HOME APPLIANCE DEVICE

Abstract

A home appliance device, in particular a home appliance chiller device, with improved efficiency, includes a refrigerant cycle having a heat generating unit, a machine compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment separated from the first sub-compartment. The second sub-compartment is configured for at least partly receiving the heat generating unit. An airflow unit is configured for conveying air from the first sub-compartment to the second sub-compartment in such a way that, in operation, the second sub-compartment is kept at least substantially warmer than the first sub-compartment. A home appliance including the home appliance device is also provided.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A home appliance device or home appliance chiller device, comprising: a refrigerant cycle having a heat generating unit; a machine compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment separated from said first sub-compartment, said second sub-compartment being configured for at least partly receiving said heat generating unit; and an airflow unit configured for conveying air from said first sub-compartment to said second sub-compartment to keep said second sub-compartment at least substantially warmer than said first sub-compartment during operation.

17. The home appliance device according to claim 16, wherein said airflow unit includes a fan for implementing an airflow from said first sub-compartment to said second sub-compartment to substantially prevent air heated by said heat generating unit from entering into said first sub-compartment during operation.

18. The home appliance device according to claim 16, wherein said heat generating unit includes a compressor and a condenser.

19. The home appliance device according to claim 16, wherein: said first sub-compartment includes a fresh-air entrance; and said refrigerant cycle includes an expansion device disposed inside said first sub-compartment, said expansion device being positioned in a vicinity of said fresh-air entrance and being configured to come into direct contact with fresh air upon suction thereof through said fresh-air entrance.

20. The home appliance device according to claim 16, wherein said machine compartment includes a divisional wall section for dividing said machine compartment into said first sub-compartment and said second sub-compartment.

21. The home appliance device according to claim 20, wherein said machine compartment includes two lateral wall sections, a rear wall section, a bottom wall section and a front wall section, said divisional wall section extending from said rear wall section to said front wall section.

22. The home appliance device according to claim 20, wherein said divisional wall section is provided with an aperture being part of said airflow unit and allowing an airflow from said first sub-compartment to said second sub-compartment.

23. The home appliance device according to claim 22, wherein said airflow unit includes a fan for implementing an airflow from said first sub-compartment to said second sub-compartment, and said aperture is a frame or housing for said fan.

24. The home appliance device according to claim 21, wherein: said divisional wall section includes a first wall section in a vicinity of said front wall section and a second wall section in a vicinity of said rear wall section; and said second wall section is provided with an aperture allowing an airflow from said first sub-compartment to said second sub-compartment.

25. The home appliance device according to claim 16, which further comprises: a door or a drawer; and an opening device configured for opening said door or said drawer from a closed position, said opening device being at least partly disposed in said machine compartment.

26. The home appliance device according to claim 25, wherein said opening device is disposed inside said second sub-compartment.

27. The home appliance device according to claim 25, wherein: said machine compartment includes a divisional wall section for dividing said machine compartment into said first sub-compartment and said second sub-compartment; an electrical connection unit electrically connects said opening device with a further unit disposed in said first sub-compartment; and said divisional wall section has a cabling recess for passing said electrical connection unit through said divisional wall section.

28. The home appliance device according to claim 27, which further comprises a cover unit for at least substantially preventing an airflow from said second sub-compartment into said first sub-compartment through said cabling recess.

29. The home appliance device according to claim 28, wherein said electrical connection unit has a connector plug, and said cover unit, in an installation position, at least partly encompasses said connector plug for securing a position of said connector plug.

30. A home appliance or refrigerator, comprising a home appliance device according to claim 16.

Description

[0027] It is shown in:

[0028] FIG. 1 a home appliance comprising a home appliance device in a schematic front view,

[0029] FIGS. 2, 3 a portion of the home appliance device, comprising a machine compartment, in various perspective views,

[0030] FIGS. 4, 5 a portion of the home appliance device, comprising a refrigerant cycle, in various views,

[0031] FIGS. 6, 7 a portion of the home appliance device, comprising a divisional wall section, an opening device and a cover unit, in different views and

[0032] FIGS. 8, 9 the cover unit in different views,

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a home appliance 62 comprising a home appliance device in a schematic front view. The home appliance 62 is embodied as a refrigerator. The home appliance 62 could further be embodied as a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer combination and/or a wine cooler.

[0034] The home appliance device comprises a housing 64. The home appliance device comprises a storage compartment 68. The storage compartment 68 is configured for storing victuals. The storage compartment 68 is arranged inside the housing 64. The home appliance device comprises a door 50. For closing the storage compartment 12, the door 50 comprises a door leaf 70. Further, the home appliance device comprises a drawer 52. The drawer 52 is configured for storing victuals inside the storage compartment 68.

