Patent Publication Number: US-8122733-B2

Title: Compressor arrangement

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a compressor arrangement comprising a mounting, an evaporation trough, which can be inserted in the mounting on a plurality of slide-in tracks at different heights, as far as a final position, and a compressor. A compressor arrangement of this type for a refrigeration device is disclosed by DE 102 28 739 A1. 
     In refrigeration devices, moisture which is released from the goods to be cooled to the air in the storage chamber of the refrigeration device or is carried in by opening the door, condenses at the evaporator. In order to conduct away this moisture, a discharge channel or bowl is conventionally provided beneath the evaporator to catch the condensation water flowing off the evaporator. The condensation water is conventionally conducted away from the discharge channel or bowl through a channel to the outside into an evaporation trough. This evaporation trough is conventionally arranged over the compressor of the refrigeration device, so that the condensation water is warmed by the waste heat from the compressor and its evaporation is thereby accelerated. 
     In order to avoid the evaporation trough overflowing and condensation water reaching current-carrying components of the refrigeration device, a sufficient evaporation performance must be achieved. In order to achieve the greatest possible evaporation performance, it is useful to arrange the evaporation trough as closely as possible over the compressor. The evaporation trough and the compressor should not touch one another, since otherwise the evaporation trough forms a sounding board which amplifies the noises from the compressor. 
     Since it is advantageous, in serial production of refrigeration devices, to be able to mount different compressor types in the same refrigeration device model, the mounting height of the evaporation trough should be adjustable to the height of the respective compressor. 
     In the case of the compressor arrangement known from DE 102 28 739 A1, a plurality of holders for the evaporation trough is provided at different heights in the housing. The evaporation trough is constructed drawer-like and is placed with its webs on a suitable holder and then pushed into the housing. 
     In order to ensure that the evaporation trough is mounted at a suitable height, it is proposed therein to provide the holders with different codings which only allow mounting of the evaporation trough, which is also coded, in the holder whose coding is complementary to that of the evaporation trough. As the coding, a position peg is arranged on the evaporation trough, said position peg being attached to the evaporation trough depending on the compressor model to be mounted, such that the trough is mounted on the correspondingly coded holder. 
     It is disadvantageous therein, however, that for each compressor type used, suitably coded evaporation troughs have to be provided. An evaporation trough that is not suitably coded for the compressor cannot be mounted at the right distance over the compressor. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a compressor arrangement wherein the same type of evaporation trough can be used for several different compressor types which, nevertheless, enables both effective heating of the evaporation trough and operation of the compressor without amplifying its sounds. 
     This object is achieved through the claims in that a compressor arrangement with a mounting, an evaporation trough which can be pushed into the mounting as far as a final position on a plurality of slide-in tracks at different heights, and a compressor are provided, wherein the separation of the evaporation trough from the compressor is greater in the final position of each slide-in track than at least one other point on the slide-in track. This design ensures that the evaporation trough and the compressor never touch one another when the evaporation trough is in the final position. A slide-in track on which the evaporation trough comes too close to the compressor is not usable, since on such a track, the trough collides with the compressor and is blocked before it reaches the final position. 
     Advantageously, a stop is provided on the mounting, against which stop the evaporation trough lies in the final position. A fitter thereby receives unambiguous feedback that the final position has been reached. 
     It is suitable if the point at which the evaporation trough and the compressor have their smallest separation from one another is at the start of the slide-in track. By this means it is prevented that during mounting the evaporation trough is pushed into slide-in tracks in which it cannot be pushed through to the end. 
     Particularly easy assembly is achieved if first elements of a tongue and groove connection are arranged at the evaporation trough, said first elements being so configured that they can be brought into engagement with second elements of a tongue and groove connection, said second elements defining the slide-in path. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first elements of the tongue and groove connection are arranged in a central region of the evaporation trough relative to its width. Here, the insertion of the evaporation trough into the mounting is simplified, since slight tilting of the evaporation trough has little effect on the position of the elements of the tongue and groove connection to one another. 
