EP1917489B1

EP1917489B1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: EP1917489B1
Application number: EP06795775.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gorkem Suner; Birol Konak; Engin Yilmaz
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2005-08-26
Filing date: 2006-08-25
Publication date: 2017-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-25
Also published as: EP1917489A2; WO2007023471A2; WO2007023471A3

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device that comprises a valve which provides to balance the cabin inner pressure that is disrupted during the opening closing of the door and particularly discharging the water formed during the defrosting process out of the cabin.
The state- of-the-art cooling devices comprise a cooling cabin and a door attached by means of a hinge to this cooling cabin such that it can be opened or closed, providing access to the cooling cabin. When the door is closed, the cooling cabin is insulated from the exterior environment in a partially leak proof way. The evaporator providing the cooling of the inner volume of the cooling device is frosted from time to time. This frosting is defrosted by application of various defrosting methods and the defrost water is discharged out of the cabin by a discharge duct, one end of which extends into the cooling cabin and the other end to the exterior of the cabin, that is the atmosphere. The water delivered out of the cabin is preferably delivered to a storage unit situated in the area of the compressor cabin.
In the cooling devices particularly wherein air is forcibly circulated by a fan, the fan starts to operate when the door is opened and closed, drawing the air within the cooling cabin towards the evaporator and causes the inner pressure of the cabin to be somewhat reduced which results in the creation of a vacuum inside the cabin. When the door is tried to be opened again, an additional amount of force has to be exerted by the user to counteract this pressure difference because of the imbalance of pressure inside and outside of the cooling cabin.
The discharge duct that discharges the water formed in the cooling cabin forms the only route connecting the cabin to the atmosphere. When vacuum is created in the cabin due to the opening closing of the door or for various reasons, air is sucked in from the end of the discharge duct extending to the atmosphere. If there is an excess amount of water present in the discharge duct or in the storage unit whereto the end of the discharge duct extends, water is sucked in together with the air until the cabin inner pressure is balanced. During this involuntary process, the sound that is emanated as the air and water mixture that passes through the discharge duct can reach an extent that will be annoying to the user.
The discharge duct being the only route of the cooling cabin opening to the atmosphere when the door is closed, also causes the formation of imbalances in the cabin inner pressure and temperature, in addition to all the above mentioned adversities.
In state- of-the-art, the discharge duct is configured like a "U" shape keeping some amount of the water inside - especially the water from the defrosting process - to prevent the air with relatively higher temperature from entering through the end of the discharge duct open to the atmospheric pressure into the cooling cabin and disrupting the cabin temperature and the balance of pressure. However the trapping of the water inside the "U" shaped discharge duct obstructs the flow of air between the exterior and the interior of the cabin. When vacuum is created within the cabin, since the inflow of air from the atmosphere into the cabin for the elimination of this pressure imbalance is prevented by means of the water trapped inside the discharge duct, balance cannot be equalized within the cabin and this leads to the exertion of much more force for opening the cooling device door.
In the state- of-the-art the United States of America Patent no. US5499514 , the cooling device comprises a "U" shaped drain tube and a one way vent disposed upstream of the drain trap portion that opens from the atmosphere towards the inside of the cabin above the maximum level of collectible water in the "U" shaped portion. Accordingly as the air flow between the end of the drain tube extending to the ambient atmosphere and the end of the drain tube extending into the food storage compartment is prevented due to the water collected in the "U" shaped trap portion, the imbalance of air pressure created by the opening closing of the refrigerator is also prevented by means of the vent situated on the side surface of the drain tube opening towards the food storage compartment and being kept open until the air pressure in the food storage compartment is equalized with the ambient air pressure. Furthermore the noise that is emanated as the mixture of air and water passes through the drain tube is prevented by keeping this vent open as explained above.
Another state- of-the-art implementation is explained in the United States of America Patent no. US5557942 . In this implementation a cubicle in the defrost water drain conduit and a by-pass passage formed between this cubicle and the drain conduit is explained. Furthermore, in this patent document, a movable closure member is described as an alternative embodiment that floats on the trapped water in the cubicle, rising or falling like a buoy in response to the amount of trapped water and closes the end of the drain conduit extending to the ambient air. Japanese Patent Application JP 2002 243352 A discloses a drain trap for a refrigerator comprising a water inlet, a water outlet, an air inlet, and a rotatable L-shaped flap. In a resting condition, one leg of the flap is immersed into drained water at the bottom of the drain trap, while the other leg closes the air inlet. In case of a negative pressure inside the refrigerator, the flap rotates for allowing the flow of ambient air through the air inlet into the refrigerator.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a valve that prevents the imbalances of pressure and temperature in the cooling cabin and also provides the discharge of the defrost water.
The cooling device realized in order to fulfill the objectives of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and other dependent claims, comprises a discharge duct comprising a valve which provides to maintain the inner temperature of the cabin under normal operating conditions, allowing the passage of the ambient air into the cabin to prevent pressure imbalances and also allowing the passage water from the cabin to the outside environment for discharging the defrost water.
A valve is situated between the inlet nozzle of the discharge duct extending into the cooling cabin and the outlet nozzle extending to the outside environment that has the ability of moving by means of the weight of the defrost water or the force created due to the vacuum inside the cabin. Since this valve moves by means of the weight of water and/or the force exerted by the air, it can respond to the momentarily created forces.
By means of the valve formed by two flaps having fixed positions relative to one another, when a force is exerted on only one flap, the other flap moving in accordance with this flap, can control the passage of air and water through the discharge duct.
One of the flaps moves by means of the weight of the water collected and delivered to the discharge duct or by the exertion of force by the air inflowing into the discharge duct due to the pressure difference between the cabin and the ambient surroundings and this flap regulates the flow of water between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle. The other flap, moving in accordance with this flap, regulates the air flow between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle.
The discharge duct can limit the area swept by the valve situated inside during its turning motion and can also restrain its motion. By constricting the discharge duct in the positions that the valve should not pass, via entering into the area swept by the valve provides the prevention of the positions that the valve should not pass without the need for additional retainers.
The discharge duct has only one valve and does not have a "U" shaped configuration for trapping in defrost water. Therefore the odor stemming from long kept stale water does not form. Furthermore the formation of adverse effects like wearing of the discharge duct by the continuous contact of water is avoided.
The cooling device realized in order to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a cooling device.
Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the discharge duct in the position of balance.
Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the discharge duct during discharge of the defrost water.
Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the discharge duct when pressure imbalance is created.

