EP1124101A2 - Refrigerator appliance with refrigeration grid provided with eutectic plates - Google Patents

Refrigerator appliance with refrigeration grid provided with eutectic plates Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1124101A2
EP1124101A2 EP01200404A EP01200404A EP1124101A2 EP 1124101 A2 EP1124101 A2 EP 1124101A2 EP 01200404 A EP01200404 A EP 01200404A EP 01200404 A EP01200404 A EP 01200404A EP 1124101 A2 EP1124101 A2 EP 1124101A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerator appliance
shelves
appliance according
eutectic plates
cooling coil
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01200404A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1124101A3 (en
EP1124101B1 (en
Inventor
Silvano Fumagalli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Candy SpA
Original Assignee
Candy SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Candy SpA filed Critical Candy SpA
Publication of EP1124101A2 publication Critical patent/EP1124101A2/en
Publication of EP1124101A3 publication Critical patent/EP1124101A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1124101B1 publication Critical patent/EP1124101B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/006—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cold storage accumulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D16/00—Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F25D25/028—Cooled supporting means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/30—Quick freezing

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a refrigerator appliance with refrigeration grid provided with eutectic plates, in particular to a freezer. Even more in particular the present invention refers to a household freezer.
  • scope of the present invention is to realise a refrigerator appliance that allows to obtain an energy consumption lower than the known freezers.
  • a refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet and at least a refrigerating circuit with compressor and condenser and a refrigeration grid, characterized in that said refrigeration grid extends in length and width inside said cabinet thus defining horizontal shelves that are arranged at a distance the ones from the others and made up of a cooling coil that is moulded so as to form spaces in which eutectic plates are housed.
  • a vertical freezer comprising a cabinet 1 and a refrigeration grid 2 according to the present invention.
  • the refrigeration grid 2 is arranged along the entire width and the length of the cabinet 1 so as to define horizontal shelves 3 that are arranged at a certain distance the ones from the others and made up of a cooling coil 4.
  • Such shelves 3 are transversally connected the ones with the others by means of rods 5 and 6 that are transversally welded below and above the cooling coil 4 and that are fastened to the side walls of the freezer by means of supports 7.
  • the cooling coil 4 of the shelves 3 forms external folds 8 with a small length of coil and folds 9 with a greater length of coil so as to create appropriate housings 20 that are suitable to receive eutectic plates 10 of a first type that are arranged horizontally, as shown in Figures 3a, 3b.
  • Such eutectic plates 10 are removably fastened to the cooling coil 4 of every shelf and precisely they are connected with the folds 9 so as to occupy a space almost equal to one time and a half the housing 20.
  • the plates 10 are coupled to the coil 4 in order to have considerable contact points both with the same coil 4 as well as with the rods 5 and 6 that are welded to the coil 4 so as to facilitate the thermal exchange.
  • Such eutectic plates 10 have a small thickness but wide lateral surfaces, they are made up of a container generally made of plastic material and they contain an amount of eutectic solution of approximately 0.6 litres.
  • shelves 3 are also present that are provided with eutectic plates 11 of a second type that are smaller than the eutectic plates 10 and inserted horizontally each one in every housing 20 of the folds 9 of the coil 4 in an extractable way, as shown more in detail in Figures 4a, 4b.
  • eutectic plates 11 are coupled to the coil 4 too, in order to have considerable points of contact with it and with the rods 5 and 6 that are welded to the coil 4 and they have a smaller extension than the side ones.
  • Such plates 11 are made up of a container that is generally made of a plastic material and they contain an amount of eutectic solution of approximately 0.14 litres.
  • the refrigeration grid 2 that is part of a refrigerating circuit (not visible in the figures) comprising an opportune compressor and a condenser, allows to have shelves at equal temperature at various temperatures, and precisely at increasing temperature from the top towards the bottom in cabinet the 1 of the freezer. Therefore it is possible to have shelves 12 to deep freeze food with temperature at -30°C, shelves 200 for quick freezing with temperature at -26°C, medium freezing shelves 13 with temperature at -22°C, storage shelves 14 with temperature at - 18°C.
  • At least one shelf 15 at differentiated and sectorial eutectic temperature on a same shelf 3 by using eutectic plates 10, 11 at a different temperature on the same shelf 15.
  • the shelves provided with eutectic plate 10, 11 are arranged vertically at a given distance the ones from the others so as to define respective containers 40-45 for the cooling of foods inside the cabinet 1.
  • Such containers 40-45 are closed by respective doors 50-55 while the entire cabinet 1 is closed by a door 60.
  • the eutectic plates 10 and 11 allow a homogenisation of the temperature in the different shelves, that, especially when the compressor is cyclically in pause, allow an increase in times of temperature raise, thus diminishing the energy consumption.
  • the eutectic plates 10 and 11 have various colours according to the type of eutectic solution contained and they can have the temperature directly stamped on the container.
  • the cooling coil 4 defines housings 20 for eutectic plates 10, 11 with a constant pitch.
  • each one of the shelves 3 comprises the same number of housings 20 for eutectic plates 10, 11.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance is described comprising a cabinet (1) and at least a refrigerating circuit with compressor and condenser and a refrigeration grid (2). Said refrigeration grid (2) extends in length and width inside said cabinet (1) thus defining horizontal shelves (3; 12, 200, 13, 14, 15) that are arranged at a given distance the ones from the others and made up of a cooling coil (4) that is moulded so as to form spaces (20) in which eutectic plates (10, 11) are housed.