     Advantageously, the first elements of the tongue and groove connection are provided in a region of the evaporation trough projecting from the upper side of the evaporation trough. The evaporation trough can therefore be hung in the tongue and groove connection. 
     Suitably, the first elements of the tongue and groove connection are arranged on opposing sides of a vertical line running through the centre of gravity of the evaporation trough. Therefore, in the hanging condition, tilting of the evaporation trough by its own weight is avoided. 
     The second elements of the tongue and groove connection are preferably multiply provided. This enables hanging of the evaporation trough at different heights. 
     Suitably, the second elements of the tongue and groove connection are provided on the mounting. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, in a section parallel to the insertion direction, the compressor has an upper summit point and the evaporation trough has a lower summit point and at the point of at least one slide-in track at which the evaporation trough and the compressor have the smallest separation from one another, the summit points lie one upon the other. By this means, the lower summit point of the evaporation trough is separated from the compressor in the final position. The slide-in tracks on the mounting can be provided horizontal here. 
     Suitably, the lower summit point is formed by a rib. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the slide-in track is not at right angles to the separation vector between the evaporation trough and the compressor at the point at which both have the smallest separation from one another. As a result, the evaporation trough can be guided independently of the form of its underside such that in its mounted condition, it is spaced apart from the compressor. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a tongue and groove connection comprises tongues and grooves running transversely to the slide-in track, between the mounting and the evaporation trough. The evaporation trough is also oriented and held by means of the engagement of the tongues and grooves in one another, which is useful particularly if, due to its having a flat configuration and a small wall thickness, said evaporation trough has a low torsional stiffness. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the penetration depth of the tongue in the groove varies along the groove. This facilitates insertion of the tongue into the groove. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a spring presses the evaporation trough in the direction of the compressor. 
     In advantageous manner, the evaporation trough is connected to the mounting by frictional engagement in the inserted condition. On insertion, slipping of the evaporation trough out of the slide-in track is prevented if the force acting on the trough during insertion is reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention are disclosed in the following description of exemplary embodiments, making reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic section through part of a refrigeration device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an evaporation trough and a mounting for fastening the evaporation trough; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the evaporation trough and the mounting of  FIG. 1 , seen from a different viewing angle such that the compressor is also shown; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the evaporation trough and the mounting of  FIG. 1  from obliquely beneath; 
         FIG. 5  shows a section through the evaporation trough, the mounting and the compressor shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a section through the evaporation trough, the mounting and the compressor shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4  in another assembled condition; 
         FIG. 7  shows a section through the evaporation trough, the mounting and the compressor shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4  in another assembled condition; 
         FIG. 8  shows a section through an evaporation trough, a mounting and a compressor in another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  shows a section through an evaporation trough, a mounting and a compressor in another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The refrigeration device shown schematically in section in  FIG. 1  comprises a housing  2  with a niche  3  which is open towards an underside  80  and a rear side  82  of the refrigeration device. The niche  3  is delimited by side walls  62 , a front wall  60  and the upper wall  48 , which together are denoted as the mounting  8 . Towards the open rear side  46  and the open underside  44  of the mounting  8 , the side walls  62 , the front wall  60  and an upper wall  48  each have a peripheral web  78  which is angled outwardly by 90° in each case. Three parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  extend horizontally at the side walls  62 . Fastened at the side walls  62  are two support beams  30 , which each extend from one side wall  62  to the other side wall  62 . Fastened to the support beams  30  are rubber buffers  32  on which, in turn, a fixing plate  34  is mounted. Fastened to the fixing plate  34  is a compressor  4 . An evaporation trough  6  is introduced into the middle groove  70  of the three parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74 . The lower groove  72  of the three parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  is covered by the compressor  4 . Therefore, the evaporation trough  6  cannot be introduced here. The upper groove  74  of the three parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  is arranged very high above the compressor  4 . If the evaporator trough  6  were inserted here, it would be spaced further than necessary from the compressor  4 . Since, as a result, the evaporation performance of the evaporation trough  6  would be unnecessarily reduced, the evaporation trough  6  is introduced into the lowest possible guide groove  70 . 
