber.

[0017] The refrigerant circuit comprises an evaporator positioned in the evaporator chamber and a fan arranged and configured to draw air through the intake duct from the sub-compartment into the evaporator chamber and expel it through the outlet opening of the air distribution duct. The fan can, for example, also be positioned in an interior space defined by the heat exchanger housing, which is connected to the evaporator chamber and the air distribution duct. The fan draws air through the intake duct from the sub-compartment of the storage compartment into the evaporator chamber, where the air transfers heat to the evaporator, and transports the air into the air distribution duct, from where it is expelled back into the storage compartment through the outlet opening.

[0018] According to the invention, a gap is formed between an end of the intermediate floor facing the rear wall and the heat exchanger housing. The end of the intermediate floor facing the rear wall is thus positioned at a distance from the heat exchanger housing in the depth direction. Furthermore, an air guiding structure is arranged at the outlet opening of the heat exchanger housing, which is designed to guide the air expelled through the outlet opening through the gap into the compartment.

[0019] One idea underlying the invention is to provide the outlet opening located above the intermediate floor with an air guiding structure in order to redirect air emerging from the outlet opening essentially along the depth direction towards the bottom of the inner container, so that it is guided through a gap between the intermediate floor and the heat exchanger housing into the partial compartment near the floor.

[0020] A particular advantage of the invention is that the space within the storage compartment is efficiently utilized by arranging the intermediate floor near the step, allowing cold air to be directly supplied to the lowest compartment near the floor, despite the heat exchanger housing being positioned above the step on the rear wall. The direct supply of cold air to the compartment also ensures a more even temperature distribution within the storage compartment compared to supplying air above the intermediate floor. A further advantage in this context is that condensation formation on the intermediate floor is prevented.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments and further developments arise from the subclaims which refer back to the independent claims in conjunction with the description.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the air guiding structure may comprise a flow channel defining an outlet opening with a central axis, wherein the outlet opening is positioned and / or oriented to guide air into the compartment. The flow channel may, for example, be a closed-circumferential channel that guides the air exiting the outlet opening of the heat exchanger housing through the gap.

[0023] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the central axis extends at an angle to the intermediate floor. In this case, the outlet opening of the duct can be positioned both above and below the intermediate floor with respect to the vertical direction. In the former case, it is advantageous if the central axis is positioned and inclined such that it extends through the gap. As a result, at least a large part of the air is guided through the gap. Regardless of the actual positioning of the outlet opening of the duct, an angled orientation of the outlet opening to the intermediate floor offers the advantage of realizing an aerodynamically favorable, low-loss flow guidance. The angle between the intermediate floor and the central axis of the outlet opening of the flow duct can, for example, be in a range between 15 degrees and 90 degrees, in particular between 15 and 75 degrees, preferably between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the outlet opening can be positioned below the intermediate floor in relation to the vertical direction. In this case, the flow channel of the air guiding structure extends through the gap between the intermediate floor and the heat exchanger housing and ends in the sub-compartment. In this way, the entire air flow exiting the outlet opening of the heat exchanger housing can be directed into the sub-compartment, barring any possible leaks.

[0025] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the intake panel has an air baffle extending along the depth direction in an end region facing the intermediate floor in order to guide the air introduced into the sub-compartment by the air baffle structure into a region of the sub-compartment facing away from the rear wall in relation to the depth direction. The air baffle can, for example, extend parallel to the intermediate floor at a predetermined distance. The air baffle helps to achieve a more even distribution of the cold air in the sub-compartment. Furthermore, the intermediate plate helps to counteract flow short circuits, for example when the intake opening of the intake duct is located directly on the step, e.g. the first step section, in relation to the depth direction, since the air baffle protrudes beyond the first step section in relation to the depth direction.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the refrigeration appliance can have a storage tray arranged in the partial compartment, which storage tray has an inner wall facing the rear wall of the inner container, wherein the air baffle is arranged between the inner wall and the intermediate base with respect to the vertical direction. The storage tray can optionally also have opposing side walls that extend in the depth direction and in the vertical direction. The inner wall extends in a transverse direction between the side walls. Furthermore, the storage tray can have a tray base that extends from the inner wall in the depth direction and runs between the side walls in the transverse direction. A front cover can be provided opposite the inner wall with respect to the depth direction, which front cover extends in the transverse direction between the side walls and also runs in the vertical direction.The air baffle helps ensure that the cold air flows evenly around the bearing shell in a direction from top to bottom.

