EP3393305A1 - Refrigerated sales furniture - Google Patents

Refrigerated sales furniture

Info

Publication number
EP3393305A1
EP3393305A1 EP15813461.9A EP15813461A EP3393305A1 EP 3393305 A1 EP3393305 A1 EP 3393305A1 EP 15813461 A EP15813461 A EP 15813461A EP 3393305 A1 EP3393305 A1 EP 3393305A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat exchanger
furniture
refrigerated sales
housing
space
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
EP15813461.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3393305B1 (en
Inventor
Christophe Vallee
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.)
Carrier Corp
Original Assignee
Carrier Corp
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 Carrier Corp filed Critical Carrier Corp
Publication of EP3393305A1 publication Critical patent/EP3393305A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3393305B1 publication Critical patent/EP3393305B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0439—Cases or cabinets of the open type
    • A47F3/0443—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a refrigerated sales furniture, in particular to a refrigerated sales furniture which comprises a cooling heat exchanger and which is configured for efficiently defrosting said cooling heat exchanger.
  • Refrigerated sales furnitures usually comprise at least one heat exchanger which is connected to a refrigeration circuit for cooling a refrigerated sales space of the refrigerated sales furniture.
  • Said heat exchanger may be connected directly to the refrigeration circuit, in this case it is called an evaporator.
  • the heat exchanger may be connected indirectly to the refrigeration circuit, in this case it is called a brine cooler.
  • the refrigeration circuit further includes a compressor, a condenser/gas cooler and an expansion device.
  • an improved refrigerated sales furniture comprising at least one heat exchanger which allows efficiently defrosting said at least one heat exchanger.
  • a refrigerated sales furniture comprises: a furniture body providing a refrigerated sales space for storing products to be presented therein and a furniture bottom space, which is located below and separated from the refrigerated sales space and which comprises at least one air opening for receiving a return air flow from the refrigerated sales space and at least one discharge air outlet for directing a cooled discharge air flow back into the refrigerated sales space.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture further comprises at least one heat exchanger, which is configured for cooling the return air flow and which is arranged in the direction of the air flow between the return air inlet and the discharge air outlet.
  • the heat exchanger is arranged in a housing which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides.
  • the housing comprises at least one air opening at its lower side allowing the warm return air flow to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction and allowing the cooled discharge air flow to leave the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction.
  • Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of operating a refrigerated sales furniture, which comprises a furniture body providing a refrigerated sales space for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space, which is located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space; wherein the furniture bottom space comprises at least one return air inlet, at least one fan, at least one heat exchanger and at least one discharge air outlet; wherein the heat exchanger is arranged in a housing which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides; wherein the housing comprises at least one air opening at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction; and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving a warm return air flow driven by the at least one fan from the refrigerated sales space through the at least one air opening, cooling the return air flow by passing it through the heat
  • a method of defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigerated sales furniture which is configured according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention as it has been described before, comprises the steps of stopping the operation of the refrigeration cycle and of the fan(s) and activating a defrost heat source for generating heat, wherein a substantial amount of heat remains within the heat exchanger housing and the heat exchanger is defrosted by said heat.
  • a method of defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigerated sales furniture which is configured according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention as it has been described before and which is further configured for allowing hot heat-transfer fluid to flow through the heat exchanger, comprises the steps of inverting the flow of heat-transfer fluid for flowing hot heat-transfer fluid through the heat exchanger. Due to the configuration of the heat exchanger housing, a substantial amount of heat provided by the hot heat-transfer fluid remains within the heat exchanger housing and the heat exchanger is efficiently defrosted by said heat.
  • the housing which houses the heat exchanger and which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides, keeps the heat provided for defrosting the heat exchanger close to the heat exchanger. This prevents a large amount of heat from being wasted by heating the environment including parts of the refrigerated sales space and the goods presented therein. Thus, the time period and the energy needed for defrosting the heat exchanger are considerably reduced. In consequence, the heat exchanger may be defrosted efficiently and the energy efficiency of the refrigerated sales furniture is improved.
  • the reduction of wasted heat which is achieved by exemplary embodiments of the invention, also decreases the dehydration of the goods presented in the refrigerated sales space. This allows defrosting the heat exchanger more frequently without spoiling the goods.
  • exemplary embodiments of the invention are easy to realize at low costs and are very robust.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerated sales furniture according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerated sales furniture according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerated sales furniture according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vertical refrigerated sales furniture 2a, which is an example of a refrigerated sales furniture 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture 2 has a furniture body 3 comprising sidewalls 3a, 3b and a lower base plate 3c.
  • the furniture body 3 houses a refrigerated sales space 4, which is configured for storing refrigerated products to be presented therein. At least one side of the refrigerated sales space 4, usually its front side, which is shown on the left side of Figure 1 , is closed by at least one front door 9.
  • the front door 9 may be opened for providing access to the refrigerated sales space 4 from outside.
  • the front door 9 may be thermally insulating and/or at least partially transparent.
  • exemplary embodiments of the invention also include open refrigerated sales furnitures 2, i.e. refrigerated sales furnitures 2 comprising a refrigerated sales space 4 having at least one open side which is defined neither by a sidewall nor by a door 9.
  • the refrigerated sales space 4 usually comprises a plurality of racks or shelves 5 for supporting the refrigerated goods presented within the refrigerated sales space 4. Only the lowermost of these racks or shelves 5 is shown in Figure 1 .
  • the lowermost deck or shelve 5 shown in Figure 1 constitutes the bottom of the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • a furniture bottom space 6 is provided below said lowermost deck or shelve 5 separating the furniture bottom space 6 from the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • the furniture bottom space 6 is provided with a return air inlet 8, which is shown on the left side of Figure 1 , for receiving a relatively warm return air flow from the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • the return air inlet 8 in particular may be provided in a front area 4a of the refrigerated sales space 4 next to the front door 9.
  • the return air inlet 8 may be covered by a grille 15 for preventing items from falling into the return air inlet 8.
  • the furniture bottom space 6 further comprises a heat exchanger 10, which is connected directly or indirectly to a refrigeration circuit and which is configured for cooling the return air flow.
  • the heat exchanger 10 is directly connected to the refrigeration circuit constituting the evaporator part of the refrigeration circuit.
  • the heat exchanger 10 which may be called a brine cooler, is indirectly connected to the refrigeration circuit.
  • the heat exchanger 10 is connected to an evaporator (not shown) of the refrigeration circuit by means of an additional connecting circuit using for example a brine or an ethylene glycol/water solution as heat-transfer fluid.
  • the refrigeration circuit further comprises at least one compressor, a condenser/gas cooler and an expansion device, which are not shown in Figure 1 and which may be provided within the refrigerated sales furniture 2, in particular within or below the furniture bottom space 6, or outside the refrigerated sales furniture 2, e.g. in a machine room or outside/on top of a building in which the refrigerated sales furniture 2 is installed.
  • the heat exchanger 10 comprises at least one tubular coil (not shown), which is configured for flowing a heat-transfer fluid, e.g. a refrigerant or a brine or an ethylene glycol/water solution, through the heat exchanger 10.
  • the heat exchanger 10 may further comprise a plurality of fins (not shown), which are configured for directing the flow of air passing through the heat exchanger 10 and for enhancing the transfer of heat between the air passing through the heat exchanger 10 and the heat-transfer fluid flowing through the at least one tubular coil.
  • a substantially vertically extending air outlet channel 13 providing a discharge air outlet 7 is formed in the furniture bottom space 6.
  • the substantially vertical air outlet channel 13 is configured for directing a discharge air flow, which has been cooled by passing the heat exchanger 10, back to the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • the discharge air flow may flow into the refrigerated sales space 4 through holes 25 provided in a perforated rear wall 23 separating the air outlet channel 13 from the refrigerated sales space 4 and/or through an outlet opening 27, which is provided next to the front door 9 at an upper front side area 4b of the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • the outlet opening 27 may be provided on the rear wall 23. Additionally or alternatively, the discharge air flow may by guided through at least some of the shelves 5.
