EP2041504A1 - A cooling device - Google Patents

A cooling device

Info

Publication number
EP2041504A1
EP2041504A1 EP07819906A EP07819906A EP2041504A1 EP 2041504 A1 EP2041504 A1 EP 2041504A1 EP 07819906 A EP07819906 A EP 07819906A EP 07819906 A EP07819906 A EP 07819906A EP 2041504 A1 EP2041504 A1 EP 2041504A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit board
printed circuit
cooling device
frost
live end
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07819906A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Sezgin Parmaksiz
Mustafa Yuksel
Mehmet Oturak
Ahmet Ferit Cosan
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.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
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 Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP2041504A1 publication Critical patent/EP2041504A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25D29/005Mounting of control devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooling device wherein the safety problem that arises due to frosting on the printed circuit boards is prevented.
  • the printed circuit board having temperature etc. sensors and control knobs thereon for allowing the user to selectively change various cooling parameters is disposed inside the insulation volume.
  • Various electrical circuit elements and transmission lines are provided that enable the electrical transmittal between these circuit elements in order to operate the above mentioned constituents on the printed circuit board.
  • the printed circuit board is mounted inside a casing in the cooling devices. The printed circuit board disposed inside a casing is physically separated from the compartment and the user is prevented from being shocked by directly contacting the printed circuit board and the live ends.
  • the object of the present invention is to design a cooling device comprising a printed circuit board wherein the electric shock risk of the user by touching the accumulated frost thereon is minimized.
  • the cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a fuse circuit which is positioned within a distance from the live end to prevent the user from electric shock by contact, in case the printed circuit board is frosted.
  • the live end is short circuited providing the electric current delivered to the printed circuit board or the cooling device to be grounded (short circuited).
  • the fuse circuit is directly connected to the earth ground line providing to cut off the electric energy so that the cooling device does not operate until the frost melts by short circuiting the power supply in case the printed circuit board is frosted.
  • the fuse circuit is disposed at a certain distance (frost gap) from the live ends and when the frost buildup reaches a size that unites the live ends with the fuse circuit, the circuit between the live ends and the fuse circuit is closed and the electric energy to the feed board or the cooling device is cut off due to short circuiting. Consequently, the user is guarded from shock even if the frost is contacted.
  • the printed circuit board comprises a conductive plate having a large suriace area, extending from the casing to the printed circuit board that is electrically connected on this line (by soldering etc. methods) providing the frost buildup between the live end and the fuse circuit to reach the fuse circuit before reaching the casing.
  • the fuse circuit is connected to the earth ground line of the cooling device framework.
  • the user is warned aurally or visually against frost buildup inside the cooling device.
  • Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a cooling device.
  • Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a printed circuit board.
  • Figure 3 - is the view of another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises a compartment (2), a printed circuit board (4) with various electrical circuit elements thereon and transmission lines providing the electrical transmittal between these circuit elements, having at least one live end (P) with current passing there through and a casing (3) wherein the printed circuit board (4) is disposed, separating the compartment (2) from the printed circuit board (4) for preventing the user from directly contacting the printed circuit board (4) ( Figure 1).
  • the cooling device (1) furthermore comprises at least one knob (5) arranged on the casing (3) and connected to the printed circuit board (4) thus allowing the user to change the parameters of the compartment (2) such as temperature etc.
  • the printed circuit board (4) comprises a conductive fuse circuit (6), disposed at a certain distance from the live end (P) providing to cut off the electric energy of the printed circuit board (4) or the cooling device (1) through grounding the live end (P) by means of the frost when the frost on the live end (P) contacts thereto in order to prevent the user from shock by contacting the frost formed on the live end (P) due to current passing through the live end (P) ( Figure X).
  • the fuse circuit (6) is on the earth ground (G) line that is directly connected to the earth and provides to cut off the electricity that feeds the cooling device (1) until the frost melts by short circuiting the power supply (by grounding the live end) in case the printed circuit board (4) is frosted.
  • G earth ground
  • the frost distance (d) between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) is shorter than the distance between the printed circuit board (4) and the casing (3). Consequently, the frost collected over the live end (P) on the printed circuit board (4) is provided to reach the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (3) thus minimizing the shock hazard of the user by touching the frost.
  • the printed circuit board (4) comprises a conductive plate that is electrically connected on the fuse circuit (6) (by soldering etc. methods), extending between the casing (2) and the printed circuit board (4), having a large suriace area thus providing the frost collected thereon between itself and the live end (P) to form a transmission line for ensuring that the frost buildup between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) reaches the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (2) ( Figure 3).
  • the fuse circuit (6) is connected to the ground earth (G) line of the cooling device (1) main frame. Accordingly, the use of separate ground earth (G) line is not required.
  • the fuse connected to the cooling device (1) blows as a result of the fuse circuit (6) uniting with the ground earth (G) line.
  • the frost that joins the fuse circuit (6) with the earth ground (G) line has to be removed so that the cooling device (1) can be energized. After the frost is removed, the user can bring the fuse to the former position to re-operate the cooling device (1).
  • the fuse circuit (6) is disposed such that the live end (P) is surrounded all around to ensure that the frost buildup between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) reaches the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (2).
  • the fuse circuit (6) triggers an indicator that aurally or visually warns the user against frost buildup in the cooling device (1). Consequently, when the fuse circuit (6) and the live end (P) are joined by means of the frost, electricity reaches the indicator and the user can be warned.
  • the frosting of the printed circuit board (4) and the electric shock risk for the user by touching the frost is minimized. Furthermore, a cost advantage in production is provided since no coating is applied on the printed circuit board (4) for insulation.

