Abstract:
A refrigerating device has an evaporator, a fan, a fan housing for generating an air flow on the evaporator, and a bearing shell for retaining the fan housing on the evaporator in a vibration-decoupled manner. The fan housing has at least one first bearing pin and a second bearing pin. The bearing shell has at least one first receiving recess for receiving the first bearing pin in a pivotal manner and a second receiving recess for receiving the second bearing pin, and a pivotal locking element is provided for locking the second bearing pin in the second receiving recess.

Description:
This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/051003 filed 21 Jan. 2013 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to DE 10 2012 201 883.2 filed 9 Feb. 2012, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The present invention relates to a refrigerating device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With many refrigerating devices, vibrations arise in fans, these being transmitted via the fan&#39;s fixing elements to an evaporator in the refrigerating device, for example, and are then radiated out into the surroundings in the form of noise. These noise emissions are perceived as disturbing. 
     At the same time, the market situation requires that all potential cost savings in the manufacture of refrigerating devices are exploited. The fan should therefore be simple to assemble and its attachment realizable at low cost. 
     Because fans have parts which move, in particular fanwheels, which are subject to wear, being able to replace the fan simply is advantageous. The fan should accordingly be rapid and easy to mount and remove. 
     In the context of the globalization of markets, refrigerating devices are increasingly transported over long distances, in some cases being subject to severe jolts. It is thus desirable that the fan is affixed to the refrigerating device so that it is secure against dislodgement, even when the refrigerating device is jolted. Due to the great differences in the aids available in the various markets, it is advantageous if the fan can be replaced without special tools. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore the object of the present invention to make available a refrigerating device in which it is cheap and technically simple to attach a fan to the refrigerating device, in particular to the evaporator, so that it is secure against jolting, and so that it isolates vibrations and can be simply removed. 
     a refrigerating device in accordance with the independent claim  1 . Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a refrigerating device with an evaporator, together with a fan and a fan housing for the generation of an airflow at the evaporator, and with a bearing shell for holding the fan housing on the evaporator while isolating the latter from vibrations, where the fan housing has at least one first bearing pin and a second bearing pin, the bearing shell has at least one seating recess for seating the first bearing pin in such a way that it can pivot, and a second seating recess for seating the second bearing pin, and that a pivotable locking element is provided for the purpose of locking the second bearing pin in the second seating recess. 
     The fan has, for example, an external rotor fan motor. An external rotor is a form of construction for an electric motor whereby the stationary part (the stator) of the motor is in the inside, and is surrounded by the moving part (the rotor). These can, for example, be asynchronous motors with a squirrel-cage rotor. In the case of electronically commutated DC motors with an external rotor construction, the rotor consists, for example, of several alternately radially aligned permanent magnets arranged in a ring-shape or a corresponding four-pole magnetized ring. 
     A cooling circuit in the cooler incorporates, for example, a compressor for compressing coolant vapor, a liquifier downstream from the compressor for condensing the coolant vapor and the evaporator, downstream from the liquifier and upstream from the compressor, for evaporating the liquified coolant. The liquifier is equipped, as is the evaporator, for transferring heat between air which is fed to it and the fluid in the cooling circuit. 
     The term refrigerating device is to be understood, in particular, as a domestic refrigerating device, that is a refrigerating device which is used for housekeeping in households or in the catering sector, and serves in particular to store food and/or beverages at particular temperatures, such as for example a refrigerator, a freezer, a combined fridge-freezer, a chest freezer or a wine cooling cabinet. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the first bearing pin and the second bearing pin are each provided with ring-shaped damping elements, in particular ring-shaped rubber bushes, for vibration isolation. By this means, vibration isolation can be achieved, in particular if the fan is attached to the evaporator by means of the bearing shell. The vibrations of the fan housing are not, or only to a limited extent, transmitted to the evaporator. The damping element concerned can be elastic, for example made of rubber. The damping element concerned enables the fan housing to be located on the evaporator, while at the same time preventing or reducing the transmission of vibrations from the housing to the evaporator. By this means the emissions of noise, from the evaporator to the environment, which result from the radiation of sound waves produced by vibrations transmitted from the housing of the fan, are avoided. The noise emissions from the refrigerating device are thereby improved. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the first bearing pin can be introduced into the first seating recess and forms a pivot axis for a pivoted mounting of the fan housing relative to the bearing shell. For the pivoting mounting, a third bearing pin can be provided, and this can be arranged to be at the same height as the first bearing pin, i.e. along the pivot axis. The fan housing is thereby arranged so that it can pivot on the first bearing pin. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the second bearing pin can be pivoted into the second seating recess. This can be realized, for example, by pivoting the fan housing on the pivot axis mentioned above. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the first seating recess is formed as an elongated slot, open on an edge, into which the first bearing pin can be placed. By this means, secure holding of the first bearing pin is achieved. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the fan housing has a third bearing pin and a fourth bearing pin, where the bearing shell has at least one third seating recess for seating the third bearing pin so that it can pivot, and a fourth seating recess to seat the fourth bearing pin, where the first bearing pin and the third bearing pin are arranged on the sides of the fan housing and opposite each other, where the second bearing pin and the fourth bearing pin are arranged on the sides of the fan housing and opposite each other, and the locking element for locking the fourth bearing pin is provided in the fourth seating recess. The first and third locating bolts can be arranged beneath or above the second and third locating bolts. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the bearing pins are attached on the side of the fan housing, where the first, second, third and fourth seating recesses are formed on the side of the bearing shell, in particular in side walls of the bearing shell. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, there is provided on the bearing shell at least one lock seat, in particular a locking bolt, for locking the locking element. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the locking element has at least one locking hook, which is constructed to engage behind the lock seat, in particular locking bolt, by pivoting. The locking element can have another locking hook, which is arranged opposite the locking hook and engages behind another seat. By this means, the locking element can be locked on both sides of the fan housing. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the locking element incorporates a mounting bracket which is attached to the fan housing so that it can pivot, where the locking hook concerned is attached to the mounting bracket. The lock can in this way be particularly simply realized. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the second bearing pin and/or the fourth bearing pin can be locked by a rotational movement of the mounting bracket about a bearing axis of the mounting bracket. In doing so, the locking hooks mentioned above can engage behind the lock seats. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the mounting bracket can be joined to the bearing shell by means of a latch connector, in particular by means of a latch hook, in such a way that it can be released. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment the mounting bracket is mounted on both sides of the bearing shell in such a way, in particular by means of bearing pins, that it can pivot and in a locking position, in which the bearing pin concerned is locked into the applicable second seat, at least partially grips round the bearing shell. By this means, the mounting bracket can be located on the bearing shell and can in addition hold the fan housing. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the bearing shell is attached to the evaporator, or is formed by an evaporator vessel. 
     Another aspect of the invention concerns an assembly method for the assembly of a fan with a fan housing, in a refrigerating device, by means of a bearing shell for holding the fan housing while providing vibration isolation, in which the fan housing has at least one first bearing pin and at least one second bearing pin, where the bearing shell has at least one seating recess for seating the first bearing pin so that it can pivot and a second seating recess for seating the second bearing pin, and where a pivotable locking element is provided for the purpose of locking the second bearing pin in the second seating recess. The method includes the introduction of the first bearing pin of the fan housing into the first seating recess in the bearing shell, the pivoting of the second bearing pin into the second seating recess in the bearing shell by pivoting the fan housing about a pivot axis, defined by the first bearing pin, towards the bearing shell, and the locking of the second bearing pin into the second seating recess by the locking element. The bearing pins of the fan housing are fixed in a vertical and a horizontal direction. By a rotational movement about the first bearing axis during assembly, the bearing pins on the fan housing are pivoted into the second bearing shells of the bearing shell, by which means the fan housing is positioned horizontally against the bearing shell. The damping elements prevent direct contact between the bearing pins on the fan housing and the bearing shell. 
     Further steps in the assembly method result directly from the interoperation of the fan housing with the bearing shell in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. In what follows, the invention is explained in more detail by reference to preferred forms of embodiment, with reference to the attached figures. 
       These show: 
         FIG. 1 : a schematic diagram, looking from the rear, of a fan for a refrigerating device with the mounting bracket closed, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2 : a schematic diagram, looking from the side, of the fan with the mounting bracket open, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3 : a schematic diagram of a bearing shell for an evaporator in the refrigerating device, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4 : a schematic diagram, looking from the side, of the evaporator with the fan attached to it, with the mounting bracket open, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5 : a schematic diagram, looking from the side, of the evaporator with the fan attached to it, with the mounting bracket closed, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6 : a schematic diagram of a latching hook provided on the mounting bracket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a fan  5  in a refrigerating device  1  with a fan housing  11 . Attached to the sides of the fan housing  11  are bearing pins for fixing the fan housing  11  into recesses in a bearing shell  4 . A first bearing pin  13  and a second bearing pin  14  are arranged opposite to each other on the fan housing  11 . Above the first and second bearing pins  13 ,  14 , a third bearing pin  21  and a fourth bearing pin  22  are arranged opposite each other on the fan housing  11 . The bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  are provided to enable attachment of the fan  5  in the bearing shell  4 , which can be affixed to an evaporator (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Attached to the bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  are damping elements  17 , to effect vibration technology isolation of the fan  5  from the bearing shell  4 , and hence from the evaporator. In this exemplary embodiment, the damping elements  17  are in the form of a ring shape, and are pushed onto the bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22 . They effect thereby spacing and damping of the bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  both in an axial and also in a radial direction. 
