EP3262356A1

EP3262356A1 - Refrigerator with an evaporator comprising a fan fixation mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP3262356A1
Application number: EP15713383.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet YASAR; Tayfun ERSOZ; Ozgun Atac Gultekin; Anil YESIL
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-02-25
Filing date: 2015-02-25
Publication date: 2018-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-25
Also published as: TR201602359A2; WO2016134759A1; PL3262356T3; EP3262356B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator wherein the noise generated by an evaporator fan (8) is eliminated with a fan motor (4) mounting mechanism. The present invention particularly relates to a refrigerator comprising an evaporator and a fan (8) effectuating circulation of the in-cabin air over the evaporator, the refrigerator further comprising an evaporator cover (1) on which the fan (8) is mounted in a manner to be enclosed by a fan housing (10) and driven by a fan motor (4).

Description

REFRIGERATOR WITH AN EVAPORATOR COMPRISING A FAN FIXATION MECHANISM

The present invention relates to a refrigerator wherein the noise generated by an evaporator fan is eliminated with a fan motor mounting mechanism.
It is well-known that in refrigerators, the cooling process is performed by means of an evaporator positioned behind a cover which is typically a rear wall of the inner compartment of the device. Preserved food in the refrigerator is cooled through passing the ambient air from the inner department over the evaporator by means of an evaporator fan and cooling the air around the evaporator.
In the evaporator, cooling is performed by the refrigerant fluid, which is circulated between the evaporator, a condenser and a tube expander. While passing through the evaporator, the refrigerant fluid undergoes a phase transition from liquid phase into gas phase by way of absorbing the ambient heat of the refrigeration compartment. The cooled air around the evaporator is hence transferred back to the inside of the refrigeration compartment where food items are preserved via cooling openings placed on the compartment’s wall.
In cooling devices, the evaporator fan through which the ambient air in the refrigeration compartment is circulated is placed behind a cover generally situated on an upper wall portion of the cabin. The evaporator fan is positioned relative to a motor case so as to circulate the cabin’s air. The evaporator fan and the motor are connected to each other such that fan blades are rotated on the inner side of the cover in a position allowing the hot air inside the refrigeration compartment to be drawn by the evaporator fan to be circulated through the evaporator.
It is to be noted that, in refrigerators, the fan of the evaporator is connected with the fan motor such that the wall of the evaporator, wherein the related wall part is typically in the form of a housing that covers the fan, is placed between the fan and the motor. The connection is performed by way of mounting and grouping these components so as to be disposed along the same centering axis during fixation process, which is performed by an operator.
During the operation of the evaporator, the evaporator fan placed on the evaporator wall may contact the inner surface of the housing, generating noise due to the friction which may be disturbing for the user.
The noise is originated primarily from the fact that the connection elements used during the mounting of the evaporator fan and the motor to each other may not be installed properly such that deviation from their original axes may occur in time. The disorientation of the connection elements from the accurate assembling axis results in that the fan blades contact the housing surface during the rotation thereof, thereby generating noise and accordingly disturbance.
The present invention overcomes such inconvenient consequences caused by deviation of the assembled components from their mounting axes by means of a fixation mechanism providing that the evaporator fan and the motor are connectible to each other without any connection elements that may deteriorate the accuracy of the mounting operation in the long run. In addition to the noise problem which is solved as such without making use of complex mounting elements, the mounting operation itself will also be accomplished much easier.
In sum, during the mounting of the evaporator fan and the motor to each other, the operator may face installation problems which may turn to be critical in the respect that misalignment of a connection element from the proper axis is likely to cause user complaints. To this end, the present invention is devised under the recognition that an improved evaporator fan fixation mechanism by which the fan noise is eliminated and the mounting process of the evaporator fan to the motor is facilitated with a practically mountable and simplified fixation mechanism that does not involve any additional elements remains a need; thereby preventing any potential mounting faults that may be encountered during the manufacturing process. This invention hence provides an evaporator fan which can be assembled independent of any fixation problems stemming from human intervention.
