EP4244554A1

EP4244554A1 - Wall arrangement for a refrigeration appliance, refrigeration appliance, and method for assembling a wall arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP4244554A1
Application number: EP21772715.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Schäfer; Marcus WEHLAUCH; Claudia Weiß
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2020-11-11
Filing date: 2021-08-30
Publication date: 2023-09-20
Also published as: WO2022100906A1; CN116888418A; DE102020214145A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall arrangement for a refrigeration appliance, in particular for a domestic refrigerator, comprising a partition for delimiting a refrigeration compartment having a planarly extending main wall on which at least a first latching element is formed, and a planarly extending insulation part which is arranged on a first surface of the main wall, the partition and the insulation part being interlockingly fastened to each other. The wall arrangement also has a fan arranged between the main wall and the insulation part, wherein the main wall has at least one first through-opening so that air can be conveyed through the first through-opening by the fan, and wherein the insulation part has a second through-opening so that air can be conveyed through the second through-opening by the fan.

Description

Wall arrangement for a refrigeration device, refrigeration device and method for assembling a wall arrangement

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a wall arrangement for a refrigeration appliance, a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer combination, and a method for assembling the wall arrangement.

STATE OF THE ART

Refrigeration appliances such as refrigerators, freezers or fridge-freezers are often implemented as so-called no-frost refrigeration appliances. In this design, an evaporator is provided for cooling a refrigerated compartment, which is typically arranged in an evaporator chamber that is separate from the refrigerated compartment, with the refrigerated compartment and the evaporator chamber being connected in a fluidically conductive manner, so that heat is dissipated from the refrigerated compartment by air circulation between the evaporator chamber and the refrigerated compartment can be done. When air circulation is interrupted, the evaporator can be heated to thaw frost deposited thereon.

A no-frost refrigeration device is disclosed, for example, in WO 2010/118787 A1, with an evaporator being accommodated between a ceiling wall of a freezer compartment container and a partition wall. Here, the evaporator is surrounded on both sides by foam elements, which lie tightly against the ceiling wall and the partition wall, in order to prevent air from bypassing the evaporator and reaching a fan which circulates air between the freezer compartment and the space between the ceiling wall and the partition wall.

Foam elements, as described in WO 2010/118787 A1, are usually placed loosely on the respective components, for example on the walls, and fixed by means of adhesive tape or clamped between other parts for fixing. DE 10 2014 015 035 A1 also describes a refrigeration device in which an evaporator and an axial fan are thermally separated from one another. An insulating part is positioned axially between the evaporator and the fan. The insulating part is realized as a plate placed in front of the fan and having a diffuser-shaped hole. The fan or fan is inserted into a recess in a wall,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide improved solutions for wall arrangements of refrigerating appliances, in particular such solutions which enable the wall arrangement to be constructed in a compact and easily mountable manner.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a wall arrangement having the features of claim 1, by a refrigeration device having the features of claim 14, and by a method having the features of claim 15.

Advantageous refinements and developments result from the dependent claims referring back to the independent claims in connection with the description and the figures of the drawings.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a wall arrangement for a refrigeration appliance, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance, is provided with a partition for delimiting a refrigeration compartment with a main wall extending over a surface area and an insulating part extending over a surface area which is arranged on a first surface of the main wall, the partition wall and the insulating part are fastened to one another in a form-fitting manner. The wall arrangement also has a fan arranged between the main wall and the insulating part, the main wall having at least one first through-opening so that air can be transported from the fan through the first through-opening, and the insulating part having a second through-opening so that air from the fan can be transported through the second passage opening.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a refrigeration device, in particular a household refrigeration device, such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer combination provided. The refrigeration device according to the invention comprises a refrigeration compartment for accommodating refrigerated goods, the refrigeration compartment being delimited at least on one side by a wall arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention, and a cooling circuit for cooling the refrigeration compartment with a heat exchanger which is located on a side facing away from the partition wall of the insulating part is arranged such that, by means of the fan, air can be sucked in via the heat exchanger through the second through-opening of the insulating part and can be ejected through the first through-opening of the main wall into the cold compartment.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a wall assembly is provided. The method includes arranging the fan on the first surface of the main wall of the partition, arranging the insulating part on the first surface of the main wall of the partition such that the fan is arranged between the main wall and the insulating part, and positively connecting the partition and the insulating part.