  • the outlet opening 27 may be fluidly connected with the substantially vertical air outlet channel 13 by means of a horizontal connection channel 12 extending along the top of the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • the outlet opening 27 in particular is configured for generating a "cold air curtain" F 5 flowing basically vertically along the front side of the refrigerated sales space 4 parallel to the front door 9.
  • the outlet opening 27 may comprise a honeycomb structure, lamelias or a nozzle 11 for directing the discharge air flow in the desired direction, especially for generating the "cold air curtain" F 5 .
  • the flow of cold air forming the "cold air curtain" F 5 enters the at least one return air inlet 8 in a substantially vertical downward direction.
  • At least one fan 22 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 10, i.e. between the heat exchanger 10 and the air outlet channel 13. Additionally or alternatively, at least one fan (not shown) may be provided upstream of the heat exchanger 10, i.e. between the return air inlet 8 and the heat exchanger 10.
  • the fan 22 is arranged in an oblique orientation, i.e. the rotational axis of the fan 22 is oriented neither vertically nor horizontally, but at an inclined angle of less than 90° with respect to the horizontal.
  • Such an oblique orientation reduces the vertical space occupied by the fan 22.
  • a fan 22, which is arranged in such an oblique orientation may have a diameter D, which is larger than the height of the furniture bottom space 6.
  • the fan 22 When operating, the fan 22 causes air to circulate between the refrigerated sales space 4 and the heat exchanger 10 resulting in a continuous refrigeration of the refrigerated sales space 4 and the goods presented therein.
  • the heat exchanger 10 When the refrigeration circuit including the heat exchanger 10 is operated, humidity comprised in the air passing through the heat exchanger 10 condensates and freezes forming an ice layer on the surfaces of the heat exchanger 10. Such an ice layer degenerates the efficiency of the heat exchanger 10 and decreases the air flow rate conveyed by the fan 22. In consequence, for allowing an efficient operation of the refrigeration circuit with an air flow rate which is sufficient for maintaining the refrigerated sales space 4 at the desired temperature over an extended period of time, the heat exchanger 10 needs to be defrosted regularly.
  • the heat exchanger 10 may be defrosted by flowing hot heat-transfer fluid, e.g. hot refrigerant gas or a hot brine, through the tubular coil of the heat exchanger 10.
  • At least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 may be arranged at or close to the heat exchanger 10, in particular at the bottom of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the heat exchanger 10 may be selectively defrosted by operating the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18.
  • the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 may comprise at least one tube, which is configured for flowing a warm fluid along/through the heat exchanger 10 for melting the ice which has formed on the surfaces of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the at least one defrost heating element 18 may be an electrical defrost heating element, which is heated by means of electrical energy.
  • the heat exchanger 10 is arranged within a housing 14 which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides. As warm air has a lower density than cold air, said warm air rises within the housing 14, where it is confined, as the housing 14 is closed at its top.
  • the heat exchanger 10 is defrosted efficiently using the heat provided by the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 or the hot heat- transfer fluid. Additionally, any undesired heating of the environment and in particular of the refrigerated sales space 4 and the goods presented therein is considerably reduced compared to a configuration in which no such housing 14 is present.
  • the housing 14 may be formed by a plurality of baffles 14a, 14b, 14c including an upper baffle 14a arranged on top of the heat exchanger 10, and a plurality of side baffles 14b, 14c, which enclose the heat exchanger 10 laterally.
  • the housing 14 and the baffles 14a, 14b, 14c may be made of sheet metal and/or a suitable synthetic material.
  • the baffles 14a, 14b, 14c in particular may have a laminate structure and may comprise a thermally insulating layer/material in order to minimize any undesired heating of the environment outside the housing 14 even more efficiently.
  • the upper side of the housing 14, in particular the upper baffle 14a forming the upper side of the housing 14, is arranged next to the underside of the bottom deck or shelf 5 separating the refrigerated sales space 4 from the furniture bottom space 6. In consequence, no air is able to pass above the housing 14.
  • the housing 14 is provided with at least one air opening 16 at its lower side facing the lower base plate 3c of the furniture bottom space 6.
  • Said at least one air opening 16 allows the warm return air flow, which has entered the furniture bottom space 6 via the return air inlet 8, to flow into the housing 14 and/or the heat exchanger 10 in a substantially upward direction; it further allows the cooled discharge air flow to exit from the housing 14 and/or the heat exchanger 10 in a substantially downward direction.
  • the housing 14 in particular may be provided with a single opening 16, which extends basically over the whole area of the lower side of the housing 14, allowing the return air flow to enter the housing 14 via a first portion 16a of the opening 16 and allowing the discharge air flow to exit from the housing 14 via a second portion 16b of the opening 16.
  • at least two separate openings 16a, 16b may be provided, in particular a first opening 16a, which is configured for allowing the return air flow to enter the housing 14 and a second opening 16b which is configured for allowing the discharge air flow to flow out of the housing 14.
  • a dividing baffle 20 extends between the lower base plate 3c of the furniture bottom space 6 and the lower side of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the dividing baffle 20 divides the furniture bottom space 6 into an air inlet portion 6a upstream of the heat exchanger 10 and an air outlet portion 6b downstream of the heat exchanger 10.
  • the dividing baffle 20 further directs the return air flow into the housing 14.
  • the dividing baffle 20 may be oriented vertically, as shown in Figure 1 , or inclined.
  • the air flow when seen in a lateral cross-sectional view, as it is shown in Figure 1 , basically describes the course of a "W" in the furniture bottom space 6, the "W” comprising four legs F ⁇ F 2 , F 3 , and F 4 :
  • the first leg Fi is oriented substantially vertically in a downward direction after the return air flow has entered the furniture bottom space 6 through the return air inlet 8.
  • the second leg F 2 After the return air flow has been diverted by a first oblique diverting surface 17a provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion 6a of the furniture bottom space 6 the second leg F 2 is oriented in an inclined upward direction. The air flow of the second leg F 2 is guided by the first oblique diverting surface 17a and the dividing baffle 20 into the housing 14 and the heat exchanger 10 provided therein.
  • the air flow then passes the heat exchanger 10 in a substantially lateral direction, before it leaves the heat exchanger 0 as the third leg F 3 , which is substantially oriented in an inclined downward direction.
  • the air flow is guided by a second oblique diverting surface 17b provided at the bottom of the air outlet portion 6b of the furniture bottom space 6 and conveyed by the at least one fan 22 via the substantially vertical air outlet channel 13 and/or through the holes 25 of the perforated rear wall 23 and/or the outlet opening 27 back into the refrigerated sales space 4, as it has been described before.
  • the described configuration allows the heat exchanger 10 to efficiently cool the air flow in refrigerating operation.
  • warm air generated by the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 or by the hot heat-transfer fluid circulating through the heat exchanger 10 is securely confined within the housing 14.
  • the heat exchanger 10 may be operated and defrosted very efficiently.
  • the oblique diverting surfaces 17a, 17b provided at the bottom of the furniture bottom space 6 allow to drain all water, especially defrost water, which is present in the furniture bottom space 6, to a water drain (not shown) provided at the lowest point of the bottom of the furniture bottom space 6, preferably below the heat exchanger 10.
  • Figure 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a horizontal refrigerated sales furniture 2 provided in the form of a refrigerated chest 2b.
  • the refrigerated chest 2b comprises a refrigerated sales space 4 which is open at its top.
  • An optional sliding door 30 covers the refrigerated sales space 4 when moved into a closed position as shown in Figure 2 and provides access to the refrigerated sales space 4 when moved into an open position, which is not illustrated in the Figures.
  • the outlet opening 27 may be provided with a honeycomb structure, lamellas or a nozzle 11 for directing the air flow exiting from the outlet opening 27 into a desired direction.
  • a return air inlet 8 is provided on an opposite side (the left side in Figure 2) at the top of the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • the return air inlet 8 is fluidly connected with a return air inlet channel 32 extending substantially vertically along a side wall 3a of the refrigerated sales furniture 2 for delivering return air from the return air inlet 8 to the furniture bottom space 6.
  • the return air inlet 8 may be covered by a grille 15 for preventing items from falling into the return air inlet channel 32.
  • the cold air exiting from the outlet opening 27 generates a basically horizontal cold air curtain F 5 extending from the outlet opening 27 to the return air inlet 8.
  • the configuration inside the bottom space 6 of the horizontal refrigerated chest 2b is basically identical with the configuration within the bottom space 6 of the vertical refrigerated sales furniture 2a shown in Figure 1. It therefore will not be discussed in detail again.
  • the return air After the return air has passed the heat exchanger 10 provided within the furniture bottom space 6 as it has been described before with reference to Figure 1 , it is delivered as cooled discharge air back into the refrigerated sales space 4 via the air outlet channel 13 and the outlet opening 27.
  • cold discharge air may also exit the air outlet channel 13 through perforations (not shown), provided in the wall 23 separating said air outlet channel 13 from the refrigerated sales space 4.
