EP0836057B1 - Condensate collectiong pan and refrigeration apparatus with such a pan - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a condensate collection tank and a refrigeration device equipped with such a tank.

Refrigeration units are designed to ensure the cooling of the air contained in a room or an enclosure in the general sense, and they are called double evaporators flux.

A refrigerating apparatus comprising the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in document DE 970 928.

Generally, a double flow evaporator has two heat exchangers or batteries traversed, each by a refrigerant or by any other heat transfer fluid. Each heat exchanger is placed on the path of air circulation provided by one or more fans. Such an evaporator comprises a body or a casing forming a tank in which is fitted, for each fan, an air intake extending substantially in a plane horizontal. The sucked air is diverted towards the two exchangers placed laterally, to then be discharged by two outlets extending substantially in a vertical plane.

Insofar as the heat exchangers have a temperature below the dew point of the air in the room or enclosure treat, moisture is deposited in the form of condensed water or frost on their surfaces. The collection of condensates resulting from the passage of air through the exchangers is generally ensured by a recovery tank arranged below heat exchangers. Conventionally, such a tank performs a function condensate collection and evacuation while being equipped with inlets air intake.

It must therefore be considered that such a container, also called a drainer, must ensure the collection of condensates and the entry of air while providing an certain aesthetics, since such a bin generally constitutes the facade of the device. It must be considered that such characteristics must be respected, regardless of the power of the device. However, the power of the evaporator depends the design of the exchangers with which a determined number of fans. It follows that each evaporator model of a given power requires the creation of a specific drip tray. Indeed, each model of bin has dimensions and a number of air inlets adapted to the power of the evaporator to be fitted. Difficulties appear for manufacturing, storage and the maintenance of such devices, which greatly increases their cost.

It therefore appears the need to be able to have a collection bin for condensates, adapted to be able to be used whatever the power of the double flow evaporator, and designed to ensure simple and efficient evacuation condensates.

• au moins deux orifices de circulation d'air destinés à être associés chacun à un ventilateur,
• et au moins une sortie d'évacuation des condensats recueillis par le bac.

To meet this need, the object of the invention is to propose a container for collecting the condensates produced by a refrigerating appliance comprising:

• at least two air circulation openings each intended to be associated with a fan,
• and at least one outlet for evacuating the condensates collected by the tank.

According to the invention, the container is constituted by at least two plates modular condensate recovery, each provided with one of at least two orifices air circulation and interconnected on at least one of their transverse sides neighbor, using sealed connection means ensuring a flow of condensate from one plate to another until the condensate drain outlet.

The container according to the invention therefore consists of several elements modules each assigned to a fan and linked together sealingly, to ensure the collection and evacuation of condensate.

Various other advantages emerge from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of examples not limiting, embodiments and implementation of the subject of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a refrigeration appliance equipped with a recovery tank according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device, taken substantially along lines II-II of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of an apparatus, taken substantially along lines III-III of FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in partial longitudinal section, taken substantially along the lines IV-IV of FIG. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view of the internal face of a modular plate according to the invention, taken substantially along the lines VV of FIG. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detailed sectional views showing characteristics of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate a refrigerating appliance 1 intended to cool the air in a room or an enclosure 2 in the general sense, by being mounted on a support 3 extending substantially in a horizontal plane, such as a ceiling. The refrigerating appliance 1 advantageously constitutes a double-flow evaporator. In a conventional manner, a double flow evaporator 1 comprises one or more fans 4 , three in number in the example illustrated, each driven in rotation about a vertical axis by means of an electric motor 6 mounted on a body 7. The evaporator 1 comprises, in the usual way, a tank 8 for collecting and evacuating the condensates created during the operation of the refrigerating appliance. Conventionally, the tank 8 is arranged to include, for each fan 4 , an air inlet opening 9 extending substantially in a horizontal plane. In known manner, each fan 4 ensures the circulation of air with a view to bringing it to two heat exchangers 11 , also called batteries, placed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane P of the device. Each heat exchanger 11 is arranged to include a circulation circuit 12 of a refrigerant or heat transfer fluid. The evaporator 1 has two air delivery outlets 13 which are established substantially in a vertical plane and which allow the air to exit into the enclosure 2 after having been deflected and then passed through the exchangers 11 .