One of the ideas on which the invention is based is to provide a space-saving and easy-to-assemble wall assembly with a partition, an insulating part and a fan, the flat insulating part, which can be formed from a thermally insulating foam, for example, and the partition, which is a cooling compartment from a Evaporator chamber or generally separates a heat exchanger chamber, positively connected to each other, for example locked, and a fan is housed between the insulating part and the partition. The dividing wall faces the refrigeration compartment or delimits it, while the insulating part is arranged on the side or back of the dividing wall facing away from the refrigeration compartment. An intermediate space is defined between the main wall, in particular its first surface, and the insulating part, in which a fan is arranged in order to transport air from the back of the wall arrangement, on which the heat exchanger, e.g. in the form of an evaporator, is arranged into the cold compartment . The ventilator is thus arranged in a ventilator chamber or pressure chamber delimited by the partition wall or the main wall of the partition wall and the insulating part. The main wall and the insulating part are each provided with a through opening through which the fan can suck air into and expel air from the pressure chamber. One advantage of the invention is that the insulating part can be fixed to the partition wall reliably and with little effort. At the same time, the form-fitting fixing of the insulating part and partition wall to one another, which can be designed in particular to be detachable, ensures vibration-proof and reliable attachment. The arrangement of the fan between the insulating part and the partition wall also enables an extremely space-saving design. Since in this way the pressure chamber is delimited by the main wall of the partition wall and the insulating part, a wall arrangement is also realized with only a small number of components, which further simplifies assembly. In particular, the area in which the heat exchanger is arranged and the pressure chamber can be separated from one another solely by the insulating component, which has a favorable effect on the space requirement of the wall arrangement. Due to the compact structure of the wall arrangement, the usable volume of the refrigeration compartment can advantageously be increased.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that at least one first latching element is formed on the main wall and that the insulating part has at least one second latching element, with the first and the second latching element being latched into one another, so that the partition wall and the insulating part are fastened to one another in a form-fitting manner . According to this, one or more first latching elements or clip elements are provided on the partition, in particular on a main section of the partition, which can be plate-shaped at least in some areas, and on a preferably likewise plate-shaped section of the insulating part, second latching elements or Clip elements are provided, which engage in a form-fitting manner with the first locking elements. The fixing of the insulating part on the partition wall can thus advantageously take place without additional fastening means or tools. Furthermore, the positioning of these parts relative to each other is determined by the position of the locking elements on the insulating part and on the partition, which makes assembly particularly easy.

According to exemplary embodiments, it can be provided that the insulating part is formed from expanded polypropylene, EPP for short, from expanded polyethylene, EPE for short. These materials offer the advantage that they are mechanically robust, so that damage occurs when the partition wall and insulating part are fastened in a form-fitting manner, for example by the second latching elements locking with the first latching elements of the partition wall. reliably avoided. In particular, these materials are also relatively tough or elastic, so that it is easier to disassemble the insulating panel from the partition without damaging it. Furthermore, these materials have good thermal insulation properties and are water-repellent. In general, the insulating part can be formed from an expanded plastic material, in particular a foam material, which has a predetermined deformability. The deformability can be defined, for example, by the compression set, which can in particular be less than or equal to 15%, preferably less than or equal to 11.5%. The compression set can be determined according to DIN ISO 815 or ASTM D 395, for example. The insulating part can also be made of expanded polystyrene, or EPS for short, by appropriately designing the latching elements, which enable damage-free (dis)assembly.

The dividing wall can be realized, for example, as a rigid part and can be produced, for example, in an injection molding process. Polypropylene, or PP for short, or an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, or ABS for short, can be used as the material for the partition.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the at least one first latching element is formed by a projection protruding from the main wall, and that the at least one second latching element is formed by a recess of the insulating part. For example, the first latching element can have a shank portion protruding from a first surface of the main wall and a head portion which is arranged at an end of the shank portion remote from the first surface and protrudes laterally therefrom. An undercut or hook is thus formed. For example, it is conceivable that the shank section is formed by a cylindrical, one-piece structure. The undercut can project all the way around from the cylindrical structure, which is not limited to a circular cylinder. It is also conceivable for the shank section to have a plurality of separate rod-shaped shank pieces which are arranged at a distance from one another on the first surface and can be deformed relative to one another, with each shank piece having a laterally protruding head section. The recess forming the second latching element can be a through-opening, regardless of the design of the projection. In general, the recess, which can also be referred to as a locking recess, realized with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the shaft section. As a further option, the latching recess can have a conical section in order to make it easier to insert the projection. The design of the latching elements with a recess and a projection further facilitates the assembly of the insulating part on the partition wall.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the partition wall has a collar that protrudes from the first surface of the main wall, on which the optional first latching element may be formed. The collar is advantageously used to stiffen the partition. The collar, which can in particular be formed in one piece with the main wall, can very generally have at least one web or plate-shaped section.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that a retaining web protruding from the collar along the first main wall is formed on the collar, with an edge region of the insulating part being arranged between the first surface of the main wall and the retaining web. The holding web can, for example, extend parallel to the first surface. The holding web is preferably arranged on the web or plate-shaped section of the collar. In general, the collar and retaining bar can be formed in one piece with one another. Thus, the main wall or the first surface of the main wall, together with the web or plate-shaped section of the collar and the retaining web, delimits a receiving space in which an edge region of the insulating part is received. The holding web and the first latching structure are thus arranged on opposite sides or on opposite surfaces of the insulating part. The insulating part is thus fixed to the partition wall in an even more stable manner. In particular, a vibration of the insulating part relative to the partition wall is further counteracted.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the optionally provided first latching element is arranged at a distance from a region of the collar in which the holding web is formed. The insulating part is thus fixed to different areas by the holding web and by the latching structures, which further improves the stability of the arrangement. According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the collar has a first collar section, which extends along a first edge area of the main wall, and two second collar sections, which extend transversely to the first collar section along two opposite second edge areas of the main wall, and wherein the Retaining web is formed on the first collar portion. The first collar portion extends between or connects the second collar portions. For example, the collar sections may be arranged to delimit a rectangular area, with the insulating part being arranged within this area. The collar designed in this way makes assembly easier, since the insulating part can simply be inserted between the two second collar sections. The first collar section and optionally also the second sections can, for example, be plate-shaped