  • Figure 3 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of a horizontal refrigerated sales furniture 2, which is also provided in the form of a refrigerated chest 2c.
  • the dividing baffle 20 is formed as step on and/or integrated with the lower base plate 3c of the furniture body 3.
  • the second leg F 2 of the air flow enters the housing 16 through its first opening 16a in an upward direction.
  • the air flow then passes the heat exchanger 10 in a basically lateral direction, before the third leg F 3 of the air flow leaves the housing 16 through the second opening 16b in a downward direction.
  • a single heat exchanger 10 is arranged inside a single housing 14.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture 2 may be provided with a plurality of heat exchangers 10, which are arranged next to each other in the furniture bottom space 6.
  • the plurality of heat exchangers 10 may be arranged in a common housing 14.
  • a plurality of housings 14 may be provided in the furniture bottom space 6 so that each heat exchanger 10 may be arranged in its own housing 14.
  • the heat exchanger and the housing are arranged and configured such that the return air flow enters the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction, passes the heat exchanger in a substantially lateral direction and leaves the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction. This provides a very effective way of delivering the return air flow through the heat exchanger.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture further comprises a dividing baffle extending basically vertically between a base plate of the furniture bottom space and a lower side of the heat exchanger such that the dividing baffle divides the furniture bottom space into an air inlet portion upstream of the heat exchanger and into an air outlet portion downstream of the heat exchanger.
  • a dividing baffle provides an effective guidance for the air flow within the furniture bottom space in order to direct the air flow through the heat exchanger resulting in an effective refrigeration of the return air delivered into the furniture bottom space.
  • an oblique diverting surface is arranged in the lower base plate of the furniture bottom space below the return air inlet and/or below the discharge air outlet, respectively, in order to drain all water, especially defrost water, present in the furniture bottom space to a water outlet (drain) provided at the lowest point, preferably below the heat exchanger. Furthermore, such an oblique surface provides an efficient guidance of the return air flow within the furniture bottom space.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture is configured such that the return air flow, when seen in a lateral cross-sectional view, describes the course of a "W", from entering the return air inlet substantially vertically in a downward direction, being diverted by an oblique diverting surface provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion of the furniture bottom space and/or by a dividing baffle for entering the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction, passing the heat exchanger in a substantially lateral direction, leaving the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction, and finally being directed by an oblique diverting surface provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion of the furniture bottom space to a discharge air outlet, in particular into a substantially vertical air outlet channel.
  • Such a flow path basically having the form of a "W" provides an effective way of delivering the return air flow through the heat exchanger.
  • the upper side of the housing or an upper baffle of the housing is arranged at the underside of a deck or shelf dividing the refrigerated sales space from the furniture bottom space.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture is configured for defrosting the heat exchanger by circulating hot heat-transfer fluid through the heat exchanger. This allows for defrosting the heat exchanger without providing an additional heat source.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture comprises at least one heat source (defrost heating element) which is arranged in, at or close to the heat exchanger and which is configured for selectively providing thermal energy for defrosting the heat exchanger.
  • defrost heating element which is arranged in, at or close to the heat exchanger and which is configured for selectively providing thermal energy for defrosting the heat exchanger.
  • the at least one heat source is provided in the form of an electrical heating element.
  • An electrical heating element is very simple and easy to control at low costs.
  • the housing comprises at least one baffle enclosing the heat exchanger around its upper side and/or its lateral sides.
  • Baffles are very efficient for providing a housing which is well suited for confining the warm air generated by the defrost heating element(s).
  • the housing comprises at least one air opening including at least one first air opening, which is configured such that the return air flow enters the housing and/or the heat exchanger through the first air opening in a substantially upward direction, and at least one second air opening, which is configured such that the cooled discharge air flow leaves the housing and/or the heat exchanger through the second air opening in a substantially downward direction.
  • This combination of air openings provides a very effective guidance of the air flow through the heat exchanger resulting in very efficient refrigeration.
  • the dividing baffle is attached to the lower side of the heat exchanger between the at least one first air opening and the at least one second air opening separating the at least one first air opening from the at least one second air opening and forcing the return air flow to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture further comprises at least one fan, which is configured for conveying a flow of return air through the heat exchanger and back into the refrigerated sales space for refrigerating the refrigerated sales space.
  • the at least one fan is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and the at least one fan is configured for sucking the return air flow through the heat exchanger and for directing the discharge air flow into at least one discharge air outlet, in particular into a substantially vertically extending air outlet channel extending upwardly from the upper end of the rear portion of the furniture bottom space.
  • the at least one fan is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger and configured for sucking the return air flow and directing it into the heat exchanger inlet.
  • the at least one fan is arranged in an oblique orientation, i.e. in an orientation in which the rotational axis of the fan is oriented neither vertically nor horizontally, but in an orientation there between.
  • an oblique orientation allows reducing the vertical space occupied by the fan; in particular, a fan which is arranged in such an oblique orientation may have a diameter which is larger than the (maximum) height of the furniture bottom space.
  • any fans which are configured for passing a flow of return air through the at least one heat exchanger are stopped while said heat exchanger is defrosted in order to avoid that warm air, which is generated by the at least one defrost heating element or by a warm heat-transfer fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, is distributed through the refrigerated sales furniture and in particular into the refrigerated sales space and the goods presented therein.
  • a grille is provided at the return air inlet and/or the discharge air outlet in order to prevent items from falling into the return air inlet and/or the discharge air outlet, respectively.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture is configured for providing a flow of cold air flowing substantially vertically in a downward direction in a front portion of the refrigerated sales space ("cold air curtain"), in particular behind at least one door, which may be provided at the front of the refrigerated sales space, such that the flow of cold air enters the return air inlet as return air flow in a substantially vertically downward direction.
  • cold air curtain a front portion of the refrigerated sales space
  • Such a flow of cold air provides an efficient thermal insulation at the front portion of the refrigerated sales space. This is in particular beneficial when the front of the refrigerated sales space is open and no door is present.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture is open at its top and configured for providing a flow of cold air flowing substantially horizontally on top of the refrigerated sales space between at least one discharge air outlet opening and at least one opposite return air inlet.
  • Said refrigerated sales furniture comprises a return air inlet channel extending substantially vertically along a side wall of the refrigerated sales furniture from at least one return air inlet at the top of the refrigerated sales space to the furniture bottom space.
  • the at least one defrost heating element is arranged at a lower side of the heat exchanger. As the density of warm air is lower than the density of cold air, arranging the at least one defrost heating element at a lower side of the heat exchanger results in an efficient defrosting of the heat exchanger.
  • the refrigerated sales furniture comprises a plurality of heat exchangers. This allows to flexibly adjust the refrigeration performance to the actual needs by selectively activating and deactivating some of the plurality of heat exchangers.
  • the plurality of heat exchangers are arranged in a common housing. This results in a simple configuration which may be produced easily at low costs.
  • the heat exchangers are arranged in a plurality of housings, in particular each heat exchanger is arranged in its own housing. This allows to deactivate and defrost each heat exchanger individually. As a result, refrigeration may be continued even when some of the plurality of heat exchangers are defrosted.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A refrigerated sales furniture (2), comprises: a furniture body (3) providing a refrigerated sales space (4) for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space (6) therein. The furniture bottom space (6) is located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space (4) and comprises at least one return air inlet (8) for receiving a return air flow from the refrigerated sales space (4), at least one heat exchanger (10) for cooling the return air flow and at least one discharge air outlet (7) for directing the cooled discharge air flow back into the refrigerated sales space (4). The heat exchanger (10) is arranged in a housing (14) which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides. The housing (14) comprises at least one air opening (16; 16a, 16b) at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction.