Elements shown in figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device
2. Cabin
3. Door
4. Discharge duct
5. Valve
6., 60. Flap
7. Retainer
8. Inlet nozzle
9. Outlet nozzle
10. Opening
11. Pin

The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises one or more cabins (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door (3) for closing the cabin (2) and providing access of the user to the items emplaced in the cabin (2), a discharge duct (4) that allows the passage of air and water there through, a valve (5) situated in the discharge duct (4), providing to balance the inner pressure of the cabin (2) by allowing the inflow of ambient air into the cabin (2) and providing the water to be discharged out of the cabin (2) by allowing the passage of the water accumulated in the cabin (2) (Figure 1).
The discharge duct (4) comprises an inlet nozzle (8) extending into the cabin (2), providing the water formed during the defrosting process to be delivered from the cabin (2) into the discharge duct (4), through which air is taken in from the discharge duct (4) into the cabin (2) upon imbalance of pressure with the ambient surroundings and the cabin (2), an outlet nozzle (9) extending into the ambient surroundings by means of which the water formed during the defrosting process is discharged out of the cabin (2) and an opening (10) situated in between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9), extending to the ambient surroundings through which air is taken into the cabin (2).
The valve (5) divides the discharge duct (4) into two portions such that the inlet nozzle (8) is on one side and the outlet nozzle (9) and opening (10) are on the other side when there is no passage of air or water. When pressure imbalance is created, it moves such that the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10) are on one side, allowing the inflow of air from the opening (10) towards the inlet nozzle (8). During the discharge of the defrost water, the valve (5) moves such that the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) are on one side allowing the passage of water from the inlet nozzle (8) towards the outlet nozzle (9). Consequently the passage of air and water are regulated according to the positioning of the valve (5).
The valve (5) disposed within the discharge duct (4) closes the discharge duct (4) such that air and/or water cannot pass through in the position of balance.
The valve (5) comprises a flap (6) positioned between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) when in the position of balance, while the inner cabin (2) pressure is in balance and the defrost water is not discharged, and another flap (60) positioned between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) fixed to this flap (6) with a certain angle, moving together with this flap (6) and a pin (11) providing both of the flaps (6 and 60) to be fixed on the discharge duct (4), forming the rotational axis. The flaps (6 and 60) rotate around this pin (11). This pin (11) is situated on the line on which the flaps (6 and 60) contact each other.
The flap (6) between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) moves by means of the weight of the water collected in the cabin (2) and taken into the discharge duct (4) or by the exertion of force by the air inflowing into the discharge duct (4) from the ambient surroundings due to the pressure difference between the cabin (2) and the ambient surroundings. This flap (6) regulates the flow of water that moves from the inlet nozzle (8) to the outlet nozzle (9). The other flap (60) also moves simultaneously depending on the movement of this flap (6) towards the inlet nozzle (8) and prevents the inflow of air from the opening (10) towards the inlet nozzle (8). Additionally, the flap (6) moves form the outlet nozzle (9) towards the inlet nozzle (8) by means of the force exerted by the air passing from the ambient surroundings into the discharge duct (4) due to the pressure difference of the cabin (2) and the ambient air. Corresponding to the movement of the flap (6) simultaneously the other flap (60) moves from the opening (10) towards the outlet nozzle (9) and regulates the inflow of air from the opening (10) to the inlet nozzle (8).
In the position of balance when defrost water is not discharged and there is no pressure imbalance in the cabin (2), the valve (5) cuts off the communication of the inlet nozzle (8) with the outlet nozzle (9) and the opening (10) both of which extend to the ambient surroundings (atmosphere). In this position, the inlet nozzle (8) stays on one side of the valve (5) due to its position on the discharge duct (4), the outlet nozzle (9) and the opening (10) stay on the other side of the valve (5). The valve (5) inhibits the inflow of air into the cabin (2) from the open outlet nozzle (9) of the discharge duct (4) and the opening (10) by separating the inlet nozzle (8) from the outlet nozzle (9) and the opening (10). Consequently the ambient air being higher in temperature than the inside of the cabin (2) is prevented from being delivered into the cabin (2) thus disrupting the balance of the cabin (2) temperature and also the balance of the cabin (2) inner pressure (Figure 2).