[0035] The home appliance device comprises a machine compartment 14, which is arranged inside the housing 64. In an installation position of the home appliance device, the machine compartment 14 is positioned below the storage compartment 68. Alternatively or additionally the machine compartment 14 could be positioned on top of the storage compartment 68.

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the machine compartment 14 in various perspective views. The machine compartment 14 is delimited from five sides by wall sections 34, 36, 38, 40. The machine compartment 14 comprises two lateral wall sections 34. The two lateral wall sections 34 delimit the machine compartment 14 from opposite sides. The machine compartment 14 comprises a rear wall section 36. The machine compartment 14 comprises a bottom wall section 38. The machine compartment 14 comprises a front wall section 40. The storage compartment 68 delimits the machine compartment 14 from a sixth side, in particular an upper side. Alternatively or additionally, the machine compartment 14 may comprise an upper wall section which delimits the sixth side.

[0037] The front wall section 40 comprises an air inlet vent 72. Further the front wall section 40 comprises an air outlet vent 74. The air inlet vent 72 and the air outlet vent 74 are arranged side by side. The air inlet vent 72 and the air outlet vent 74 are implemented at least substantially lamellar. Alternatively or additionally other wall sections of the machine compartment 14 such as the rear wall section 36 and/or the lateral wall sections 34 may comprise an air inlet vent and/or an air outlet vent.

[0038] The machine compartment 14 comprises two sub-compartments 16, 18. The machine compartment 14 comprises a first sub-compartment 16. The machine compartment 14 comprises a second sub-compartment 18. The second sub-compartment 18 is embodied separate from the first sub-compartment 16. The first sub-compartment 16 and the second sub-compartment 18 are arranged side by side. The first sub-compartment 16 and the second sub-compartment 18 are of at least substantially equal size.

[0039] The first sub-compartment 16 comprises a fresh-air entrance 30. The fresh-air entrance 30 is embodied by the air inlet vent 72. The second sub-compartment 18 comprises a heated-air exit 76. The heated-air exit 76 is embodied by the air outlet vent 74.

[0040] The machine compartment 14 comprises a divisional wall section 32. The wall sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are at least partly fixable to each other by a fixing unit 78. The fixing unit 78 comprises at least one guiding element 80 configured for attaching at least the wall sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 to each other. The guiding element 80 is embodied as a rail. In the present case the fixing 78 unit comprises at least one guiding element 80 for each wall section 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. For example, the divisional wall section 32 is fixed to the bottom wall section 38 by the guiding element 80. The divisional wall section 32 is configured for dividing the machine compartment 14 into the first sub-compartment 16 and the second sub-compartment 18. The divisional wall section 32 separates the second sub-compartment 18 from the first sub-compartment 16. The divisional wall section 32 extends from the rear wall section 36 up to the front wall section 40. The divisional wall section 32 comprises a first wall section 44. The first wall section 44 is situated in a vicinity of the front wall section 40. The divisional wall section 32 comprises a second wall section 46. The second wall section 46 is situated in a vicinity of the rear wall section 36.

[0041] The home appliance device comprises an airflow unit 20. The airflow unit 20 is configured for sucking fresh air into the first sub-compartment 16, in particular through the fresh-air entrance 30. The airflow unit 20 is further configured for transporting air from the first sub-compartment 16 to the second sub-compartment 18. The airflow unit 20 is configured for discharging heated air out of the second sub-compartment 18, in particular through the heated-air exit 76. By means of the airflow unit 20 the second sub-compartment 18 is kept at least substantially warmer than the first sub-compartment 16. In operation the airflow unit 20 substantially prevents air from entering the first sub-compartment 16 from the second sub-compartment 18. The airflow unit 20 comprises a fan 22. The fan 22 is configured for implementing an airflow from the first sub-compartment 16 towards the second sub-compartment 18. The divisional wall section 32, in particular the second wall section 46, is provided with an aperture 42. The aperture 42 is part of the airflow unit 20. The aperture 42 allows an airflow between the first sub-compartment 16 and second sub-compartment 18. The aperture 42 is embodied as a frame for the fan 22. The airflow unit 20 further comprises a fan housing, in which the fan 22 is accommodated. Alternatively or additionally, the aperture 42 can be embodied as the fan housing.