     For the purpose of locking the second and the fourth bearing pins  21 ,  22 , a locking element  30  is provided, incorporating a mounting bracket  31  with locking hooks  33 .  FIG. 1  shows a front view of the mounting bracket  31 . The mounting bracket  31  runs in a roughly semicircular shape around the bearing shell  4 . Latching hooks  35  are provided on the mounting bracket  31  for locking the mounting bracket  31 . Provided at the ends of the mounting bracket  31  are locking hooks  33  which, for the purpose of locking the second and fourth bearing pins  21 ,  22 , engage behind corresponding lock seats, for example locking bolts. 
     The bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  on the fan housing  11  ensure a precise positioning of the fanwheel of the fan  5  in the axial and radial directions relative to an inlet nozzle on the bearing shell  4 . The vibration isolation is thus characterized by two bearing axes on the fan housing  11 , each with bearing pins lying opposite each other,  13 ,  14  and  21 ,  22 . Pushed onto each of the bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  there is a damping element  17 , for example with a ring shape. The damping element  17  is manufactured, for example, from rubber. It extends radially, for example, around the bearing pin concerned in such a way that even radial contact between the bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  and the evaporator is avoided. By this means, the transmission of vibrations from the fan  5  to the evaporator via the bearing pins  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  22  is avoided. 
     For the purpose of assembling the fan housing  11 , the first and the third bearing pins  13  and  14  on the fan housing  11  are each introduced into the corresponding seating recess in the bearing shell, which can take the form of elongated slots. After this, the second and the fourth bearing pins  21 ,  22  are introduced into the corresponding seating recesses in the bearing shell  4  by pivoting the fan housing  11  about a pivot axis, defined by the first bearing pin  13 , towards the bearing shell  4 . After this, the second and fourth bearing pins  21 ,  22  are locked into the corresponding seating recesses by the locking element  30 . In doing this, the locking hooks  33  engage behind the corresponding lock seats, which can be designed as locking bolts. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of a side view the fan  5  with the mounting bracket  31  open. As shown, the mounting bracket  31  is pivoted away from the fan  5 . Here, the pivoting in this exemplary embodiment is about the pivot axis of the first bearing pin  13 . In the view shown in  FIG. 1 , the mounting bracket  31  then pivots into or out of the plane of the illustration. In  FIG. 2 , a seal  37  can be seen on the left-hand side of the fan  5 , this serving to seal the fan  5  with an evaporator. Locking hooks  33  are provided on the sides of the mounting bracket  31 , and are used to engage with the bearing shell  4  when the mounting bracket  31  pivots, in order to affix the fan  5 . 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, a spring element can be provided to align the mounting bracket  31  elastically with the evaporator in its pivoting position. By this means, a defined positioning of the fan housing  11  by the mounting bracket  31  can be achieved. The mounting bracket  31  has, for example, at least one locking hook  33  for interlocking with a lock seat provided for this purpose on the evaporator. The lock seat can be designed as locking bolts, which the locking hook  33  can engage with from behind. Preferably, the locking hook  33  will be formed on the mounting bracket  31  in such a way that the locking hook  33  forms a unit with the mounting bracket  31 . 
     The locking element  30  is mounted on the bearing pins  21 ,  22  of the fan housing  11 , preferably so that it can rotate. The locking element  30  is, for example, made with locking hooks  33  on the ends of each of its sides. A rotational movement of the locking element  30  about its bearing axis then hooks the locking hooks  33  onto the locking bolts provided for this purpose on the bearing shell  4 , where they are supported. This increases the rigidity of the joint between the fan housing  11  and the bearing shell  4 . 
     In accordance with another form of embodiment there is at least one latching hook  35  arranged on the locking element  30 , for a latching joint with the bearing shell  4  or with the evaporator. The latching hook  35  can be released from its engagement, for example by manual displacement. 
     For the purpose of fixing the locking element  30 , the latching hook  35  which is located on the locking element  30  engages “audibly”, for example, with the bearing shell  4 , on a seat provide for this purpose. The audible engagement ensures that the operator can detect the latching operation particularly well. The geometry of the latching hook  35  is chosen, for example, such that when two latching hooks  35  which are arranged opposite each other are pressed together the latched joint can be released again, but if the closed latched joint is loaded with a tension, the latch hooks  35  spread out even further, in order to secure their engagement. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, an elastic seal is provided between the fan housing  11  and the bearing shell  4 . This seal is attached to the fan housing  11  so that, for example, it cannot become dislodged, while it only makes contact with the bearing shell  4  to form a seal. 