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the main wall has a, for example, plate-shaped, first section and a second section, which forms a, for example, trough-shaped depression opposite a first surface of the first section, the first through-opening being formed in the second section of the main wall, wherein the insulating part has a sealing collar which is inserted into the depression formed by the second section and surrounds the second through-opening. For example, the first section of the main wall can be essentially planar, in particular a first surface of the first section, which forms part of the first surface of the main wall, can be planar. A second surface of the first portion, opposite the first surface, may optionally also be planar. The second section forms an indentation on the first surface of the main wall and, optionally, a corresponding ridge on the second surface of the main wall. The recess can, for example, delimit part of the space between the insulating part and the main wall. The insulating part has a sealing collar in the form of a preferably closed frame, which protrudes from a first surface of the insulating part facing the main wall. The second passage opening is formed within the area delimited by the sealing collar. The sealing collar is inserted into the recess and preferably rests against the bottom of the recess or a first surface of the second section. This achieves an effective sealing of the gap. The gap or the pressure chamber in which the fan is accommodated can thus exclusively be limited or defined by the insulating part, in particular its sealing collar and the first surface of the insulating part, and the partition. This means that additional components for sealing or for guiding the flow do not necessarily have to be provided, which reduces the assembly effort and the space requirement of the wall assembly. The space required is further reduced in that the sealing collar is inserted into the depression in the main wall. Since the compressor is also arranged between the first surface of the insulating part and the bottom of the second section and is also surrounded by the sealing collar, sensitive components of the compressor, such as electrical connections, cables and fan blades, are even better protected from external influences. especially during transport or assembly.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the sealing collar of the insulating part bears against a peripheral edge of the second section. For example, the peripheral edge may connect the bottom of the recess to the first surface of the first section surrounding the recess. The sealing of the intermediate space can thus also be further improved.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the fan is arranged in alignment with the second passage opening of the insulating part. For example, the fan can be arranged coaxially to a central axis of the second passage opening. As a result, the air circulation can be further facilitated by the fan.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that, if necessary, the at least one first latching element is formed on the first surface of the first section of the main wall.

According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the fan is designed as a radial fan. The fan is thus designed to draw in the air in an axial direction, e.g. along a direction parallel to the central axis of the second passage opening, and to eject it in a radial direction into the pressure chamber, so that the air can flow through the first passage opening(s). Partition can escape into the cold compartment. This offers the advantage that the fan has a relatively compact design in relation to a direction running transversely to the partition wall or the first surface, which further reduces the space requirement of the wall assembly. According to some embodiments of the method, it can be provided that the insulating part is arranged on the first surface of the main wall in such a way that the first and second latching elements are positioned opposite one another, with the positive connection of the partition wall and the insulating part causing the first and second Includes locking elements into each other. Thus, the wall assembly can be installed even more easily.

According to some embodiments of the method, it can be provided that when the partition wall has a collar that protrudes from a first surface of the main wall on which the first latching element is formed, and a retaining web that protrudes from the collar along the first main wall is formed on the collar is, when arranging the insulating part on the partition wall, first the edge area of the insulating part is introduced by moving the edge area along the first surface of the main wall between the holding web and the first surface of the main wall and then, for the form-fitting connection of the partition wall and the insulating part, the insulating part to the is pivoted towards the first surface until the first and the second locking elements snap into each other. Accordingly, the edge of the insulating part is first inserted between the main wall and the holding web, e.g. in a substantially linear insertion movement while the insulating part is oriented at an angle or at an angle to the main wall. The insulating part can, for example, be inserted until the insulating part abuts against the collar. In a further step, the insulating part is pivoted in the direction of the main wall, while its edge is already arranged between the retaining bar and the main wall, so that the angle between the main wall and the insulating part is further reduced until the insulating part is essentially parallel to the main wall and the locking elements of the main wall snapped into the locking elements of the insulating part. This further facilitates assembly.