[0027] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the storage tray is movable in the depth direction between a storage position and a pull-out position, in which the inner wall is spaced a greater distance from the rear wall than in the storage position, and wherein the air baffle ends in the region of the inner wall with respect to the depth direction when the storage tray is positioned in the storage position. The storage tray can thus be implemented as a pull-out or a drawer. If the air baffle ends in the region of the inner wall when the storage tray is in the storage position, any impairment of the space available for the storage tray is advantageously avoided.

[0028] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the air guide structure is formed integrally with the intake panel. The intake panel can thus define both the intake duct and the air guide structure. For example, the intake panel can have a flatly extending section on which the air guide structure is formed on one side, e.g. in the form of a duct, and which defines the intake duct with an opposite side. This advantageously reduces the number of individual parts, which facilitates assembly. At the same time, the functional integration of the parts is improved. The intake panel can in particular be a plastic part, which is produced, for example, using an injection molding process.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the intake panel can be detachably connected to the heat exchanger housing. For example, the intake panel and the heat exchanger housing can be locked together. The detachable connection of the heat exchanger housing and the intake panel facilitates the modularization of the refrigeration appliance. For example, a different geometry of the step of the rear wall can be provided for different appliance types. In such cases, the same heat exchanger housing can be used for different appliance types. By implementing the intake panel and the heat exchanger housing as separate parts, only the intake panel needs to be adapted to the geometry of the step.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the heat exchanger housing may have a web surrounding the outlet opening, which protrudes into a connection opening of the air guide structure and against which the air guide structure rests. This improves the tightness of the transition from the heat exchanger housing to the air guide structure.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the flow channel can have a rectangular cross-section, three sides of which are defined by the intake baffle and one side by the web of the heat exchanger housing. The web can, for example, have three first web sections that protrude from the heat exchanger housing at a first height, and a second web section that protrudes from the heat exchanger housing at a second height that is greater than the first height. In this case, the second web section forms a peripheral wall of the flow channel of the air guiding structure. The remainder of the peripheral wall of the flow channel is formed integrally with the intake baffle. One advantage of this design is that an open cross-section of the channel is produced at the intake baffle, which can be easily produced using an injection molding process.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the intake panel may be formed integrally with the heat exchanger housing. This offers the advantage of further reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the intake panel can have a base section extending along the step, which ends at a distance from the bottom of the inner container in the vertical direction and runs at a distance from the section of the rear wall forming the step in the depth direction, so that the intake channel is formed between the section of the rear wall forming the step and the base section. The intake opening of the intake channel is thus located immediately adjacent to the step, so that the air is extracted right at the rear end of the sub-compartment. The base section can, for example, extend substantially parallel to the first step section. At the second step section, the base section can also run approximately parallel to it or at a slight angle to it. The air baffle, if provided, can protrude from the base section in the depth direction.The air guiding structure can be formed integrally with the base section and also protrude from it.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the rear wall can have an upper section extending between the step and the ceiling, wherein the step has a transition section adjacent to the upper section, which transition section forms an angle of less than 90° with the upper section and has a drain opening for draining off liquid. The transition section can, for example, be part of the second step section and is directly adjacent to the upper section of the rear wall. The transition section defines a pocket in which liquid, for example dew or condensate dripping from the evaporator, is collected and drained off through an opening, for example into an evaporation tray arranged in the machine room.The vertical position of this pocket is defined by the arrangement of the components in the machine room and, in turn, defines the vertical position of the heat exchanger housing, since the evaporator is positioned above this pocket to ensure defined condensate removal. Consequently, the heat exchanger housing's outlet opening cannot simply be positioned lower. In this case, the air duct structure facilitates the introduction of air into the area below the intermediate floor, which can be located at the level of the transition section or even below it.

[0035] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the refrigeration device further comprises a further intermediate floor extending in the depth direction, which is arranged above the intermediate floor arranged in the region of the step with respect to the vertical direction and, together with the intermediate floor, delimits a further partial compartment with respect to the vertical direction, wherein the air distribution channel of the heat exchanger housing has a further outlet opening which is located between the intermediate floors with respect to the vertical direction.