       FIGS. 2 to 4  show a second embodiment of the invention. Corresponding components are given the same reference signs as in  FIG. 1  and will not be described again.  FIGS. 2 to 4  will be described together, since they show essentially the same components from different viewing angles. The mounting  8  has an upward convexity  36  in its upper wall  48 , said convexity  36  being elongated in the depth direction. The convexity  36  is open toward an internal space of the mounting  8  and opens onto the peripheral web  78 . Arranged in the convexity  36  is a plurality of guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  arranged in two mutually opposing groove groups  22  and rising slightly toward the front wall  60  of the mounting  8 . Provided at the upper side  48  of the mounting  8 , adjacent to the convexity  36 , is a discharge opening  38  which forms the opening of a discharge channel coming from the interior of the housing  2 . Provided at the peripheral web  78  of the mounting  8 , adjacent to the mouth of the convexity  36  are first parallel stabilizing grooves  14 . Provided at the inside of the front wall  60  of the mounting  8  at approximately the height of the first parallel stabilizing grooves  14  are second parallel stabilizing grooves  26 , forming a stop member. Arranged parallel to the side walls  62  of the mounting  8  are two parallel guide rails  16 . In a region of each of the guide rails  16  adjacent to the open rear side  46  is a rectangular locking opening  20 . 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4  is an evaporation trough  6 . The evaporation trough  6  has an upwardly convex base section  76 , the convexity of which approximately corresponds to the convexity of the upper side of the compressor  4 . The evaporation trough  6  also has side walls  66 , a front wall  52  and a rear wall  64 . The evaporation trough  6  is subdivided into several reservoirs by a plurality of webs  50 . An upright column  9  with a base outline which is elongated in the depth direction extends between the reservoirs from the front wall  52  in the direction toward the rear wall  64 . The column  9  has a rib  10  on each of two mutually opposing longitudinal sides  54 . These ribs  10  extend along the entire longitudinal sides  54  and rise toward the front wall  52 . 
     Extending vertically upwardly adjacent to the rear wall  64  from one of the webs  50  is a spacing member  58 . The spacing member  58  runs parallel to the rear wall  64 . It extends over approximately one third of the width of the evaporation trough  6 . The upper end of the spacing member  58  is bent over at an angle of 90° to the rear wall  52  of the evaporation trough  6 . The upper end thus forms a first stabilizing rib  12 . 
     Also provided at the front wall  52  of the evaporation trough  6  is a second horizontally projecting stabilizing rib  24 . A front edge  56  of the second stabilizing rib  24  is beveled towards both ends. 
     Locking clips  18  are provided at the side walls  66  of the evaporation trough  6 . These locking clips  18  are configured springy and, in their unloaded condition, extend beyond the side walls  66 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show where the compressor  4  is arranged within the mounting  8  and how the evaporation trough  6  can be inserted into the mounting  8 . The evaporation trough  6  is inserted with its side walls  66  into the guide rails  16  and with the column  9  into the convexity  36  of the mounting  8 . When the evaporation trough  6  is pushed approximately half way into the mounting  8  the guide ribs  10  each engage in one of the guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  of the two groove groups  22 . How the evaporation trough  6  is guided in these guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  will be described now by reference to the attached drawings. In the final position of the evaporation trough  6 , the first stabilizing rib  12  engages in one of the first parallel stabilizing grooves  14  and the second stabilizing rib  24  engages in one of the second parallel stabilizing grooves  26 . The uppermost reservoir of the evaporation trough  6  lies under the discharge opening  38  of the mounting  8 , so that condensation water can flow through the discharge opening  38  into the upper reservoir. When the reservoir is full, the condensation water flows through a slot in the web  50  surrounding the reservoir into a deeper lying reservoir. 
