EP2724091B1

EP2724091B1 - A refrigerator with increased cooling efficiency

Info

Publication number: EP2724091B1
Application number: EP12729656.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tolga Nurettin AYNUR; Husnu Kerpicci; Ersin Donmez
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2011-06-27
Filing date: 2012-06-27
Publication date: 2016-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-27
Also published as: TR201106343A1; WO2013000965A1; PL2724091T3; EP2724091A1

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, the cooling efficiency of which is increased.
In refrigerators, the air cooled by the evaporator is delivered into the inner volume of the refrigerator by means of a fan disposed on the evaporator. The volume wherein the evaporator is disposed and the compartments wherein the items are stored are separated from each other by an evaporator cover. By means of the holes arranged on the evaporator cover, the air sucked by the fan is provided to be delivered into the compartment. The amount of air sent into the compartment is in direct proportion to the clearance in front of the fan. For this reason, the amount of clearance in front of the evaporator and/or the fan is increased in order to increase the cooling efficiency. However, by increasing the amount of clearance in front of the evaporator and/or the fan, upon opening the door by the user causes infiltration and a risk occurs for the user to touch the fan and/or the evaporator.
In the state of the art Chinese Patent Document No. CN201218240 , a movement mechanism is described, which regulates the opening/closing of the flaps disposed on the fan cover in blind-form according to the operation of the fan. EP0872697A2 discloses a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator the cooling efficiency of which is increased.
The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof.
When the user opens the door to access into the body, the opening is provided to be almost entirely closed by means of the movement mechanism. Thus, the user is prevented from reaching the fan and/or the evaporator.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a frame disposed on the wall, in front of the opening, more than one flap that are jointed to the frame along the opening, having a first position wherein they provide the opening to be entirely closed and a second position wherein they provide the front of the fan and/or the evaporator to be opened by being parallel to each other so as to be spaced apart and a movement mechanism that provides the flaps to remain in the second position when the door is in the closed position and that provides the flaps to change to the first position while the door is being changed from the closed position to the open position.
While the flaps are in the first position, the opening is almost entirely closed. During the closing of the door, the flaps are triggered by means of the movement mechanism and the front of the fan and/or the evaporator is opened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one triggering arm extending from the outside of the body towards the rear wall of the body, at least one toothed rack that linearly moves in synchronization with the triggering arm, at least one gearwheel connected to the toothed rack, a shaft and at least one connection arm eccentrically mounted to the gearwheel by means of the shaft. The flaps provide the front of the fan and/or the evaporator to be opened/closed depending on the movement of the connection arm. The triggering arm has a part that remains outside the body and a part that remains inside the body. The part of the triggering arm that remains outside the body is triggered by the door. The toothed rack that is connected to the triggering arm pushed by the door provides the rotation of the gearwheel. The connection arm moves by the gearwheel triggering the shaft and provides the flaps to close the opening.
In the first position, the flaps serve as a curtain, providing the front of the fan to be closed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection arm rotates in the horizontal or the vertical direction.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism comprises more than one retainer providing the triggering arm to be mounted to the body, at least one spring disposed between the retainers and surrounding a part of the triggering arm and at least one flange that stresses the spring by moving together with the triggering arm while the door is being closed. The spring triggers the triggering arm while the door is being changed from the closed position to the open position.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one connection arm whereto the flaps are jointed, the movement mechanism having a motor providing the movement of the connection arm, a sensor detecting if the door is in the open position or in the closed position and at least one control unit that regulates the operation of the motor according to the data received from the sensor. The data related to the openness or the closeness of the door received from a sensor disposed on the body is evaluated by the control unit, and the control unit operates the motor and provides the flaps to move according to this data.
The model embodiments relating to the refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is perspective view of a body and a movement mechanism.
Figure 2 - is partial sideways schematic view of a body and a movement mechanism.
Figure 3 - is top view of a body and a movement mechanism.
Figure 4 - is the sideways view of a movement mechanism when the flaps are in the second position.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of a body and a movement mechanism when the flaps are in the second position.
Figure 6 - is the sideways perspective view of a movement mechanism when the flaps are in the first position.
Figure 7 - is the perspective view of a movement mechanism and a frame.
Figure 8 - is the exploded view of a movement mechanism and a frame.
Figure 9 - is the perspective view of a control unit, a sensor and a movement mechanism when the flaps are in the second position.
Figure 10 - is the perspective view of a control unit, a sensor and a movement mechanism when the flaps are in the first position.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Refrigerator
2.: Body
3.: Wall
4.: Door
5.: Evaporator
6.: Fan
7.: Frame
8.: Opening
9.: Flap
10.: Movement mechanism
11.: Triggering arm
12.: Toothed rack
13.: Gearwheel
14.: Shaft
15.: Connection arm
16.: Retainer
17.: Spring
18.: Flange
19.: First pin
20.: Second pin
21.: Sensor
22.: Motor
23.: Control unit

