BASE ASSEMBLY ELEMENT FOR A REFRIGERATOR AND/OR FREEZER AS WELL AS REFRIGERATOR AND/OR FREEZER

Abstract

The within invention concerns a base assembly component, in particular an equipment base for a refrigerator and/or a freezer with at least two separate air control areas through each of which air can be introduced individually for purposes of cooling. Additionally, the within invention concerns a refrigerator and/or freezer with at least one base assembly component.

Description

The within invention concerns a base assembly element for a refrigerator and/or freezer as well as a refrigerator and/or freezer.

It is already known from the state of the art how to combine components positioned at the bottom of refrigerators and/or freezers in a base assembly or an equipment base assembly, and subsequently to connect them with the internal container as a combined unit on which, for example, the exterior walls of the refrigerator and/or freezer can be mounted as a last step.

It is also already known how to position compressor and condenser in the equipment base instead of using backplate condensers. Cold ambient air is sent via air control channels positioned in the base to the components positioned in the base, such as the compressor and the condenser circuit parts, which are thereby cooled. However, a problem exists inasmuch as in the existing proposals known from the state of the art, the components in the base are positioned in a row in the air control channels, so there is no optimum ventilation of the components, because the heat given off by the components positioned farther forward in the air control channels tends to warm the air in the air control channels, so that the components positioned farther back can no longer be sufficiently cooled.

It is therefore the task of the within invention to perfect advantageously a base assembly element of the type initially mentioned, particularly in such manner as to permit guidance of air in the base assembly element and to facilitate optimum ventilation of all components positioned in the base assembly element.

This task is performed, according to the invention, by a base assembly element having the characteristics of claim 1. Provision is made for a base assembly element, in particular an equipment base, for a refrigerator and/or freezer, said base assembly element having at least two separate air control areas, each of which can be supplied with air for cooling. The advantage of this is that, for example, the components positioned in the individual air control areas can be supplied separately with air for cooling, so that better cooling and removal of heat can be achieved in the individual air control areas.

Additionally, the air control area can be constructed at least partially as a channel, and/or a common air inlet can be provided, and/or each of the air control areas can have at least one individual air outlet.

It is also possible to provide at least one fan in the air inlet area. Advantageously it is thereby possible, by means of the fan positioned in the area of a common air inlet for the separate air intake areas, of which there are at least two, to introduce ambient air into the two air control areas, in which case provision can also advantageously be made for the air blown into the air intake areas for cooling purposes to exit the equipment base or base assembly element via its own air outlet in the individual air control area.

It is also possible to position the air inlet at the front between the two lateral air outlets, and/or to fit the air inlet within a frame, and/or to equip the air inlet with an air filter that preferably covers the air inlet completely and can filter the air entering through the air inlet, in which case the air filter can be inserted into the frame. This offers the advantage that, for example, air inlet and air outlet are positioned exclusively in the front, a situation that is particularly advantageous in refrigerators and/or freezers positioned in recesses or near a wall. It is particularly advantageous if the air inlet is positioned at center front. Advantageously, the air filter can prevent the inside of the base assembly element from becoming dirty during operation, and consequently can prevent a breakdown of the refrigeration cycle components. In particular, it is possible for the air filter to be easily removable by the user of the refrigerator and/or freezer. The customer can do this, for example, by removing the air filter from the air inlet by means of a strap and inserting a replacement air filter in the frame. It is also possible for the air filter to be made reusable after a cleaning and re-insertion in the frame.

Additionally, provision can be made for individual refrigeration cycle components, particularly parts of the condenser(s), to be positioned in the air control areas, in which case the condenser(s) is (are) designed as spiral condensers. The advantage of this is that in equipment with a high refrigerating capacity that must in addition make do without a condenser or backplate condenser, the individual condensers can be positioned in the air control areas. To increase the heat radiation surface, the condensers are advantageously designed as spiral condensers. The positioning of the individual condensers in the separate air control areas facilitates even and hence optimum cooling of the condensers, since the condensers are in parallel position rather than the serial position that has existed to date.

