EP2914912A2 - A cooling device comprising a bimetal switch - Google Patents

A cooling device comprising a bimetal switch

Info

Publication number
EP2914912A2
EP2914912A2 EP13766296.1A EP13766296A EP2914912A2 EP 2914912 A2 EP2914912 A2 EP 2914912A2 EP 13766296 A EP13766296 A EP 13766296A EP 2914912 A2 EP2914912 A2 EP 2914912A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
temperature
compressor
heater
fresh food
food compartment
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
EP13766296.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2914912B1 (en
Inventor
Turgay Ercan
Erhan Kacmaz
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 EP2914912A2 publication Critical patent/EP2914912A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2914912B1 publication Critical patent/EP2914912B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25D29/006—Safety devices
    • 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
    • F25D2400/02—Refrigerators including a heater
    • 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
    • F25D2400/34—Temperature balancing devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mechanically controlled cooling device that comprises a bimetal switch .
  • the operation of the compressor is generally controlled by means of thermostatic switches.
  • the thermostatic switch positioned so as to measure the fresh food compartment temperature operates the compressor in a temperature range predetermined by the producer. At low ambient temperatures, the thermostatic switch cannot reach the compressor activation temperature for a long period of time and cannot operate the compressor. Meanwhile, the freezing compartment temperature increases rapidly even though the temperature of the fresh food compartment remains within the ideal range. After a period of time, the freezing compartment temperature reaches critical values and results in thawing of the foodstuffs stored in the compartment.
  • a heater is disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the thermostatic switch that controls the operation of the compressor and the thermostatic switch is provided to be raised to the required temperature for activating the compressor.
  • the operation of these heaters is controlled by various methods but in some situations the heater can operate even if not required since the freezing compartment temperature cannot be detected directly with these methods. This increases energy consumption.
  • a refrigerator with two compartments comprising a bimetal switch and a heater
  • the heater is disposed in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment.
  • the bimetal switch is situated outside the body of the fresh food compartment and controls the operation of the heater according to the outside temperature.
  • a cooling device comprising two heaters connected in series, situated in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment and an outside temperature sensor connected in parallel to these heaters.
  • the outside temperature sensor which is bimetal, changes the current supplied to the heaters depending on the outside temperature by being activated or deactivated.
  • the aim of the present invention is the realization of a mechanically controlled cooling device wherein effective refrigeration can be performed under low ambient temperature conditions.
  • the cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a fresh food compartment, a freezing compartment, and an evaporator and a compressor for each compartment.
  • a thermostatic switch that controls the operation of the compressor is situated in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment. The thermostatic switch activates and deactivates the compressor at temperatures predetermined by the producer.
  • the cooling device furthermore comprises a heater disposed in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator and a bimetal switch situated in the vicinity of the freezing compartment evaporator.
  • the bimetal switch is connected in series to the heater.
  • the compressor while the compressor is not active, when the temperature detected by the thermostatic switch reaches the compressor activation temperature predetermined by the producer, the compressor is activated and while the compressor is active, when the temperature detected by the thermostatic switch reaches the compressor deactivation temperature predetermined by the producer, the compressor is deactivated.
  • the fresh food compartment temperature is provided to be kept within a predetermined range.
  • the bimetal switch completes the circuit by elongating when its temperature reaches an upper limit temperature predetermined by the producer and switches off the circuit when its temperature reaches a lower limit temperature predetermined by the producer. Accordingly, the operation of the heater and hence the compressor is controlled depending on the freezing compartment conditions.
  • the heater is disposed close to the thermostatic switch.
  • the changes occurring in the state of the heater are detected quickly by the thermostatic switch and the cooling device is provided to be controlled effectively.
  • the thermostatic switch comprises a command portion and a sensor portion.
  • the sensor portion and the command portion are connected to one another by means of a spiral wire.
  • the command portion can be situated at a place near the compressor, thereby providing ease of utilization.
  • both compartments are provided to be cooled effectively even at low ambient temperatures.
  • Figure 1 – is the schematic view of the cooling device of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the thermostatic switch.
  • the cooling device (1) comprises a fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed to be cooled, a freezing compartment (3) kept at lower temperatures than the fresh food compartment (2), wherein foodstuffs are placed to be frozen, a compressor (4) that compresses and circulates the refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration cycle, a fresh food compartment evaporator (5) that provides the interior of the fresh food compartment (2) to be cooled, a freezing compartment evaporator (6) that provides the interior of the freezing compartment (3) to be cooled, at least one heater (7) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5) and a thermostatic switch (8) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5) and controlling the operation of the compressor (4) depending on the temperature value detected thereby ( Figure 1).