The features and advantages disclosed for one aspect of the invention are also disclosed for the respective other aspects of the invention and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is explained below with reference to the figures of the drawings. From the figures show:

1 shows a simplified, schematic sectional view of a refrigeration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a plan view of a wall arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first side of a bulkhead of the wall assembly shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second side of the bulkhead of the wall assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first side of an insulating portion of the wall assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second side of an insulating portion of the wall assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the wall assembly taken along line B-B of Figure 2;

8 shows an enlarged sectional view of a wall arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the area of first and second latching elements;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the wall assembly taken along line C-C of Figure 2 with a fan omitted;

FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the area identified by the letter Z in FIG. 9; 11 shows a schematic sectional view of a wall arrangement during a method for assembling the wall arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

12 shows a further schematic sectional view of the wall arrangement during the process;

Fig. 13 is a flow chart of the method of assembling the wall assembly; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the wall assembly taken along line C-C of FIG. 2. FIG.

In the figures, the same reference symbols designate identical or functionally identical components, unless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a refrigeration device 100, in particular a domestic refrigeration device, by way of example and in a schematic manner. The refrigeration device 100 shown as an example in FIG. 1 has a refrigeration compartment 110 and a cooling circuit or refrigerant circuit 120 .

The refrigeration compartment 110 is delimited by a plurality of walls 112 and is used to hold refrigerated or frozen goods. As shown purely schematically in FIG. 1 , at least one of the walls 112 can be realized by a partition 2 of a wall arrangement 1 explained in detail below.

The cooling circuit 120 serves to cool the refrigeration compartment 110, for example to a temperature in a range between 0° C. and 15° C. if this forms a refrigeration compartment, or to a temperature in a range between -0.5° C. and -30° C if this forms a freezer compartment. The cooling circuit 120 includes an evaporator 121 thermally coupled to the refrigeration compartment 110 , a compressor connected to an outlet of the evaporator 121 122 and a condenser 123 connected to the compressor 122 and an inlet of the evaporator 121. A refrigerant can be circulated in the cooling circuit by the compressor 122, which extracts heat from the refrigeration compartment 110 by evaporation in the evaporator 121 and transfers heat to the refrigeration compartment 110 by condensation in the condenser 123 surroundings.

As shown purely schematically in FIG. 1, the wall arrangement 1 has a partition wall 2 , an insulating part 3 and a fan 6 . In general, the dividing wall 2 forms a wall delimiting the cold compartment 110 and the fan 6 is arranged in an intermediate space 10 between the insulating part 3 and the dividing wall 2 . As shown by way of example in FIG. 1 , the partition wall 2 has at least one through-opening 26 . The insulating part 3 also has a through opening 36 . The evaporator 121 is arranged on a side of the insulating part 3 facing away from the refrigeration compartment 110, so that the fan 6 can convey air from the refrigeration compartment via the evaporator 121 and through the through-openings 36, 26 back into the refrigeration compartment. The refrigeration device 100 can thus be implemented as a no-frost refrigeration device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a plan view of a wall arrangement 1 for a refrigeration device 100, e.g. for the no-frost refrigeration device shown as an example in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the wall arrangement which results from a section along the line B-B drawn in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the wall arrangement which results from a section along line C-C drawn in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 2. FIG.

As in Figs. 2, 7, 9 and 14 by way of example, the wall arrangement 1 comprises a partition wall 2, an insulating part 3 and a fan 6, the fan 6 of FIG. 2 being omitted in FIG. 9 for the sake of clarity.

The partition 2 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in detail and serves, as already explained, to delimit a refrigeration compartment 110. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 by way of example, the main wall 20 can have a rectangular circumference which, for example, has two opposing first, straight Edge regions 20A and two opposing second edge regions 20B extending transversely between the first edge regions 20A. The main wall 20 is generally implemented as a planar component and has a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b located opposite thereto, which is oriented towards the refrigeration compartment 110 when installed in a refrigeration device 100 .

As shown by way of example in FIG. 3, the main wall 20 can have, for example, a first, plate-shaped section 24 and a second section 25 which recedes or projects in relation to the first section 24, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as an example. For example, the first section 24 can have a planar first surface 24a, with the second section 25 forming a recess 25A opposite the first surface 24a. On a second surface 24b of the first section 24 of the main wall 20 which is opposite to the first surface 24a and which can optionally also be flat, the second section 25 can form an elevation 25B, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 by way of example. A bottom of the recess 25A is formed by a first surface 25a of the second portion 25 . The indentation 25A, or generally the second portion 25, may have a polygonal perimeter, such as a hexagonal perimeter, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as an example. The first surface 24a of the first section 24 and the first surface 25a of the second section 25 form part of the first surface 20a of the main wall 20.