[0036] The features and advantages disclosed herein in connection with one aspect of the invention are also disclosed for the other aspect, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention is explained below with reference to the figures of the drawings. The figures show:

[0038] Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0039] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the area marked by the letter Z of the refrigeration appliance shown in Fig. 1;

[0040] Fig. 3 is a simplified, schematic sectional view through an air duct structure of the refrigeration device shown in Fig. 2; and

[0041] Fig. 4 shows the sectional view from Fig. 2 in an oblique view;

[0042] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an intake panel of a refrigeration appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0043] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger housing of a

[0044] Refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0045] Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 6.

[0046] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote identical or functionally identical components, unless otherwise stated.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a sectional view of a refrigeration appliance 100 in the form of a refrigerator. However, the invention is not limited thereto; it can also be used in a refrigerator-freezer combination, a freezer, a chest freezer, or generally in a household refrigeration appliance. Figs. 2 and 4 each show detailed views of the area Z of the refrigeration appliance 100 shown in Fig. 1.

[0049] As schematically illustrated in Fig. 1, the refrigeration device 100 comprises an inner container 1, a plurality of intermediate shelves 2, a heat exchanger housing 3, an intake panel 4, a refrigerant circuit 5, and an air guide structure 6. Optionally, one or more bearing shells 7 may also be provided, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1.

[0050] The inner container 1 defines an interior space or storage compartment 10 for accommodating refrigerated goods, such as food, beverages, medication, or the like. As shown in Fig. 1, the inner container 1 has a base 11, a cover 12, a rear wall 13, and side walls 14 (only one side wall 14 is visible in Fig. 1). The base 13 extends in a depth direction T and in a transverse direction C running transversely to the depth direction T. The cover 12 lies opposite the base 11 with respect to a vertical direction V running transversely to the depth direction T and the transverse direction C. The floor 11 and the ceiling 12 delimit the storage compartment 10 with respect to the vertical direction V. The side walls 14 each extend in the vertical direction V between the floor 11 and the ceiling 12 and in the depth direction T. The side walls 14 are arranged opposite one another with respect to the transverse direction C and thus delimit the storage compartment 10 with respect to the transverse direction C.The rear wall 13 extends between the floor 11 and the ceiling 12 along the vertical direction V and between the side walls 14 in the transverse direction C. The rear wall 13 therefore delimits the storage compartment 10 with respect to the depth direction T. Opposite the rear wall 13, the inner container 1 can have an access opening 15 which is delimited by the side walls 14, the floor 11 and the ceiling 12.

[0051] The rear wall 13 forms a step 16 in an end region facing the floor 11 with respect to the vertical direction V, as shown in Fig. 1. As can be clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear wall 13 can have a first step section 16A extending from the floor 11 along the vertical direction V, an upper section 13A extending along the vertical direction and spaced from the first step section 16A with respect to the depth direction T, and a second step section 16B connecting the first step section 16A and the upper section 13 to one another. The upper section 13A can extend, for example, between the step 16 and the ceiling 12. As shown by way of example in Fig. 2, the first step section 16A can be designed as a planar or substantially planar section.The second step section 16B can have both a planar region and a curved region which adjoins the first section 16A. Optionally, the planar region of the second section 16B can run at an angle or obliquely to the depth direction T. Likewise optionally, the step 16, in particular the second step section 16B, can have a transition section 16C adjacent to the upper section 13, which can run, for example, as a substantially planar section, as shown by way of example in Fig. 2. The transition section 16C forms an angle a17 of less than 90° with the upper section 13A, as shown schematically and merely by way of example in Fig. 2. As a result, the transition section 16, together with the end region of the upper section 13A of the rear wall 13, defines a pocket or a collecting volume in which liquid can be collected, for example condensate coming from an evaporator 51.A drain opening (not shown) for draining liquid may be formed in the transition section 16C.

[0052] The inner container 1 can be made, for example, as a plastic part or as a metal part.

[0053] As shown by way of example in Fig. 1, the storage compartment 10 is divided into subcompartments 19 by a plurality of intermediate shelves 2 extending in the depth direction T. The intermediate shelves 2 can be formed, for example, by glass panels. Generally, the intermediate shelves 2 extend between the side walls 14 in the transverse direction C and are each held by supports 17 formed on the side walls 14.