  • the cooling device (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises a bimetal switch (9) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the freezing compartment evaporator (6), connected in series to the heater (7) and controlling the operation of the heater (7) depending on the temperature value detected thereby.
  • a bimetal switch (9) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the freezing compartment evaporator (6), connected in series to the heater (7) and controlling the operation of the heater (7) depending on the temperature value detected thereby.
  • the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) increases and the heater (7) is activated by means of the bimetal switch (9).
  • the heater (7) provides the thermostatic switch (8) to activate the compressor (4) by increasing the temperature in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment (2) whereat the thermostatic switch (8) is disposed.
  • the compressor (4) operates depending on the thermostatic switch (8) and the heater (7) operates depending on the bimetal switch (9).
  • the heater (7) is also operated during almost the entire time period that the compressor (4) operates.
  • the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) is lowered, thus preventing thawing/melting of the foodstuffs inside the freezing compartment (3), but also the foodstuffs inside the fresh food compartment (2) are prevented from freezing. Consequently, both compartments (2, 3) are provided to operate effectively without utilizing any electronic system. Ease of production and cost advantage are maintained by controlling the cooling device (1) with the thermostatic switch (8) and the bimetal switch (9).
  • the thermostatic switch (8) activates the compressor (4) when the detected temperature (T R ) reaches the compressor (4) activation temperature (T Rcut-in ) predetermined by the producer while the compressor (4) is deactivated and deactivates the compressor (4) when the detected temperature (T R ) reaches the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (T Rcut-out ) predetermined by the producer while the compressor (4) is activated.
  • T R activation temperature
  • T Rcut-out the temperature of the fresh food compartment (2) is provided to be kept within a predetermined range and the foodstuffs preserved inside the fresh food compartment (2) are prevented from getting warm and/or freezing.
  • the bimetal switch (9) provides the heater (7) to operate by elongating and completing the circuit when its temperature (T F ) reaches an upper limit temperature (T Fmax ) predetermined by the producer while the heater (7) is not activated.
  • the bimetal switch (9) provides the heater (7) to be deactivated by getting shorter and cutting off the circuit when its temperature (T F ) reaches a lower limit temperature (T Fmin ) predetermined by the producer while the heater (7) is activated.
  • the selection of the materials used in the bimetal switch (9) is made according to the lower limit temperature (T Fmin ) and the upper limit temperature (T Fmax ) intended to be reached.
  • the temperature (T R ) detected by the thermostatic switch (8) increases when the heater (7) is activated and the compressor (4) is activated when the detected temperature (T R ) reaches the compressor (4) activation temperature (T Rcut-in ) predetermined by the producer.
  • the temperature (T R ) detected by the thermostatic switch (8) decreases quickly and the compressor (4) is deactivated when the detected temperature (T R ) reaches the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (T Rcut-out ) predetermined by the producer. Consequently, the compressor (4) is provided to be controlled indirectly depending on the conditions of the freezing compartment (3). Thus, the refrigeration effectiveness of the cooling device (1) is increased.
  • the upper limit temperature (T Fmax ) predetermined by the producer is -10 o C and the lower limit temperature (T Fmin ) is -22 o C.
  • the compressor (4) activation temperature (T Rcut-in ) predetermined by the producer is + 5 C and the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (T Rcut-out ) is + 1 C. In these settings, when the outside temperature is between 0 o C and 5 o C, the thermostatic switch (8) cannot reach the compressor (4) activation temperature (T Rcut-in ) predetermined by the producer and the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) increases.
  • the bimetal switch (9) When the temperature (T F ) of the bimetal switch (9) increases to -10 o C, the bimetal switch (9) activates the heater (7) by completing the circuit. Upon operation of the heater (7), the temperature (T R ) detected by the thermostatic switch (8) also increases and the compressor (4) is activated when the detected temperature (T R ) reaches +5 o C. Afterwards, the temperature (T F ) of the bimetal switch (9) starts to decrease again and the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) reaches the ideal level. Accordingly, the unfavorable conditions originating from low ambient temperature are eliminated and an effective refrigeration is realized.
  • the heater (7) is disposed in the vicinity of the thermostatic switch (8).
  • the changes in the working conditions of the heater (7) are provided to be reflected quickly to the thermostatic switch (8).
  • the thermostatic switch (8) comprises a command portion (10) wherein the switching operation is performed and a sensor portion (11) connected to the command portion (10) by means of a wire and which provides the detection of the temperature.
  • the sensor portion (11) can be easily moved and situated as desired.
  • the sensor portion (11) can be disposed in the vicinity of the heater (7). Consequently, the reactions of the heater (7) can be detected quickly but also the distance between the compressor (4) and the command portion (10) is shortened ( Figure 2).
  • a mechanically controlled cooling device (1) wherein the compartments (2, 3), kept at different temperatures, are provided to be cooled effectively even at low ambient temperature conditions.
  • the total cost of the product is decreased by means of the bimetal switch (9) and the thermostatic switch (8) used for the control of the cooling device (1) having a much lower cost than the electronic control systems.
  • the heater (7) is activated only at low ambient temperature conditions and thereby unnecessary energy consumption is prevented.