[0042] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a portion of the home appliance device, comprising a refrigerant cycle 10 of the home appliance device, in a perspective view and a top view. The refrigerant cycle 10 comprises a refrigerant. The refrigerant cycle 10 is at least partly, preferably mostly, arranged inside the machine compartment 14. The refrigerant cycle 10 comprises a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side. The refrigerant cycle 10 comprises a compressor 24. The high-pressure side starts at the compressor 24. The compressor 24 is part of a heat generating unit 12 of the home appliance device. The refrigerant enters the compressor 24 as a super-heated gas. A pressure and a temperature of refrigerant are increased by the compressor 24. An enthalpy of the refrigerant rises as a result of compression. The refrigerant cycle 10 further comprises a condenser 26. The condenser 26 is connected to the compressor 24. In the condenser 26, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change. The super-heated gas condenses into a sub-cooled liquid. The refrigerant cycle 10 further comprises a dryer 82. The dryer 82 is part of a refrigerant unit 86 of the home appliance device. The dryer 82 is connected to the condenser 26. The dryer 86 is configured for removing water vapor from the refrigerant. The refrigerant cycle 10 comprises an expansion device 28. The expansion device 28 is part of the refrigerant unit 86. The expansion device 28 is connected to the dryer 82. The expansion device 28 comprises a capillary tube 84. Additionally or alternatively the expansion device 28 may comprise an expansion valve. The capillary tube 84 has a smaller diameter than every other tube of the refrigerant cycle 10. The capillary tube 84 is configured as a metering device, which preferably restricts a flow of the refrigerant. At the end of the capillary tube 84, the high-pressure side ends and the low-pressure side starts. The refrigerant leaves the expansion device 28 through an expansion point. In the expansion point, a diameter of the capillary tube 84 is increased. The refrigerant cycle 10 comprises an evaporator. The refrigerant enters the evaporator. While passing through the evaporator the sub-cooled refrigerant liquid undergoes a phase change from a sub-cooled liquid to a super-heated gas. The refrigerant cycle 10 comprises a suction tube. The suction tube connects the evaporator to the compressor 24. Further the refrigerant cycle 10 comprises a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is implemented by welding the capillary tube 84 and the suction tube together. Via a heat exchange through the heat exchanger after the evaporator, the refrigerant is converted into a super-heated gas before reentering the compressor 24. Furthermore, via the heat exchanger the refrigerant is converted into a sub-cooled liquid before entering the expansion device 28.

[0043] The suction tube connecting the evaporator and the compressor 24 is at least partly arranged inside the second compartment 18. The compressor 24 is arranged inside the second sub-compartment 18. The compressor 24 is arranged aerodynamically downstream of the airflow unit 20. The compressor 24 is arranged in a vicinity of the heated-air exit 76. The condenser 26 is arranged inside the second compartment 18. The condenser 26 is arranged aerodynamically downstream of the airflow unit 20. The condenser 26 is arranged in a vicinity of the airflow unit 20, and in particular of the aperture 42 of the divisional wall section 32. The condenser 26 is arranged aerodynamically upstream of the compressor 24. The expansion device 28, in particular the capillary tube 84 and preferably the dryer 82, are arranged inside the first sub-compartment 16. The expansion device 82, in particular the capillary tube 84 and preferably the dryer 82, are arranged aerodynamically upstream of the airflow unit 20. The expansion device 82, in particular the capillary tube 84 and preferably the dryer 82, are positioned in a vicinity of the fresh-air entrance 30. The expansion device 28, in particular the capillary tube 84 and preferably the dryer 82, are configured for getting into direct contact with the fresh air upon suction thereof. The evaporator is preferably arranged in a vicinity of the storage compartment 68.

[0044] The home appliance device further comprises an evaporation tray 88. The evaporation tray 88 is configured for collecting condensed water from the storage compartment 68. The evaporation tray 88 is arranged aerodynamically downstream of the airflow unit 30. The evaporation tray 88 is configured for evaporating the condensed water. The evaporation tray 88 is arranged inside the second sub-compartment 18. Preferably the evaporation tray 88 is thermally coupled to the refrigerant cycle 10, in particular to the compressor 24. The evaporation tray 88 is arranged between the compressor 24 and the condenser 26.

[0045] The home appliance device further comprises a water line 90 preferably configured for cooling tap water. The water line 90 comprises in particular a water valve 92. The water line 90, in particular the water valve 92, is at least partly arranged inside the first sub-compartment 16. The water line 90, in particular the water valve 92, is at least partly arranged aerodynamically upstream of the airflow unit 20.

[0046] The home appliance device further comprises a control unit 94. The control unit 94 is configured for controlling and preferably for feedback-controlling at least the refrigerant cycle 10, preferably the compressor 24. The control unit 94 is arranged inside the first sub-compartment 16. The control unit 94 is attached to the divisional wall section 32, in particular to the first wall section 44 of the divisional wall section 32. The control unit 94 is attached to a side of the divisional wall section 32, which faces the first sub-compartment 16. In addition the control unit 94 serves as a power supply unit. Alternatively or additionally the home appliance device may comprise a separate power supply unit.