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Fuses (AREA)

Abstract

The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises a compartment (2), a printed circuit board (4) with various electrical circuit elements thereon and transmission lines providing the electrical transmittal between these circuit elements, having a live end (P) with current passing there through and a casing (3) wherein the printed circuit board (4) is disposed, separating the compartment (2) from the printed circuit board (4) to prevent the user from directly contacting the printed circuit board (4).

Description

Description A COOLING DEVICE
[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device wherein the safety problem that arises due to frosting on the printed circuit boards is prevented.
[0002] In cooling devices, particularly in refrigerators, the printed circuit board having temperature etc. sensors and control knobs thereon for allowing the user to selectively change various cooling parameters is disposed inside the insulation volume. Various electrical circuit elements and transmission lines are provided that enable the electrical transmittal between these circuit elements in order to operate the above mentioned constituents on the printed circuit board. While the device is operational, in order to minimize the shock risk of the user with electricity by contacting the live ends on the printed circuit board with voltage, the printed circuit board is mounted inside a casing in the cooling devices. The printed circuit board disposed inside a casing is physically separated from the compartment and the user is prevented from being shocked by directly contacting the printed circuit board and the live ends.
[0003] Furthermore, excessive frosting builds up on the compartment walls, particularly on the walls of the freezer compartment due to various reasons during the operation of the cooling device. Excessive frosting affects the casing and the printed circuit board therein situated on the said walls and frost accumulates specifically on the surfece of the printed circuit board. The casing does not separate the printed circuit board in an entirely leak-proof manner from the compartment; there is still air communication between the casing and the compartment. The casing and the printed circuit board therein, disposed particularly in the freezer compartment can be frosted when limit operating conditions are exceeded. There is air communication between both sides of the casing and the frosting formed on one side of the casing can readily reach the other side in consequence of the openings bored on the casing for mounting the knobs and also the holes for inserting the fixing elements used in assembling the casing to the compartment. In case the printed circuit board is frosted, the frost can reach into the compartment through the connection points of the casing or from openings on the casing whereto the user may contact. Therefore, safety problems may arise under this condition when the user can touch the frost or the casing posing the risk of electric shock.
[0004] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application no. JP6118136, the explanation is given for arrangement of the integrated circuit IC elements in a casing for protection from dewing and frosting.
[0005] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application no. JP5152779, the condensation on the printed circuit board is prevented by an electric resistor that is placed on the circuit board.
[0006] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application no. JP5343817, the printed circuit board is coated with an insulation material.
[0007] In the state of the art Korean Patent Application no. KR2000015693, a method is described for preventing the condensation on the main printed circuit boards in refrigerators.
[0008] The object of the present invention is to design a cooling device comprising a printed circuit board wherein the electric shock risk of the user by touching the accumulated frost thereon is minimized.
[0009] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a fuse circuit which is positioned within a distance from the live end to prevent the user from electric shock by contact, in case the printed circuit board is frosted. When the frost on the live end is in contact with the fuse circuit, the live end is short circuited providing the electric current delivered to the printed circuit board or the cooling device to be grounded (short circuited).
[0010] The fuse circuit is directly connected to the earth ground line providing to cut off the electric energy so that the cooling device does not operate until the frost melts by short circuiting the power supply in case the printed circuit board is frosted.
[0011] The fuse circuit is disposed at a certain distance (frost gap) from the live ends and when the frost buildup reaches a size that unites the live ends with the fuse circuit, the circuit between the live ends and the fuse circuit is closed and the electric energy to the feed board or the cooling device is cut off due to short circuiting. Consequently, the user is guarded from shock even if the frost is contacted.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board comprises a conductive plate having a large suriace area, extending from the casing to the printed circuit board that is electrically connected on this line (by soldering etc. methods) providing the frost buildup between the live end and the fuse circuit to reach the fuse circuit before reaching the casing.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuse circuit is connected to the earth ground line of the cooling device framework.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the user is warned aurally or visually against frost buildup inside the cooling device.
[0015] By means of the present invention, it is aimed to minimize the frosting of the printed circuit board and the shock risk for the user due to electricity by touching the frost. Furthermore, a cost advantage in production is provided since no coating is applied on the printed circuit board for insulation.