Description

The present invention refers to a refrigerator appliance with refrigeration grid provided with eutectic plates, in particular to a freezer. Even more in particular the present invention refers to a household freezer.
Generally there are known household freezers, especially vertical type ones, with compartments for the freezing or the preservation of food in which the temperature can vary from approximately -30°C to -18°C. The maintaining of low temperatures in such types of freezer takes place by means of cycles in which there is an almost continuous activation of the compressor of the same freezer and few moments of pause.
This determines a considerable energy consumption in such types of freezer that goes against the actual needs of household appliance producers. In fact in view of the European rules as regards energy consumption the same house appliance producers are operating in order to obtain effective solutions with the aim of reducing the energy consumption.
In addition the control and the stabilisation of the temperature in various containers of the freezer is difficult even with a continuous activation of the same compressor.
In view of the state of the art herein described, scope of the present invention is to realise a refrigerator appliance that allows to obtain an energy consumption lower than the known freezers.
According to the present invention, such scope is attained by means of a refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet and at least a refrigerating circuit with compressor and condenser and a refrigeration grid, characterized in that said refrigeration grid extends in length and width inside said cabinet thus defining horizontal shelves that are arranged at a distance the ones from the others and made up of a cooling coil that is moulded so as to form spaces in which eutectic plates are housed.
Owing to the present invention it is possible to realise a refrigerator appliance that by means of the use of eutectic plate for each shelf of the refrigeration grid allows to obtain cooling compartments for food with a low energy consumption and in addition allows to better stabilise the temperature inside each compartment.
The characteristics and the advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, that is illustrated as a non- limiting example in the enclosed drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a vertical freezer provided with a refrigeration grid according to the present invention;
  • Figure 2 is a section view according to line II-II of the freezer in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3a is a top view of a shelf of the refrigeration grid in Figure 1 provided with a first type of eutectic plate;
  • Figure 3b is a section according to line III-III in Figure 3a;
  • Figure 4a is a top view of a shelf of the refrigeration grid in Figure 1 provided with a second type of eutectic plates;
  • Figure 4b is a section according to line IV-IV of the shelf in Figure 4a.
    • With reference to Figure 1 a vertical freezer is shown comprising a cabinet 1 and a refrigeration grid 2 according to the present invention.
    The refrigeration grid 2 is arranged along the entire width and the length of the cabinet 1 so as to define horizontal shelves 3 that are arranged at a certain distance the ones from the others and made up of a cooling coil 4. Such shelves 3 are transversally connected the ones with the others by means of rods 5 and 6 that are transversally welded below and above the cooling coil 4 and that are fastened to the side walls of the freezer by means of supports 7. The cooling coil 4 of the shelves 3 forms external folds 8 with a small length of coil and folds 9 with a greater length of coil so as to create appropriate housings 20 that are suitable to receive eutectic plates 10 of a first type that are arranged horizontally, as shown in Figures 3a, 3b. Such eutectic plates 10 are removably fastened to the cooling coil 4 of every shelf and precisely they are connected with the folds 9 so as to occupy a space almost equal to one time and a half the housing 20. The plates 10 are coupled to the coil 4 in order to have considerable contact points both with the same coil 4 as well as with the rods 5 and 6 that are welded to the coil 4 so as to facilitate the thermal exchange. Such eutectic plates 10 have a small thickness but wide lateral surfaces, they are made up of a container generally made of plastic material and they contain an amount of eutectic solution of approximately 0.6 litres.