As in Figs. 3 and 4, as further shown by way of example, the main wall 20 may include at least one first through opening 26 extending between the first and second surfaces 20a, 20b of the main wall 20. As shown in FIG. For example, three first passage openings 26 can be provided, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown purely by way of example. However, the invention is not limited to this. As in Figs. 3 and 4 is also shown by way of example, it can optionally be provided that the first passage openings 26 are formed in the second section 25 of the main wall 20. The first through openings 26 can be distributed or spaced along the circumference of the second section 25 . An additional connection opening (not shown) can optionally be provided in the main wall 20, in particular in the second section 25 of the main wall 20, in order to connect an icemaker unit (not shown) thereto. The fan 6 is arranged on the first surface 20a of the main wall 20, for example in the second section 25 of the main wall 20. For example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 14 by way of example, may be secured to the bottom of recess 25A. For example, a plurality of mounting pins 28 can be formed on the main wall 20, in particular on the bottom of the depression 25A, to which the fan 6 is fixed via corresponding recesses 68. For example, the fan 6 can be positively connected to the pins 28, for example locked with them. Optionally, damping elements (not shown), for example made of an elastic material such as rubber or the like, can be arranged between the pins 28 and the recesses 69 in order to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the fan 6 to the partition wall 2 . Alternatively, fastening the fan 6 to the main wall 20 by means of screws would also be conceivable. The fan 6, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 14 shown schematically, be realized as a radial fan.

For example, the optional collar 21 may be integral with the main wall 20 and protrudes from the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 . As shown by way of example in FIG. 3 , the collar 21 can have a first plate-shaped or web-shaped first collar section 21A, which extends along the first edge region 20A of the main wall 20 . In addition, the collar 21 can optionally have two second collar sections 21B, which extend transversely to the first collar section 21A along the opposite second edge regions 20B of the main wall 20, as shown in FIG. 3 by way of example. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the second collar sections 21B can also be plate-shaped or web-shaped.

As shown in Fig. 3 and with further details in Figs. 9 and 10, a retaining web 22 protruding from the collar 21 or from the first collar section 21A can be formed on the collar 21, in particular on the first collar section 21A. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the holding web 22 projects transversely from the first collar section 21A. For example, the holding web 22 can extend parallel to the first surface 20a of the main wall 20, in particular parallel to the first surface 24a of the first section 24. As is also shown in FIG. 3, two retaining webs 22 can optionally be provided, which are spaced apart from one another along the first edge region 20A. In general, the retaining bar 22 is thus along the main wall 20 of the Collar 21 from, wherein a receiving space between the retaining bar 22 and the main wall 20 is formed.

As shown in Fig. 3 and in Figs. 7 and 8 in more detail, at least one first latching element 4 can be formed on the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3, two first latching elements 4 can be provided. However, it is also conceivable that only a first latching element 4 or more than two first latching elements 4 are provided. As shown in Fig. 3 by way of example, the first latching elements 4 can be arranged in the first section 24 of the main wall 20, e.g. each between an edge of the second section 25 and a second collar section 21B the first latching elements 4 can be arranged at a distance from the first collar section 21A, for example by a distance which is in a range between 20% and 80% of a distance between the first edge regions 20A of the main wall. The first latching elements 4 can thus be arranged at a distance from a region of the collar 21 in which the holding web 22 is formed.

In general, the at least one first latching element 4 can be formed on the first surface 24a of the first section 24 of the main wall 20 .

The first latching element 4 can generally be implemented as a projection 50 which protrudes from the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 . As is shown by way of example in FIG. 8 in particular, the latching element 4 can, for example, have at least two separate, for example rod-shaped, shaft pieces 41 which protrude from the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 . The shaft pieces 41 are elastically deformable and can therefore be moved relative to one another. At an end remote from the first surface 20a of the main wall 20, each shank portion 41 has a hook portion or head 42 projecting transversely therefrom. As a result, an undercut is formed, which allows positive locking, e.g. in a recess 40.

As in Figs. 3 and 4, the partition wall 2 may further include an optional cover portion 27 disposed at a lower edge portion of the main wall 20 and protruding from the second surface 20b of the main wall 20. As shown in FIG. For example, the cover section 27 can be formed in an arc shape, like this in Figs. 3 and 4 as an example. For example, the cover section 27 can be dimensioned such that a gap is formed between a bottom wall 112 delimiting the refrigeration compartment 110 and the cover section 27 , which forms a fluidically conductive connection between the refrigeration compartment 110 and a rear side of the wall arrangement 1 .