[0016] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
[0017] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a cooling device.
[0018] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a printed circuit board.
[0019] Figure 3 - is the view of another embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
1. Cooling device
2. Compartment
3. Casing
4. Printed circuit board
5. Knob
6. Fuse circuit
[0021] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises a compartment (2), a printed circuit board (4) with various electrical circuit elements thereon and transmission lines providing the electrical transmittal between these circuit elements, having at least one live end (P) with current passing there through and a casing (3) wherein the printed circuit board (4) is disposed, separating the compartment (2) from the printed circuit board (4) for preventing the user from directly contacting the printed circuit board (4) (Figure 1).
[0022] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises at least one knob (5) arranged on the casing (3) and connected to the printed circuit board (4) thus allowing the user to change the parameters of the compartment (2) such as temperature etc.
[0023] The printed circuit board (4) comprises a conductive fuse circuit (6), disposed at a certain distance from the live end (P) providing to cut off the electric energy of the printed circuit board (4) or the cooling device (1) through grounding the live end (P) by means of the frost when the frost on the live end (P) contacts thereto in order to prevent the user from shock by contacting the frost formed on the live end (P) due to current passing through the live end (P) (Figure X).
[0024] The fuse circuit (6) is on the earth ground (G) line that is directly connected to the earth and provides to cut off the electricity that feeds the cooling device (1) until the frost melts by short circuiting the power supply (by grounding the live end) in case the printed circuit board (4) is frosted.
[0025] During the operation of the cooling device (1) there can be excessive frosting on the walls of the compartment (2) particularly on the walls of the freezer compartment (2). Excessive frosting also affects the casing (3) and the printed circuit board (4) therein disposed on the said walls and frost builds up specifically on the suriace of the printed circuit board (4). When the amount of frost build up joins the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) that is spaced away from the live end (P) with a distance defined as the frost distance (d), the current passing through the live end (P) passes to the fuse circuit (6) by way of the frost and closes the circuit. Since the fuse circuit (6) is connected to the ground earth line (G), short circuit occurs and the electric delivered to the printed circuit board (4) or the cooling device (1) is cut off. This condition lasts until the frost melts, and the printed circuit board (4) or the cooling device (1) continues normal operation when the transmission line formed due to frost between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) is broken by melting of the frost that joins the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) such that current passes there through.
[0026] The frost distance (d) between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) is shorter than the distance between the printed circuit board (4) and the casing (3). Consequently, the frost collected over the live end (P) on the printed circuit board (4) is provided to reach the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (3) thus minimizing the shock hazard of the user by touching the frost.
[0027] The live end (P) and the circuit fuse (6) may not be joined even though the frost buildup reaches an amount that causes electric shock when the user touches. In another embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board (4) comprises a conductive plate that is electrically connected on the fuse circuit (6) (by soldering etc. methods), extending between the casing (2) and the printed circuit board (4), having a large suriace area thus providing the frost collected thereon between itself and the live end (P) to form a transmission line for ensuring that the frost buildup between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) reaches the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (2) (Figure 3).
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuse circuit (6) is connected to the ground earth (G) line of the cooling device (1) main frame. Accordingly, the use of separate ground earth (G) line is not required.
[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuse connected to the cooling device (1) blows as a result of the fuse circuit (6) uniting with the ground earth (G) line. The frost that joins the fuse circuit (6) with the earth ground (G) line has to be removed so that the cooling device (1) can be energized. After the frost is removed, the user can bring the fuse to the former position to re-operate the cooling device (1).
[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuse circuit (6) is disposed such that the live end (P) is surrounded all around to ensure that the frost buildup between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) reaches the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (2).
[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuse circuit (6) triggers an indicator that aurally or visually warns the user against frost buildup in the cooling device (1). Consequently, when the fuse circuit (6) and the live end (P) are joined by means of the frost, electricity reaches the indicator and the user can be warned.
[0032] By means of the present invention, the frosting of the printed circuit board (4) and the electric shock risk for the user by touching the frost is minimized. Furthermore, a cost advantage in production is provided since no coating is applied on the printed circuit board (4) for insulation.