Among others, a prior art patent publication relevant to the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as KR20100029979, disclosing a fan cover to reduce number of elements for attaching/detaching of the fan cover and to easily combine the fan with an inner case. A refrigerator comprising a cover body, a fixing member, and a reinforcing member is proposed, wherein the cover body is removably mounted on an inner case in which a fixing groove is formed. The fixing member is installed in a cover body and is combined with the fixing groove. The reinforcing member elastically transforms the fixing member and reinforces the strength of the fixing member. The reinforcing member includes a reinforcement plate having a larger surface area than the surface area of the fixing member.
The present invention, on the other hand, proposes an evaporator fan for a refrigerator having an improved fan fixation mechanism, wherein the evaporator fan and the motor are connected to each other in a rigid way without any requirement for additional mounting elements. The fixation mechanism of the present invention, comprising all the necessary equipment for the mounting of the evaporator fan, ensures an error-free mounting operation by which all the components are accurately securable by the operator on the assembling axis as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1 and subsequent claims.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved evaporator fan fixation mechanism for the refrigerator, thereby featuring a mounting mechanism involving no additional parts/components to obtain an axially consecutively secured assembling elements.
The present invention proposes a refrigerator which comprises an evaporator fan with a fan motor. The fan motor is placed in a case having a cover, wherein the fan motor is protected and its operational stability is ensured. The motor is connected with the evaporator fan such that a fan housing associated with the evaporator cover so as to be mounted thereon or integral therewith, is interlocked with a motor case. The motor case has a motor case locking adaptor with locking means rotatably engaging with an annular locking opening of the fan housing.
In the locked position of the motor case, the motor cover exerts force on the motor to maintain its operating axis stable. A pair of annular support elements in the form of a case absorption member and a cover absorption member encircling the motor shaft is fitted into the respective opening on the longitudinal sides of the motor. Further, a plurality of absorption support elements are provided parallel to the motor axis and pressing on a motor frame wall between the same and the respective surface portion openings (cover and case absorption openings) on the axial sides of the motor, namely between the motor cover and the motor case’s inner surface facing the fan housing.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a refrigerator evaporator fan fixation mechanism whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Fig. 1a demonstrates a side view of an evaporator fan components relative to an evaporator cover in an unassembled manner according to the present invention. Fig. 1b demonstrates an enlarged view of detail A of Fig. 1a.
Fig. 2a demonstrates a general perspective view of the evaporator fan components relative to the evaporator cover in an unassembled manner according to the present invention. Fig. 2b demonstrates an enlarged view of detail B of Fig. 2a.
Fig. 3 demonstrates a general perspective view of a motor case according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 demonstrates front and side views of the evaporator cover according to the present invention.
Fig. 5a demonstrates a general perspective view of the evaporator cover according to the present invention. Fig. 5b demonstrates an enlarged view of detail C of Fig. 5a.
Fig. 6 demonstrates a general perspective view of the evaporator fan components in an unassembled manner according to the present invention.
Fig. 7a demonstrates a front view of the motor cover with transversal and longitudinal cross-sections according to the present invention. Fig. 7b demonstrates enlarged views of detail D and detail E of Fig. 7a according to the present invention.
Fig. 8a demonstrates a general perspective view of the motor cover according to the present invention. Fig. 8b demonstrates another general perspective view of the motor cover.
Fig. 9 demonstrates a front view of the motor case with transversal and longitudinal cross-sections according to the present invention
The following numerals are referred to in the detailed description of the present invention:

Evaporator cover
Motor case
Motor cover
Motor
Case absorption member
Cover absorption member
Absorption support element
Evaporator fan
Annular locking opening
Fan housing
Stepped peripheral portion
Engagement tab
Motor centering opening
Cover absorption opening
Motor cover locking element
Motor case slots
Motor case locking adaptor
Locking means
Fan housing slot
Motor frame
Motor frame wall
Case absorption opening

