Abstract
A home appliance device, in particular a home refrigeration appliance device, has improved energy efficiency. The home appliance device has at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space and at least one functional unit which in an assembled state is connected to the inner liner and located in the storage space. The inner liner contains at least one accommodation element which in the assembled state at least partly accommodates the at least one functional unit.
Claims
1. A home appliance device, comprising: at least one inner liner defining at least one storage space; at least one functional unit which in an assembled state is connected to said at least one inner liner and disposed in said at least one storage space; and said at least one inner liner containing at least one accommodation element which in the assembled state at least partly accommodates said at least one functional unit; said at least one accommodation element and said at least one functional unit defining at least one gap containing a stationary air cushion in the assembled state, said at least one gap having a cascading profile.
2. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one functional unit is a partitioning unit that partitions said at least one storage space into at least two subspaces in the assembled state.
3. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one accommodation element accommodates said at least one functional unit at least partly in a form-fit manner in the assembled state.
4. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one accommodation element has a channel formed therein in which at least a portion of said at least one functional unit is disposed in the assembled state.
5. The home appliance device according to claim 4, wherein said at least one accommodation element has a plateau portion in which said channel is formed.
6. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one inner liner has an inner liner wall and said at least one accommodation element is implemented integrally with said inner liner wall.
7. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one inner liner has an inner liner wall and said inner liner wall has at least one drip edge for allowing water detachment from said inner liner wall.
8. The home appliance device according to claim 7, wherein said functional unit abuts said at least one drip edge in the assembled state.
9. The home appliance device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one inner liner has a side wall and said at least one drip edge is disposed at said side wall.
10. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one inner liner has a rear wall and said at least one accommodation element is disposed at said rear wall.
11. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one functional unit is detachably connected to said at least one inner liner.
12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sealing gasket which in the assembled state is compressed between at least one mating surface of said at least one functional unit and said at least one accommodation element.
13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said at least one inner liner contains at least one protrusion against which said at least one sealing gasket abuts in the assembled state and which is disposed at an extension of said at least one accommodation element.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the home appliance device is a home refrigeration appliance device.
15. A method for assembling a home appliance device, which comprises: inserting at least one functional unit into at least one storage space of an inner liner; accommodating the at least one functional unit in at least one accommodation element of the inner liner; and connecting the at least one functional unit to the inner liner with the at least one accommodation element and the at least one functional unit defining at least one gap containing a stationary air cushion in the assembled state, the gap having a cascading profile.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, front view of a home appliance having a home appliance device according to the invention;
(2) FIG. 2 is an illustration of the home appliance device having an inner liner and a functional unit;
(3) FIG. 3 is an illustration of the home appliance device having several protrusions shown in various enlarged views;
(4) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a portion of the home appliance device having an accommodation element;
(5) FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a portion of the home appliance device, with the functional unit in an assembled state;
(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the home appliance device;
(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the home appliance device;
(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the home appliance device;
(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the home appliance device;
(10) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a portion of the functional unit embodied as a partitioning unit;
(11) FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the partitioning unit having a housing element;
(12) FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the partitioning unit with a thermal insulation element;
(13) FIG. 9D is a perspective view of the partitioning unit with a seal;
(14) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the thermal insulation element enclosed by a protective foil;
(15) FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method for assembling the home appliance device;
(16) FIG. 12A is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing the home appliance device, containing a step of enclosing the thermal insulation element; and
(17) FIG. 12B is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing the home appliance device, containing an alternative step of enclosing the thermal insulation element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(18) Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a home appliance 50 having a home appliance device 10 in a perspective view. The home appliance 50 is a home refrigeration appliance. The home appliance device 10 is a home refrigeration appliance device. In the case shown the home appliance 50 is a refrigerator. The home appliance 50 contains a left upper door 118 and a right upper door 120. The upper doors 118, 120 are French doors and are arranged side by side. The door 118 contains an ice and/or water dispenser 124. The home appliance contains a lower door 122. The lower door 122 covers a freezer compartment. However, other home appliances are conceivable, as has been mentioned above.