     For the purpose of a gap-free seating of the fan housing  11  on the bearing shell  4 , a positive-fit seal can be provided, for example on the front edge running around the fan housing, its geometry being chosen such that the rigid foot of the seal ensures its attachment to the fan housing so that it cannot become dislodged, while the lip of the seal seats flexibly onto the fan housing, with virtually no applied force. By this means, loss of air and hence loss of efficiency due to gaps, and structure-borne noise due to partial and intermittent seating of the fan housing on the bearing shell, are reduced. 
       FIG. 3  shows a side view of a bearing shell  4 , which can be designed as an evaporator vessel of an evaporator  3 . The bearing shell  4  has a first seating recess  15  and a second seating recess  23 . The seating recesses  15 ,  23  are provided to seat the bearing pins  13 ,  21 . To effect attachment on the fan  5 , the bearing pins  13 ,  21  on the fan  5  are inserted into the recesses  15 ,  23 , so that they take hold there. 
       FIG. 4  shows as a schematic diagram a side view of the evaporator  3  with the fan  5  attached and with the mounting bracket  31  open. The arrangement illustrated is that in which only the first bearing pin  13  on the fan  5  is engaged in the corresponding first seating recess  15  in the bearing shell  4 . The second bearing pin  21  is still arranged at some distance from the second recess  23  associated with it. The first seating recess  15  is in the form of an elongated slot, so that when inserted the first bearing pin  13  can rest against the bearing shell  4  and holds the base of the fan  5  firmly onto the evaporator  3 . In this case, the fan  5  remains pivotable about the pivot axis of the first bearing pin  13 . 
     In the subsequent process to join together the fan  5  and the bearing shell  4 , a pivoting of the fan  5  about the pivot axis of the first bearing pin  13  brings the second bearing pin  21  to rest in the second recess  23 . As has been shown in  FIG. 1 , in  FIG. 3  there are always in each case two recesses  15  or  23 , as applicable, arranged behind each other or above each other, which are then engaged by the bearing pins  13 ,  21  respectively. 
       FIG. 5  shows as a side view a schematic diagram of the evaporator  3  with the fan  5  attached, with the locking element  30  closed. The arrangement shown is that in which the second bearing pin  21  on the fan  5  is also engaged in the corresponding second seating recess  23  on the fan  5 . This arrangement arises from further pivoting the fan  5  about the axis of the first bearing pin  13  on the bearing shell  4 , or towards the evaporator  3 . By this, the mounting bracket  31  is now closed, and takes on the function of holding the evaporator  3  and the fan  5  in position. 
     Also provided on the mounting bracket  31  is a locking hook  33 , which can engage from behind into a lock seat  34  provided on the bearing shell  4 . In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the lock seat  34  is in the form of a lock bolt, which stands off from the bearing shell  4 . When the fan  5  is pivoted about the first bearing pin  13 , the locking hook  33  comes up against the lock bolt and levers the base of the fan  5  against the evaporator  3 . Mechanical advantage results in the fan  5  being pressed against the bearing shell  4 . By this means, and also by means of the seal  37 , it is possible to achieve a particularly good seal between the evaporator  3  and the fan  5  while applying little force. 
       FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of a mounting bracket  31  with the latching hook  35 . The latching hook  35  can be latched onto the evaporator  3  or the bearing shell  4 , as appropriate, and avoids the unintentional releasing of the mounting bracket  31 . For the purpose of fixing the end position of the mounting bracket  31 , the latching hook  35  which is on the end of the mounting bracket  31  is latched into a seat provided for that purpose in the bearing shell. 
     In accordance with one form of embodiment, the fan solution combines the external rotor motor engineering with integrated air ducting. Because it is loss-free, this form of construction, in conjunction with the gap-free seating on the bearing shell, ensures a high ventilation capacity. Further, it provides a vibration-isolated, and thus noise minimizing, attachment of the fan  5  with integrated air ducting. The fan  5  is compact and at the same time can be securely and simply assembled. In the customer service situation, it is also easy to disassemble, and can be reliably re-assembled. 
     REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED 
     
         
           1  Refrigerating device 
           3  Evaporator 
           4  Bearing shell 
           5  Fan 
           11  Fan housing 
           13  First bearing pin 
           14  Third bearing pin 
           15  First recess 
           17  Damping element 
           21  Second bearing pin 
           22  Fourth bearing pin 
           23  Second recess 
           30  Locking element 
           31  Mounting bracket 
           33  Locking hook 
           34  Seat 
           35  Latching hook 
           37  Seal