EP3593070A1

EP3593070A1 - Appliance machine compartment airflow system

Info

Publication number: EP3593070A1
Application number: EP17900054.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto R. Gomes; Lynne F. Hunter; Giulia MARINELLO; Sanjesh Kumar PATHAK
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 2017-03-06
Filing date: 2017-03-06
Publication date: 2020-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-06
Also published as: US20190011172A1; WO2018164661A1; EP3593070B1; EP3593070A4

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided herein that includes a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment. A compressor is disposed within the machine compartment and adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line. A heat exchanger is positioned in communication with the compressor and is adapted to reject heat from a refrigerant into the machine compartment. A fan is disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and through the heat exchanger. A funnel is disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan and directs air toward the fan. A tunnel is disposed between the fan and the compressor and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor.

Description

APPLIANCE MACHINE COMPARTMENT AIRFLOW SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Mechanical components of a refrigerant loop increase in temperature during use, which may negatively impact the efficiency of the components. Accordingly, it is desired to cool these components during use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is disclosed that includes a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment. A compressor is disposed within the machine compartment and adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line. A heat exchanger is positioned in communication with the compressor and is adapted to reject heat from a refrigerant into the machine compartment. A fan is disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and through the heat exchanger. A funnel is disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan and directs air toward the fan. A tunnel is disposed between the fan and the compressor and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor.

[0003] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is disclosed that includes a cabinet defining a machine compartment. A heat exchanger and a compressor are each disposed within the machine compartment. A fan is positioned between the heat exchanger and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw air through the heat exchanger. A funnel has a first end portion disposed proximate an interior side of the heat exchanger and a second end portion encompassing the fan. A tunnel is operably coupled with the fan and configured to direct the air toward the compressor from an exit portion thereof.

[0004] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine compartment is disclosed. The machine compartment includes a compressor and a condenser. A fan is positioned within the machine compartment between the condenser and compressor and is adapted to draw air through the condenser. The fan has an airflow path that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the fan. The airflow path is offset from the compressor. A tunnel is coupled to the fan and is configured to redirect the air toward the compressor. [0005] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings, certain embodiment(s). It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Drawings are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be exaggerated in scale or shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator cabinet, according to various embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator cabinet defining a machine compartment in a lower portion of the cabinet, according to various embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the machine compartment having a condenser, a fan, a tunnel, a compressor, a control unit, and a heatsink therein, according to various embodiments;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the machine compartment, according to various embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the machine compartment and components therein taken along the line V-V of FIG. 2; and

[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator cabinet having a cover partially concealing the machine compartment, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left,"

"rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0014] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein.

However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0015] In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0016] As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a refrigerator 10 includes a cabinet 12 that defines one or more refrigerated compartments 14 and a machine compartment 16. A compressor 18 is disposed within the machine compartment 16 and is adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line 20. A heat exchanger 22 is positioned in communication with the compressor 18 and is adapted to reject heat from the refrigerant into the machine compartment 16. A fan 24 is disposed between the heat exchanger 22 and the compressor 18. The fan is adapted to draw air from an area 26 adjacent the machine compartment 16 and through the heat exchanger 22. A funnel 28 is disposed between the heat exchanger 22 and the fan and directs air toward the fan. A tunnel 30 is disposed between the fan 24 and the compressor 18 and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor 18.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 10 includes the cabinet 12 and may take a variety of configurations including French door, side-by-side, top freezer, bottom freezer, and counter depth, compact, built-in, and other types of refrigerators. The cabinet 12 may include an inner liner 32 (FIG. 5) and an external wrapper 34. The inner liner 32 may be formed from a polymeric material having high barrier properties (e.g., low gas permeation), metals, and combinations thereof. The inner liner 32 may be formed via thermoforming, injection molding, bending, and/or forming.

[0019] The inner liner 32 is shaped and configured to mate, couple, or otherwise be positioned within the external wrapper 34. In various embodiments, the external wrapper 34 may be formed of and by any of the materials and processes listed above in connection with the inner liner 32. The coupling of the inner liner 32 and the wrapper 34 may be performed such that an airtight, or hermetic, seal is formed between the inner liner 32 and the external wrapper 34. The hermetic seal of the wrapper 34 and the inner liner 32 may be achieved through use of adhesives, welding, elastomeric gasket fitting under compression, and/or crimping.