(19) FIG. 2 shows the home appliance device 10 in an assembled state. The home appliance device 10 contains an inner liner 12. The inner liner 12 defines a storage space 14. The home appliance device 10 contains a functional unit 16. The functional unit 16 is connected to the inner liner 12. The functional unit 16 is located in the storage space 14. The functional unit 16 is detachably connected to the inner liner 12. In the case shown the functional unit 16 is embodied as a partitioning unit 18. The partitioning unit 18 partitions the storage space 14 into a first subspace 22 and a second subspace 24. In the case shown the first subspace 22 is embodied as a cooling chamber for storing victuals and the second subspace 24 is embodied as an ice-preparation chamber for producing ice. The home appliance device 10 includes an inner liner 78. The inner liner 78 defines a storage space 80. The storage space 80 is embodied as a freezer compartment. The home appliance device has a functional unit 82. The functional unit 82 is connected to the inner liner 78. The functional unit 82 is located in the storage space 80. The functional unit 82 is embodied as a cooling unit 84. The cooling unit 84 is in particular embodied as a no-frost cooling unit configured for cooling the storage space 80 at low humidity and for preventing a formation of frost. The home appliance device contains a seal 20 (compare FIG. 6). In the assembled state the seal 20 is compressed between a mating surface 30 (compare FIG. 9D) of the functional unit 16 and the inner liner 12.
(20) In FIG. 3 the home appliance device 10 is shown in a pre-assembled state without the functional unit 16 and without the functional unit 82. An enlarged view, shows a portion of the storage space 14 defined by the inner liner 12, illustrating that the inner liner 12 has a protrusion 26. The protrusion 26 is implemented integrally with the inner liner 12 by a thermo-forming process. The protrusion 26 is located at an edge 32 of the inner liner 12. The protrusion 26 is located in an edge region 150 of the edge 32 of the inner liner 12. The protrusion 26 extends from a first inner liner wall 38 of the inner liner 12 to a second inner liner wall 40 of the inner liner 12. The first inner liner wall 38 of the inner liner 12 is a rear wall 42 of the inner liner 12. The second inner liner wall 40 of the inner liner 12 is a top wall 48 of the inner liner 12. The protrusion 26 contains an abutment surface 36. In the assembled state (compare FIG. 2) the seal 20 abuts on the abutment surface 36. The abutment surface 36 defines a bending radius 90 for the seal 20. The bending radius 90 is greater than a bending radius 92 of the inner liner 12. In another enlarged view, designated with the letter B, another section of the storage space 14 is shown, illustrating that the inner liner 12 has a protrusion 28. The protrusion 28 is implemented integrally with the inner liner 12 by a thermo-forming process. The protrusion 28 is located at an edge 34 of the inner liner 12. The protrusion 28 is located at an edge region 152 of the edge 34 of the inner liner 12. The protrusion 28 extends from the first inner liner wall 38 of the inner liner 12 to a second inner liner wall 44 of the inner liner 12. The second inner liner wall 44 of the inner liner 12 is a side wall 46 of the inner liner 12. The protrusion 28 contains an abutment surface 86. In the assembled state (compare FIG. 2) the seal 20 abuts on the abutment surface 86. The protrusion 28 is located in an edge region 152 of the inner liner 12. A further enlarged view, shows a portion of the storage space 80 defined by the inner liner 78, illustrating that the inner liner 78 containing a protrusion 94. The protrusion 94 is implemented integrally with the inner liner 78 by a thermo-forming process. The protrusion 94 is located at an edge 98 of the inner liner 78. A further enlarged view, designated with the letter D, showing another section of the storage space 80 defined by the inner liner 78, illustrating that the inner liner 78 contains a protrusion 96. The protrusion 96 is implemented integrally with the inner liner 78 by a thermo-forming process. The protrusion 96 is located at an edge 98 of the inner liner 78.