When the door is opened and closed or when the cabin (2) inner pressure decreases as compared to the atmospheric pressure due to any other reasons, the flap (6) that separates the inlet nozzle (8) from the outlet nozzle (9) and the opening (10) when in position of balance, moves away from the opening (10) during the inflow of air into the cabin (2) from the atmosphere that has a higher pressure than the inner pressure of the cabin (2) without showing any resistance, and as a result of this movement the flap (60) that closes the gap between the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10) when in balance position, moves towards the opening (10) in between the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10) and allows the inflow of air from the opening (10) into the inlet nozzle (8) and hence into the cabin (2) by opening the gap between the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10). Then the air inflows from the opening (10) into the discharge duct (4) and reaches into the cabin (2) from the inlet nozzle (8) of the discharge duct (4). This inflow of air continues until the inner pressure of the cabin (2) reaches the level of the atmospheric pressure and when the cabin (2) inner pressure is equalized with the atmospheric pressure, the valve (5) resumes its former position since the force exerted on the flap (6) disappears and the flap (60) moves away from the opening (10) in the gap between the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10) and again closes the gap between the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10) and does not allow any more passage of air from the ambient surroundings into the cabin (2) (Figure 4).
When a fluid is formed inside the cabin (2) that has to be discharged - for example water from the defrost process - the fluid is delivered through the inlet nozzle (8) to the discharge duct (4) to be discharged out of the cabin (2). The fluid reaching the discharge duct (4) proceeds in the discharge duct (4) and exerts a force on the flap (6) disposed on the valve (5) which is closed in the position of balance. Due to this force, the flap (6) separating the inlet nozzle (8) from the outlet nozzle (9) moves to open and the water in the discharge duct (4) reaches the outlet nozzle (9). The other flap (60) also moves in the same direction as this flap (6) corresponding with the movement of the flap (6). Since the flap (6) moves so as to get nearer to the opening (10), the other flap (60) moves away from the opening (10). Since the flap (60) moves between the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10), it continues to block the passage of air between the opening (10) and the inlet nozzle (8) (Figure 3).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the weights of the flaps (6 and 60) are different from each other. In all the positions, the flap (6) that rests in position of balance at the bottom, on which the forces are exerted is heavier than the flap (60) above, in order that the valve (5) can stay in the position of balance as required and to respond quickly in the other positions. Furthermore, the angle between the flaps (6 and 60) is less than 180° and greater than 90°, with the opening (10) being in between them. Moreover, in order that the flap (60) can regulate the flow of air from the opening (10) to the inlet nozzle (8) - by opening or closing - during the movement of the valve (5), the opening (10) is situated above the level of the pin (11) that provides the assembling of the valve (5) to the discharge duct (4). Accordingly, since there is a flap (60) above the level of the pin (11) in every position, the flow of air from the opening (10) towards the inlet nozzle (8) can be controlled.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises one or more retainers (7) providing to bound the movement of the valve (5) by being positioned at certain places on the discharge duct (4). The opening (10) is situated in between the retainers (7), the flap (60) moves between these retainers (7). One of the retainers (7) is mounted on the side of the inlet nozzle (8) such that the closing of the inlet nozzle (8) by the flap (60) is prevented, and the other is mounted on the side of the opening (10) such that the flap (60) allows the flow of air from the opening (10) towards the inlet nozzle (8).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the discharge duct (4) comprises an elbow element, preferably configured circularly to enhance the movement of the valve (5), situated between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9), having a larger cross section than the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9), with the valve (5) positioned at its center. Each of the flaps (6 and 60) sweeps an area bound by a 90° arc. The areas swept by the flaps (6 and 60) are preferably unsymmetrical.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the retainers (7) are situated at the points that allow each one of the flaps (6 and 60) to sweep an area bound by a 90° arc, preventing the valve (5) to move with an angle greater than 180 degrees around its own axis.
By way of the present invention, in cases when defrost water is not discharged and imbalance of pressure in the cabin (2) is not formed, the air of the ambient atmosphere having a higher temperature is prevented from being transferred into the cabin (2) disrupting the balance of the inner temperature of the cabin (2) and the inner pressure balance of the cabin (2). Furthermore when the door (3) is opened and closed or when the inner pressure of the cabin (2) decreases comparatively to the atmospheric pressure due to any other reason, the ambient air flow into the cabin (2) is supplied until the cabin (2) inner pressure is equalized with the atmospheric pressure, providing to restore the imbalance of pressure. In addition to this, when there is any fluid in the cabin (2) that has to be discharged, this fluid can be discharged out of the cooling device (1).