The partition wall 2 can be made of a plastic material such as polypropylene, PP, or an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, ABS.

The insulating part 3 is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 as an example. As in Figs. 5 and 6, the insulating part 3 can have a main body 30, optionally at least one second latching element 5 and an optional sealing collar 33. The main body 30 can in particular be designed in the form of a plate and has a first surface 30a and a second surface 30b oriented opposite thereto. As in Figs. 5 and 6 by way of example, the first and second surfaces 30a, 30b of the main body 30 may be planar or substantially planar. The main body 30 may have a perimeter shape that conforms to a perimeter defined by the collar 21 of the main wall 20 of the partition 2 . In general, the insulating part 3 is implemented as a component that extends over a large area.

The optional sealing collar 33 of the insulating part 30 may be formed integrally with the main body 30 and protrudes from the first surface 30a of the main body 30 . As shown by way of example in FIG. 5, the sealing collar 33 can in particular form a closed frame. For example, the circumferential course defined by the sealing collar 33 can be designed to correspond to the circumference of the depression 25A, which is defined by the second section 25 of the main wall 20 of the partition wall 2 . A sealing collar with a hexagonal circumference is therefore shown in FIG. 5 by way of example.

As in Figs. 5 and 6, the insulating member 3 has a through hole 36 extending between the first and second surfaces 30a, 30b of the main body 30. As shown in FIG. The through-opening 36 can in particular have a circular circumference, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 as an example. Optionally, the through-opening 36 within the area enclosed by the sealing collar 33 be rich arranged if the optional sealing collar 33 is provided. In this case, the optional sealing collar 33 surrounds the second passage opening 36.

That in Figs. The insulating part 3 shown as an example in FIGS. 5 and 6 has two optional second latching elements 5 . Of course, it is also conceivable that more than two second latching elements 5 or only one second latching element 5 is provided. As shown by way of example in FIG. 5 in particular, the second latching elements 5 can be arranged, for example, laterally between an edge of the main body 30 and the sealing collar 33 . Of course, other positions of the locking elements 5 are also conceivable.

As in Figs. 5 and 6, it can be provided, for example, that the second latching elements 5 are designed as recesses 50, which are also referred to as latching recesses 50 below. The latching recesses 50 can be, for example, through openings which extend between the first and the second surface 30a, 30b of the main body 30, as is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown. As in Figs. 5 and 6, the latching recesses 50 can have a circular cross section, for example. In general, the second latching elements 5 are designed to correspond or complement the first latching elements 4 of the main wall 20, so that they can positively engage or snap into one another.

The insulating part 3 can in particular be made of expanded polypropylene, EPP for short, expanded polyethylene, EPE, or expanded polystyrene, EPS for short.

As in Figs. 2 and 9 shown purely by way of example, the first latching elements 4 of the main wall 20 can be latched to the second latching elements 5 of the insulating part 3 for positive attachment of the insulating part 3 to the partition wall 2 . As in Figs. 7 and 8, the shank pieces 41 protrude, for example, through the latching recess 50 and the head or hook 42 engages behind an area of the second surface 30b of the main body 30 of the insulating part 3 surrounding the latching recess 50. The first surface of the main body 30 of the insulating part 3 is faces the main wall 20 or the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 and can, for example, bear against the first surface 24a of the first section 24 of the main wall 20, as is shown in FIG. 9 by way of example. As in Figs. 2, 9 and 10, an edge region 31 of the insulating part 3 or of the main body 30 can be arranged between the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 and the retaining web 22. The optional holding web 22 thus fixes the edge region 31 of the insulating part 3 in relation to a direction perpendicular to the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 .

As shown in particular in Figs. 9 and 10 by way of example, the sealing collar 33 of the insulating part 3 can protrude into or be inserted into the recess 25A defined by the second section 25 of the main wall 20. For example, an end 33E of the sealing collar 33 remote from the main body 30 can abut against the bottom of the recess 25A, as shown in FIG. 10 by way of example. Alternatively or additionally, a circumference of the sealing collar 33 of the insulating part 3, e.g. In general, the insulating part 3 is thus arranged on the first surface 20a of the main wall 20, in particular in such a way that a pressure chamber 65 is formed between the insulating part 3 and the main wall 20, which is delimited by the insulating part 3 and the main wall 20.

As shown in FIG. 14, the fan 6 is arranged between the main wall 20 and the insulating part 3 in the pressure chamber 65. As shown in FIG. As in Figs. 2 and 9 as an example, the fan 6 can be arranged inside or overlapping the second through-opening 36 of the insulating part 3 with respect to a radial direction of the second through-opening 36 of the insulating part 3 . For example, the fan 6 can be arranged in alignment or coaxially with the second passage opening 36 .