The present invention provides an enhanced fixation mechanism for an evaporator fan (8) in a refrigerator to prevent contact of fan blades with the surrounding fan housing (10) associated with the evaporator cover (1), thereby addressing problems associated with vibrations and noise generated during the rotation of the evaporator fan (8) to effectuate circulation of the in-cabin air over the evaporator.
The noise associated with the evaporator fan (8) typically occurs as a result of the mounting operation requiring several connection elements to be installed in an accurate manner with all the individual elements extending along the proper connection axes.
According to the present invention, a fan housing (10) is provided to enclose the evaporator fan (8) body, in which the fan blades rotatably effect air circulation in a conventional manner. The evaporator fan (8) is driven by a fan motor (4) such that the latter disposed within a motor case (2) is connected to the evaporator fan (8) in the manner that the fan housing (10) and the motor case (2) are operably locked to each other.
Mounting of the motor case (2) to the fan housing (10) is accomplished in a practical manner without making use of any connection elements, simply by way of rotating the motor case (2) a certain amount relative to the fan housing (10) as will be delineated hereinafter.
The motor (4) is situated and thereby protected in the motor case (2) while a motor cover (3) fixedly attached to the motor case (2) ensures accurate positioning of the motor (4) therein relative to the fan housing (10). Therefore, the function of the motor cover (3) is both to accurately align the motor (4) shaft and to apply a sufficient amount of force to the respective noise absorption elements to obtain a rigid interconnection of different parts whereby vibrations and noise generation is prevented.
According to the invention, the motor case (2) is provided with a motor case locking adaptor (17) in the form of a substantially circular flange portion mechanically cooperating with an annular locking opening (9) of the fan housing (10). The motor case locking adaptor (17) is introducible into the annular locking opening (9) whereby the motor case (2) is interlocked with the fan housing (10) upon rotation of the motor case (2) about 90 degrees. A pair of locking means (18) in the form of ear portions secures the position of the motor case (2) relative to the fan housing (10) depending on the amount of the relative rotation. The locking means (18), when fully entered into the fan housing (10) and rotated, are retained within fan housing slots (19) so that a substantially facilitated mounting process is performable while at the same time enabling an inter-engagement connection between the fan housing (10) and the motor case (2).
The motor cover (3) protects the motor (4) and prevents vibrations. It eliminates risk of damage to the motor (4) by the defrost water as explained hereinafter.
The mechanical structure of the motor cover (3) defines at least one engagement tab (12) cooperating with a reciprocating motor case slot (16), thereby effecting attachment of the motor cover (3) with the motor case (2). Further, a motor cover locking element (15) communicates with a respective slot (not shown) on the peripheral edge of the motor case (2) so that the motor cover (3) is fixedly attached to the motor case (2) by means of the engagement tab (12) and the motor cover locking element (15). The oppositely configured engagement tab (12) and motor cover locking element (15) makes it simpler to mount the cover by correctly positioning the engagement tab (12) and subsequently putting the motor cover locking element (15) into place by way of pressing. The engagement tabs (12) on the motor cover (3) are preferably more than one, most preferably two, whereas the motor cover locking element (15) is preferably one.
In accordance with the invention, the motor cover (3) comprises a motor centering opening (13) and at least one absorption opening (14) as will be delineated hereinafter.
To perform the mounting operation of the motor (4) into the motor case (2) in a rigid manner as well as so as to absorb vibrations associated with the motor’s (4) operation, a case absorption member (5), a cover absorption member (6) and a plurality of absorption support elements (7) are utilized, the case absorption member (5) being positioned between the motor (4) and the motor case’s (2) inner circular portion (not shown) opening into the inside of the motor case locking adaptor (17) and the cover absorption member (6) being fitted into a motor centering opening (13) of the motor cover (3).
The case absorption member (5) mounted between the motor (4) and the motor case (2) so as to stationarily align and support the motor (4) in the manner to absorb operational vibration is advantageous in that the motor’s (4) shaft extends centrically into the motor case locking adaptor (17) whereby lateral and radial forces associated with the motor’s (4) operation are absorbed by the case absorption member (5).
Likewise, the cover absorption member (6) is effective in accurately positioning the motor’s (4) shaft relative to the motor centering opening (13) of the motor cover (3) in the manner that the motor (4) is radially fixedly supported at both sides of its longitudinal axis. The motor centering opening (13) into which the cover absorption member (6) is fixedly fitted so as to centrically support the motor (4) shaft therefore ensures vibration-free operation of the motor (4). The motor cover (3) fixedly mounted on the motor case (2) provides an adequate amount of force to tightly press on the cover absorption member’s (6) stepped annular surface to exert a longitudinal force onto the motor (4) so as to push the same axially in the direction of the case absorption member (5), whereby both a longitudinally and radially fixedly supported operational configuration is obtainable in the locked position of the motor case (2) with the fan housing (10).