According to the invention, the tank 8 consists of at least two modular plates 21 equal in number to the number of fans 4 fitted to the evaporator 1. In the example illustrated, the evaporator 1 therefore comprises three modular plates 21 intended for recover the condensates by their internal face 22. As shown more precisely in FIG. 5, each modular plate 21 has a rectangular shape and has two longitudinal sides 24 mutually parallel and two transverse sides 25 mutually parallel. It must be considered that the longitudinal 24 and transverse 25 sides are considered relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry P of the device 1 passing through all the fans 4. Each modular plate 21 is provided with one of the air circulation openings 9 delimited by a nozzle 5 of pipe 9 ₁ rising from the internal face 22 of the plate and centered with respect to the longitudinal 24 and transverse sides 25. Each opening 9 is equipped with a protective element 26 of the perforated type , allowing the passage of air while preventing access to the fan 4 . The protective element 26 is formed on the external face 27 of the plate, namely that facing the enclosure 2 to be cooled.

According to the invention, the modular plates 21 are interconnected by the transverse sides 25, by means of sealed connection means 28 ensuring a sealed flow of condensate from one plate to the other up to at least the outlet S for evacuating condensate from the evaporator. The means 28 are adapted to seal the joint formed by two transverse sides 25 adjacent to two adjacent plates 21 .

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the sealed connection means 28 are constituted at least by overlapping connection means 28 ₁ . As shown more precisely in FIG. 6, the overlapping connection means 28 ₁ comprise a connection means of a first type 30, intended to cooperate with a connection means 32 of a second type, complementary to the first type. In the example illustrated, the connection means of the first type 30 are constituted by a lip, a rib or an edge 30 rising from the internal face 22 of the plates and intended to be capped by means of a dropped edge 32 rising from the internal face 22 of the plates, from a lip, a rib or an edge 33 .

Preferably, each plate 21 is provided, on one of its transverse sides 25 , with an edge 30 and on its opposite transverse side, with a dropped edge 32 . The edges 30 and the dropped edges 32 each extend substantially over the entire length of the transverse sides 25 . In the same direction, it should be noted that the longitudinal sides 24 are each provided with a flange 36 rising from the internal face 22 of the plates to ensure the confinement of the condensates.

According to a preferred characteristic of embodiment of the invention, each modular plate 21 is arranged so that its internal face 22 constitutes a surface for draining the condensates in the direction of at least one trough or a channel 37 arranged in the plate to open locally on at least one and, preferably, on the two transverse sides 25 . In the example illustrated, each channel 37 is formed along each longitudinal side 24 of the plates to ensure the collection and the flow of the condensates collected on the internal face 22 of the plate. As can be seen more precisely from FIGS. 2 and 4, the internal face 22 of each plate is shaped to present, from the central air intake duct 9 ₁ , a slope directed towards the longitudinal sides 24, so as to allow the condensates represented by the arrows g , from the center of the plate to the channels 37. It should be noted that the flanges 36 which run along the channels 37 rise to come to be established in a plane passing substantially through the top of the internal face 22 located in the median longitudinal plane P.

In the example illustrated, each internal face 22 of the plates has transversely a convex curvature symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal median plane P to allow the complete flow of the condensates in the direction of the troughs 37 . It should be noted that provision may be made for a different number of troughs 37 . For example, each plate 21 can be equipped with a single chute 37 centered on the longitudinal median plane P. In this case, each internal face 22 of the plates has transversely, a concave curvature symmetrical relative to the plane P, in order to ensure the flow of the condensates from the longitudinal sides 24 in the direction of the nozzle 9 ₁ from which extends the central channel 37.

In the example illustrated, each channel 37 opens onto a transverse side 25 in relation to the connection means 28 constituted by connection means 28 ₂ of the socket type. The fitting means 28 ₂ consist of a male sleeve 38 intended to engage inside a female end piece 39 . Preferably, each channel 37 opening onto the transverse side 25 of the plates provided with the dropped edge 32 is extended by a male sleeve 38 projecting from the sides 25 ( fig. 5 ), while each channel 37 opening onto the transverse side of the plates provided with the edge 30, is equipped with a female end piece 39 extending over a limited portion inside the channel up to the level of the sides 25. As can be seen more precisely from FIG . 7, each female end piece 39 is intended to come to be fitted by a conical assembly, with a male sleeve 38 which has a bore or a central passage 40 for the condensates. To maintain the male sleeve 38 in the fitted position inside the female end piece 39, each transverse side 25 is provided with one or two elastic tabs 41 intended to snap onto the edge 30 or 33 of an adjacent plate. The central passage 40 is sealed by the conical socket produced and can be completed or obtained by mounting a seal on the sleeve 38 .