(21) FIG. 4A shows another illustration of the home appliance 10 in a pre-assembled state. The inner liner 12 contains an accommodation element 52. In the case shown the accommodation element 52 is implemented integrally with the first inner liner wall 38 of the inner liner 12 by a thermo-forming process. The first inner liner wall 38 of the inner liner 12 is the rear wall 42 of the inner liner 12. The accommodation element 52 is located at the rear wall 42 of the inner liner 12. The accommodation element 52 is implemented integrally with the rear wall 42. The accommodation element 52 has a channel 54. The accommodation element 52 has a plateau portion 56. The channel 54 is formed in the plateau portion 56. The inner liner 12 contains a drip edge 62. The drip edge 62 is located at the side wall 46 of the inner liner 12. The drip edge 62 allows water detachment from the side wall 46 of the inner liner 12. The home appliance device contains a coolant pipe 100. FIG. 4B shows the home appliance 10 in the assembled state with the functional unit 16 connected to the inner liner 12. In the assembled state the coolant pipe 100 is located in the second subspace 24. The coolant pipe 100 is configured to cool down the second subspace 24 in an operative state of the home appliance device 10. In the assembled state the accommodation element 52 partly accommodates the functional unit 16. The accommodation element 52 partly accommodates the functional unit 52 in a form-fit manner (compare FIG. 8). In the assembled state a portion of the functional unit 16 is located in the channel 54. In an operative state of the home appliance device 10 condensation water (not shown) is kept inside the second subspace 24 by means of the drip edge 62. The drip edge 62 is configured to accumulate condensation water droplets (not shown). The condensation water droplets can drip from the drip edge 62 into the second subspace 24. The inner liner 12 contains a drip edge 88. The drip edge 88 is located at the top wall 48 of the inner liner 12. The drip edge 88 allows water detachment from the top wall 48 of the inner liner 12.
(22) In FIG. 5 two different views of a portion of the home appliance device 10 are shown. It can be seen that the inner liner 12 contains two holes 126. The holes are located underneath the plateau portion 56. In an assembled state the functional unit 16 is connected to the inner liner 12 by a bolt connection.
(23) FIG. 6 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 in the assembled state in a partially sectional view, viewed towards the rear wall 42 of the inner liner 12, including a sectional view of the functional unit 16. In the assembled state the functional unit 16 compresses the seal 20 with an evenly distributed pressure force (not shown). Further it is obvious from FIG. 6 that a degree of compression of the seal 20 is delimited by a geometrical shape 102 of the inner liner 12 and by a geometrical shape of the mating surface 30 of the functional unit 16 within a defined range. In particular, the degree of compression is delimited to 50% of a maximally possible compression of the seal 20. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the functional unit 16 abuts on the drip edge 62 in the assembled state.
(24) FIG. 7 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 in the assembled state in a partially sectional view looking from a direction of the top wall 48 of the inner liner 12, including a sectional view of the functional unit 16. FIG. 7 illustrates that, in the assembled state, the accommodation element 52 and the functional unit 16 form a gap 58. The gap 58 contains a stationary air cushion 60. The stationary air cushion 60 provides a thermal barrier between the first subspace 22 and the second subspace 24.
(25) FIG. 8 shows a portion of the home appliance device 10 in the assembled state in a partially sectional view looking in a direction to the side wall 46 of the inner liner 12, including a sectional view of the functional unit 16. FIG. 8 also shows that a degree of compression of the seal 20 is delimited within a defined range by the geometrical shape 102 of the inner liner 12 and by the geometrical shape of the mating surface 30 of the functional unit 16.
(26) In FIGS. 9A to 9D the functional unit 16 that is embodied as the partitioning unit 18 is shown in several views. The partitioning unit 18 contains a housing element 68 shown in FIG. 9A. The partitioning unit 18 contains a frame element 110. In an assembled state the frame element 110 is attached to the housing element 68. The housing element 68 contains a bend 112. The partitioning unit contains a housing element 72 shown in FIG. 9B. In an assembled state the housing element 68 and the housing element 72 co-operate and in combination form an outer housing 70 of the partitioning unit 18. The housing elements 68, 72 comprise a bend 114. The partitioning unit 18 contains a thermal insulation inlay element 64, which is shown in FIG. 9C. The thermal insulation inlay element 64 is in an assembled state arranged between the housing element 68 and the housing element 72 of the outer housing 70 of the partitioning unit 18. In the assembled state the housing 70 completely covers the thermal insulation inlay element 64. An outer shape 74 of the thermal insulation inlay element 64 adopts an inner shape 76 of the housing elements 68. The outer shape 74 of the thermal insulation inlay element 64 contains a bend 116. The thermal insulation element 64 contains foamed plastic. In the case shown the thermal insulation inlay element 64 in particular consists of foamed polyurethane plastic. The thermal insulation inlay element 64 is enclosed by a protective foil 66 (compare FIG. 10). FIG. 9D shows the seal 20. The seal 20 is attached to the partitioning unit 18 by means of a latch mechanism 108. The seal 20 contains several latch holes 104. The housing 70 of the partitioning unit 18 contains a plurality of latch pins 106. To attach the seal 20 to the partitioning unit 18, each of the latch pins 106 of the housing is put through a corresponding latch hole 104 of the seal 20.
