Patent Application
20180156519
The invention relates to a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device.
From the prior art refrigerators featuring anti-frost fans are known, which cause an air circulation inside a storage space of a refrigerator when operated. Such fans are arranged inside an inner liner and/or inside a smallest rectangular cuboid containing the inner liner.
An objective of the invention is, in particular, to provide a home appliance device with improved characteristics regarding air circulation. This objective is achieved, according to the claimed invention. While further implementations and further developments of the invention may be gathered from the dependent claims.
A home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, is proposed, comprising: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; and at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction.
By means of the invention, in particular an air circulation inside the home appliance device can be improved. In particular, a high efficiency can be achieved. Additionally, a high comfort, in particular regarding operating noise, can be achieved. Furthermore, a fan unit with a big fan rotor can be used while keeping a storage space large. Besides, an easy and/or fast assembly is facilitated. A diversity of parts can be reduced. In addition, a reliable sealing against foam can be provided. In particular, a diversity of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the requirements for a high energy efficiency class can be met.
By a “home appliance device” is in particular to be understood at least a portion, preferably a sub-assembly group, of a home appliance. The home appliance is in particular provided for storing and preferably tempering victuals such as beverages, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, milk and/or dairy products in at least one operating state, for example for the purpose of enhancing a shelf life of the stored victuals. For example, the home appliance is embodied as a home chiller appliance, which is in at least one operating state configured for cooling victuals. The home chiller appliance could in particular be embodied as a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer combination and/or a wine cooler. However, the home appliance could also be embodied as a home appliance for warming and in particular for cooking victuals, e.g. an oven, a steamer and/or a microwave.
The home appliance device may comprise at least one outer liner. In particular, the inner liner may be arranged inside the outer liner. In particular, there may be a gap between the inner liner and the outer liner, which may preferably be filled with foam, for instance with Polyurethane foam. During assembly, the inner liner may be placed inside the outer liner and the gap may subsequently be filled with foam during foaming. In particular, the inner liner and the outer liner may together form a main housing of the home appliance device.
The fan unit may in particular be configured for generating an air circulation inside the storage space. In particular, the fan unit may be implemented as an anti-frost unit. IN particular, the fan unit may comprise at least one fan having at least one fan motor and/or at least one fan rotor. It is conceivable that the fan unit may be configured for operating at different air circulation intensities, in particular different fan rotation speeds, for example depending on a requirement for air circulation. Furthermore, the fan unit in particular may comprise at least one air inlet and/or at least one air outlet, which may be open towards the storage space. In this context, “configured” is in particular to mean specifically programmed, designed and/or equipped. By an object being configured for a certain function is in particular to be understood that the object implements and/or fulfills said certain function in at least one application state and/or operating state.
The fan unit may in particular be implemented separately from the inner liner and in particular be mounted to the inner liner via at least one latching connection and/or at least one screw connection and/or at least one rivet connection and/or at least one adhesive connection. It is also conceivable that the fan unit may at least partly be implemented integrally with the inner liner. In this context, the term “a first object and a second object being at least partly implemented integrally” is in particular to mean that at least one component of the first object and at least one component of the second object are implemented integrally with each other. “Implemented integrally” is in particular to mean, in this context, connected at least by substance-to-substance bond, e.g. by a welding process, an adhesive bonding, an injection-molding process and/or by another process that is deemed expedient by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In particular, “implemented integrally” could in particular mean made of one piece. “Made of one piece” is, in particular, to mean, in this context, manufactured from one single piece, e.g., by production from one single cast and/or by manufacturing in a one-component or multi-component injection-molding process, and for example from a single blank.
The fan unit may extend significantly farther than the inner liner in the at least one direction, in particular farther by at least 1 cm, preferably farther by at least 3 cm or farther by at least 5 cm or farther by at least 8 cm. In particular, the fan unit may at least partly be arranged inside the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. The fan unit may in particular be at least partly located outside a smallest rectangular cuboid containing the inner liner.
It is further proposed that the fan unit may extend farther than the inner liner in a vertical direction. The vertical direction in particular is a height direction. In particular, “vertical” corresponds to a normal operating condition, in which the home appliance device is standing upright on a floor. The vertical direction is in particular aligned at least substantially parallel, in particular parallel to a main extension direction of the inner liner and/or of the outer liner and/or of the housing and/or of the home appliance device. In particular, the fan unit may protrude over a top wall of the inner liner. In particular, the fan unit may be arranged on at least one top edge, for example at least one top rear edge, of the inner liner. A “main extension direction” of an object is, in particular, to be understood, in this context, as a direction extending in parallel to a largest side of an imaginary rectangular cuboid which only just entirely encloses the object. In this context “at least substantially parallel” is in particular to be understood as an orientation of a direction with respect to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction in particular of less than 15°, advantageously of less than 10° and in particular advantageously of less than 2°. As a result, a fan unit can be arranged in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, a fan unit comprising a big fan can be used.