[0054] Although Fig. 1 shows several intermediate floors 2 by way of example, it is also possible for just one intermediate floor 2 to be provided. In particular, a first intermediate floor 2A is arranged in the region of the step 16 with respect to the vertical direction V, below which no further intermediate floor is positioned. The first intermediate floor 2A thus delimits, together with the floor 11, a first sub-compartment 18 close to the floor, which is referred to below simply as sub-compartment 18. A first upper sub-compartment 19 is formed between the first intermediate floor 2A and the further intermediate floor 2B lying above it with respect to the vertical direction V. A further second upper sub-compartment 19 is formed between the two upper intermediate floors 2B.

[0055] Storage shells 7 can optionally be arranged in the sub-compartments 18, 19, of which only the one arranged in the sub-compartment 18 near the bottom will be described below. The explanations apply equally to the other storage shells 7. The storage shell 7 is generally designed as a container which can, for example, have a base 71 and peripheral walls extending from this, e.g. opposite side walls 72, an inner wall 73 extending between the side walls 73 at one end and a front cover 74 positioned opposite the inner wall 73. The base 71 is located facing the base 11 of the inner container 11. The peripheral walls 72, 73, 74 extend in the vertical direction V, wherein the inner wall 73 is located facing the rear wall 13 of the inner container 1 with respect to the depth direction T. The bearing shell 7 can optionally be adjusted in the depth direction T between a bearing position as shown in Figs.1, 2 and 4, and a pull-out position in which the inner wall 73 is spaced at a greater distance from the rear wall 13 of the inner container 1 than in the storage position.

[0056] The heat exchanger housing 3 is only partially shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the heat exchanger housing 3. As can be seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the heat exchanger housing 3 has a flat front section 3A, which can be double-walled, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. An insulating plate made of a thermally insulating material such as EPS can be arranged between the walls of the front section 3A. The heat exchanger housing 3 has an air distribution duct 31, which can be formed, for example, between the walls of the front section 3A, as shown by way of example in Fig. 2. The air distribution duct 31 has at least one first outlet opening 32 and optionally at least one second outlet opening 34 and further optionally at least one third outlet opening 37. As shown by way of example in Fig. 6, two first to third outlet openings 32, 34, 37 can be provided.Regardless of the number of outlet openings 32, 34, 37, the first outlet opening 32 is formed in a first, lower end region of the housing 3, e.g., the front section 3A, as shown by way of example in Fig. 6. The third outlet openings 37 can, for example, be formed in an oppositely located upper, second end region of the housing 3, e.g., the front section 3A, as shown by way of example in Fig. 6. The second outlet openings 34 can be positioned between the first and third outlet openings 33, 37. The outlet openings 32, 34, 37 can each have rectangular cross-sectional shapes. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] As shown purely by way of example in Figs. 6 and 7, the first outlet opening 32 can be surrounded by a web 33 which projects from the housing 3, in particular from the front section 3A. The web 33 can, for example, have three first sections 33A which surround three sides of the rectangular perimeter of the opening 32, and a second section 33B. The first sections 33A are designed as a web projecting at a right angle, while the third section 33B is designed as a ramp-shaped structure which projects further than the first sections 33A.

[0058] The heat exchanger housing 3, in particular the front section 3A, can further define an interior space, e.g. in the upper end region of the front section 3A, as shown schematically in Fig. 1.

[0059] 1, 2 and 4, the heat exchanger housing 3 is arranged on the rear wall 13 with respect to the depth direction T and above the step 16 with respect to the vertical direction V, i.e. between the step 16 and the ceiling 12. In particular, the heat exchanger housing 3, together with the rear wall 13, in particular with its upper section 13A, delimits an evaporator chamber 30. This is fluidically connected to the air distribution duct 31. The first outlet opening 32 of the heat exchanger housing 3 is arranged above the first intermediate floor 2A with respect to the vertical direction V, e.g. directly above the first intermediate floor 2A, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The second outlet openings 34 can be arranged between the first intermediate floor 2A and the further intermediate floor 2B located thereabove. The third outlet openings 37 can be arranged between the two intermediate floors 2B.