The pressure chamber 65 in which the fan 6 is arranged is thus formed between the bottom of the depression 25 of the main wall 20 and the area of the first surface 30a of the main body 30 of the insulating part surrounded by the sealing collar 33 . The sealing collar 33 improves the sealing of this space, so that the fluid can be transported more efficiently through the first and second passage openings 26 , 36 by means of the fan 6 . If the wall arrangement 1 is installed in a refrigerator 100, the evaporator 121 can be arranged on the second surface 30b of the insulating part 30, as shown schematically in FIG. 14, in particular the latter adjacent to the second through-opening 36. Air can thus be sucked in by the fan 6 through the second through-opening 36, which, for example, reaches the area of the evaporator 121 via the gap delimited by the cover section 27 (not shown) and by the suction effect of the fan 6 is conducted via the evaporator 121. The air is ejected back into the cold compartment 110 through the first passage openings 26 in the main wall 20 . Thus, the area in which the evaporator 121 is arranged is separated solely by the insulating part 3 from the pressure chamber 65 in which the fan 6 is arranged. The insulating part 3 consequently fulfills both the function of thermally insulating the evaporator 121 and the function of guiding the flow. Therefore, the number of parts of the wall assembly 1 as a whole can be reduced.

Another advantage of the wall arrangement 1 described is that it is easy to assemble. In particular, the wall arrangement 1 can be assembled in a method, the course of which is shown schematically in FIG. Individual assembly states are exemplified in Figs. 11 and 12 shown.

In a first step M1, the fan 6 is placed on the partition wall 2, in particular on the first surface 20a of the main wall 20, for example in the recess 25A. For example, the fan 6 can be fixed to the pins 28, as described above.

In the next step M2 , the insulating part 3 is arranged on the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 such that the fan 6 is located between the main wall 20 and the insulating part 3 . For example, the sealing collar 33 can be partially inserted into the recess 25A or at least positioned opposite to it. Furthermore, the insulating part 3 can be arranged on the partition wall 2 in such a way that the first and the second latching elements 4, 5 are positioned opposite one another. Specifically, the first surface 30a of the main body 30 of the insulating part 3 and the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 of the partition wall 2 are placed opposite to each other. In this case, for example, the edge area 31 of the insulating part 3 can first be introduced by moving the edge area along the first surface 20a of the main wall 20 between the holding web 22 and the first surface of the main wall 20, as symbolically represented in Fig. 11 by the arrow P1 . In a further step M3, the partition wall 2 and the insulating part 3 are positively connected or fastened to one another. In particular, the first and second latching elements 4, 5 can be latched into one another. For example, the projections 40 are pressed into the recesses 50 or the insulating part 3 is brought closer to the partition wall 2 in such a way that the projections 40 are inserted into the recesses 40 . Due to the positions of the locking elements 4, 5, the position of the insulating part 3 and the partition wall 2 relative to one another is clearly defined, which makes assembly easier. The approaching of the insulating part 3 and the partition wall 3 can take place, for example, after the edge region 31 of the insulating part 3 has been inserted between the holding web 22 and the main wall 20 . Here, the insulating part 3 can be pivoted toward the first surface 20a of the main wall 20, as symbolically represented in FIG. 12 by the arrow P2, until the first and the second latching elements 4, 5 snap into one another.

The locking elements 4, 5 on the partition wall 2 and the insulating part 3 thus facilitate the positioning of the parts relative to one another and thus the assembly. Furthermore, a mechanically stable attachment is achieved through the form-fitting connection of partition wall 2 and insulating part 3, e.g. through the locking elements 4, 5. If the insulating part 3 is made of EPP or EPE, damage to the insulating part 3 during assembly is also effectively prevented and the insulating part 3 can also be detached again from the partition wall 2 without any problems.

Although the present invention has been explained above by way of example using exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many different ways. In particular, combinations of the above exemplary embodiments are also conceivable.

REFERENCE MARKS

1 wall arrangement

2 partition

3 insulating part

4 first locking element

5 second locking element

6 fan

20 main wall

20A first edge area of the main wall

20a first surface of the main wall

20B second edge area of the main wall

21 collar

21 A first collar section

21 B second collar section

22 landing stage

24 first section of the main wall

24a first surface of the first section

25 second section of the main wall

25a first surface of the second section

25A indentation

26 first passage opening(s)