According to a preferred characteristic, the modular plates 21 are linked to each other by means of a drainer 42 mounted to extend below each heat exchanger 11. Each drainer 42 thus has a cross-section in the general shape of a U , of width slightly greater than that of the exchanger. Each drainer 42 is fixed on studs 43 carried by the internal face 22 of the plates and is engaged on mounting lugs 44 extending at each of the ends of the longitudinal sides 24. Each drainer 42 has a total length at least equal to the length of each exchanger 11 to allow direct recovery of the condensates appearing on the fins of the exchangers. It should be noted that provision can be made not to use the drip trays 42 , the tank 8 then ensuring complete collection of the condensates.

The recovery tank 8 is also constituted by end elements 45, 45 ₁ each constituted in the form of a half-box having a transverse side 46 similar to the transverse sides 25 of the plates and equipped with sealed connection means 28 . Preferably, one of the end elements 45 is provided with a border 30, while the other end element 45 ₁ is provided with a dropped edge 32. In addition, the discharge orifice S condensate is formed in one of the end elements, preferably that 45 provided with a border 30 as a covering means 28 ₁ . In addition, the lateral sides 46 of the end elements 45, 45 ₁ are provided with means 28 ₂ of connection type socket. Thus, the transverse side 46 of the end element 45 is equipped with two receiving passages for the male sleeves 38, while the side 46 of the end element 45 ₁ is provided with a half male sleeve 38 ₁ engaging in a female end piece 39 ( fig. 3 ).

The constitution of the tray 8 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention follows directly from the above description. The number of plates 21 used to constitute a tank 8 depends on the power of the evaporator which comprises, for each power, a determined number of fans 4, for example three in the example illustrated. Three modular plates 21 are assembled together by their transverse sides 25 ensuring, on the one hand, the nesting of the edge 30 inside the fallen edge 32 and, on the other hand, the engagement of each male sleeve 38 inside a female end piece 39 placed in correspondence. Maintaining the male sleeves 38 in position inside the female end pieces 39 is ensured by the engagement of the elastic tabs 41 on the corresponding edges 30, 33 . A drainer 42 is then mounted to extend between each longitudinal side 24 and the nozzle 9 ₁ and over the entire length of the assembly formed by the modular plates 21. The extreme modular plates 21 are then fitted with two end elements 45, 45 ₁ by ensuring the cooperation between the edges and the fallen edges of the end plates and of the end elements. As shown in fig. 3, the male sleeves 38 of the plate 21 adjacent to the end element 45, open freely inside the volume of this element, while the half-sleeves 38 ₁ penetrate inside the female end pieces 39 of the extreme modular plate.

The end plates 21 are mounted articulated on the body 7 by means of axes not shown, carried by the end elements, and engaged in bores made in the tabs 44 . The set of modular plates 21 is thus mounted at the four corners allowing, by removing at least two axes placed on the same longitudinal side, to ensure the pivoting of the plates relative to the body 7 and, consequently, to give access to the fans 4. The end elements 45, 45 ₁ are mounted by any appropriate means on the body 7 of the evaporator. Each end element 45 , 45 ₁ is closed by a complementary cap 49.

Conventionally, the evaporator 1 is mounted on the support 3 to have an inclination of a few degrees considered in the longitudinal plane P and in the direction of the end element 45 provided with the discharge orifice S. Each plate modular 21 is thus adapted to collect the condensates falling on its internal face 22. By the conformation of the internal face 22, the condensates flow naturally towards the channels 37 which, due to the inclination of the apparatus, ensure the flow in a general direction represented by the arrow F. The condensates are conducted from one plate 21 to another, preferably by the passages 40 of the male sleeves 38 which have a perfect seal due, in particular, to the conical socket produced. The condensates are therefore recovered at one of the ends of the tank 8 allowing an efficient and simple evacuation by the evacuation S.

It should be noted that if condensate passes from one plate 21 to the other, outside the channels 37 , the seal is also ensured at the mounting joint, insofar as the joint is capped by the fallen flange 32 . In this regard, the modular plates 21 are mounted so that the fallen edges 32 are oriented in the direction of flow F of the condensates ( fig. 6 ), to force the condensates to pass over the fallen edges without power s '' infiltrate between the borders 30, 33.

The tank 8 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can thus be made up of identical modular plates 21 and assembled in number depending on the power of the evaporator. Such a characteristic allows the manufacture of the plates 21 by an injection technique, in a plastic material such as for example Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or Polycarbonate (PC) or Polystyrene (PS).