       FIGS. 5 to 7  show sections through the evaporation trough  6 , the mounting  8  and the compressor  4  of  FIGS. 2 to 4 , in sequential phases of the installation in the evaporation trough  6  in the mounting  8 . In  FIG. 5 , the front wall  52  of the evaporation trough  6  lies on the compressor  4 . The rib  10  of the evaporation trough  6  is situated immediately in front of the guide groove  70 . The guide groove  72  is arranged beneath the groove  70 . It lies so close to the compressor  4  that the rib  10  cannot be inserted therein. The guide groove  74  is arranged above the groove  70 . If the rib  10  is inserted herein, the distance between the evaporation trough  6  and the compressor  4  is greater than necessary, so that the evaporation performance of the evaporation trough  6  is reduced unnecessarily. The guide groove  74  is provided for the event that a compressor  4  which has a higher summit point than the compressor  4  shown in  FIG. 5  is installed. In this view, it is clearly apparent that the guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  are configured rising toward the rear wall  60 . This has the result that, on insertion, the evaporation trough  6  is raised so that, in its final position, it is spaced apart from the compressor  4 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a further section through the evaporation trough  6 , the mounting  8  and the compressor  4 . The rib  10  is inserted approximately two-thirds of the way into the groove  70 . 
     Since the parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  rise toward the rear wall  60 , the evaporation trough  6  is raised during insertion so that all regions of the evaporation trough  6  are spaced apart from the compressor  4 . The second stabilizing rib  24  is situated just in front of the second group of parallel stabilizing grooves  26 . Since the second stabilizing rib  24  is inclined, on insertion into one of the second stabilizing grooves  26 , it is initially inserted with only a small part. Any error of parallelism between the stabilizing grooves  26  and the stabilizing rib  24  therefore does not prevent said stabilizing rib  24  from entering one of the grooves  26 . The deeper the rib  24  penetrates the groove  26 , the broader the engagement region between them becomes and the groove and the rib automatically orient themselves parallel to one another. Introduction of the rib  24  into the groove  26  is thereby facilitated. 
       FIG. 7  shows a section through the evaporation trough  6 , the mounting  8  and the compressor  4  in the assembled condition. The rib  10  is fully accommodated in the guide groove  70  and the second stabilizing rib  24  is situated fully in one of the second parallel stabilizing grooves  26 . The locking clips  18  (not shown in this drawing) are latched into the locking openings  20  (also not shown). The evaporation trough  6  is spaced apart from the compressor  4  in all regions. The base section  76  of the evaporation trough  6  arches over the upper side of the compressor  4 . This further optimizes the heating of the evaporation trough  6 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a section through an evaporation trough  6 , a mounting  8  and a compressor  4  in another embodiment of the first assembly phase. As distinct from the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 to 7 , the parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  are arranged horizontally here. The front wall  52  of the evaporation trough  6  extends downwardly beyond the arched base section  76  and thereby forms a downwardly extending spacing rib  28 . In the first assembly phase shown, the spacing rib  28  lies on the summit point of the compressor  4 . The guide rib  10  is situated directly in front of the guide grooves  70 . If the evaporation trough  6  is inserted further into the mounting  8  in the subsequent assembly steps, the guide rib  10  engages in one of the parallel guide grooves  70 ,  72 ,  74  and holds the evaporation trough  6  at the initially set height. On further insertion of the evaporation trough  6  into the mounting  8 , an air gap is formed between the spacing rib  28  and the compressor  4 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a section through an evaporation trough  6 , a mounting  8  and a compressor  4  in another embodiment in the first assembly phase. As distinct from the above described embodiments, a leaf spring  68  is mounted on the column  9  of the evaporation trough  6 , said leaf spring  68  resting against the upper wall  48  of the mounting  8  during assembly and becoming tensioned thereby. The force which is thereby exerted on the upper side of the column  9  presses the evaporation trough  6  in the direction of the compressor  4 . The leaf spring  68  makes it difficult for a fitter to insert the evaporation trough  6  into any other than the lowest possible guide groove  70 .