(27) FIG. 10 shows the thermal insulation inlay element 64 enclosed by the protective foil 66. The protective foil 66 is illustrated by a checkered pattern. The thermal insulation inlay element 64 is enclosed watertightly by the protective foil 66. The protective foil 66 contains synthetic material. In the case shown the protective foil 66 in particular consists of synthetic material, more particular the protective foil 66 consists of polyethylene.
(28) In FIG. 11 a diagram is shown illustrating a method for an assembly of the home appliance device 10. The method contains a first step 128. In the first step 128 the seal 20 is attached to the functional unit 16 (compare FIG. 9D). The method includes a second step 130 following the first step 128. In the second step 130 the functional unit 16 is inserted into the storage space 14 of the inner liner 12. The method includes a third step 132 following the second step 130. In the third step 132 the functional unit 16 is moved towards the accommodation element 52 of the inner liner 12, such that the accommodation element 52 accommodates the functional unit 16. The method includes a fourth step 134. The fourth step partly overlaps, in terms of time, with the third step 132. In the fourth step 134 the functional unit 16 is pressed towards the inner liner 12, as a result of which the seal 20 is compressed between the inner liner 12 and the mating surface 30 of the functional unit 16 in such a way that the seal abuts on the protrusion 26 and on the protrusion 28. The method contains a fifth step 136 following the fourth step 134. The fifth step 136 is configured to connect the functional unit 16 to the inner liner 12.
(29) FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show a method of manufacturing a home appliance device 10, the method comprising a step of enclosing 138 of the thermal insulation inlay element 64 by the protective foil 66. FIG. 12A shows a first alternative of the step of enclosing 138a. The step of enclosing 138a contains several partial steps. In a first partial step 140a at least a portion of the protective foil 66 is placed onto an inner surface of a foaming-mold (not shown). In a second partial step 142a the thermal insulation inlay element 64 is produced by filling the foaming-mold with a foam (not shown). In a third partial step 144a the foam hardens inside the foaming-mold. In a fourth partial step 146a the thermal insulation inlay element 64 is removed out of the foaming-mold. In a fifth partial step 148a the protective foil 66 is sealed around the thermal insulation inlay element 64.
(30) FIG. 12B shows a second alternative of the step of enclosing 138b. The step of enclosing 138b contains several partial steps. In a first partial step 140b a protective foil bag (not shown) is produced from the protective foil 66 and is then placed onto a foaming-mold (not shown). In a second partial step 142b the thermal insulation inlay element 64 is produced by filling the protective foil bag inside the foaming-mold with foam. In a third partial step 144b the foam hardens inside the protective foil bag inside the foaming-mold. In a fourth partial step 146b the thermal insulation inlay element 64 is removed out of the foaming-mold. In a fifth partial step 148a the protective foil bag is sealed around the thermal insulation inlay element 64.
(31) The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: 10 home appliance device 12 inner liner 14 storage space 16 functional unit 18 partitioning unit 20 Seal 22 first subspace 24 second subspace 26 Protrusion 28 Protrusion 30 mating surface 32 edge 34 edge 36 abutment surface 38 first inner liner wall 40 second inner liner wall 42 rear wall of the inner liner 44 second inner liner wall 46 side wall of the inner liner 48 top wall of the inner liner 50 home appliance 52 accommodation element 54 Channel 56 plateau portion 58 Gap 60 stationary air cushion 62 drip edge 64 thermal insulation inlay element 66 protective foil 68 housing element 70 outer housing 72 housing element 74 outer shape 76 inner shape 78 inner liner 80 storage space 82 functional unit 84 cooling unit 86 abutment surface 88 drip edge 90 bending radius 92 bending radius 94 Protrusion 96 Protrusion 98 Edge 100 coolant pipe 102 geometrical shape 104 latch hole 106 latch pin 108 latch mechanism 110 frame element 112 Bend 114 Bend 116 Bend 118 left upper door 120 right upper door 122 Door 124 ice/water dispenser 126 Hole 128 first step 130 second step 132 third step 134 fourth step 136 fifth step 138 step of enclosing 140 first partial step 142 second partial step 144 third partial step 146 fourth partial step 148 fifth partial step 150 edge region 152 edge region