In particular, the inner liner may feature at least one top wall section having at least one recess for receiving the fan unit. The fan unit may in particular at least partly be arranged inside the recess. For example, the recess may be an opening. In particular, the top wall section of the inner liner may implement at least a portion of a rim of the recess. Further the recess may be open towards a rear side of the inner liner. In particular, the recess may be arranged at a rear edge of the inner liner. It is also conceivable that the recess may be a through-hole, in particular of the top wall section of the inner liner. In particular in this case it is conceivable that the recess may be arranged offset to at least one edge, in particular offset to all edges of the top wall section of the inner liner and/or all edges of the inner liner. In particular, the fan unit extends through the recess from a region below the top wall section of the inner liner to a region above the top wall section of the inner liner. As a result, a fan unit can be provided which is easily mountable to an inner liner.
In particular, the fan unit may extend significantly farther than the inner liner in at least one additional direction, which is preferably oriented perpendicular to the at least one direction. In particular, the additional direction is a depth direction of the inner liner. In particular, the fan unit may stick out of the smallest rectangular cuboid containing the inner liner and/or out of the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner towards a rear and a top of the inner liner, for example at an upper rear edge of the inner liner.
It is also proposed that the fan unit may have at least one rear side cover element forming a common rear side wall together with the inner liner. The rear side wall may in particular define a front wall of the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. In particular, the inner liner may have at least one rear side wall section having at least one rear side recess for receiving the fan unit. In particular, the rear side cover element may at least partly or completely, cover the rear side recess of the inner liner, and may further seal the rear side cover element against foam. The rear side cover element may in in particular at least partly or at least to a large extent or completely be made of plastic. In particular, the rear side cover element may have at least one rear side facing away from the storage space and/or facing the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. The rear side cover element may have at least one front side facing the storage space and/or facing away from the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. The term “at least to a large extent” is in particular to mean to an extent of at least 55%, preferably to an extent of at least 65%, further preferably to an extent of at least 75%, advantageously to an extent of at least 85% and further advantageously to an extent of at least 95%. As a result, foam can be prevented from entering a storage space of a home appliance during foaming.
It is further proposed that the rear side cover element may be implemented in one piece. In particular, the rear side cover element may be implemented as an injection-molded element. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, a diversity of parts can be reduced.
Fast and/or easy manufacturability can be achieved if the rear side cover element may feature at least one latching element for latching to the inner liner. In particular, the rear side cover element may feature several latching elements, which are in particular distributed along an edge of the rear side cover element and/or around the rear side recess of the inner liner. The inner liner, in particular the rear side wall section of the inner liner, may feature at least one, in particular several, receiving elements for the at least one latching element of the rear side cover element.
A high-quality foaming and/or other advantageous properties concerning foam flow during foaming can be achieved if the rear side cover element may feature at least one foam guiding element defining at least one flow path for foam flowing through during foaming. The foam guiding element may in particular be rib-shaped. The foam guiding element may in particular be arranged on the rear side of the rear side cover element. In particular, the rear side cover element may feature several foam guiding elements, which are in particular rib-shaped and/or arranged at least substantially parallel to each other. Flow channels for foam flowing through may in particular be formed between neighboring foam guiding elements. In particular, the foam guiding element may extend at least substantially parallel to the vertical direction. In particular, the rear side cover element may feature foam guiding elements that differ regarding their length and/or their height and/or their width and/or their progression. As a result foam can flow easily in particular in a vertical direction during foaming. Furthermore, a gap between an inner liner and an outer liner can be filled with foam reliably and/or entirely.
Advantageous cable management properties can be provided if the rear side cover element may features at least one cable guiding element implementing at least a portion of a cable management. The cable guiding element may in particular be arranged on the rear side of the rear side cover element. In particular, the cable guiding element may define at least one receiving space for at least one cable, for example for at least one cable of the fan and/or of the fan motor of the fan unit. In particular, the receiving space may be accessible from a front side of the rear side cover element and/or enclosed by the cable guiding element from the rear side of the rear side cover element.
High tightness, in particular for foam, can be achieved if the fan unit may comprise at least one second rear side cover element forming a double wall together with the rear side cover element. In particular, the second rear side cover element may be covered by the rear side cover element towards the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. In particular, the second rear side cover element may at least partly be implemented integrally with the fan of the fan unit. In particular, the second rear side cover element may implement at least a portion of a housing of the fan. In particular, the second rear side cover element may be arranged offset to the rear side cover element, in particular in a gap-forming manner. In particular, the fan unit may feature at least one gap, for example a gap having an at least substantially constant width, between the rear side cover element and the second rear side cover element. In this context, an “at least substantially constant value” is to be understood as a value that varies by no more than 20%, preferably by no more than 10% and advantageously by no more than 5%.