In the embodiment described above, the connection means of the overlapping type 28 ₁ are carried by transverse sides of two adjacent modular plates 21 . It should be noted that these overlapping means 28 ₁ can be constituted in a different way, for example, by a seal or by means of a covering part of general cross section in a U-shape mounted to cover the edges. or ledges formed along the transverse sides 25 . This covering part is fixed by any appropriate means on the plates and covers the mounting joint between two plates, making it possible to ensure perfect sealing between the two modular plates or between a modular plate and each end element.

Furthermore, in the example illustrated, each modular plate 21 has a transverse side 25 provided with a connection element 30 of the first type, while the other transverse side 25 is provided with a connection element of the second type 32 . It should be noted that it may be provided to perform a first type of plate 21 provided on its two transverse sides, the connecting elements of a first type 30, and a second type of plate 21 equipped on two transverse sides , complementary connection elements 32 of the second type.

In the same direction, for certain applications, it can be envisaged to produce a type of modular plate arranged to present in an integrated manner an end element 45, 45 ₁ . This alternative embodiment makes it possible to avoid making the seal between the end elements and the adjacent plates. This type of plate incorporating an end element, thus comprises a channel opening onto a single transverse side 25 intended to be assembled to a similar plate or to a modular plate, as described above or illustrated in the drawings. In this embodiment, each modular end plate has, for example, a zone of low resistance intended to be withdrawn to constitute the evacuation orifice S.

It should also be considered that, in the illustrated embodiment, the sealed connection means 28 are constituted by overlapping means 28 ₁ and fitting means 28 ₂ . Such an advantageous arrangement makes it possible to concentrate the flow of condensates on a limited portion of the transverse sides facilitating the use of sealed connection means. However, it should be noted that it can be envisaged to remove the channel or channels 37 for collecting the condensate. In this case, the sealing of the plates is then ensured over the entire length of the transverse sides by the overlapping means 28 ₁ .

Claims (13)

1. Tank for recovering condensation water produced by a cooling device, said tank including :

   at least two orifices (9) for the circulation of air, said orifices intended to be each associated with one ventilator (4),

   and at least one outlet (S) for evacuating the condensation water picked up by the tank, the tank (8), being constituted by at least two modular plates (21) for recovering condensation water, each provided with at least two of the orifices (9) for circulation of air, at least two modular plates being interconnected according to at least one of their nearby transversal sides with the aid of sealed connection means (28, 28₁, 28₂) ensuring a flowing of the condensation water from one plate to the other until the condensation water is evacuated.
2. Recovery tank according to claim 1, characterised in that each modular plate (21) has a surface for draining the condensation water in the direction of at least one channel (37) fitted in the plate so as to locally open onto at least one transversal side (25) in relation to the sealed connection means (28₂).
3. Recovery tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each modular plate (21) has a surface for draining the condensation water in the direction of two channels (37) fitted on the plate at the border of its longitudinal sides (24) so as to open locally onto at least one transversal side (25) in relation to the sealed connection means (28₂).
4. Recovery tank according to claim 3, characterised in that the channels (37) open onto the two transversal sides (25) of the plates.
5. Recovery tank according to one of claims I to 3, characterised in that the sealed connection means (28) are constituted by at least assembling covering means (28₁) composed of a first type (30) of connection device equipping one of the transversal sides of the plates and a second type of connection, device (32) complementary to the first and equipping the other of the transversal sides of the plates.
6. Recovery tank according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the sealed connection means (28₂) provided on one transversal side of a plate in relation to the extremity of a channel are constituted by a male sleeve (38) borne by one of the modular plates and intended to cooperate with a female sleeve (39) extending the channel of another of the modular plates.
7. Recovery tank according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealed connection means (28₁) are constituted by a covering piece intended to be mounted so as to cover borders fitted along the transversal sides of the modular plates.
8. Recovery tank according to one of claims I to 7, characterised in that the modular plates (21) are joined together by means of an intermediate draining rack (42) secured to the modular plates.
9. Recovery tank according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the modular plates (21) are provided on their transversal sides with at least one elastic hooking bracket (41) for the adjacent modular plate.
10. Recovery tank according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the modular plates (21) are made of an injected plastic material.
11. Recovery tank according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises on both sides of the modular plates (21) an extremity element (45, 45₁) provided on one of its transversal sides (46) with a sealed connection, device (28) with the modular plates.
12. Recovery tank according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises modular plates (21) each integrating an extremity element (45, 45₁).
13. Cooling device characterised in that it comprises the tank (8) for recovering condensation water according to claim 1 and mounted so that each air circulation orifice (9) receives a ventilator (4) and in that the condensation water flows naturally in the direction of the evacuation outlet (S).

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