EP3209955A1

EP3209955A1 - Refrigerating appliance with a variable-temperature compartment

Info

Publication number: EP3209955A1
Application number: EP15790676.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet Ali Acar; Gürcan Durmaz; Luca CORBO
Original assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Current assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Priority date: 2014-10-23
Filing date: 2015-10-15
Publication date: 2017-08-30
Also published as: WO2016063179A1

Abstract

Refrigerating appliance comprising a refrigerator and a freezer compartment and a refrigeration circuit (10) comprising: a compressor (20); a condenser (30); a first branch (Bl), comprising a first expansion element (Xl) and a first evaporator (E1), associated with said refrigerator compartment (V1); a second branch (B2), comprising a second expansion element (X2) and a second evaporator (E2), associated with said freezer compartment (V2); a third evaporator (E3), associated with said second compartment (V2) and having different refrigerating power from said second evaporator (E2); a first valve (60) connected downstream of said second expansion element (X2) and adapted to selectively direct the refrigerating fluid coming from said second expansion element (X2) either into said second evaporator (E2) or into said third evaporator (E3); a second four-way valve (70). The second valve (70) can be switched between at least: a first operating condition, and a second operating condition.

Description

"REFRIGERATING APPLIANCE WITH A VARIABLE-TEMPERATURE COMPARTMENT"

DESCRIPTION

[TECHNICAL FIELD]

The present invention relates to a refrigerating appliance with a variable-temperature compartment.

[PRIOR ART]

As is known, refrigerating appliances, commonly known as refrigerators, are equipped with a refrigeration circuit for keeping the foods stored in its compartments at the desired temperature. Such compartments may comprise a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment.

The refrigeration circuit includes, among other components, at least one evaporator, the task of which is to cool the air delivered into one or both compartments.

In the single-evaporator case, it is dedicated to cooling both the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. The appliance is so configured that the "cold" generated by the evaporator will get into the two compartments with different intensity, so as to be able to keep each compartment at the set temperature.

In the dual-evaporator case, one evaporator is typically associated with the freezer compartment, while the other one is dedicated to the refrigerator compartment.

The Applicant has observed that it is currently possible to change the temperature in one compartment by adjusting the appliance through the user interface (e.g. display, keypad, etc.) with which the system is equipped.

Such an adjustment, however, has definite limitations, and does not allow for any particularly significant variations in the temperature obtainable in an individual compartment . [OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ]

The present invention aims therefore at providing a refrigerating appliance which can solve the above-mentioned problems .

In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a refrigerating appliance which can significantly vary the temperature in at least one compartment through a low-cost and quite simple structure.

This and other objects are substantially achieved by a refrigerating appliance in accordance with the appended claims .

A basic idea of the present invention is to employ at least one auxiliary evaporator, e.g. associated with the "original" evaporator of the freezer compartment. The auxiliary evaporator is so sized as to provide a different thermal exchange rate compared to the original one. In other words, the auxiliary evaporator has different refrigerating power from the "original" evaporator. The two evaporators are alternatively used, so as to cool the same compartment in substantially different ways. A four-way valve connected to the outlet of both evaporators allows simple and economical management of the flow of refrigerating fluid in both cases.

The invention relates, therefore, to a refrigerating appliance comprising a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment and a refrigeration circuit, said refrigeration circuit comprising:

a. a compressor having an inlet and an outlet;

b. a condenser having an inlet, associated with the outlet of said compressor, and an outlet;

c. a first branch, associated with the outlet of said condenser and comprising at least one first expansion element and a first evaporator, associated with said refrigerator compartment;

d. a second branch, associated with the outlet of said condenser and comprising a second expansion element and a second evaporator, associated with said freezer compartment ;

wherein said refrigeration circuit further comprises: e. a third evaporator, associated with said second compartment and having different refrigerating power from said second evaporator;

f. a first valve, connected downstream of said second expansion element and adapted to selectively direct the refrigerating fluid coming from said second expansion element either into said second evaporator or into said third evaporator;

g. a second four-way valve having:

i. a first terminal connected to an outlet of said second evaporator;

ii. a second terminal connected to an outlet of said third evaporator;

iii. a third terminal connected to an inlet of said first evaporator;

iv. a fourth terminal connected to the inlet of said compressor,

wherein said second valve can be switched between at least :

a first operating condition, wherein the refrigerating fluid entering through said first or second terminal exits through said third terminal; and

- a second operating condition, wherein the refrigerating fluid entering through said first or second terminal exits through said fourth terminal. Preferably, said third evaporator has less refrigerating power than said second evaporator.

Preferably, a difference between the refrigerating power of said second evaporator and the refrigerating power of said third evaporator is comprised between 50W and 70W.