Description

Refrigerated Sales Furniture
The invention relates to a refrigerated sales furniture, in particular to a refrigerated sales furniture which comprises a cooling heat exchanger and which is configured for efficiently defrosting said cooling heat exchanger.
Refrigerated sales furnitures usually comprise at least one heat exchanger which is connected to a refrigeration circuit for cooling a refrigerated sales space of the refrigerated sales furniture. Said heat exchanger may be connected directly to the refrigeration circuit, in this case it is called an evaporator. Alternatively, the heat exchanger may be connected indirectly to the refrigeration circuit, in this case it is called a brine cooler. The refrigeration circuit further includes a compressor, a condenser/gas cooler and an expansion device.
While the refrigeration circuit is operated, humidity comprised in the air passing the heat exchanger condenses and freezes forming an ice layer on the surfaces of the heat exchanger. Said ice layer degenerates the efficiency of the heat exchanger and decreases the air flow rate flowing through the heat exchanger. In consequence, for allowing an efficient operation of the refrigerated sales furniture, the heat exchanger needs to be defrosted regularly.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an improved refrigerated sales furniture comprising at least one heat exchanger which allows efficiently defrosting said at least one heat exchanger.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention a refrigerated sales furniture comprises: a furniture body providing a refrigerated sales space for storing products to be presented therein and a furniture bottom space, which is located below and separated from the refrigerated sales space and which comprises at least one air opening for receiving a return air flow from the refrigerated sales space and at least one discharge air outlet for directing a cooled discharge air flow back into the refrigerated sales space. The refrigerated sales furniture further comprises at least one heat exchanger, which is configured for cooling the return air flow and which is arranged in the direction of the air flow between the return air inlet and the discharge air outlet. The heat exchanger is arranged in a housing which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides. The housing comprises at least one air opening at its lower side allowing the warm return air flow to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction and allowing the cooled discharge air flow to leave the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of operating a refrigerated sales furniture, which comprises a furniture body providing a refrigerated sales space for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space, which is located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space; wherein the furniture bottom space comprises at least one return air inlet, at least one fan, at least one heat exchanger and at least one discharge air outlet; wherein the heat exchanger is arranged in a housing which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides; wherein the housing comprises at least one air opening at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction; and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving a warm return air flow driven by the at least one fan from the refrigerated sales space through the at least one air opening, cooling the return air flow by passing it through the heat exchanger, and directing the cooled discharge air flow back to the refrigerated sales space through the at least one discharge air outlet. The return air flow enters the housing and/or the heat exchanger through the at least one air opening in a substantially upward direction and the cooled discharge air flow leaves the housing and/or the heat exchanger through the at least one air opening in a substantially downward direction.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigerated sales furniture, which is configured according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention as it has been described before, comprises the steps of stopping the operation of the refrigeration cycle and of the fan(s) and activating a defrost heat source for generating heat, wherein a substantial amount of heat remains within the heat exchanger housing and the heat exchanger is defrosted by said heat.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigerated sales furniture, which is configured according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention as it has been described before and which is further configured for allowing hot heat-transfer fluid to flow through the heat exchanger, comprises the steps of inverting the flow of heat-transfer fluid for flowing hot heat-transfer fluid through the heat exchanger. Due to the configuration of the heat exchanger housing, a substantial amount of heat provided by the hot heat-transfer fluid remains within the heat exchanger housing and the heat exchanger is efficiently defrosted by said heat.
In a refrigerated furniture according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the housing, which houses the heat exchanger and which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides, keeps the heat provided for defrosting the heat exchanger close to the heat exchanger. This prevents a large amount of heat from being wasted by heating the environment including parts of the refrigerated sales space and the goods presented therein. Thus, the time period and the energy needed for defrosting the heat exchanger are considerably reduced. In consequence, the heat exchanger may be defrosted efficiently and the energy efficiency of the refrigerated sales furniture is improved.
The reduction of wasted heat, which is achieved by exemplary embodiments of the invention, also decreases the dehydration of the goods presented in the refrigerated sales space. This allows defrosting the heat exchanger more frequently without spoiling the goods.
As the desired effect is accomplished with a fully passive mechanism, which does not introduce any additional moving parts, exemplary embodiments of the invention are easy to realize at low costs and are very robust.
In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed Figures.
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerated sales furniture according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerated sales furniture according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerated sales furniture according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vertical refrigerated sales furniture 2a, which is an example of a refrigerated sales furniture 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The refrigerated sales furniture 2 has a furniture body 3 comprising sidewalls 3a, 3b and a lower base plate 3c.
The furniture body 3 houses a refrigerated sales space 4, which is configured for storing refrigerated products to be presented therein. At least one side of the refrigerated sales space 4, usually its front side, which is shown on the left side of Figure 1 , is closed by at least one front door 9. The front door 9 may be opened for providing access to the refrigerated sales space 4 from outside. The front door 9 may be thermally insulating and/or at least partially transparent. The skilled person will understand that exemplary embodiments of the invention also include open refrigerated sales furnitures 2, i.e. refrigerated sales furnitures 2 comprising a refrigerated sales space 4 having at least one open side which is defined neither by a sidewall nor by a door 9.
The refrigerated sales space 4 usually comprises a plurality of racks or shelves 5 for supporting the refrigerated goods presented within the refrigerated sales space 4. Only the lowermost of these racks or shelves 5 is shown in Figure 1 .
The lowermost deck or shelve 5 shown in Figure 1 constitutes the bottom of the refrigerated sales space 4. A furniture bottom space 6 is provided below said lowermost deck or shelve 5 separating the furniture bottom space 6 from the refrigerated sales space 4.
The furniture bottom space 6 is provided with a return air inlet 8, which is shown on the left side of Figure 1 , for receiving a relatively warm return air flow from the refrigerated sales space 4. The return air inlet 8 in particular may be provided in a front area 4a of the refrigerated sales space 4 next to the front door 9. The return air inlet 8 may be covered by a grille 15 for preventing items from falling into the return air inlet 8.
The furniture bottom space 6 further comprises a heat exchanger 10, which is connected directly or indirectly to a refrigeration circuit and which is configured for cooling the return air flow. In an embodiment the heat exchanger 10 is directly connected to the refrigeration circuit constituting the evaporator part of the refrigeration circuit. In an alternative embodiment the heat exchanger 10, which may be called a brine cooler, is indirectly connected to the refrigeration circuit. In the latter case of an indirect connection, the heat exchanger 10 is connected to an evaporator (not shown) of the refrigeration circuit by means of an additional connecting circuit using for example a brine or an ethylene glycol/water solution as heat-transfer fluid.