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2), at least one wall (3) that separates the volume wherein the evaporator (5) is placed and the compartment wherein the foodstuffs are placed, a door (4) having a closed position (K) wherein it closes the front of the body (2) and an open position (A) wherein it allows access into the body (2), an evaporator (5) that enables cooling by drawing thermal energy from the environment, a fan (6) that provides the air cooled to be sucked, an opening (8) disposed on the wall (3), in front of the fan (6), providing the air entry-exit and a movement mechanism (10) that provides the opening (8) to be almost entirely closed when the door (4) is in the open position (A) (Figure 1).
When the door (4) is in the closed position (K), the air cooled in the evaporator (5) is sucked by the fan (6) and sent into the body (2) through the opening (8). When the door (4) is opened by the user, the opening (8) is provided to be almost entirely closed by means of the movement mechanism (10). Thus, both infiltration and user's contact with the fan (6) are prevented by closing the front of the fan (6). When the door (4) is closed by the user, the front of the fan (6) is opened by means of the movement mechanism (10). Cool air is sent into the body (2) by means of the opening (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a frame (7) disposed on the wall (3), in front of the opening (8) and more than one flap (9) that are jointed to the frame (7) along the opening (8), having a first position (C) wherein they provide the opening (8) to be entirely closed and a second position (O) wherein they provide the front of the fan (6) to be at least partially open by standing so that a gap remains therebetween. When the door (4) is in the open position (A), the movement mechanism (10) provides the flaps (9) to remain in the first position (C), and provides the flaps (9) to be changed to the second position (O) while the door (4) is changed from the open position (A) to the closed position (K) (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4).
When the flaps (9) are in the first position (C), the front of the fan (6) is almost entirely closed, thus preventing infiltration and the user's contact with the fan (6). In the event that the door (4) is closed by the user, the flaps (9) change to the second position (O) by means of the movement mechanism (10), the gap between the flaps (9) grows and the front of the fan (6) is opened. Thus, the air sucked by the fan (6) is provided to be delivered into the body (2) (Figure 5 and Figure 6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (10) comprises at least one triggering arm (11) extending towards the door (4) along the ceiling of the body (2), at least one toothed rack (12) disposed at the back end of the triggering arm (11), at least one gearwheel (13) bearing against the toothed rack (12), a shaft (14) and at least one connection arm (15) eccentrically mounted to the gearwheel (13) by means of the shaft (14). The flaps (9) are jointed to the connection arm (15) and open/close depending on the movement of the connection arm (15). During the closing of the door (4), the door (4) bears against the triggering arm (11) and pushes the triggering arm (11) in the horizontal direction. The toothed rack (12) depending on the triggering arm (11) rotates the gearwheel (13) counterclockwise. The gearwheel (13) transforms the circular movement to linear movement, thus providing the connection arm (15) to move by means of the shaft (14). The flaps (9) that are jointed to the connection arm (15) from their one ends move. By the flaps (9) changing to the second position (O), the front of the fan (6) is opened and air is provided to be delivered into the body (2) (Figure 7 and Figure 8).
The connection arm (15) of the present invention moves in the vertical direction. As a result of the rotation of the gearwheel (13) during the closing of the door (4), the connection arm (15) moves downwards or upwards by means of the shaft (14). The flaps (9) pivoted to the connection arm (15) move downwards or upwards. By the flaps (9) changing to the second position (O), the front of the fan (6) is opened and air is provided to be delivered into the body (2).
The connection arm (15) of the present invention moves in the horizontal direction. As a result of the rotation of the gearwheel (13) during the closing of the door (4), the shaft (14) moves in the vertical direction. The connection arm (15) moves right or left by means of the shaft (14). The flaps (9) pivoted to the connection arm (15) move in synchronization and change to the second position (O). Thus, the front of the fan (6) is opened and air is provided to be delivered into the body (2).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (10) comprises more than one retainer (16) providing the triggering arm (11) to be mounted to the body (2), at least one spring (17) disposed between the retainers (16) and surrounding the triggering arm (11) and at least one flange (18) that stresses the spring (17) by moving together with the triggering arm (11) while the door (4) is being closed. The flange (18) limits the movement of the triggering arm (11). During the closing of the door (4), the door (4) bears against the triggering arm (11) and pushes the triggering arm (11) in the horizontal direction. The flange (18) that moves in the horizontal direction depending on the triggering arm (11) provides the spring (17) to be stressed by bearing against the retainer (16). The toothed rack (12) bearing against the triggering arm (11) rotates the gearwheel (13) counterclockwise. The gearwheel (13) transforms the circular movement to linear movement, thus providing the connection arm (15) to move. The flaps (9) that are jointed to the connection arm (15) from their one ends move. By the flaps (9) changing to the second position (O), the front of the fan (6) is almost entirely opened and air is provided to be delivered into the body (2) (Figure 3 and Figure 5).