Preferably, said third evaporator has different refrigerating power from said first evaporator.

Preferably, said third evaporator has less refrigerating power than said first evaporator.

Preferably, said refrigeration circuit comprises a third valve connected to the outlet of said condenser and switchable between:

a. a first condition, wherein it directs the fluid exiting said condenser into said first branch; and

b. a second condition, wherein it directs the fluid exiting said condenser into said second branch.

Preferably, when said first valve directs the refrigerating fluid into the second evaporator:

a. if said second valve is in the first condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said second evaporator will be directed into said first evaporator through said third terminal;

b. if said second valve is in the second condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said second evaporator will be directed into said compressor through said fourth terminal .

Preferably, when said first valve directs the refrigerating fluid into the third evaporator:

a. if said second valve is in the first condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said third evaporator will be directed into said first evaporator through said third terminal; b. if said second valve is in the second condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said third evaporator will be directed into said compressor through said fourth terminal .

Preferably, said appliance further comprises a control unit configured for controlling at least said first valve and/or said second valve and/or said third valve.

Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

This description will refer to the annexed drawings, which are also provided merely as explanatory and non- limiting examples, wherein:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a block diagram of a refrigerating appliance in accordance with the present invention;

- Figures 2-4 show some possible operating configurations of the appliance of Figure 1.

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION]

With reference to the annexed drawings, reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a refrigerating appliance in accordance with the present invention.

The appliance 1 (Figure 1) comprises a refrigerator compartment VI and a freezer compartment V2.

The refrigerator compartment VI is preferably kept at a temperature between +2°C and +8°C.

In standard operating conditions, the freezer compartment V2 is preferably kept at a temperature between -18°C and -26°C. As will become apparent below, this temperature range can be changed significantly depending on how the appliance 1 is managed. For the purpose of keeping the compartments VI, V2 at the desired temperature, the appliance 1 comprises a refrigeration circuit 10.

In the refrigeration circuit 10 a refrigerating fluid flows, which is used for cooling the compartments VI, V2.

The arrows in Figure 1 indicate the direction in which the refrigerating fluid flows in the refrigeration circuit 10.

The refrigeration circuit 10 comprises a compressor 20, the task of which is to compress the refrigerating fluid and bring it into the overheated gas condition.

The compressor 20 has an inlet 21 and an outlet 22.

Preferably, downstream of the compressor 20 there is an anti-condensate hot tube Z.

The refrigeration circuit 10 further comprises a condenser 30 connected downstream of said compressor 20, through which the refrigerating fluid releases heat into the outside environment.

The condenser 30 has a first terminal 31 and a second terminal 32. The first terminal 31 is connected to the outlet 22 of the compressor 20, preferably through said anti-condensate hot tube Z. The second terminal 32 is connected to a valve 80, which will be further described below .

The refrigeration circuit 10 comprises first and second branches Bl, B2, both of which are associated with the outlet 32 of the condenser 30.

The first branch Bl comprises at least one first expansion element XI and a first evaporator El.

The first evaporator El has an inlet El.l and an outlet

El .2.

The first evaporator El is associated with the refrigerator compartment VI. This means that, when the refrigerator compartment VI needs cold air, this will be supplied through the first evaporator El.

The second branch B2 comprises at least one second expansion element X2 and a second evaporator E2.

The second evaporator E2 has an inlet E2.1 and an outlet E2.2.

The second evaporator E2 is associated with the freezer compartment V2. This means that, when the freezer compartment V2 needs cold air, this will be supplied through the second evaporator E2.

The first and second expansion elements XI, X2 may comprise, for example, one or more capillary tubes, in which the refrigerating fluid undergoes a sudden pressure reduction, resulting in a temperature reduction.

In the evaporators El, E2 the refrigerating fluid undergoes evaporation, thus absorbing heat and cooling the respective compartments VI, V2.

The refrigeration circuit 10 comprises a third evaporator E3 associated with the second compartment V2 and having different refrigerating power from the second evaporator E2.

Preferably, the third evaporator E3 has less refrigerating power than the second evaporator E2.

In other words, the third evaporator E3 is so positioned as to be able to supply cold air to the second compartment V2. The third evaporator E3 is constructed/configured in such a way that, the quantity of refrigerating fluid entering it being equal, it will supply less "cold" to the second compartment V2 than the second evaporator E2.

Preferably, a difference between the refrigerating power of the second evaporator E2 and the refrigerating power of the third evaporator E3 is comprised between 50W and 70W.

By way of example, the refrigerating power of the second evaporator E2 may be substantially equal to approx. 80W.

By way of example, the refrigerating power of the third evaporator E3 may be substantially equal to approx. 20W.