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising
- one or more cabins (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored,

- a door (3) for closing the cabin (2) and providing access of the user to the items emplaced in the cabin (2),

- a discharge duct (4) having an inlet nozzle (8) extending into the cabin (2), into which the water formed during a defrosting process is delivered from the cabin (2) and through which air is taken into the cabin (2) upon imbalance of pressure,

- an outlet nozzle (9) extending to the ambient surroundings by means of which the water formed during the defrosting process is discharged out of the cabin (2) and

- an opening (10) situated between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) for preventing the imbalance of pressure, extending to the ambient surroundings through which air is taken into the cabin (2),
characterized by a valve (5)
- that divides the discharge duct (4) into two portions such that the inlet nozzle (8) is on one side of the valve (5), with the outlet nozzle (9) and the opening (10) being on the other side of the valve (5) when there is no passage of air or water,

- that closes the discharge duct (4) such that air and/or water cannot pass through in the position of balance,

- that, when pressure imbalance is created between the cabin (2) and the ambient surroundings, moves such that the inlet nozzle (8) and the opening (10) are on one side of the valve (5), providing to balance the inner pressure of the cabin (2) by allowing the inflow of air between the opening (10) and the inlet nozzle (8),

- that, during the discharge of the water in the cabin (2), moves such that the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) are on one side of the valve (5) providing to discharge the water out of the cabin (2) by allowing the passage of water between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a valve (5) comprising a flap (6) positioned between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9), and another flap (60) positioned between the inlet nozzle (8) and the outlet nozzle (9) fixed to this flap (6) with a certain angle, moving together with this flap (6) and a pin (11) providing both of the flaps (6 and 60) to be fixed on the discharge duct (4) and forming the rotational axis.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by a valve (5) comprising a flap (6) that moves by means of the weight of the water collected in the cabin (2) and taken into the discharge duct (4) or by the exertion of force by the air inflowing into the discharge duct (4) from the ambient surroundings due to the pressure difference between the cabin (2) and the ambient surroundings, regulating the flow of water from the inlet nozzle (8) towards the outlet nozzle (9) and another flap (60) that moves correspondingly with the movement of this flap (6) regulating the inflow of air from the opening (10) towards the inlet nozzle (8).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 or 3, characterized by a valve (5) comprising a flap (6) that is heavier than the other flap (60).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 or 4, characterized by a valve (5) comprising flaps (6 and 60) that are fixed to each other with an angle smaller than 180° and greater than 90° with the opening (10) being in between them.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by an opening (10) situated above the level of the pin (11) that provides the assembly of the valve (5) to the discharge duct (4).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by more than one retainer (7), limiting the movement of the valve (5) by being positioned at certain positions on the discharge duct (4).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by a discharge duct (4) having an opening (10) situated in between the retainers (7).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a valve (5) comprising a flap (60) that moves between the retainers (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 7 to 9, characterized by retainers (7), one of which is mounted on the side of the inlet nozzle (8) such that the flap (6) is prevented from closing the inlet nozzle (8), and the other is mounted on the side of the opening (10) such that the other flap (60) allows the flow of air from the opening (10) towards the inlet nozzle (8).