27 cover section

28 pins

30 main body of insulating part

30a first surface of the main body

30b second surface of the main body

31 Edge area of the main body

33 sealing collar

33E end of sealing collar

36 second through hole

40 lead

41 shaft pieces 42 head

50 recess

65 pressure room

68 recess

100 chiller

110 refrigeration compartment

112 walls

120 cooling circuit

121 heat exchanger / evaporator

122 compressors

123 condenser

P1 arrow

P2 arrow

Claims

23

PATENT CLAIMS Wall arrangement (1) for a refrigeration appliance (100), in particular for a domestic refrigeration appliance, having: a dividing wall (2) for delimiting a refrigeration compartment (110) with a main wall (20) extending over a surface; and an insulating part (3) extending over a surface, which is arranged on a first surface (20a) of the main wall (20); characterized in that the partition wall (2) and the insulating part (3) are fixed to one another in a form-fitting manner; and the wall arrangement (1) also has a fan (6) arranged between the main wall (20) and the insulating part (3), the main wall (20) having at least one first through-opening (26), so that air from the fan (6 ) can be transported through the first through-opening (26), and wherein the insulating part (3) has a second through-opening (36), so that air from the fan (6) can be transported through the second through-opening (36). Wall arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one first locking element (4) is formed on the main wall (20), wherein the insulating part (3) has at least one second locking element (5), and wherein the first and the second locking element (4 , 5) are snapped together so that the partition

(2) and the insulating part

(3) are positively attached to each other. Wall arrangement (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one first latching element

(4) is formed by a projection (40) protruding from the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20), and wherein the at least one second latching element (5) is formed by a recess (50) of the insulating part (3). A wall assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition (2) has a collar (21) projecting from the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20).

5. Wall arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein on the collar (21) a of the collar (21) along the first main wall (20) projecting retaining web (22) is formed, and wherein an edge region of the insulating part (3) between the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20) and the holding web (22).

6. Wall arrangement (1) according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the first latching element (4) is arranged at a distance from a region of the collar (21) in which the holding web (22) is formed.

7. Wall arrangement (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the collar (21) has a first collar section (21A) which extends along a first edge area (20A) of the main wall (20), and two second collar sections (21 B) which extend transversely to the first collar section (21A) along two opposite second edge regions (20B) of the main wall (20), and wherein the retaining web (22) is formed on the first collar section (21A).

8. wall arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating part (3) made of expanded polypropylene, EPP, expanded polyethylene, EPE, or expanded polystyrene, EPS for short, is formed.

9. Wall arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main wall (20) has a first section (24) and a second section (25) which has a depression (24a) opposite a first surface (24a) of the first section (24). 25A), the first through opening (26) being formed in the second section (25) of the main wall (20), the insulating part (3) having a sealing collar (33) which extends into the through the second section (25). Recess (25A) is inserted and surrounds the second through hole (36).

10. Wall arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein the sealing collar (33) of the insulating part (3) bears against a peripheral edge of the second section (25).

11 . Wall arrangement (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the fan (6) is arranged in alignment, in particular coaxially, with the second passage opening (36) of the insulating part (3).

12. Wall arrangement (1) according to claim 2 and one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the at least one first latching element (4) is formed on the first surface (24a) of the first section (24) of the main wall (20).

13. Wall arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan (6) is designed as a radial fan.

14. Refrigeration appliance (100), in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, with: a refrigeration compartment (110) for receiving refrigerated goods, wherein the refrigeration compartment (110) is delimited at least on one side by a wall arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims; and a cooling circuit (120) for cooling the refrigeration compartment (110) with a heat exchanger (121), in particular an evaporator, which is arranged on a side of the insulating part (3) facing away from the partition (2) in such a way that the fan (6 ) Air can be sucked in via the heat exchanger (121) through the second through-opening (36) of the insulating part (3) and can be ejected through the first through-opening (26) of the main wall (2) into the cold compartment (110).

15. A method (M) for assembling a wall arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising:

arranging (M1) the fan (6) on the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20) of the partition wall (2);

arranging (M2) the insulating part (3) on the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20) of the partition wall (2) such that the fan (6) is arranged between the main wall (20) and the insulating part (3); and form-fitting connection (M3) of the partition (2) and the insulating part (3).

16. The method (M) according to claim 15, wherein the wall arrangement is formed according to claim 2, wherein the insulating part (3) is arranged on the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20) (M2) that the first and the second rastele 26 elements (4, 5) are positioned opposite one another, and wherein the form-fitting connection (M3) of the partition (2) and the insulating part (3) comprises a snapping of the first and second latching elements (4, 5) into one another. Method according to claim 16, wherein the wall arrangement (1) is designed according to claim 6, wherein when arranging (M2) the insulating part (3) on the partition (2) first the edge area of the insulating part (3) by moving the edge area along the first surface (20a) of the main wall (20) is inserted between the retaining web (22) and the first surface of the main wall (20) and then the insulating part (3) for the positive connection (M3) of the partition wall (2) and the insulating part (3) is pivoted towards the first surface (20a) until the first and the second latching elements (4, 5) snap into each other.