In accordance with the present invention, the motor case (2) is structured such that a plurality of absorption support elements (7) are provided as vibration absorbing means made from an appropriate material such as Silicon (similar to the case absorption member (5) and the cover absorption member (6)), extending along at least one support axis other than the longitudinal axis along which the motor’s (4) shaft extends. To this end, the motor case (2) is shaped to enclose the motor (4) with the case absorption member (5) and the cover absorption member (6), both fitting to the respective openings (respectively motor case (2) circular opening (not shown) and the motor centering opening (13)) at the opposite sides of the motor (4) and also to additionally enclose the absorption support elements (7) whose axes extend parallel to the motor (4) shaft axis.
The motor frame (20) having an inner wall (motor frame wall (21)) perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor (4) provides support to the absorption support elements (7) at both sides thereof. Therefore the inner ends of the absorption support elements (7) leaning on the motor frame wall (21), the outer ends thereof are received into case absorption openings (22) and cover absorption openings (14), respectively on the side of the fan housing (10) and on the opposite side thereof.
The absorption support elements (7) extending along axes parallel to the axial direction provide additional support axes substantially effective in imparting an enhancedly vibration-free operation to the motor (4).
The motor cover (3) is provided with a stepped peripheral portion (11) to provide better engagement with the motor case (2).
In summary, the present invention proposes a refrigerator comprising an evaporator and an evaporator fan (8) effectuating circulation of the in-cabin air over the evaporator, the refrigerator further comprising an evaporator cover (1) on which the evaporator fan (8) is mounted in a manner to be enclosed by a fan housing (10) and driven by a fan motor (4).
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fan motor (4) is disposed within a motor case (2) enclosing the same and the motor is connected to the evaporator fan (8) in the manner that the fan housing (10) and the motor case (2) are operably locked to each other.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a motor cover (3) is fixedly attached to the motor case (2) in the manner to position the motor (4) shaft relative to the fan housing (10) whereby accurate positioning of the motor (4) is ensured.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor case (2) is provided with a motor case locking adaptor (17) mechanically cooperating with an annular locking opening (9) of the fan housing (10).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor case locking adaptor (17) is in the form of a substantially circular flange portion introducible into the annular locking opening (9) to interlock the motor case (2) with the fan housing (10) by rotation.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, that the motor case locking adaptor (17) comprises a pair of diametrically extending locking means (18) in the form of ear portions effecting interlocking in the manner that the locking means (18) when entered into the fan housing (10) and rotated, are retained within fan housing slots (19) of the annular locking opening (9).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor cover (3) mounted on the motor case (2) closes the same along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor (4). This provides that the force by the motor cover (3) is homogenous applied to the cover absorption member (6) and absorption support elements (7).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor cover (3) comprises at least one engagement tab (12) cooperating with a reciprocating motor case slot (16) and at least one motor cover locking element (15) communicating with a respective slot on the peripheral edge of the motor case (2).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the engagement tab (12) and the motor cover locking element (15) are configured on opposite sides of the motor cover (3).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor cover (3) comprises a motor centering opening (13) into which a cover absorption member (6) encircling the motor (4) shaft is fitted to stationarily centrically align and support the motor (4).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a case absorption member (5) is mounted between the motor (4) and an inner portion of the motor case (2) opening into the inside of the motor case locking adaptor (17) to stationarily centrically align and support the motor (4).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the case absorption member (5) and the cover absorption member (6) have an annularly stepped structure respectively leaning on an inner surface portion of the motor case (2) around the motor case locking adaptor (17) and the motor cover (3) surface to be respectively mating with an inner opening of the motor case locking adaptor (17) and the motor centering opening (13).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor case (2) is structured to enclose a plurality of absorption support elements (7) extending along at least one support axis other than the longitudinal axis along which the motor’s (4) shaft extends.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the absorption support elements (7) extend parallel to the motor (4) shaft axis.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the motor (4) has a motor frame (20) having a motor frame wall (21) perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor (4) and perpendicularly supporting the absorption support elements (7) extending at both sides thereof so as to be supported by case absorption openings (22) and cover absorption openings (14).
Therefore, the fan fixation mechanism of the present invention eliminates the usage of additional elements so that a simple, practical and time-saving mounting process is provided. The motor case (2) and the motor cover (3) are connected to the fan housing (10) in the manner that both vibration-free operation is ensured and the motor (4) is sealed against defrost water.
The annular locking opening (9) ensures interlocking of the motor case (2) with the fan housing (10) in the manner to maintain the mounting axis of the motor (4).