During the opening of the door (4) by the user, the pushing force on the triggering arm (11) is eliminated. Thus, the stressing force applied on the spring (17) by the flange (18) moving depending on the triggering arm (11) is eliminated and the spring (17) stretches. The spring (17) that stretches pushes the flange (18) forward. The triggering arm (11) whereto the flange (18) is secured moves forward in the horizontal direction with the pushing force. The toothed rack (12) depending on the triggering arm (11) provides the gearwheel (13) to rotate counterclockwise. The gearwheel (13) transforms the circular movement to linear movement, thus providing the connection arm (15) to move in the vertical direction. The flaps (9) that are jointed to the connection arm (15) from their one ends move downwards. Thus, the flaps (9) change to the first position (C).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flaps (9) comprise at least one first pin (19) disposed on the flap (9), that provides the flaps (9) to be pivoted to the connection arm (15) and at least one second pin (20) disposed on the flap (9), that provides them to be mounted to the frame (7). The first pin (19) mounted to the connection arm (15) from its one end provides the movement of the connection arm (15) to be transmitted to the flap (9). The second pin (20) is mounted to the frame (7) from its one end, thus providing the flap (9) to be placed to the frame (7). The flap (9) moves around the axis of the fixed pin (20) (Figure 7 and Figure 8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (10) comprises at least one shaft (14) that is secured to the gearwheel (13) by being passed through the core of the gearwheel (13), providing the movement of the gearwheel (13) to be transmitted to the connection arm (15). The shaft (14) moving depending on the rotational movement of the gearwheel (13) is mounted to the triggering arm (11) from both ends. The shaft (14) moves downwards or upwards with respect to the direction of the rotation of the gearwheel (13), thus providing the connection arm (15) to be triggered.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) having at least one connection arm (15) whereto the flaps (9) are jointed and that moves together with them in synchronization and a motor (22) providing the movement of the connection arm (15), a sensor (21) detecting if the door (4) is in the open position (A) or in the closed position (K) and at least one control unit (23) that regulates the operation of the motor (22) according to the data received from the sensor (21). The data about the openness or the closeness of the door (4) is detected by the sensor (21) and transmitted to the control unit (23). The control unit (23) regulates the operation of the motor (22) according to the data received. According to the operation of the motor (22), the flaps (9) that are pivoted to the connection arm (15) change to the first position (C) or the second position (O) (Figure 9 and Figure 10).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame (7) is configured as a blind.
By means of the present invention, a refrigerator (1) is realized wherein the infiltration is prevented by closing the front of the fan (6) when the door (4) is opened. Moreover, the contact of the user with the fan (6) is prevented. The front of the fan (6) is almost entirely opened by means of the flaps (9) and the air cooled by the evaporator (5) is sent into the body (2).
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2) having at least one wall (3) limiting a compartment wherein the foodstuffs are to be placed, wherein the at least one wall (3) separates a volume wherein the evaporator (5) is placed and the compartment , a door (4) having a closed position (K) wherein it closes the front of the body (2) and an open position (A) wherein it allows access into the body (2), an evaporator (5) that enables cooling by drawing thermal energy from the environment, a fan (6) that provides the air cooled by said evaporator (5) to be sucked, an opening (8) disposed on the wall (3) a movement mechanism (10) that provides the opening (8) to be almost entirely closed when the door (4) is in the open position (A), characterized in that the opening (8) is disposed in front of the fan (6) providing the air sucked by the fan (6) to be sent into the body (2) or to exit same.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a frame (7) disposed on the wall (3), in front of the opening (8) and more than one flap (9) jointed to the frame (7) along the opening (8), having a first position (C) wherein they provide the opening (8) to be entirely closed and a second position (O) wherein they provide the front of the fan (6) to be at least partially open by standing so that a gap remains therebetween.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one triggering arm (11) extending towards the door (4) along the ceiling of the body (2), at least one toothed rack (12) disposed at the back end of the triggering arm (11), at least one gearwheel (13) bearing against the toothed rack (12), a shaft (14) and at least one connection arm (15) eccentrically mounted to the gearwheel (13) by means of the shaft (14).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a connection arm (15) that moves in the vertical direction.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a connection arm (15) that moves in the horizontal direction.
A refrigerator (1) as in anyone of the Claims 3 to 5, characterized by the movement mechanism (10) having more than one retainer (16) providing the triggering arm (11) to be mounted to the body (2), at least one spring (17) disposed between the retainers (16) and surrounding the triggering arm (11) and at least one flange (18) that stresses the spring (17) by moving together with the triggering arm (11) while the door (4) is being closed.
A refrigerator (1) as in anyone of the Claims 3 to 6, characterized by at least one first pin (19) disposed on the flap (9) that provides the flap (9) to be pivoted to the connection arm (15) and at least one second pin (20) disposed on the flap (9), that provides the flap (9) to be mounted to the frame (7).
A refrigerator (1) as in anyone of the Claims 3 to 7, characterized by at least one shaft (14) that is secured to the gearwheel (13) by being passed through the core of the gearwheel (13), providing the movement of the gearwheel (13) to be transmitted to the connection arm (15).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the movement mechanism (10) having at least one connection arm (15) whereto the flaps (9) are jointed and that moves together with them in synchronization, a motor (22) providing the movement of the connection arm (15), a sensor (21) detecting if the doors (4) are in the open position (A) or in the closed position (K) and at least one control unit (23) that regulates the operation of the motor (22) according to the data received from the sensor (21).
A refrigerator (1) as in anyone of the Claims 2 or 9, characterized by the blind-shaped frame (7).