Additionally, provision can be made for at least one bypass area, in particular a bypass channel, by means of which said bypass channel air can be led to a vaporization pan, and/or by means of which said bypass channel air can be led to at least one compressor, in which case the compressor is positioned advantageously in the base assembly element. This permits dynamic ventilation of the vaporization pan by means of the bypass channel, thus increasing vaporization performance. Advantageously, it is possible to equip the evaporating pan with a cover having ventilation openings, by means of which said ventilation openings the warm air can, for example, flow up the back wall of the refrigerator and/or freezer. This upward flow of warm air prevents the back wall from becoming covered with moisture. This is particularly advantageous when the equipment does not have a backplate condenser, which thanks to its heat radiation prevents accumulation of moisture on the backplate. This is particularly advantageous in equipment that is intended for use in countries with high humidity and high ambient temperature. In this connection it is also possible to provide for dynamic ventilation of the backplate, which said ventilation can be achieved by appropriate control or adjustment of the fan. Such dynamic ventilation of the backplate is particularly advantageous if the space between the equipment and the wall is too narrow to allow sufficient air to travel up the backplate by natural convection.

Preferably, the compressor is positioned in the rear of the base assembly element or portion of the base assembly element, and/or the vaporization pan is positioned above the compressor. The advantage in an arrangement of this type is that, first, the air sucked in through the air inlet by means of the fan and sent via the bypass channels to the compressors or the compressor cools the compressors, and the air thereby heated is then guided to the vaporization pan, with consequent increase of vaporization performance. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous if the very warm air can rise along the backplate of the refrigerator and/or freezer over the vaporization-pan air outlet openings that face the cover.

Provision can also be made for at least one airflow deflection agent in the air outlets or in the vicinity of the air outlets, thereby preventing flow conflicts with other air control areas, in particular preventing, by means of at least one airflow deflection agent, flow conflicts between the air inlet and the air outlets.

It is particularly advantageous if the airflow deflection agent is designed in one piece with the corresponding air outlet, and/or if the airflow deflection agent is an air outlet grille with oblique blades. For example, in an arrangement in which the air inlet is positioned at the front between the two air outlets, provision can be made for each air outlet to have an air outlet grille with oblique blades that deflect the exiting air flow outward from the center.

Additionally, the within invention concerns a refrigerator and/or freezer having the characteristics of claim 10. Provision is made for a refrigerator and/or freezer to have at least one base assembly element according to one of claims 1 to 9.

Additional details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in greater detail by means of an embodiment illustrated in the drawing, which shows:

FIG. 1: a view in perspective of one portion of a base assembly element,

FIG. 2: another view in perspective of the portion of a base assembly element illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3: a top view of a base assembly element or a portion of a base assembly element,

FIG. 4: another view in perspective of a base assembly element or a portion of a base assembly element with assembled compressors and vaporization pan,

FIG. 5: a view in perspective of parts of the base assembly element,

FIG. 6: a view from below of the parts of the base assembly element illustrated in FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7: a view from the back, in perspective, of the base assembly element or a portion of the base assembly element.

FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a base assembly element 10 constructed as an equipment base 10 for a refrigerator and/or freezer, or a part of a base assembly component 10 in perspective front view. The equipment base 10 has at the front an air inlet extending over the full height, in addition to air outlets 110, 210 to the right and the left. Air inlet 20 is bounded by a frame 22 positioned on the forward edge of recess 24, and at the same time air inlet 20 forms part of the front surface of equipment base 10. A fan 30, with cover grill 32, visible particularly in FIG. 1, is inserted in recess 24. Fan 30 is preferably thereby fitted closely into recess 24 and is held in recess 24 by means of appropriate holders.

Equipment base 10 has in addition a bottom equipment base half 12 or a bottom pan 12, and a top equipment base half 14 or upper pan 14, which essentially constitute the basic elements of equipment base 10, to which all other components of equipment base 10 are attached. Bottom pan 12 and top pan 14 are constructed preferably as injection-molded parts that can be installed in sequence to form interior air control areas 100, 200 (cf. FIG. 3), which said air control areas 100, 200 air intake areas 100, 200 are not shown in greater detail in FIG. 1. The air outlets of air control areas 100, 200 are visible in FIG. 1 and are labeled with reference numbers 110, 210. Air outlets 110, 210 are equipped with air-deflecting air outlet grilles 112, 212 designed in one piece and having oblique blades, so that the heated air exiting from air control areas 100, 200 is blown out to the left or to the right. This makes it possible to prevent air flow conflicts, that is, to prevent the heated air exiting through air outlets 110, 210 from being sucked into air inlet 20.