[0060] As can be seen particularly in Figs. 2 and 4, a gap 23 is formed between an end 21 of the first intermediate floor 2A facing the rear wall 13 and the heat exchanger housing 3. This gap can, for example, extend across the entire width of the intermediate floor 2A in the transverse direction C, but at least in the region of the first outlet openings 32.

[0061] The intake panel 4 is shown in a perspective view in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the intake panel 4 can have a flat base section 40 which extends to the step 16. The base section 40 can have a first surface 40f and a second surface 40i oriented opposite thereto (Fig. 2). For example, the base section 40 can have a planarly extending first section 40A, a substantially planar third section 40C running at an angle to the first section 40A, and a second section 40B which connects the first and third sections 40A, C and can, for example, have a curved profile. A width b40 of the base section 40 can, for example, correspond to a distance between the side walls 14 of the inner compartment 1 or be somewhat smaller, so that the base section 40 can extend between the side walls 14 in the transverse direction C.

[0062] As further shown in Fig. 5, the intake panel 4 can optionally have side webs 42, which protrude in some areas beyond the first and second surfaces 40f, 40i of the base section 40 and are arranged laterally on the base section 40. For example, the side webs 42 can protrude only beyond the second surface 40i in the first and second sections 40A, 40B and also beyond the first surface 40f in the third section 40C. Further optionally, a locking hook 42A can be formed in the respective side web 42, e.g., in the region of the first section 40A, in order to lock the intake panel 4 to the inner container 1.

[0063] As can also be seen in Fig. 5, the intake panel 4 can have an air baffle 45 protruding from the first surface 40f of the base portion 40. For example, the air baffle 45 can extend from the boundary of the second and third portions 40B, C. The air baffle 40 preferably extends planarly and can extend at an angle to the third portion 40C. In general, the air baffle 40 can extend across the entire width b40 of the base portion 40.

[0064] Fig. 5 further shows, purely by way of example, that the air guiding structure 6 is formed integrally with the intake panel 4 or as part thereof. The air guiding structure 6 can, for example, be arranged in an end region at one end of the base plate 40, in particular on the side of the first surface 40f, e.g. at the end of the third section 40C. The air guiding structure 6 can, regardless of whether it is part of the intake panel 4, have, for example, an air guiding duct 60 with a connection opening 61 and an outlet opening 62 located opposite thereto. The air guiding duct 60 can, for example, have a rectangular cross-section. Outlet opening 62 can, for example, be oriented facing the first surface 40f or the air guiding plate 45. Optionally, it can be provided that the duct 60 defines only three sides of the rectangular cross-section, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0065] 1, 2 and 4, the intake aperture 4 is arranged on the step 16. The second surface 40i of the base plate 40 is oriented towards the rear wall 13 and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the rear wall 13 or from the step. For example, ribs 44 can protrude from the second surface 40i of the base plate 40 and bear against the step 16. The base plate 40 can, for example, run parallel or at least partially parallel to the step 16, as schematically shown in Fig. 2. An intake channel 35 is defined between the base plate 40 and the step 16, which channel connects the partial compartment 18 to the evaporator chamber 30 in a fluid-conducting manner. An intake opening 36 can be formed at an end of the intake aperture 4 facing the bottom 11 of the inner container 1.

[0066] The air guide plate 45 extends along the depth direction T. As shown schematically in Fig. 2, the air guide plate 45 can be arranged between the inner wall 73 of the bearing shell 7 and the intermediate floor 2A with respect to the vertical direction V. Likewise, optionally, it can be provided that the air guide plate 45 ends in the region of the inner wall 73 with respect to the depth direction T when the bearing shell 7 is positioned in the storage position, as shown purely by way of example in Fig. 2.