The refrigeration circuit further comprises at least one compressor, a condenser/gas cooler and an expansion device, which are not shown in Figure 1 and which may be provided within the refrigerated sales furniture 2, in particular within or below the furniture bottom space 6, or outside the refrigerated sales furniture 2, e.g. in a machine room or outside/on top of a building in which the refrigerated sales furniture 2 is installed.
The heat exchanger 10 comprises at least one tubular coil (not shown), which is configured for flowing a heat-transfer fluid, e.g. a refrigerant or a brine or an ethylene glycol/water solution, through the heat exchanger 10. The heat exchanger 10 may further comprise a plurality of fins (not shown), which are configured for directing the flow of air passing through the heat exchanger 10 and for enhancing the transfer of heat between the air passing through the heat exchanger 10 and the heat-transfer fluid flowing through the at least one tubular coil.
Downstream of the heat exchanger 10, in particular on a side opposite to the return air inlet 8, a substantially vertically extending air outlet channel 13 providing a discharge air outlet 7 is formed in the furniture bottom space 6. The substantially vertical air outlet channel 13 is configured for directing a discharge air flow, which has been cooled by passing the heat exchanger 10, back to the refrigerated sales space 4. The discharge air flow may flow into the refrigerated sales space 4 through holes 25 provided in a perforated rear wall 23 separating the air outlet channel 13 from the refrigerated sales space 4 and/or through an outlet opening 27, which is provided next to the front door 9 at an upper front side area 4b of the refrigerated sales space 4. In other types of refrigerated sales furnitures 2, e.g. in semi-vertical cabinets, which are not shown in the Figures, the outlet opening 27 may be provided on the rear wall 23. Additionally or alternatively, the discharge air flow may by guided through at least some of the shelves 5.
The outlet opening 27 may be fluidly connected with the substantially vertical air outlet channel 13 by means of a horizontal connection channel 12 extending along the top of the refrigerated sales space 4. The outlet opening 27 in particular is configured for generating a "cold air curtain" F5 flowing basically vertically along the front side of the refrigerated sales space 4 parallel to the front door 9. The outlet opening 27 may comprise a honeycomb structure, lamelias or a nozzle 11 for directing the discharge air flow in the desired direction, especially for generating the "cold air curtain" F5.
In the described configuration, the flow of cold air forming the "cold air curtain" F5 enters the at least one return air inlet 8 in a substantially vertical downward direction.
For conveying the return air flow through the heat exchanger 10, at least one fan 22 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 10, i.e. between the heat exchanger 10 and the air outlet channel 13. Additionally or alternatively, at least one fan (not shown) may be provided upstream of the heat exchanger 10, i.e. between the return air inlet 8 and the heat exchanger 10.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the fan 22 is arranged in an oblique orientation, i.e. the rotational axis of the fan 22 is oriented neither vertically nor horizontally, but at an inclined angle of less than 90° with respect to the horizontal. Such an oblique orientation reduces the vertical space occupied by the fan 22. In particular, a fan 22, which is arranged in such an oblique orientation, may have a diameter D, which is larger than the height of the furniture bottom space 6.
When operating, the fan 22 causes air to circulate between the refrigerated sales space 4 and the heat exchanger 10 resulting in a continuous refrigeration of the refrigerated sales space 4 and the goods presented therein.
When the refrigeration circuit including the heat exchanger 10 is operated, humidity comprised in the air passing through the heat exchanger 10 condensates and freezes forming an ice layer on the surfaces of the heat exchanger 10. Such an ice layer degenerates the efficiency of the heat exchanger 10 and decreases the air flow rate conveyed by the fan 22. In consequence, for allowing an efficient operation of the refrigeration circuit with an air flow rate which is sufficient for maintaining the refrigerated sales space 4 at the desired temperature over an extended period of time, the heat exchanger 10 needs to be defrosted regularly. The heat exchanger 10 may be defrosted by flowing hot heat-transfer fluid, e.g. hot refrigerant gas or a hot brine, through the tubular coil of the heat exchanger 10. Alternatively, at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 may be arranged at or close to the heat exchanger 10, in particular at the bottom of the heat exchanger 10. The heat exchanger 10 may be selectively defrosted by operating the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18. The at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 may comprise at least one tube, which is configured for flowing a warm fluid along/through the heat exchanger 10 for melting the ice which has formed on the surfaces of the heat exchanger 10. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one defrost heating element 18 may be an electrical defrost heating element, which is heated by means of electrical energy.
For using the heat, which is provided by the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 or by the hot heat-transfer fluid, efficiently, the heat exchanger 10 is arranged within a housing 14 which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides. As warm air has a lower density than cold air, said warm air rises within the housing 14, where it is confined, as the housing 14 is closed at its top.
As a result, the heat exchanger 10 is defrosted efficiently using the heat provided by the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 or the hot heat- transfer fluid. Additionally, any undesired heating of the environment and in particular of the refrigerated sales space 4 and the goods presented therein is considerably reduced compared to a configuration in which no such housing 14 is present.
The housing 14 may be formed by a plurality of baffles 14a, 14b, 14c including an upper baffle 14a arranged on top of the heat exchanger 10, and a plurality of side baffles 14b, 14c, which enclose the heat exchanger 10 laterally.
The housing 14 and the baffles 14a, 14b, 14c may be made of sheet metal and/or a suitable synthetic material. The baffles 14a, 14b, 14c in particular may have a laminate structure and may comprise a thermally insulating layer/material in order to minimize any undesired heating of the environment outside the housing 14 even more efficiently.
The upper side of the housing 14, in particular the upper baffle 14a forming the upper side of the housing 14, is arranged next to the underside of the bottom deck or shelf 5 separating the refrigerated sales space 4 from the furniture bottom space 6. In consequence, no air is able to pass above the housing 14.
In order to allow the air flow to flow through the heat exchanger 10, the housing 14 is provided with at least one air opening 16 at its lower side facing the lower base plate 3c of the furniture bottom space 6. Said at least one air opening 16 allows the warm return air flow, which has entered the furniture bottom space 6 via the return air inlet 8, to flow into the housing 14 and/or the heat exchanger 10 in a substantially upward direction; it further allows the cooled discharge air flow to exit from the housing 14 and/or the heat exchanger 10 in a substantially downward direction.
The housing 14 in particular may be provided with a single opening 16, which extends basically over the whole area of the lower side of the housing 14, allowing the return air flow to enter the housing 14 via a first portion 16a of the opening 16 and allowing the discharge air flow to exit from the housing 14 via a second portion 16b of the opening 16. Alternatively, at least two separate openings 16a, 16b may be provided, in particular a first opening 16a, which is configured for allowing the return air flow to enter the housing 14 and a second opening 16b which is configured for allowing the discharge air flow to flow out of the housing 14.
A dividing baffle 20 extends between the lower base plate 3c of the furniture bottom space 6 and the lower side of the heat exchanger 10. The dividing baffle 20 divides the furniture bottom space 6 into an air inlet portion 6a upstream of the heat exchanger 10 and an air outlet portion 6b downstream of the heat exchanger 10. The dividing baffle 20 further directs the return air flow into the housing 14. The dividing baffle 20 may be oriented vertically, as shown in Figure 1 , or inclined.
As a result, the air flow, when seen in a lateral cross-sectional view, as it is shown in Figure 1 , basically describes the course of a "W" in the furniture bottom space 6, the "W" comprising four legs F^ F2, F3, and F4:
The first leg Fi is oriented substantially vertically in a downward direction after the return air flow has entered the furniture bottom space 6 through the return air inlet 8.
After the return air flow has been diverted by a first oblique diverting surface 17a provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion 6a of the furniture bottom space 6 the second leg F2 is oriented in an inclined upward direction. The air flow of the second leg F2 is guided by the first oblique diverting surface 17a and the dividing baffle 20 into the housing 14 and the heat exchanger 10 provided therein.
The air flow then passes the heat exchanger 10 in a substantially lateral direction, before it leaves the heat exchanger 0 as the third leg F3, which is substantially oriented in an inclined downward direction.
In the following fourth leg F4, the air flow is guided by a second oblique diverting surface 17b provided at the bottom of the air outlet portion 6b of the furniture bottom space 6 and conveyed by the at least one fan 22 via the substantially vertical air outlet channel 13 and/or through the holes 25 of the perforated rear wall 23 and/or the outlet opening 27 back into the refrigerated sales space 4, as it has been described before.
The described configuration allows the heat exchanger 10 to efficiently cool the air flow in refrigerating operation. During defrost operation, warm air generated by the at least one heat source / defrost heating element 18 or by the hot heat-transfer fluid circulating through the heat exchanger 10 is securely confined within the housing 14. As a result, the heat exchanger 10 may be operated and defrosted very efficiently.
The oblique diverting surfaces 17a, 17b provided at the bottom of the furniture bottom space 6 allow to drain all water, especially defrost water, which is present in the furniture bottom space 6, to a water drain (not shown) provided at the lowest point of the bottom of the furniture bottom space 6, preferably below the heat exchanger 10.
Figure 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a horizontal refrigerated sales furniture 2 provided in the form of a refrigerated chest 2b.
The refrigerated chest 2b comprises a refrigerated sales space 4 which is open at its top. An optional sliding door 30 covers the refrigerated sales space 4 when moved into a closed position as shown in Figure 2 and provides access to the refrigerated sales space 4 when moved into an open position, which is not illustrated in the Figures. An outlet opening 27, which is fluidly connected with the furniture bottom space 6 over an air outlet channel 13 and the air discharge air outlet 7, is arranged on one side (the right side in Figure 2) at the top of the refrigerated sales space 4. The outlet opening 27 may be provided with a honeycomb structure, lamellas or a nozzle 11 for directing the air flow exiting from the outlet opening 27 into a desired direction.
A return air inlet 8 is provided on an opposite side (the left side in Figure 2) at the top of the refrigerated sales space 4. The return air inlet 8 is fluidly connected with a return air inlet channel 32 extending substantially vertically along a side wall 3a of the refrigerated sales furniture 2 for delivering return air from the return air inlet 8 to the furniture bottom space 6. The return air inlet 8 may be covered by a grille 15 for preventing items from falling into the return air inlet channel 32.
The cold air exiting from the outlet opening 27 generates a basically horizontal cold air curtain F5 extending from the outlet opening 27 to the return air inlet 8.
The configuration inside the bottom space 6 of the horizontal refrigerated chest 2b is basically identical with the configuration within the bottom space 6 of the vertical refrigerated sales furniture 2a shown in Figure 1. It therefore will not be discussed in detail again.
After the return air has passed the heat exchanger 10 provided within the furniture bottom space 6 as it has been described before with reference to Figure 1 , it is delivered as cooled discharge air back into the refrigerated sales space 4 via the air outlet channel 13 and the outlet opening 27. Optionally, cold discharge air may also exit the air outlet channel 13 through perforations (not shown), provided in the wall 23 separating said air outlet channel 13 from the refrigerated sales space 4.
Figure 3 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of a horizontal refrigerated sales furniture 2, which is also provided in the form of a refrigerated chest 2c.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the dividing baffle 20 is formed as step on and/or integrated with the lower base plate 3c of the furniture body 3.
The second leg F2 of the air flow enters the housing 16 through its first opening 16a in an upward direction. The air flow then passes the heat exchanger 10 in a basically lateral direction, before the third leg F3 of the air flow leaves the housing 16 through the second opening 16b in a downward direction.
The other features of the third embodiment are similar to the features of the second embodiment shown in Figure 2. In consequence, they are denoted with the same reference signs and will not be discussed in detail again.
As mentioned before, all Figures depict cross-sectional views of the respective embodiment of a refrigerated sales furniture 2. The skilled person understands that all components shown are three-dimensional components also extending in a direction which is oriented perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane, i.e. the plane of the Figures. The skilled person in particular understands that the dividing baffle 20 extends basically over the whole extension of the heat exchanger 10 or at least the extension of its openings 16, 16a, 16b in said perpendicular direction, i.e. the direction perpendicular to the plane of the Figures, in order to fulfill its designated functions of directing the second leg F2 of the air flow into the housing 14 and separating the second leg F2 of the air flow flowing into the housing 14 from the third leg F3 of the air flow flowing out of the housing 14.
In the embodiments, which are illustrated in the Figures, a single heat exchanger 10 is arranged inside a single housing 14.
In alternative embodiments, which are not shown in the Figures, the refrigerated sales furniture 2 may be provided with a plurality of heat exchangers 10, which are arranged next to each other in the furniture bottom space 6.
The plurality of heat exchangers 10 may be arranged in a common housing 14. Alternatively, a plurality of housings 14 may be provided in the furniture bottom space 6 so that each heat exchanger 10 may be arranged in its own housing 14.
A number of optional features are set out in the following. These features may be realized in particular embodiments, alone or in combination with any of the other features.
In one embodiment the heat exchanger and the housing are arranged and configured such that the return air flow enters the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction, passes the heat exchanger in a substantially lateral direction and leaves the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction. This provides a very effective way of delivering the return air flow through the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture further comprises a dividing baffle extending basically vertically between a base plate of the furniture bottom space and a lower side of the heat exchanger such that the dividing baffle divides the furniture bottom space into an air inlet portion upstream of the heat exchanger and into an air outlet portion downstream of the heat exchanger. Such a dividing baffle provides an effective guidance for the air flow within the furniture bottom space in order to direct the air flow through the heat exchanger resulting in an effective refrigeration of the return air delivered into the furniture bottom space.