Claims

Claims
[0001] A cooling device (1) comprising a compariment (2), a printed circuit board (4) with various electrical circuit elements thereon and transmission lines providing the electrical transmittal between these circuit elements, having at least one live end (P) with current passing there through and a casing (3) wherein the printed circuit board (4) is disposed, separating the compariment (2) from the printed circuit board (4) for preventing the user from directly contacting the printed circuit board (4) and characterized by a conductive fuse circuit (6), disposed at a certain distance from the live end (P) providing to cut off the electric energy of the printed circuit board (4) or the cooling device (1) through grounding the live end (P) by means of the frost when the frost on the live end (P) contacts thereto in order to prevent the user from shock by contacting the frost collected on the live end (P) due to the current passing through the live end (P).
[0002] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a fuse circuit (6) having a frost distance (d) there between the live end (P) that is shorter than the distance between the printed circuit board (4) and the casing (2).
[0003] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a printed circuit board (4) comprising a conductive plate that is electrically connected on the earth ground (G) line, extending between the casing (2) and the printed circuit board (4), having a large surface area thus providing the frost collected thereon between itself and the live end (P) to fonn a transmission line to ensure that the frost buildup between the live end (P) and the fuse circuit (6) reaches the fuse circuit (6) before reaching the casing (2).
[0004] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a fuse circuit (6) that is connected to the ground earth (G) line of the mainframe.
[0005] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a fuse circuit (6) that is disposed such that the live end (P) is surrounded all around.
[0006] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a fuse circuit (6) which triggers an indicator to warn the user aurally or visually against frost buildup in the cooling device (1).
EP07819906A 2006-07-18 2007-07-18 A cooling device Withdrawn EP2041504A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR200603738 2006-07-18
PCT/EP2007/057423 WO2008009701A1 (en) 2006-07-18 2007-07-18 A cooling device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2041504A1 true EP2041504A1 (en) 2009-04-01

Family

ID=38754613

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07819906A Withdrawn EP2041504A1 (en) 2006-07-18 2007-07-18 A cooling device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2041504A1 (en)
CN (1) CN101490489B (en)
RU (1) RU2415355C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2008009701A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102031848B1 (en) 2010-01-20 2019-10-14 가부시키가이샤 한도오따이 에네루기 켄큐쇼 Electronic device and electronic system

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6467282B1 (en) * 2000-09-27 2002-10-22 Patrick D. French Frost sensor for use in defrost controls for refrigeration

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4121433A (en) * 1977-01-26 1978-10-24 P.R. Mallory & Co. Inc. Means for sensing frost accumulation in a refrigeration mechanism
US4347709A (en) * 1981-01-19 1982-09-07 Honeywell Inc. Demand defrost sensor
CN87209962U (en) * 1987-07-11 1988-08-10 邹祥瑞 Automatic digital controller for freezing apparatus
IT1255045B (en) * 1992-03-31 1995-10-17 Whirlpool Italia METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETECT AND CONTROL THE FORMATION OF Rime On An EVAPORATOR OF A REFRIGERATOR
JP2000028256A (en) * 1998-07-09 2000-01-28 Sanden Corp Cold storage chamber
KR100499028B1 (en) * 1998-09-16 2005-09-02 삼성전자주식회사 How to control the operation of the refrigerator
JP2001264446A (en) * 2000-03-22 2001-09-26 Tdk Corp Capacitance type object detecting device and defrosting device for cooler
CN1629586A (en) * 2003-12-15 2005-06-22 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 Circuit control structure for refrigerator

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6467282B1 (en) * 2000-09-27 2002-10-22 Patrick D. French Frost sensor for use in defrost controls for refrigeration

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2008009701A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008009701A1 (en) 2008-01-24
RU2009105483A (en) 2010-08-27
RU2415355C2 (en) 2011-03-27
CN101490489A (en) 2009-07-22
CN101490489B (en) 2011-11-23

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