[0047] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a portion of the home appliance device, comprising the divisional wall 32 and an opening device 48 of the home appliance device, in various views. The opening device 48 is configured for opening a closed door 50, in particular a closed door leaf 70 of the door 50 (see FIG. 1). Alternatively or additionally the opening device 48 may be configured for opening a closed drawer 52, in particular a bottom drawer.

[0048] The opening device 48 is at least partly arranged in the machine compartment 14 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The opening device 48 is arranged at least substantially centrally inside the machine compartment 14. The opening device 48 extends at least partly through the front wall section 40 of the machine compartment 14 (see FIG. 2). The front wall section 40 comprises in particular a pass-through recess 96 for the opening device 48. The opening device 48 comprises a plunger 98. The plunger 98 is movable. The plunger 98 is configured for contacting the door 50. Alternatively or additionally the plunger 98 may be configured for contacting the drawer 52. The plunger 98 is arranged at least partly inside the pass-through recess 96 of the front wall section 40. The opening device 48 is arranged inside the second sub-compartment 18. The opening device 48 is attached to the divisional wall section 32, in particular to the first wall section 44 of the divisional wall section 32. The opening device 48 is attached to a side of the divisional wall section 32 which faces the second sub-compartment 18.

[0049] The home appliance device further comprises an electrical connection unit 54. The electrical connection unit 54 is configured for electrically connecting the opening device 48 with a further unit. The further unit is arranged in the first sub-compartment 16. In this case the further unit is the control unit 94. Alternatively or additionally the further unit may be a separate power supply unit of the home appliance device. The divisional wall section 32 comprises a cabling recess 56. The divisional wall section 32 comprises the cabling recess 56 in particular in its first wall section 44. The cabling recess 56 is configured for at least partly passing through the electrical connection unit 45. The electrical connection unit 54 comprises a connector plug 60. In an installation position, the opening device 48 connects to the connector plug 60. The electrical connection unit 54 further comprises a cabling harness 100. The cabling harness 100 connects the connector plug 60 to the control unit 94. The cabling harness 100 passes through the cabling recess 54.

[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 show of cover unit 58 of the home appliance device. The cover unit 58 is implemented integrally. The cover unit 58 may be made of plastic or metal, in particular sheet metal. The cover unit 58 is configured for at least substantially preventing airflow from the second sub-compartment 18 into the first sub-compartment 16 through the cabling recess 56. The cover unit 58 is attachable to the divisional wall section 32, in particular to the first wall section 44 of the divisional wall section 32. The cover unit 58 is attachable to the divisional wall section 32 by two screws. The cover unit 58 at least partly encompasses the connector plug 60 of the electrical connection unit 54. In an installation position the cover unit 58 comprises a locking element 102. The locking element 102 is a form fit element. The locking element 102 is shaped at least partly corresponding to the electrical connector unit 54, in particular to the connector plug 60. The locking element 102 is in particular embodied as a locking corner.

[0051] The cover unit 58 is configured for sealing the cabling recess 56. The cover unit 58 comprises a sealing element 104. The sealing element 104 at least partly overlaps with the electrical connector unit 54, in particular with the connector plug 60, preferably in a main extension direction of the divisional wall section 32. The sealing element 104 is implemented as a bent portion of the cover unit 58. The cover unit 58 comprises a further sealing element 106. The further sealing element 106 at least partly overlaps with the divisional wall section 32, preferably in a main extension direction of the divisional wall section 32. The further sealing element 106 is implemented as a protrusion of the cover unit 58.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0052] 10 refrigerant cycle [0053] 12 heat generating unit [0054] 14 machine compartment [0055] 16 first sub-compartment [0056] 18 second sub-compartment [0057] 20 airflow unit [0058] 22 fan [0059] 24 compressor [0060] 26 condenser [0061] 28 expansion device [0062] 30 fresh-air entrance [0063] 32 divisional wall section [0064] 34 lateral wall section [0065] 36 rear wall section [0066] 38 bottom wall section [0067] 40 front wall section [0068] 42 aperture [0069] 44 first wall section [0070] 46 second wall section [0071] 48 opening device [0072] 50 door [0073] 52 drawer [0074] 54 electrical connection unit [0075] 56 cabling recess [0076] 58 cover unit [0077] 60 connector plug [0078] 62 home appliance [0079] 64 housing [0080] 68 storage compartment [0081] 70 door leaf [0082] 72 air inlet vent [0083] 74 air outlet vent [0084] 76 heated-air exit [0085] 78 fixing unit [0086] 80 guiding element [0087] 82 dryer [0088] 84 capillary tube [0089] 86 refrigerant unit [0090] 88 evaporation tray [0091] 90 water line [0092] 92 water valve [0093] 94 control unit [0094] 96 pass-through recess [0095] 98 plunger [0096] 100 cabling harness [0097] 102 locking element [0098] 104 sealing element [0099] 106 further sealing element