Claims

A refrigerator comprising an evaporator and an evaporator fan (8) effectuating circulation of the in-cabin air over the evaporator, the refrigerator further comprising an evaporator cover (1) on which the evaporator fan (8) is mounted in a manner to be enclosed by a fan housing (10) and driven by a fan motor (4), characterized in that

the fan motor (4) is disposed within a motor case (2) enclosing the same and it is connected to the evaporator fan (8) in the manner that the fan housing (10) and the motor case (2) are operably locked to each other.
A refrigerator as in Claim 1, characterized in that a motor cover (3) is fixedly attached to the motor case (2) in the manner to position the motor (4) shaft relative to the fan housing (10) whereby accurate positioning of the motor (4) is ensured.
A refrigerator as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor case (2) is provided with a motor case locking adaptor (17) mechanically cooperating with an annular locking opening (9) of the fan housing (10).
A refrigerator as in Claim 3, characterized in that the motor case locking adaptor (17) is in the form of a substantially circular flange portion introducible into the annular locking opening (9) to interlock the motor case (2) with the fan housing (10) by rotation.
A refrigerator as in Claim 4, characterized in that the motor case locking adaptor (17) comprises a pair of diametrically extending locking means (18) in the form of ear portions effecting interlocking in the manner that the locking means (18) when entered into the fan housing (10) and rotated, are retained within fan housing slots (19) of the annular locking opening (9).
A refrigerator as in Claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the motor cover (3) mounted on the motor case (2) closes the same along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor (4).
A refrigerator as in Claim 6, characterized in that the motor cover (3) comprises at least one engagement tab (12) cooperating with a reciprocating motor case slot (16) and at least one motor cover locking element (15) communicating with a respective slot on the peripheral edge of the motor case (2).
A refrigerator as in Claim 7, characterized in that the engagement tab (12) and the motor cover locking element (15) are configured on opposite sides of the motor cover (3).
A refrigerator as in Claim 6, characterized in that the motor cover (3) comprises a motor centering opening (13) into which a cover absorption member (6) encircling the motor (4) shaft is fitted to stationarily centrically align and support the motor (4).
A refrigerator as in Claim 5, characterized in that a case absorption member (5) is mounted between the motor (4) and an inner portion of the motor case (2) opening into the inside of the motor case locking adaptor (17) to stationarily centrically align and support the motor (4).
A refrigerator as in Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the case absorption member (5) and the cover absorption member (6) have an annularly stepped structure respectively leaning on an inner surface portion of the motor case (2) around the motor case locking adaptor (17) and the motor cover (3) surface to be respectively mating with an inner opening of the motor case locking adaptor (17) and the motor centering opening (13).
A refrigerator as in Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the motor case (2) is structured to enclose a plurality of absorption support elements (7) extending along at least one support axis other than the longitudinal axis along which the motor’s (4) shaft extends.
A refrigerator as in Claim 12, characterized in that the absorption support elements (7) extend parallel to the motor (4) shaft axis.
A refrigerator as in Claim 13, characterized in that the motor (4) has a motor frame (20) having a motor frame wall (21) perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor (4) and perpendicularly supporting the absorption support elements (7) extending at both sides thereof so as to be supported by case absorption openings (22) and cover absorption openings (14).
An evaporator fan (8) for use in a refrigerator as in any one of the preceding claims.