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)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanically controlled cooling device (1 ) wherein the refrigeration process is performed effectively, comprising a fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed to be cooled, a freezing compartment (3) kept at lower temperatures than the fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed to be frozen, a compressor (4) that compresses and circulates the refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration cycle, a fresh food compartment evaporator (5) that provides the interior of the fresh food compartment (2) to be cooled, a freezing compartment evaporator (6) that provides the interior of the freezing compartment (3) to be cooled, at least one heater (7) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5) and a thermostatic switch (8) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5), controlling the operation of the compressor (4) depending on the temperature value detected thereby.

Description

    A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING BIMETAL SWITCH
  • The present invention relates to a mechanically controlled cooling device that comprises a bimetal switch.
  • In mechanically controlled cooling devices, the operation of the compressor is generally controlled by means of thermostatic switches. The thermostatic switch positioned so as to measure the fresh food compartment temperature operates the compressor in a temperature range predetermined by the producer. At low ambient temperatures, the thermostatic switch cannot reach the compressor activation temperature for a long period of time and cannot operate the compressor. Meanwhile, the freezing compartment temperature increases rapidly even though the temperature of the fresh food compartment remains within the ideal range. After a period of time, the freezing compartment temperature reaches critical values and results in thawing of the foodstuffs stored in the compartment.
  • In order to solve this problem, a heater is disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the thermostatic switch that controls the operation of the compressor and the thermostatic switch is provided to be raised to the required temperature for activating the compressor. The operation of these heaters is controlled by various methods but in some situations the heater can operate even if not required since the freezing compartment temperature cannot be detected directly with these methods. This increases energy consumption.
  • In the state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN1584474, a refrigerator with two compartments, comprising a bimetal switch and a heater is described. In this embodiment, the heater is disposed in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment. The bimetal switch is situated outside the body of the fresh food compartment and controls the operation of the heater according to the outside temperature.
  • In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No. JP10026453, a cooling device is described, comprising two heaters connected in series, situated in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment and an outside temperature sensor connected in parallel to these heaters. The outside temperature sensor, which is bimetal, changes the current supplied to the heaters depending on the outside temperature by being activated or deactivated.
  • The aim of the present invention is the realization of a mechanically controlled cooling device wherein effective refrigeration can be performed under low ambient temperature conditions.
  • The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a fresh food compartment, a freezing compartment, and an evaporator and a compressor for each compartment. A thermostatic switch that controls the operation of the compressor is situated in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment. The thermostatic switch activates and deactivates the compressor at temperatures predetermined by the producer.
  • The cooling device furthermore comprises a heater disposed in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator and a bimetal switch situated in the vicinity of the freezing compartment evaporator. The bimetal switch is connected in series to the heater. When the compressor is not activated for a long time period at low ambient temperatures, the freezing compartment gets warm and the bimetal switch operates the heater by completing the circuit. The freezing compartment temperature increases upon operation of the heater and the thermostatic switch activates the compressor after a time period. Upon operation of the compressor, the temperature of the freezing compartment decreases and when a sufficient level is reached, the bimetal switch deactivates the heater by cutting off the circuit. By means of this cycle, an effective refrigeration is provided even under low ambient temperature conditions.