It is further proposed that the fan unit may feature at least one top cover element, which is connected to the inner liner and in particular to the rear side cover element. In particular, the top cover element is latched to the inner liner and/or to the rear side cover element. It is also conceivable that the top cover element is connected to the inner liner and/or to the rear side cover element using at least one screw and/or using at least one rivet and/or at at least one gluing spot. In particular, the top cover element and the rear side cover element together may implement at least one portion of a housing of the fan unit, in particular a housing of a portion of the fan unit which is arranged outside the inner liner. In particular, the top cover element may cover at least a portion of the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner. In particular, the top cover element together with the rear side cover element may implement a top cover of a portion of the fan unit which may be arranged in the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner. It is also conceivable that the top cover element alone may implement a top cover of the portion of the fan unit which may be arranged in the recess of the top wall section of the inner liner. As a result, a fan unit can be provided which is easy to manufacture.
Furthermore it is proposed that the rear side cover element, the top cover element and the inner liner together may form at least one top wall. In particular, the fan unit may be integrated in the inner liner. In particular, the rear side cover element, the top cover element and the inner liner together may cover an interior of the fan unit towards the gap between the inner liner and the outer liner. As a result, a fan unit can be easily and/or quickly mounted to an inner liner of a home appliance easily and/or quickly.
In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the fan unit may feature at least one air flow channel having at least one air turbulence unit. In particular, the air turbulence unit may be configured for swirling circulating air flowing through the air flow channel. The air flow channel may connect in particular the fan to the inlet and/or to the outlet of the fan unit. In particular, the air turbulence unit may feature at least one swirling element configured for swirling circulating air. In particular, the air turbulence unit may comprise at least one air grid featuring several swirling elements. As a result, an efficient heat transfer, in particular a high Nusselt number, can be achieved.
Favorable properties concerning air circulation can be realized with a home appliance, in particular with a home chiller appliance, comprising at least one home appliance device according to the invention.
Furthermore, a method for assembling a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, is proposed, wherein the home appliance device comprises: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; at least one fan unit mounted to the inner liner for circulation of air inside the storage space, the fan unit extending farther than the inner liner in at least one direction; at least one rear side cover element; and at least one top cover element; and wherein the rear side cover element is attached to the inner liner, in particular in a first step, and the top cover element is attached to the inner liner and to the rear side cover element, in particular in a second step.
By means of the invention in particular an air circulation inside the home appliance device can be improved. In particular, a high efficiency can be achieved. Additionally, a high comfort, in particular regarding operating noise, can be achieved. Furthermore, a fan unit with a big fan rotor can be used while keeping a storage space large. Besides, an easy and/or fast assembly is facilitated. A diversity of parts can be reduced. In addition, a reliable sealing against foam can be provided. Advantageously, a diversity of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the requirements for a high energy efficiency class can be met.
In particular, the rear side cover element may be latched to the inner liner, and/or the top cover element may be latched to the inner liner and/or to the rear side cover element. In particular, the rear side cover element and/or the top cover element may be attached without using tools. However, for all or at least for some connections between these parts other connecting methods are also conceivable, as for instance screw connections and/or rivet connections and/or adhesive connections.
Herein the home appliance device is not to be limited to the application and implementation described above. In particular, for the purpose of fulfilling a functionality herein described, the home appliance device may comprise a number of respective elements, structural components and units that differs from the number mentioned herein. Furthermore, regarding the value ranges mentioned in this disclosure, values within the limits mentioned are to be understood to be also disclosed and to be used as applicable.
Further advantages may become apparent from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. The person having ordinary skill in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations.
If there is more than one specimen of a certain object, in some instances only one of these is given a reference numeral in the figures and in the description. The description of this specimen may be correspondingly transferred to the other specimens of the object.
In
The fan unit 16a extends farther than the inner liner 12a in an additional direction 56a. The additional direction 56a is a depth direction of the home appliance device 10a. The additional direction 56a is oriented perpendicularly to the horizontal direction 54a and to the vertical direction 20a.
The home appliance device 10a comprises an outer liner 58a. The inner liner 12a is arranged inside the outer liner 58a. The home appliance device 10a comprises a gap 60a between the inner liner 12a and the outer liner 58a. The gap 60a is filled with PU foam during foaming. The outer liner 58a and the inner liner 12a together form a main housing of the home appliance device 10a.
The inner liner 12a features a top wall section 22a having at least one recess 24a for receiving the fan unit 16a. The recess 24a is arranged at a top rear edge 62a of the inner liner 12a. The recess 24a is U-shaped. The recess 24a is open towards the gap 60a. Alternatively it is conceivable that a fan unit is arranged at a front edge and/or a lateral edge and/or a bottom edge of an inner liner. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a recess is implemented as a through-hole and/or in a bottom wall section and/or in a side wall section and/or in a front wall section of an inner liner.