    In the cabinet 1 besides the shelves 3 with eutectic plates 10 shelves 3 are also present that are provided with eutectic plates 11 of a second type that are smaller than the eutectic plates 10 and inserted horizontally each one in every housing 20 of the folds 9 of the coil 4 in an extractable way, as shown more in detail in Figures 4a, 4b. Such eutectic plates 11 are coupled to the coil 4 too, in order to have considerable points of contact with it and with the rods 5 and 6 that are welded to the coil 4 and they have a smaller extension than the side ones. Such plates 11 are made up of a container that is generally made of a plastic material and they contain an amount of eutectic solution of approximately 0.14 litres.
    The refrigeration grid 2, that is part of a refrigerating circuit (not visible in the figures) comprising an opportune compressor and a condenser, allows to have shelves at equal temperature at various temperatures, and precisely at increasing temperature from the top towards the bottom in cabinet the 1 of the freezer. Therefore it is possible to have shelves 12 to deep freeze food with temperature at -30°C, shelves 200 for quick freezing with temperature at -26°C, medium freezing shelves 13 with temperature at -22°C, storage shelves 14 with temperature at - 18°C.
    In addition it is also possible to have at least one shelf 15 at differentiated and sectorial eutectic temperature on a same shelf 3 by using eutectic plates 10, 11 at a different temperature on the same shelf 15.
    The shelves provided with eutectic plate 10, 11 are arranged vertically at a given distance the ones from the others so as to define respective containers 40-45 for the cooling of foods inside the cabinet 1. Such containers 40-45 are closed by respective doors 50-55 while the entire cabinet 1 is closed by a door 60.
    The eutectic plates 10 and 11 allow a homogenisation of the temperature in the different shelves, that, especially when the compressor is cyclically in pause, allow an increase in times of temperature raise, thus diminishing the energy consumption. In order to obtain the thermal result required by the international specifications it is possible, in the designing stage, to provide the minimum number of eutectic plates 10, 11 that act as a thermal flywheel in the opportune spaces.
    Preferably the eutectic plates 10 and 11 have various colours according to the type of eutectic solution contained and they can have the temperature directly stamped on the container.
    The eutectic plates 11, since they are extractable from the housings 20 that are provided in the shelves 3, can be removed and utilised in various ways outside the freezer, for instance in portable refrigerators.
    Preferably the cooling coil 4 defines housings 20 for eutectic plates 10, 11 with a constant pitch.
    Preferably each one of the shelves 3 comprises the same number of housings 20 for eutectic plates 10, 11.

    Claims (10)

    1. Refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet (1) and at least a refrigerating circuit with compressor and condenser and a refrigeration grid (2), characterized in that said refrigeration grid (2) extends in length and width inside said cabinet (1) thus defining horizontal shelves (3; 12, 200, 13, 14, 15) that are arranged at a given distance the ones from the others and made up of a cooling coil (4) that is moulded so as to form spaces (20) in which eutectic plates (10, 11) are housed.
    2. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said cooling coil (4) of said shelves (3) defines said spaces (20) with a constant pitch.
    3. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said shelves (3) comprises the same number of spaces (20).
    4. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said eutectic plates (10) are removably fastened in said spaces (20) of said cooling coil (4).
    5. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said eutectic plates (11) are fastened in an extractable way in said spaces (20) of said cooling coil (4).
    6. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said shelves (3; 12, 200, 13, 14) are at a different temperature as regards the ones with the others.
    7. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one (15) of said shelves (3; 15) has differentiated and sectorial temperature.
    8. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said eutectic plates (10, 11) have a small thickness and extended side surfaces.
    9. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said eutectic plates (10, 11) is coupled to said cooling coil (4) and to rods (5, 6) that are welded to said cooling coil (4).
    10. Refrigerator appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said shelves (3) are at the same temperature.
    EP01200404A 2000-02-11 2001-02-05 Refrigerator appliance with refrigeration grid provided with eutectic plates Expired - Lifetime EP1124101B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    IT2000MI000231A IT1316359B1 (en) 2000-02-11 2000-02-11 REFRIGERANT GRILL WITH REFRIGERANT PLATE EQUIPPED WITH PLATES
    ITMI000231 2000-02-11