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, while the compressor is not active, when the temperature detected by the thermostatic switch reaches the compressor activation temperature predetermined by the producer, the compressor is activated and while the compressor is active, when the temperature detected by the thermostatic switch reaches the compressor deactivation temperature predetermined by the producer, the compressor is deactivated. Thus, the fresh food compartment temperature is provided to be kept within a predetermined range.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the bimetal switch completes the circuit by elongating when its temperature reaches an upper limit temperature predetermined by the producer and switches off the circuit when its temperature reaches a lower limit temperature predetermined by the producer. Accordingly, the operation of the heater and hence the compressor is controlled depending on the freezing compartment conditions.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the heater is disposed close to the thermostatic switch. Thus, the changes occurring in the state of the heater are detected quickly by the thermostatic switch and the cooling device is provided to be controlled effectively.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermostatic switch comprises a command portion and a sensor portion. The sensor portion and the command portion are connected to one another by means of a spiral wire. Thus, while the sensor portion is disposed near the heater, the command portion can be situated at a place near the compressor, thereby providing ease of utilization.
  • By means of the present invention, in mechanically controlled cooling devices both compartments are provided to be cooled effectively even at low ambient temperatures.
  • The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
  • Figure 1 – is the schematic view of the cooling device of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the thermostatic switch.
  • The elements illustrated in the figure are numbered as follows:
    1. Cooling device
    2. Fresh food compartment
    3. Freezing compartment
    4. Compressor
    5. Fresh food compartment evaporator
    6. Freezing compartment evaporator
    7. Heater
    8. Thermostatic switch
    9. Bimetal switch
    10. Command portion
    11. Sensor portion
  • The following symbols are used for explicating the cooling device (1) of the present invention:
    • TR: Temperature detected by the thermostatic switch (8)
    • TRcut-in : Compressor (4) activation temperature predetermined by the producer
    • TRcut-out : Compressor (4) deactivation temperature predetermined by the producer
    • TF : Bimetal switch (9) temperature
    • TFmin : The lower limit temperature predetermined by the producer
    • TFmax : The upper limit temperature predetermined by the producer
  • The cooling device (1) comprises a fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed to be cooled, a freezing compartment (3) kept at lower temperatures than the fresh food compartment (2), wherein foodstuffs are placed to be frozen, a compressor (4) that compresses and circulates the refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration cycle, a fresh food compartment evaporator (5) that provides the interior of the fresh food compartment (2) to be cooled, a freezing compartment evaporator (6) that provides the interior of the freezing compartment (3) to be cooled, at least one heater (7) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5) and a thermostatic switch (8) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5) and controlling the operation of the compressor (4) depending on the temperature value detected thereby (Figure 1).
  • The cooling device (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises a bimetal switch (9) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the freezing compartment evaporator (6), connected in series to the heater (7) and controlling the operation of the heater (7) depending on the temperature value detected thereby. At low ambient temperature conditions wherein the thermostatic switch (8) cannot activate the compressor (4) for a long period of time, the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) increases and the heater (7) is activated by means of the bimetal switch (9). The heater (7) provides the thermostatic switch (8) to activate the compressor (4) by increasing the temperature in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment (2) whereat the thermostatic switch (8) is disposed. The compressor (4) operates depending on the thermostatic switch (8) and the heater (7) operates depending on the bimetal switch (9). The heater (7) is also operated during almost the entire time period that the compressor (4) operates. Thus, not only the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) is lowered, thus preventing thawing/melting of the foodstuffs inside the freezing compartment (3), but also the foodstuffs inside the fresh food compartment (2) are prevented from freezing. Consequently, both compartments (2, 3) are provided to operate effectively without utilizing any electronic system. Ease of production and cost advantage are maintained by controlling the cooling device (1) with the thermostatic switch (8) and the bimetal switch (9).