In one embodiment an oblique diverting surface is arranged in the lower base plate of the furniture bottom space below the return air inlet and/or below the discharge air outlet, respectively, in order to drain all water, especially defrost water, present in the furniture bottom space to a water outlet (drain) provided at the lowest point, preferably below the heat exchanger. Furthermore, such an oblique surface provides an efficient guidance of the return air flow within the furniture bottom space.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture is configured such that the return air flow, when seen in a lateral cross-sectional view, describes the course of a "W", from entering the return air inlet substantially vertically in a downward direction, being diverted by an oblique diverting surface provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion of the furniture bottom space and/or by a dividing baffle for entering the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction, passing the heat exchanger in a substantially lateral direction, leaving the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially downward direction, and finally being directed by an oblique diverting surface provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion of the furniture bottom space to a discharge air outlet, in particular into a substantially vertical air outlet channel. Such a flow path basically having the form of a "W" provides an effective way of delivering the return air flow through the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment the upper side of the housing or an upper baffle of the housing is arranged at the underside of a deck or shelf dividing the refrigerated sales space from the furniture bottom space. Such a configuration prevents any undesirable air from passing above the housing and thus enhances the efficiency of the refrigeration operation as well as the efficiency of the defrosting operation.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture is configured for defrosting the heat exchanger by circulating hot heat-transfer fluid through the heat exchanger. This allows for defrosting the heat exchanger without providing an additional heat source.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture comprises at least one heat source (defrost heating element) which is arranged in, at or close to the heat exchanger and which is configured for selectively providing thermal energy for defrosting the heat exchanger. This allows defrosting the heat exchanger very efficiently and avoids the need for additional piping or valves, which are necessary for circulating hot heat-transfer fluid through the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment the at least one heat source is provided in the form of an electrical heating element. An electrical heating element is very simple and easy to control at low costs.
In one embodiment the housing comprises at least one baffle enclosing the heat exchanger around its upper side and/or its lateral sides. Baffles are very efficient for providing a housing which is well suited for confining the warm air generated by the defrost heating element(s).
In one embodiment the housing comprises at least one air opening including at least one first air opening, which is configured such that the return air flow enters the housing and/or the heat exchanger through the first air opening in a substantially upward direction, and at least one second air opening, which is configured such that the cooled discharge air flow leaves the housing and/or the heat exchanger through the second air opening in a substantially downward direction. This combination of air openings provides a very effective guidance of the air flow through the heat exchanger resulting in very efficient refrigeration.
In one embodiment the dividing baffle is attached to the lower side of the heat exchanger between the at least one first air opening and the at least one second air opening separating the at least one first air opening from the at least one second air opening and forcing the return air flow to enter the housing and/or the heat exchanger in a substantially upward direction. This provides an effective guidance of the return air flow within the furniture bottom space resulting in an efficient refrigeration of the return air delivered into the furniture bottom space.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture further comprises at least one fan, which is configured for conveying a flow of return air through the heat exchanger and back into the refrigerated sales space for refrigerating the refrigerated sales space.
In one embodiment the at least one fan is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and the at least one fan is configured for sucking the return air flow through the heat exchanger and for directing the discharge air flow into at least one discharge air outlet, in particular into a substantially vertically extending air outlet channel extending upwardly from the upper end of the rear portion of the furniture bottom space. Such a configuration provides a very efficient way of conveying the flow of return air through the furniture bottom space and in particular through the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment the at least one fan is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger and configured for sucking the return air flow and directing it into the heat exchanger inlet. Such a configuration provides a very efficient way of conveying the return air flow through the furniture bottom space and in particular through the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment the at least one fan is arranged in an oblique orientation, i.e. in an orientation in which the rotational axis of the fan is oriented neither vertically nor horizontally, but in an orientation there between. Such an oblique orientation allows reducing the vertical space occupied by the fan; in particular, a fan which is arranged in such an oblique orientation may have a diameter which is larger than the (maximum) height of the furniture bottom space.
In one embodiment any fans which are configured for passing a flow of return air through the at least one heat exchanger are stopped while said heat exchanger is defrosted in order to avoid that warm air, which is generated by the at least one defrost heating element or by a warm heat-transfer fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, is distributed through the refrigerated sales furniture and in particular into the refrigerated sales space and the goods presented therein. In one embodiment a grille is provided at the return air inlet and/or the discharge air outlet in order to prevent items from falling into the return air inlet and/or the discharge air outlet, respectively.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture is configured for providing a flow of cold air flowing substantially vertically in a downward direction in a front portion of the refrigerated sales space ("cold air curtain"), in particular behind at least one door, which may be provided at the front of the refrigerated sales space, such that the flow of cold air enters the return air inlet as return air flow in a substantially vertically downward direction. Such a flow of cold air provides an efficient thermal insulation at the front portion of the refrigerated sales space. This is in particular beneficial when the front of the refrigerated sales space is open and no door is present.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture is open at its top and configured for providing a flow of cold air flowing substantially horizontally on top of the refrigerated sales space between at least one discharge air outlet opening and at least one opposite return air inlet. Said refrigerated sales furniture comprises a return air inlet channel extending substantially vertically along a side wall of the refrigerated sales furniture from at least one return air inlet at the top of the refrigerated sales space to the furniture bottom space.
In one embodiment the at least one defrost heating element is arranged at a lower side of the heat exchanger. As the density of warm air is lower than the density of cold air, arranging the at least one defrost heating element at a lower side of the heat exchanger results in an efficient defrosting of the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment the refrigerated sales furniture comprises a plurality of heat exchangers. This allows to flexibly adjust the refrigeration performance to the actual needs by selectively activating and deactivating some of the plurality of heat exchangers.
In one embodiment the plurality of heat exchangers are arranged in a common housing. This results in a simple configuration which may be produced easily at low costs.
In one embodiment the heat exchangers are arranged in a plurality of housings, in particular each heat exchanger is arranged in its own housing. This allows to deactivate and defrost each heat exchanger individually. As a result, refrigeration may be continued even when some of the plurality of heat exchangers are defrosted. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
Reference Numerals
2 refrigerated sales furniture
2a vertical refrigerated sales furniture
2b, 2c horizontal refrigerated sales furniture (chest)
3 furniture body
3a, 3c side walls of the furniture body
3c lower base plate
4 refrigerated sales space
4a front area of the refrigerated sales space
4b upper front side area of the refrigerated sales space
5 deck/shelf
6 furniture bottom space
6a (return) air inlet portion of the furniture bottom space
6b (discharge) air outlet portion of the furniture bottom space
7 discharge air outlet
8 return air inlet
9 front door
10 heat exchanger
11 honeycomb structure, lamellas or nozzle
12 connection channel
13 air outlet channel
14 heat exchanger housing
14a upper baffle
14b side baffle
14c side baffle
15 return air grille
16 air opening of the housing
16a first (portion of the) air opening (return air inlet)
16b second (portion of the) air opening (discharge air outlet)
17a first oblique diverting surface
17b second oblique diverting surface
18 heat source / (electrical) defrost heating element
20 dividing baffle
22 fan
23 (rear) wall
25 holes in the perforated wall
27 air discharge outlet opening 30 sliding door
32 return air inlet channel
D diameter of the fan Fi first leg of the air flow
F2 second leg of the air flow
F3 third leg of the air flow
F4 fourth leg of the air flow
F5 cold air curtain