Preferably, the third evaporator E3 has different refrigerating power from the first evaporator El.

In particular, the third evaporator E3 has less refrigerating power than the first evaporator El.

By way of example, the refrigerating power of the first evaporator El is substantially equal to 40W.

The third evaporator E3 has an inlet E3.1 and an outlet

E3.2.

The refrigeration circuit 10 further comprises a first valve 60 connected downstream of the second expansion element X2.

The first valve 60 has: an inlet 61, connected to the second expansion element X2, a first outlet 62, connected to the inlet E2.1 of the second evaporator E2, and a second outlet 63, connected to the inlet E3.1 of the third evaporator E3.

The first valve 60 is adapted to selectively direct the refrigerating fluid coming from the second expansion element X2 either into the second evaporator E2 or into the third evaporator E3.

In practice, depending on how the first valve 60 is switched, either the second evaporator E2 or the third evaporator E3 will be used for cooling the second compartment V2. In particular, the second and third evaporators E2, E3 are used in an alternative manner.

The refrigeration circuit 10 further comprises a second four-way valve 70.

The second valve has a first terminal 71, a second terminal 72, a third terminal 73, and a fourth terminal 74. The first and second terminals 71, 72 act as inlets for the refrigerating fluid, whereas the third and fourth terminals 73, 74 act as outlets.

The first terminal 71 is connected to the outlet E2.2 of the second evaporator E2. The second terminal 72 is connected to the outlet E3.2 of the third evaporator E3.

The third terminal 73 is connected to the inlet El.l of the first evaporator El. The fourth terminal 74 is connected to the inlet 21 of the compressor 21.

The second valve 70 can be switched between at least a first operating condition and a second operating condition.

In the first operating condition, the refrigerating fluid entering through the first or second terminal 71, 72 exits through the third terminal 73.

In other words, the refrigerating fluid exiting the second or third evaporator E2, E3 is supplied to the inlet El.l of the first evaporator El.

In the first operating condition, therefore, both the refrigerator compartment VI and the freezer compartment V2 are cooled.

In the second operating condition, the refrigerating fluid entering through the first or second terminal 71, 72 exits through the fourth terminal 74.

In other words, the refrigerating fluid exiting the second or third evaporator E2, E3 is supplied to the inlet 21 of the compressor 20. In the second operating condition, therefore, only the freezer compartment V2 is cooled through the second or third evaporator E2, E3, while the first evaporator El is bypassed by the branch that connects the fourth terminal 74 of the second valve 70 to the inlet 21 of the compressor 20.

Preferably, the refrigeration circuit 10 further comprises a third valve 80 connected to the outlet 32 of the condenser 30 and switchable between a first condition and a second condition.

In the first condition, the third valve 80 directs the fluid exiting the condenser 30 into the first branch Bl .

In this case, the refrigerating fluid flows through the first expansion element XI and the first evaporator El, and then returns to the compressor 20; therefore, no refrigerating fluid flows through the second and third evaporators E2, E3.

In the second condition, the third valve 80 directs the fluid exiting the condenser 30 into the second branch B2.

In this case, the refrigerating fluid flows through the second expansion element X2 and then, depending on how the first valve 60 is set, will flow through either the second or the third evaporator E2, E3.

Depending on the setting of the second valve 70, the fluid will then either flow also through the first evaporator El or return to the inlet 21 of the compressor 20.

From an operational viewpoint, the following must be pointed out.

The refrigeration circuit 10 can be put into a plurality of conditions/configurations as a function of the settings of the above-described valves. When only the refrigerator compartment VI is to be cooled (Figure 2), then:

a. the third valve 80 is switched into the first condition in order to direct the refrigerating fluid into the first branch Bl, so that the fluid will only flow through the first expansion element XI and the first evaporator El; from there, the fluid will then return to the compressor 20;

b. the setting of the first and second valves 60, 70 is unimportant because no refrigerating fluid will flow in the second branch B2.

When only the freezer compartment V2 is to be cooled (Figure 3), then:

a. the third valve 80 is switched into the second condition in order to direct the refrigerating fluid into the second branch B2, so that the fluid will flow through the second expansion element X2 and the second or third evaporator E2, E3;

b. the second valve 70 is switched into the second operating condition, so that the fluid exiting the second or third evaporator E2, E3 will return to the compressor 20;

c. the first valve 60 is set according to the type of cooling to be obtained in the freezer compartment V2 : for higher cooling power the refrigerating fluid will be directed into the second evaporator E2, whereas for lower cooling power the refrigerating fluid will be directed into the third evaporator E3. When both compartments V2 are to be cooled (Figure 4), then:

b. the second valve 70 is switched into the first operating condition, so that the fluid exiting the second or third evaporator E2, E3 will be supplied to the inlet El.l of the first evaporator El;

c. the first valve 60 is set, as described above, depending on the cooling intensity to be obtained for the freezer compartment V2.