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermostatic switch (8) activates the compressor (4) when the detected temperature (TR) reaches the compressor (4) activation temperature (TRcut-in) predetermined by the producer while the compressor (4) is deactivated and deactivates the compressor (4) when the detected temperature (TR) reaches the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (TRcut-out) predetermined by the producer while the compressor (4) is activated. Thus, the temperature of the fresh food compartment (2) is provided to be kept within a predetermined range and the foodstuffs preserved inside the fresh food compartment (2) are prevented from getting warm and/or freezing.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the bimetal switch (9) provides the heater (7) to operate by elongating and completing the circuit when its temperature (TF) reaches an upper limit temperature (TFmax) predetermined by the producer while the heater (7) is not activated. In this embodiment, the bimetal switch (9) provides the heater (7) to be deactivated by getting shorter and cutting off the circuit when its temperature (TF) reaches a lower limit temperature (TFmin) predetermined by the producer while the heater (7) is activated. The selection of the materials used in the bimetal switch (9) is made according to the lower limit temperature (TFmin) and the upper limit temperature (TFmax) intended to be reached. The temperature (TR) detected by the thermostatic switch (8) increases when the heater (7) is activated and the compressor (4) is activated when the detected temperature (TR) reaches the compressor (4) activation temperature (TRcut-in) predetermined by the producer. When the heater (7) is deactivated, the temperature (TR) detected by the thermostatic switch (8) decreases quickly and the compressor (4) is deactivated when the detected temperature (TR) reaches the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (TRcut-out) predetermined by the producer. Consequently, the compressor (4) is provided to be controlled indirectly depending on the conditions of the freezing compartment (3). Thus, the refrigeration effectiveness of the cooling device (1) is increased.
  • In a version of this embodiment, the upper limit temperature (TFmax) predetermined by the producer is -10oC and the lower limit temperature (TFmin) is -22oC. In this embodiment, the compressor (4) activation temperature (TRcut-in) predetermined by the producer is + 5 C and the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (TRcut-out) is + 1 C. In these settings, when the outside temperature is between 0oC and 5oC, the thermostatic switch (8) cannot reach the compressor (4) activation temperature (TRcut-in) predetermined by the producer and the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) increases. When the temperature (TF) of the bimetal switch (9) increases to -10oC, the bimetal switch (9) activates the heater (7) by completing the circuit. Upon operation of the heater (7), the temperature (TR) detected by the thermostatic switch (8) also increases and the compressor (4) is activated when the detected temperature (TR) reaches +5oC. Afterwards, the temperature (TF) of the bimetal switch (9) starts to decrease again and the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) reaches the ideal level. Accordingly, the unfavorable conditions originating from low ambient temperature are eliminated and an effective refrigeration is realized.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the heater (7) is disposed in the vicinity of the thermostatic switch (8). Thus, the changes in the working conditions of the heater (7) are provided to be reflected quickly to the thermostatic switch (8).
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermostatic switch (8) comprises a command portion (10) wherein the switching operation is performed and a sensor portion (11) connected to the command portion (10) by means of a wire and which provides the detection of the temperature. After the command portion (10) is secured to a location inside the body, the sensor portion (11) can be easily moved and situated as desired. Thus, while the command portion (10) is placed near the compressor (4), the sensor portion (11) can be disposed in the vicinity of the heater (7). Consequently, the reactions of the heater (7) can be detected quickly but also the distance between the compressor (4) and the command portion (10) is shortened (Figure 2).
  • By means of the present invention, a mechanically controlled cooling device (1) wherein the compartments (2, 3), kept at different temperatures, are provided to be cooled effectively even at low ambient temperature conditions. The total cost of the product is decreased by means of the bimetal switch (9) and the thermostatic switch (8) used for the control of the cooling device (1) having a much lower cost than the electronic control systems. Furthermore, the heater (7) is activated only at low ambient temperature conditions and thereby unnecessary energy consumption is prevented.
  • 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 (5)