[0067] The intake panel 4 can be detachably connected to the heat exchanger housing 3, e.g. via a snap-in connection. For this purpose, clips (not shown) can be provided on the intake panel 4, e.g. on an edge of the intake panel facing the heat exchanger housing 3. Independently of this, the intake panel 4 can be connected to the inner container 1 by means of the snap-in hook 42A. The air guiding structure 6 is positioned at the outlet opening 32 of the heat exchanger housing 3, so that air emerging from the outlet opening 32 along the depth direction T is deflected or redirected by the air guiding structure 6, in particular through the gap 23 between the intermediate floor 2A and the heat exchanger housing 3. As shown by way of example in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, for example, the connection opening 61 of the air guiding duct 60 can be connected to the outlet opening 32.For example, the web 33 can protrude into the connection opening 61 of the air guiding structure 6 and be in contact with the peripheral wall of the air guiding duct 60. Fig. 3 shows, purely by way of example, a sectional view of the air guiding duct 60. As shown in Fig. 3, the air guiding duct 60 can be designed as an open duct with a peripheral wall that defines only three sides of a rectangular cross-section. The fourth side of the cross-section is defined by the web 33, e.g., by the second section 33B of the web 33, while the first section 33A of the web rests against the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the air guiding duct 60.

[0068] In general, the air guiding structure 6 is designed to guide air expelled through the outlet opening 32 through the gap 23 into the partial compartment 18. For example, the air guiding duct 60 can run in such a way that it defines a central axis A62 of the outlet opening 62 of the air guiding duct such that the central axis A62 extends at an angle to the intermediate floor 2A. For example, the central axis A62 can run through the gap 23. In the example of Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the outlet opening 62 is located above the intermediate floor 2A with respect to the vertical direction V. When the central axis A62 runs through the gap 23, the air is expelled in the direction of the gap 23 and is thus at least largely introduced into the partial compartment 18. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet opening 62 of the air duct 6 can also be positioned below the intermediate floor 2A with respect to the vertical direction V and thus within the partial compartment 18.The outlet opening 62 can thus be positioned and / or aligned to direct air into the compartment 18.

[0069] Regardless of the specific design shown, the air guiding structure 6 is designed to deflect the air flow emerging from the first outlet opening 32 along the depth direction T relative to the depth direction T generally in the direction of the floor 11 of the inner compartment 1, in particular in the direction of the gap 23. The air guiding structure 6 is thus designed to provide the air flow with a velocity component in the vertical direction V. For this purpose, the air guiding structure 6 can have a flow guiding surface whose normal vector has a component in the depth direction T. This means that the flow guiding surface runs at least partially at an angle to the depth direction T. In the example of Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the flow guiding surface is formed, for example, by the inner surface 6i of the peripheral wall of the flow channel 60 (Fig. 4). An angle between the flow guiding surface and the intermediate floor 2A or the depth direction T can, for example,in a range between 15 degrees and 90 degrees, in particular between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

[0070] The refrigerant circuit 5 is designed to extract heat from the storage compartment 10 by evaporating the refrigerant and to release it to the environment by condensing the refrigerant. As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerant circuit 5 has an evaporator 51 and a fan 52. Furthermore, the refrigerant circuit 5 can have a condenser (not shown) and a compressor (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant between the evaporator 51 and the condenser.

[0071] The evaporator 51 is arranged in the evaporator chamber 30, for example, with respect to the depth direction T, between the front section 3A of the heat exchanger housing 3 and the upper section 13A of the rear wall 13. The evaporator 51 can be, for example, a finned evaporator. The fan 52 can, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1, be accommodated, for example, in the heat exchanger housing 3, for example, in a through-opening that connects the evaporator chamber 30 to the interior space 3B.

[0072] The fan 52 is designed and arranged to circulate air between the evaporator chamber 30 and the storage compartment 10 in order to extract warm air from the storage compartment 10, from which heat is extracted at the evaporator 51, and to expel the air cooled at the evaporator 51 back into the storage compartment 10. For this purpose, a pressure side of the fan 52 is connected to the air distribution duct 31 of the heat exchanger housing 3, and a suction side of the fan 52 is connected to the evaporator chamber 30. The fan 52 draws the air through the intake opening 36 and through the intake duct 35 from the bottom-near sub-compartment 18 into the evaporator chamber 30, as symbolically represented in Fig. 2 by the arrow P1. From the evaporator chamber 30, the fan 52 transports the air into the air distribution duct 31 and expels it through the first outlet opening 31 and, if applicable, through the second and third outlet openings 34, 37 into the storage compartment 10.The air discharged from the second and third outlet openings is introduced into the upper compartments 19.