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1124101A2 true EP1124101A2 (en) 2001-08-16
    EP1124101A3 EP1124101A3 (en) 2001-09-05
    EP1124101B1 EP1124101B1 (en) 2005-11-16

    Family

    ID=11443985

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP01200404A Expired - Lifetime EP1124101B1 (en) 2000-02-11 2001-02-05 Refrigerator appliance with refrigeration grid provided with eutectic plates

    Country Status (4)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1124101B1 (en)
    DE (1) DE60114899T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2252142T3 (en)
    IT (1) IT1316359B1 (en)

    Cited By (8)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1541944A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-15 Indesit Company s.p.a. Refrigerating apparatus
    WO2005075907A1 (en) * 2004-02-09 2005-08-18 Linde Kältetechnik GmbH & Co. KG Furniture-type product display device comprising a display bottom
    WO2006008276A1 (en) * 2004-07-20 2006-01-26 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigerating appliance with a cold accumulator
    WO2008028788A1 (en) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigerator
    WO2012123738A1 (en) * 2011-03-15 2012-09-20 Green Structures Limited Thermal energy store
    EP3087332A4 (en) * 2013-12-23 2017-08-02 The Coca-Cola Company Intermittent power grid ready cooler
    US10188223B2 (en) 2016-09-26 2019-01-29 Hussmann Corporation Refrigerated merchandiser including eutectic plate refrigeration
    CN113503666A (en) * 2021-06-23 2021-10-15 青岛海尔特种电冰柜有限公司 Air curtain freezer

    Family Cites Families (6)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US2405834A (en) * 1941-12-29 1946-08-13 Dole Refrigerating Co Device for freezing foods
    JPS623659Y2 (en) * 1981-01-19 1987-01-27
    EP0098052A3 (en) * 1982-06-26 1984-03-28 THORN EMI Domestic Appliances Limited Improvements in or relating to freezers
    WO1994005959A1 (en) * 1992-09-01 1994-03-17 Allan John Cassell Refrigerator and freezer units
    IT1303811B1 (en) * 1998-12-02 2001-02-23 Whirlpool Co SHELF FOR VERTICAL FREEZERS.
    DE19948480A1 (en) * 1999-10-08 2001-04-12 Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Heat exchangers such as evaporators, condensers or the like

    Cited By (9)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1541944A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-15 Indesit Company s.p.a. Refrigerating apparatus
    WO2005075907A1 (en) * 2004-02-09 2005-08-18 Linde Kältetechnik GmbH & Co. KG Furniture-type product display device comprising a display bottom
    WO2006008276A1 (en) * 2004-07-20 2006-01-26 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigerating appliance with a cold accumulator
    WO2008028788A1 (en) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigerator
    WO2012123738A1 (en) * 2011-03-15 2012-09-20 Green Structures Limited Thermal energy store
    GB2511392A (en) * 2011-03-16 2014-09-03 Thenergy Ltd Thermal energy store
    EP3087332A4 (en) * 2013-12-23 2017-08-02 The Coca-Cola Company Intermittent power grid ready cooler
    US10188223B2 (en) 2016-09-26 2019-01-29 Hussmann Corporation Refrigerated merchandiser including eutectic plate refrigeration
    CN113503666A (en) * 2021-06-23 2021-10-15 青岛海尔特种电冰柜有限公司 Air curtain freezer

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ES2252142T3 (en) 2006-05-16
    EP1124101A3 (en) 2001-09-05
    DE60114899T2 (en) 2006-08-03
    IT1316359B1 (en) 2003-04-10
    DE60114899D1 (en) 2005-12-22
    ITMI20000231A0 (en) 2000-02-11
    ITMI20000231A1 (en) 2001-08-11
    EP1124101B1 (en) 2005-11-16

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