Claims

Claims
1. Refrigerated sales furniture (2), comprising:
a furniture body (3) providing a refrigerated sales space (4) for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space (6) therein; and the furniture bottom space (6) being located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space (4);
the furniture bottom space (6) comprising at least one return air inlet (8) for receiving a return air flow from the refrigerated sales space (4), at least one heat exchanger (10) for cooling the return air flow and at least one discharge air outlet (7) for directing a cooled discharge air flow back into the refrigerated sales space (4);
wherein the at least one heat exchanger (10) is arranged in a housing (14) which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides,
wherein the housing (14) comprises at least one air opening (16; 16a, 16b) at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction.
2. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger (10) and the housing (14) are arranged and configured such that the return air flow enters the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction, passes the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially lateral direction in order to be cooled, and leaves the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) as the cooled discharge air flow in a substantially downward direction.
3. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a dividing baffle (20) extending between a base plate (3c) of the furniture bottom space (6) and a lower side of the heat exchanger (10), the dividing baffle (20) dividing the furniture bottom space (6) into at least one return air inlet portion (6a) upstream of the heat exchanger (10) and into at least one discharge air outlet portion (6b) downstream of the heat exchanger (10) and directing the return air flow to enter the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) via the at least one air opening (16; 16a) in a substantially upward direction.
4. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein a first oblique diverting surface (17a) is arranged in the lower base plate (3c) of the furniture bottom space (6) below the return air inlet (8) and/or a second oblique diverting surface (17b) is arranged in the lower base plate (3c) of the furniture bottom space (6) below the discharge air outlet (7).
5. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the refrigerated sales furniture (2) is configured such that, during the refrigerating period, the air flow, when seen in a lateral cross-sectional view, describes the course of a "W" in the furniture bottom space (6) from entering the return air inlet (8) substantially vertically in a downward direction, to being diverted by the first oblique diverting surface (17a) provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion (6a) of the furniture bottom space (6) and/or by the dividing baffle (20) in a substantially upward direction for entering the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10), passing the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially lateral direction, leaving the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction, to being diverted by the second oblique diverting surface (17b) provided at the bottom of the air inlet portion (6a) of the furniture bottom space (6) for being directed to the discharge air outlet (7), in particular into a substantially vertical air outlet channel (13).
6. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (14) comprises at least one baffle (14a, 14b, 14c) enclosing the heat exchanger (10) around its upper and/or its lateral sides.
7. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper side of the housing (14) or an upper baffle (14a) of the housing (14) is arranged at an underside of a deck or shelf (5) which divides the refrigerated sales space (4) from the furniture bottom space (6) preventing any air flow between the housing (14) and the deck or shelf (5).
8. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one air opening (16; 16a, 16b) comprises at least one first air opening (16a) which is configured such that the return air flow enters the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction through the first air opening (16a), and at least one second air opening (16b), which is configured such that the cooled discharge air flow leaves the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction through the second air opening (16b).
9. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one fan (22), which is configured for conveying a flow of return air through the heat exchanger (10), wherein the at least one fan (22) in particular is arranged upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger (10) and is configured for conveying the return air flow through the heat exchanger (10) and for directing the discharge air flow into the discharge air outlet (7).
10. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerated sales furniture (2) is open at its front and is configured for providing a flow of cold air flowing substantially vertically in a downward direction in front of the refrigerated sales space (4), in particular behind at least one optional front door (9) provided at the front of the refrigerated sales space (4), such that such flow of cold air enters the return air inlet (8) as return air flow in a substantially vertically downward direction.
11. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the refrigerated sales furniture (2) is open at its top and comprises a return air inlet channel (32) extending substantially vertically along a side wall (3a) of the refrigerated sales furniture (2) from at least one return air inlet (8) at the top of the refrigerated sales space (4) to the furniture bottom space (6).
12. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one heat source (18) arranged at or close to the heat exchanger (10) and configured for selectively defrosting the heat exchanger (10).
13. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of claim 12, wherein the at least one heat source (18) is arranged at a lower side or inside of the heat exchanger (10), and/or wherein the at least one heat source (18) is provided as an electrical defrost heating element (18).
14. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, which is configured for allowing to defrost the heat exchanger (10) by circulating hot heat- transfer fluid through the heat exchanger (10).
15. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (10), which are arranged in a common housing (14).
16. Refrigerated sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (10), which are arranged in a plurality of housings (14), wherein each heat exchanger (10) in particular is arranged in its own housing (14).
17. Method of operating a refrigerated sales furniture (2),
the refrigerated sales furniture (2) comprising:
a furniture body (3) providing a refrigerated sales space (4) for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space (6) therein;
the furniture bottom space (6) being located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space (4);
the furniture bottom space (6) comprising at least one return air inlet (8), at least one heat exchanger (10) and at least one discharge air outlet (7);
wherein the heat exchanger (10) is arranged in a housing (14) which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides;
wherein the housing (14) comprises at least one air opening (16; 16a, 16b) at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction;
the method comprising the steps of:
operating a refrigeration cycle, which comprises the heat exchanger (10) or which is indirectly connected to the heat exchanger (10) via a heat-transfer fluid circuit;
receiving a return air flow from the refrigerated sales space (4) driven by at least one fan (22) through the at least one return air inlet (8), cooling the return air flow by the heat exchanger (10) and directing the cooled discharge air flow back into the refrigerated sales space (4) through the at least one discharge air outlet
(7);
wherein the return air flow driven by the at least one fan (22) enters the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) through the at least one air opening (16a) in a substantially upward direction and the cooled discharge air flow leaves the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) through the at least one discharge air opening (16b) in a substantially downward direction.
18. Method of defrosting a heat exchanger (10) of a refrigerated sales furniture (2), the refrigerated sales furniture (2) comprising:
a furniture body (3) providing a refrigerated sales space (4) for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space (6) therein;
the furniture bottom space (6) being located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space (4);
the furniture bottom space (6) comprising at least one return air inlet (8), at least one heat exchanger (10) and at least one discharge air outlet (7);
wherein the heat exchanger (10) is arranged in a housing (14) which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides;
wherein the housing (14) comprises at least one air opening (16a) at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction;
at least one defrost heating element (18) arranged at or close to the heat exchanger (10);
wherein the method comprises the steps of
stopping operating a refrigeration cycle, which comprises the heat exchanger (10) or which is indirectly connected to the heat exchanger (10) via a heat-transfer fluid circuit; and
activating the at least one defrost heating element (18) so that the heat exchanger (10) is defrosted and a substantial amount of heat remains within the housing (14).
19. Method of defrosting a heat exchanger (10) of a refrigerated sales furniture (2), the refrigerated sales furniture (2) comprising:
a furniture body (3) providing a refrigerated sales space (4) for storing products to be presented therein and providing a furniture bottom space (6) therein;
the furniture bottom space (6) being located below of and separated from the refrigerated sales space (4);
the furniture bottom space (6) comprising at least one return air inlet (8), at least one heat exchanger (10) and at least one discharge air outlet (7);
wherein the heat exchanger (10) is arranged in a housing (14) which is closed at its upper side and at its lateral sides; wherein the housing (14) comprises at least one air opening (16; 16a, 16b) at its lower side which is configured such that the return air flow is allowed to enter the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially upward direction and that a cooled discharge air flow is allowed to leave the housing (14) and/or the heat exchanger (10) in a substantially downward direction; and
wherein the refrigerated sales furniture (2) is configured for allowing hot heat-transfer fluid to flow through the heat exchanger (10); and
wherein the method comprises the steps of
switching the valves for inverting the flow of heat-transfer fluid in order to circulate hot heat-transfer fluid through the heat exchanger (10).
20. Method of defrosting according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the method includes deactivating any fans which are configured for passing a flow of return air through said at least one heat exchanger (10) during the refrigerating period.
EP15813461.9A 2015-12-22 2015-12-22 Refrigerated sales furniture Active EP3393305B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2015/081010 WO2017108102A1 (en) 2015-12-22 2015-12-22 Refrigerated sales furniture

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3393305A1 true EP3393305A1 (en) 2018-10-31
EP3393305B1 EP3393305B1 (en) 2019-12-18

Family

ID=54937091

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15813461.9A Active EP3393305B1 (en) 2015-12-22 2015-12-22 Refrigerated sales furniture

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EP (1) EP3393305B1 (en)
CN (1) CN108366680B (en)
WO (1) WO2017108102A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2021016518A (en) * 2019-07-19 2021-02-15 富士電機株式会社 Showcase

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2690650A (en) * 1952-09-23 1954-10-05 Gen Motors Corp Open top display refrigerating apparatus
FR1581939A (en) * 1967-09-29 1969-09-19
BE704470A (en) * 1967-09-29 1968-03-29
CN101738054B (en) * 2009-12-30 2012-07-04 天津大学 Method for defrosting based on by-pass circulating defrosting structure of refrigerator
CN102759243A (en) * 2012-07-18 2012-10-31 广东志高空调有限公司 Freezing and refrigerating storage/box with cloud function
CN104697276B (en) * 2015-01-15 2016-09-07 合肥工业大学 There is the air cooling type refrigerator of heat pipe type thermal storage defrosting mechanism

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CN108366680B (en) 2022-01-07
EP3393305B1 (en) 2019-12-18
CN108366680A (en) 2018-08-03

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