EP3393305B1 - Refrigerated sales furniture - Google Patents

Refrigerated sales furniture Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3393305B1
EP3393305B1 EP15813461.9A EP15813461A EP3393305B1 EP 3393305 B1 EP3393305 B1 EP 3393305B1 EP 15813461 A EP15813461 A EP 15813461A EP 3393305 B1 EP3393305 B1 EP 3393305B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat exchanger
furniture
housing
refrigerated sales
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.)
Active
Application number
EP15813461.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3393305A1 (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

Images

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.
  • US 2 690 650 A discloses an example of an open top display refrigerating apparatus.
  • 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.
  • the housing is formed by a plurality of baffles including an upper baffle arranged on top of the heat exchanger, and a plurality of side baffles, which enclose the heat exchanger laterally.
  • 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.
  • the housing is formed by a plurality of baffles including an upper baffle arranged on top of the heat exchanger, and a plurality of side baffles, which enclose the heat exchanger laterally.
  • 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.
  • 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 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, lamellas 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 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 is 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 1 , F 2 , F 3 , and F 4 :
  • the first leg F 1 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 10 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.

Landscapes

  • 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)
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 EP3393305A1 (en) 2018-10-31
EP3393305B1 true EP3393305B1 (en) 2019-12-18

Family

ID=54937091

Family Applications (1)

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

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3393305B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN108366680B (zh)
WO (1) WO2017108102A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2021016518A (ja) * 2019-07-19 2021-02-15 富士電機株式会社 ショーケース

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
BE704470A (zh) * 1967-09-29 1968-03-29
FR1581939A (zh) * 1967-09-29 1969-09-19
CN101738054B (zh) * 2009-12-30 2012-07-04 天津大学 基于冷藏库旁通循环式除霜结构和控制单元及其除霜方法
CN102759243A (zh) * 2012-07-18 2012-10-31 广东志高空调有限公司 一种带云功能的冷冻冷藏库/箱
CN104697276B (zh) * 2015-01-15 2016-09-07 合肥工业大学 具有热管型蓄热除霜机构的风冷式冰箱

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN108366680A (zh) 2018-08-03
WO2017108102A1 (en) 2017-06-29
CN108366680B (zh) 2022-01-07
EP3393305A1 (en) 2018-10-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2787308B1 (en) Refrigerator
EP2196753B1 (en) Refrigerator
EP1743552A1 (en) Ambient air curtain with floor air inlet
EP2893850B1 (en) Zone cooling in a refrigerated merchandiser
JP2007085611A (ja) ショーケース
US20090084125A1 (en) Refrigerated merchandiser system
US11369214B2 (en) Cooler with shelf plenum
EP3451875B1 (en) An open-front refrigerator and a method of cooling items therein
TWI675173B (zh) 冰箱
EP3393305B1 (en) Refrigerated sales furniture
US20240074600A1 (en) Refrigerated display cabinet with two-area display compartment
CN111912159A (zh) 利用径向错流风扇的冷藏展示柜
JP2001190338A (ja) サービスカート
JP2014077615A (ja) 冷蔵庫
US20020047506A1 (en) Refrigerator shelf
JP5340587B2 (ja) ショーケース
JP5143162B2 (ja) 冷凍冷蔵オープンショーケース
US6792772B1 (en) Refrigerated cooler
JP2020098085A (ja) 空気調和システム
JP2020098086A (ja) 空気調和システム
EP3821768B1 (en) Refrigerated display case with air flow guide
US20230389721A1 (en) Merchandiser with supplemental air return
EP3497386B1 (en) Refrigeration appliance with zero-degree compartment having optimized structure for cooling
KR930005615B1 (ko) 저온쇼케이스
JPH06147721A (ja) 冷凍庫

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20180720

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190702

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602015043994

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1213633

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: FP

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200319

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200318

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20191231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200418

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602015043994

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1213633

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20191218

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191222

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191222

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200921

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191231

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191231

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191231

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20151222

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20221122

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20231121

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20231121

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20231122

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231121

Year of fee payment: 9