The fan unit 16a features a fan 64a with a fan rotor 66a. An interior of the fan 64a, containing for instance a fan motor and electronics of the fan, is not shown for reasons of clarity. The fan unit 16a features at least one air flow channel 48a having at least one air turbulence unit 50a. The air flow channel 48a is connected to the fan 64a. The air turbulence unit 50a comprises a number of swirling elements 68a, of which only one is given a reference numeral for reasons of clarity. The swirling elements 68a are arranged on an air-swirling grid 70a of the air turbulence unit 50a. The swirling elements 68a are configured for swirling air flowing through the air flow channel 48a. The turbulence unit 50a is configured for enhancing an efficiency of heat transfer.
The rear side cover element 26a forms a common rear side wall 28a together with the inner liner 12a, in particular with a rear wall section 71a of the inner liner 12a. The common rear side wall 28a seals the storage space 14a against foam and/or against the gap 60a.
The rear side cover element 26a is implemented in one piece. The rear side cover element 26a is made of plastic. The rear side cover element 26a is an injection-moulded element. However, it is also conceivable that a rear side cover element is partly or completely made of metal and/or another suitable material.
The rear side cover element 26a features a cup-shaped portion 72a implementing an receiving space 74a for the fan 64a. The fan 64a is partly arranged inside the receiving space 74a.
The rear side cover element 26a features a latching element 29a for latching to the inner liner 12a. The rear side cover element 26a is latched to the rear side wall section 76a of the inner liner 12a. The latching element 29a is latched with a receiving element 80a of the inner liner 12a. The receiving element 80a is implemented as a through-hole. In the shown embodiment the rear side cover element 26a comprises a plurality of latching elements 29a arranged around the rear side recess 78a, of which only one is given a reference numeral for reasons of clarity.
The rear side cover element 26a features at least one foam guiding element 30a defining at least one flow path 32a for foam flowing through during foaming. The foam guiding element 30a is rib-shaped. The foam guiding element 30a extends in a direction parallel to the vertical direction 20a. In the shown embodiment the rear side cover element 26a features a plurality of different foam guiding elements 30a and a plurality of flow paths 32a, not all of which are given reference numerals for reasons of clarity. The flow paths 32a are implemented as flow channels between neighboring foam guiding elements 30a.
The rear side cover element 26a features at least one cable guiding element 34a implementing at least a portion of a cable management 38a, in particular for cables of the fan 64a, which are not shown for reasons of clarity. The cable guiding element 34a defines a receiving space 82a for cables of the fan 64a. In the case shown the rear side cover element 26a features an additional cable guiding element 36a, which is implemented mirror-symmetrically to the cable guiding element 34a.
As further shown in
The top cover element 44a is latched to the inner liner 12a. The top cover element 44a is latched to the rear side cover element 26a. The top cover element 44a features a latching element 84a. During mounting, the latching element 84a of the top cover element 44a is hooked to a rim of the recess 24a and swiveled toward the rear side cover element 26a. The top cover element 44a features a groove 86a for connecting to a tongue element 88a of the rear side cover element 26a.
The rear side cover element 26a, the top cover element 44a and the inner liner 12a together form a top wall 46a. The top wall 46a seals an interior of the fan unit 16a against foam from the gap 60a. The rear side cover element 26a and the top cover element 44a each form a portion of a common top cover 90a covering a portion of the fan unit 16a, which is arranged outside the inner liner 12a. The top cover 90a covers the fan 64a towards the gap 60a between the inner liner 12a and the outer liner 58a. Owing to the top cover 90a the fan 64a can be arranged at a topmost position inside or even partly outside the inner liner 12a.
When assembling the home appliance device 10a, the rear side cover element 26a is attached to the inner liner 12a, and the top cover element 44a is attached to the inner liner 12a and to the rear side cover element 26a.
The fan unit 16b comprises a rear side cover element 26b. The rear side cover element 26b is connected to the inner liner 12b. The rear side cover element 26b forms a common rear side wall 28b together with the inner liner 12b.
The fan unit 16b comprises a top cover element 44b. The top cover element 44b is connected to the inner liner 12b. The top cover element 44b forms a top wall 46b together with the inner liner 12b. The top cover element 44b features at least one foam guiding element 92b defining at least one flow path 94b for foam flowing through during foaming. The top cover element 44b features a plurality of foam guiding elements 92b and a plurality of flow paths 94b, which are not given reference numerals for reasons of clarity.
When assembling the alternative home appliance device 12b, the rear side cover element 26b is attached to the inner liner 12b. Furthermore, the top cover element 44b is attached to the inner liner 12b. The top cover element 44b is attached to the inner liner 12b separately from the rear side cover element 26b.
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