  1. A cooling device (1) comprising a fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed to be cooled, a freezing compartment (3) kept at lower temperatures than the fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed to be frozen, a compressor (4) that compresses and circulates the refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration cycle, a fresh food compartment evaporator (5) that provides the interior of the fresh food compartment (2) to be cooled, a freezing compartment evaporator (6) that provides the interior of the freezing compartment (3) to be cooled, at least one heater (7) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5) and a thermostatic switch (8) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the fresh food compartment evaporator (5), controlling the operation of the compressor (4) depending on the temperature value detected thereby, characterized by a bimetal switch (9) disposed on and/or in the vicinity of the freezing compartment evaporator (6), connected in series to the heater (7) and controlling the operation of the heater (7) depending on the temperature value detected thereby.
  2. The cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the thermostatic switch (8) that activates the compressor (4) when the detected temperature (TR) reaches the compressor (4) activation temperature (TRcut-in) predetermined by the producer while the compressor (4) is deactivated and deactivates the compressor (4) when the detected temperature (TR) reaches the compressor (4) deactivation temperature (TRcut-out) predetermined by the producer while the compressor (4) is activated.
  3. The cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the bimetal switch (9) that provides the heater (7) to operate by elongating and completing the circuit when the temperature (TF) reaches an upper limit temperature (TFmax) predetermined by the producer while the heater (7) is not activated and provides the heater (7) to be deactivated by getting shorter and switching off the circuit when the temperature (TF) reaches a lower limit temperature (TFmin) predetermined by the producer while the heater (7) is activated.
  4. The cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the heater (7) that is disposed in the vicinity of the thermostatic switch (8).
  5. The cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the thermostatic switch (8) comprising a command portion (10) wherein the switching operation is performed and a sensor portion (11) connected to the command portion (10) by means of a wire and providing the detection of the temperature.
EP13766296.1A 2012-10-30 2013-09-23 A cooling device comprising a bimetal switch Active EP2914912B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR201212426 2012-10-30
PCT/EP2013/069724 WO2014067714A2 (en) 2012-10-30 2013-09-23 A cooling device comprising bimetal switch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2914912A2 true EP2914912A2 (en) 2015-09-09
EP2914912B1 EP2914912B1 (en) 2016-09-07

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13766296.1A Active EP2914912B1 (en) 2012-10-30 2013-09-23 A cooling device comprising a bimetal switch

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2914912B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2014067714A2 (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2724576A (en) * 1951-07-13 1955-11-22 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
IT1247626B (en) * 1990-11-05 1994-12-28 Zanussi Elettrodomestici REFRIGERANT APPLIANCE WITH SINGLE THERMOSTATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL
JPH1026453A (en) 1996-07-10 1998-01-27 Matsushita Refrig Co Ltd Refrigerator
CN1584474A (en) 2003-08-22 2005-02-23 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 Temperature regulator of refrigerator
SI22068A (en) * 2005-05-19 2006-12-31 Gorenje Gospodinjski Aparati, D.D. Control of a fridge-freezer appliance
EP2175216B1 (en) * 2008-10-09 2015-06-03 Whirlpool Corporation Mono-door refrigerator and method for controlling such refrigerator

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2014067714A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2914912B1 (en) 2016-09-07
WO2014067714A3 (en) 2014-07-03
WO2014067714A2 (en) 2014-05-08
CN104981671A (en) 2015-10-14

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