[0073] Since the air guide structure 6 is arranged at the first outlet opening 32, the air expelled through the first outlet opening 32 is guided through the gap 23 between the heat exchanger housing 3 and the intermediate floor 2A into the sub-compartment 18 near the floor. The optional air guide plate 45, which may be provided, guides the air introduced into the sub-compartment 18 through the air guide structure 6 into a region of the sub-compartment 18 facing away from the rear wall 13 with respect to the depth direction T. This is symbolically represented in Fig. 2 by the arrows P2.

[0074] As can be seen particularly from Fig. 2, the air exiting from the first outlet opening 32 is directed directly into the bottom-level compartment 18 through the air guide structure 6, even though the outlet opening 32 is located above the intermediate floor 2A with respect to the vertical direction V. This results in more efficient cooling of the bottom-level compartment and a uniform air flow around the optionally provided storage tray 7. Furthermore, a temperature difference between the upper compartments 19 and the bottom-level compartment 18 can be reduced in this way, so that a homogeneous temperature distribution is achieved between the compartments 18, 19. This helps to reduce the energy consumption of the refrigeration device 100. The optional air guide plate 45 ensures an even more homogeneous air flow around the storage tray 7.

[0075] As an alternative to the example explained above, in which the intake panel 4 is detachably connected to the heat exchanger housing 3, the intake panel 4 can also be formed integrally with the heat exchanger housing 3.

[0076] Although the present invention has been explained above using exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in a variety of ways. In particular, combinations of the above embodiments are also conceivable. REFERENCE SIGNS

[0077] 1 inner container

[0078] 2 intermediate floors

[0079] 2A (first) intermediate floor

[0080] 2B (additional) intermediate floors

[0081] 3 heat exchanger housing

[0082] 3A Front section of the heat exchanger housing

[0083] 3B Interior of the heat exchanger housing

[0084] 4 intake panel

[0085] 5 Refrigerant circuit

[0086] 6 Air guidance structure

[0087] 6i Inner surface / flow guide surface of the air guide structure

[0088] 7 bearing shell

[0089] 10 storage compartments

[0090] 11 Bottom of the inner container

[0091] 12 Ceiling of the inner container

[0092] 13 Rear wall of the inner container

[0093] 13A upper section of the rear wall

[0094] 14 Side walls of the inner container

[0095] 16th level

[0096] 16A first stage section

[0097] 16B second stage section

[0098] 16C transition section

[0099] 18 floor-level compartment

[0100] 19 additional sub-subjects

[0101] 21 End of the intermediate floor

[0102] 30 Evaporator chamber

[0103] 31 Air distribution duct

[0104] 32 first outlet opening

[0105] 33 jetty

[0106] 33A first sections of the footbridge

[0107] 33B second section of the bridge

[0108] 34 second outlet opening 35 intake duct

[0109] 36 intake opening

[0110] 37 third outlet opening

[0111] 40 Base Section

[0112] 40f first surface of the base section

[0113] 40i second surface of the base section

[0114] 40A first section of the base section

[0115] 40B second section of the base section

[0116] 40C third section of the base section

[0117] 42 side bridges

[0118] 42A locking hook

[0119] 43 lead

[0120] 45 Air baffle

[0121] 51 evaporators

[0122] 52 fans

[0123] 60 air duct

[0124] 61 Connection opening of the air duct

[0125] 62 Machine room ceiling of the air duct

[0126] 71 Bottom of the bearing shell

[0127] 72 side walls of the bearing shell

[0128] 73 Inner wall of the bearing shell

[0129] 74 Front cover of the bearing shell

[0130] 100 refrigeration appliances

[0131] A62 Center axis of the outlet opening of the flow channel b40 Width of the base section