FIG. 2 shows the equipment base 10 shown in FIG. 1, with the difference that the air filter 26 is inserted in frame 22. This air filter 26 is designed as a re-usable air filter 26. By means of a strap 28 or a handle 28 the air filter 26 can be easily inserted in and removed from frame 22. It is possible to clean dirt off air filter 26 after a certain period of operation. For example, the operator or user of the refrigerator and/or freezer can remove this air filter 26 and then simply clean it in a dishwasher or sink.

FIG. 3 shows in schematic top view a section through equipment base 10. By means of this top view it is easy to reconstruct how the ambient air can be used for cooling the components positioned in equipment base 10. Ambient air is first sucked in over air filter 26 by fan 30. After flowing through recess 24 of air inlet 20, the cold ambient air enters into air control areas 100 and 200 in parallel manner, in each of which said air control areas 100 and 200 there is a fourfold holder 120, 220 for spiral condensers 122, 222.

The air flowing through air control areas 100 and 200 thus cools spiral condensers 122, 222, and the exhaust thereby heated is guided to exit equipment base 10 to the right or the left over air outlets 110, 210 through air exhaust grilles 112, 212 with their oblique blades.

In addition, equipment base 10 has a bypass channel 90, by means of which cold air flows into the compressors 40, positioned at the back of equipment base 10, which said compressors 40 are shown in FIG. 4. This air thus cools compressors 40 and can rise as heated air via bypass channels 130, 230 to vaporization pan 50, with consequent increase in vaporization performance. Vaporization pan 50 moreover has air outlet slits 52 on the cover, by means of which the warm air can rise along the backplate of the refrigerator and/or freezer, not illustrated in greater detail.

FIG. 5 shows the view illustrated in FIG. 6 without top element part 14 of equipment base 10. FIG. 6 also shows, from below, a view in perspective of equipment base 10, in order to clarify the arrangement of bypass channel 90, which leads cold air to the two compressors 40.

FIG. 7 shows in addition a view from the back, in perspective, of a fully assembled equipment base 10, from which it can be deduced that in assembled condition the vaporization pan 50 covers the two compressors 40 like a roof.

Claims

1. An equipment base assembly component for a refrigerator and/or freezer, comprising at least two separate air control areas, through each of which air can be introduced for purposes of cooling.

2. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 1, wherein each air control area is configured at least partially as a channel, and/or that there is at least one common air inlet, and/or that each of the air control areas has at least one individual air outlet.

3. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 2, wherein in the area of the air inlet there is at least one fan.

4. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 2, wherein the air inlet is positioned in the front between two air outlets facing the edge, and/or that the air inlet is bounded by a frame, and/or that the air inlet is equipped with an air filter that preferably completely covers the air inlet, in which case the air filter can be inserted particularly in the frame.

5. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 1, wherein in the air control areas individual refrigeration cycle components are positioned, particularly parts of at least one condenser, in which case the condenser is designed as a spiral condenser.

6. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 1, wherein there is at least one bypass area, in particular a bypass channel in communication with a vaporization pan, for guiding air to the vaporization pan, and/or by means of which air can be guided to at least one compressor, in which case the compressor is positioned preferably in one part of the base assembly component.

7. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 6, wherein the compressor is positioned in the rear portion of one part of the base assembly component, and/or that the vaporization pan is positioned above the compressor.

8. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 1, wherein in the air outlets or in the vicinity of the air outlets there is at least one airflow deflection agent configured to prevent a flow conflict with other air control areas, in particular the at least one airflow deflection agent configured to prevent flow conflicts from the air inlet and the air outlets.

9. An equipment base assembly component according to claim 8, wherein the at least one airflow deflection agent is designed in one piece with the individual air outlet, and/or that the airflow deflection agent is an air discharge grille with inclined blades.

10. Refrigerator and/or freezer equipment comprising at least one base assembly component according to claim 1.