Note that the third evaporator E3 can be configured/sized for keeping the freezer compartment V2 at a temperature significantly higher than the temperature normally maintained in that compartment.

Merely by way of example, the temperature at which the third evaporator E3 will keep the freezer compartment V2 may be close or even equal to the temperature of the refrigerator compartment VI. It is therefore envisaged that the freezer compartment V2 can be used not only for freezing food, but also for just cooling food in much the same way as in the refrigerator compartment VI.

Preferably, for the purpose of controlling the switching of the first valve 60 and/or second valve 70 and/or third valve 80, the appliance 1 comprises a control unit U.

Said control unit U may comprise or be associated with a user interface to allow a user to set the desired type of operation .

The invention offers significant advantages.

First and foremost, the appliance of the invention can change the temperature in at least one compartment to a significant extent and in a controlled manner, providing much broader variations than can normally be attained by prior-art appliances.

Furthermore, the appliance of the present invention has a low-cost and quite simple structure.

Claims

1. Refrigerating appliance comprising a refrigerator compartment (VI), a freezer compartment (V2) and a refrigeration circuit (10), said refrigeration circuit (10) comprising:

a. a compressor (20) having an inlet (21) and an outlet (22);

b. a condenser (30) having an inlet (31), associated with the outlet (22) of said compressor (20), and an outlet (32);

c. a first branch (Bl), associated with the outlet (32) of said condenser and comprising at least one first expansion element (XI) and a first evaporator (El), associated with said refrigerator compartment (VI);

d. a second branch (B2), associated with the outlet

(32) of said condenser and comprising a second expansion element (X2) and a second evaporator (E2), associated with said freezer compartment (V2);

wherein said refrigeration circuit (10) further comprises:

e. a third evaporator (E3), associated with said freezer compartment (V2) and having different refrigerating power from said second evaporator (E2);

f. a first valve (60), connected downstream of said second expansion element (X2) and adapted to selectively direct the refrigerating fluid coming from said second expansion element (X2) either into said second evaporator (E2) or into said third evaporator (E3);

g. a second four-way valve (70) having:

i. a first terminal (71) connected to an outlet (E2.2) of said second evaporator (E2) ; ii. a second terminal (72) connected to an outlet (E3.2) of said third evaporator (E3) ;

iii. a third terminal (73) connected to an inlet (El.l) of said first evaporator

(El) ;

iv. a fourth terminal (74) connected to the inlet (21) of said compressor (21), wherein said second valve (70) can be switched between at least:

- a first operating condition, wherein the refrigerating fluid entering through said first or second terminal (71, 72) exits through said third terminal (73); and

- a second operating condition, wherein the refrigerating fluid entering through said first or second terminal (71, 72) exits through said fourth terminal ( 74 ) .

2. Appliance according to claim 1, wherein said third evaporator (E3) has less refrigerating power than said second evaporator (E2) .

3. Appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a difference between the refrigerating power of said second evaporator (E2) and the refrigerating power of said third evaporator (E3) is comprised between 50W and 70W.

4. Appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said third evaporator (E3) has different refrigerating power from said first evaporator (El) .

5. Appliance according to claim 4, wherein said third evaporator (E3) has less refrigerating power than said first evaporator (El) .

6. Appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said refrigeration circuit (10) comprises a third valve (80) connected to the outlet (32) of said condenser (30) and switchable between:

a. a first condition, wherein it directs the fluid exiting said condenser (30) into said first branch (Bl); and

b. a second condition, wherein it directs the fluid exiting said condenser (30) into said second branch (B2) .

7. Appliance according to claim 6, wherein, when said first valve (60) directs the refrigerating fluid into the second evaporator (E2) :

a. if said second valve (70) is in the first condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said second evaporator (E2) will be directed into said first evaporator (El) through said third terminal (73);

b. if said second valve (70) is in the second condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said second evaporator (E2) will be directed into said compressor (20) through said fourth terminal (74) .

8. Appliance according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, when said first valve (60) directs the refrigerating fluid into the third evaporator (E3) :

a. if said second valve (70) is in the first condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said third evaporator (E3) will be directed into said first evaporator (El) through said third terminal (73);

b. if said second valve (70) is in the second condition, then the refrigerating fluid exiting said third evaporator (E3) will be directed into said compressor (20) through said fourth terminal (74) .

9. Appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit (U) configured for controlling at least said first valve (60) and/or said second valve (70) and/or said third valve (80) .