[0132] C Transverse direction

[0133] T Depth direction

[0134] V Vertical direction

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A refrigeration appliance (100), in particular a household refrigeration appliance, comprising: an inner container (1) which defines a storage compartment (10) for receiving refrigerated goods, the inner container (1) having a base (11), a ceiling (12) opposite the base (11) in a vertical direction (V), and a rear wall (13) extending between the base (11) and the ceiling (12), which delimits the storage compartment (10) in a depth direction (T) and forms a step (16) in an end region facing the base (11); an intermediate base (2, 2A) extending in the depth direction (T), which is arranged in the region of the step (16) with respect to the vertical direction (V) and, together with the base (11), delimits a partial compartment (18) with respect to the vertical direction (V); a heat exchanger housing (3) arranged above the step (16) on the rear wall (13) with respect to the vertical direction (V), which comprises an evaporator chamber (30) and an air distribution channel (31), wherein the air distribution channel (31) has an outlet opening (32) which is positioned above the intermediate floor (2, 2A) with respect to the vertical direction (V); a suction panel (4) arranged on the step (16), which forms a partial compartment (18) defines an intake duct (35) fluidically connecting the evaporator chamber (30); and a refrigerant circuit (5) with an evaporator (51) positioned in the evaporator chamber (30) and a fan (52) which is arranged and designed to suck air through the intake duct (35) from the sub-compartment (18) into the evaporator chamber (30) and to expel it through the outlet opening (32) of the air distribution duct (31); characterized in that a gap (23) is formed between an end (21) of the intermediate floor (2, 2A) facing the rear wall (13) and the heat exchanger housing (3), and an air guiding structure (6) is arranged at the outlet opening (32) of the heat exchanger housing (3), which air guiding structure is designed to guide the air expelled through the outlet opening (32) through the gap (23) into the partial compartment (18).

2. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the air guiding structure (6) has a flow channel (60) which defines an outlet opening (62) with a central axis (A62), wherein the outlet opening (62) is positioned and / or aligned in such a way as to guide air into the sub-compartment (18).

3. Refrigeration device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the central axis (A62) extends at an angle to the intermediate floor (2, 2A).

4. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the outlet opening (62) is positioned below the intermediate floor (2, 2A) with respect to the vertical direction (V).

5. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intake panel (4) has, in an end region facing the intermediate floor (2, 2A), an air guide plate (45) extending along the depth direction (T) in order to guide the air introduced into the partial compartment (18) by the air guide structure (6) into a region of the partial compartment (18) facing away from the rear wall (13) with respect to the depth direction (T).

6. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 5, additionally comprising: a bearing shell (7) arranged in the partial compartment (18), which has an inner wall (73) facing the rear wall (13) of the inner container (1), wherein the air guide plate (45) is arranged between the inner wall (73) and the intermediate floor (2, 2A) with respect to the vertical direction (V).

7. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 6, wherein the bearing shell (7) is movable in the depth direction (T) between a storage position and a pull-out position, in which the inner wall (73) is spaced at a greater distance from the rear wall (13) than in the storage position, and wherein the air guide plate (45) ends in the region of the inner wall (73) with respect to the depth direction (T) when the bearing shell (7) is positioned in the storage position.

8. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guiding structure (6) is formed integrally with the intake panel (4).

9. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intake panel (4) is detachably connected to the heat exchanger housing (3).

10. Refrigeration device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the heat exchanger housing (3) has a web (33) surrounding the outlet opening (32), which web projects into a connection opening (61) of the air guiding structure (6) and against which the air guiding structure (6) rests.

11. Refrigeration device (100) according to claim 10, insofar as it is dependent on claim 2, wherein the flow channel (60) has a rectangular cross-section, three sides of which are defined by the intake panel (4) and one side by the web (33) of the heat exchanger housing (3).

12. Refrigeration device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the intake panel (4) is formed integrally with the heat exchanger housing (3).

13. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intake panel (4) has a base section (40) extending along the step (16), which ends at a distance from the floor (11) with respect to the vertical direction (V) and runs at a distance from the section of the rear wall (13) forming the step (16) with respect to the depth direction (T), so that the intake channel (35) is formed between the section of the rear wall (13) forming the step (16) and the base section (40).

14. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear wall (13) has an upper section (13A) extending between the step (16) and the ceiling (12), wherein the step (16) has a transition section (16C) adjacent to the upper section (13), which transition section forms an angle (α17) of less than 90° with the upper section (13A) and has a drain opening for draining off liquid.

15. Refrigeration device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising: a further intermediate floor (2, 2.2) extending in the depth direction (T) 2B), which is arranged above the intermediate floor (2) arranged in the region of the step (16) with respect to the vertical direction (V) and, together with the intermediate floor, delimits a further partial compartment (19) with respect to the vertical direction (V), wherein the air distribution duct (31) of the heat exchanger housing (3) has a further outlet opening (34, 37) which is located between the intermediate floors (2A, 2B) with respect to the vertical direction (V).

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