[0020] According to various examples, an insulator 36 may be disposed between the wrapper 34 and the liner 32. The insulator 36 may be a material configured to have low thermal conductivity. For example, the insulator 36 may include precipitated silica, polyurethane foam, fumed silica, beads (e.g., of glass, ceramic, and/or an insulative polymer), hollow organic micro/nanospheres, hollow inorganic micro/nanospheres, silica aerogel, nano aerogel powder, perlite, glass fibers, polyisocyanurate, urea foam, rice hulls, rice husk ash, diatomaceous earth, cenospheres, polyethylene foam, vermiculite, fiberglass and combinations thereof. Optionally, an opacifier (e.g., Ti0₂, SiC, and/or carbon black) may be included in the insulator 36 or materials configured to change and/or reduce the radiation conduction, the flow properties, and/or packing factor of the insulator 36. Further, one or more gas (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) and/or moisture getters may be included in the insulator 36.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a rear portion 38 of the cabinet 12 defines the machine compartment 16 and a compartment opening 40 permitting access to the machine compartment 16. According to various embodiments, a cover 42 may be disposed over, rearwardly of, or otherwise positioned relative to the compartment opening 40 to partially, or fully, conceal the compartment opening 40 once assembled. The machine compartment 16 is a space configured to hold various mechanical and electrical components of the refrigerator 10. In the depicted example, the heat exchanger 22, such as a condenser 44, the fan 24, the tunnel 30, the compressor 18, a control unit 46, and a heatsink 48 are positioned within the machine compartment 16. The condenser 44 and the compressor 18 may be incorporated within a refrigerant loop 50 of the refrigerator 10. The refrigerant loop 50 includes a refrigerant that defines a thermal transfer media for absorbing heat within an evaporator 52 and rejecting heat from the condenser 44 in order to cool one or more refrigerated compartments 14 of the refrigerator 10. It will be understood that more or fewer components (e.g., circuit boards, tubes, hoses, wires, valves) may be positioned within the machine compartment 16.

[0022] The compressor 18 is adapted to compress the refrigerant into a vapor that is then delivered to the condenser 44 through the refrigerant line 20 where the vaporized refrigerant is condensed into a liquid. Through this change in state of refrigerant from a vapor state to a liquid state, heat is rejected from the refrigerant while in the condenser 44. The refrigerant, in a liquid state, is then moved toward an expansion device where the refrigerant is transferred again into a combination liquid/vapor state to be delivered to the evaporator 52. Within the evaporator 52, the refrigerant is transferred back into a vapor state. Through this transfer from a liquid/vapor state to a vapor state of the refrigerant, heat is absorbed into the refrigerant at the evaporator 52. In this manner, the area around the evaporator 52 is cooled, such as within the refrigerated compartment 14. The now vaporized refrigerant is transferred back to the compressor 18 to be re-pressurized for later condensation and rejection of the heat that has been acquired within the evaporator 52.

[0023] The control unit 46 includes a controller for receiving various inputs and controlling each of the components within the refrigerant loop 50. The controller may include a microprocessor and memory, according to various embodiments. It should be appreciated that the controller may include control circuitry such as analog and/or digital control circuitry. Logic is stored within the memory and executed by the microprocessor for processing the various inputs and controlling each component that is within the machine compartment 16 and/or the refrigeration cabinet 12. The heatsink 48 may be disposed on and/or within the control unit 46 and utilized for removing, absorbing, and/or dissipating heat from the control unit 46.

[0024] As exemplified in FIGS. 3-5, in order to assist the transfer of heat within the condenser 44 and the evaporator 52, the refrigerant loop 50 can include one or more fans

24, including the condenser fan 24. A fan may be proximate the evaporator 52 and may assist in the absorption of heat into the refrigerant within the evaporator 52 as air is passed across the surface of the evaporator 52. Similarly, the rejection of heat from the refrigerant within the condenser 44 is assisted through operation of the condenser fan 24 that draws heated air 54 and/or ambient air 56 across and/or through portions of the condenser 44 to aid in the rejection of heat from the refrigerant. Ambient air 56 may be defined as air that is disposed proximate the cabinet 12, and/or within the machine compartment 16, that is substantially at room temperature. The heated air 54 may be air that is disposed in close proximity to one of the components within the machine compartment 16 that generates heat during operation such that the heat is transferred from the heated component to the proximately disposed air. Mixed air 58 may be a combination of the ambient air 56 and the heated air 54.

[0025] The condenser 44, which may be in the form of a micro-channel condenser 44, can be positioned in communication with the compressor 18. In this manner, the condenser 44 can be adapted to selectively reject heat from the refrigerant into the machine compartment 16 and/or out of the refrigerator 10 altogether. The condenser fan 24 is positioned within the machine compartment 16 proximate the condenser 44. According to various embodiments, the condenser fan 24 is positioned between the condenser 44 and the compressor 18 such that the fan 24 is adapted to draw the heated air 54 through and/or from the condenser 44. The condenser fan 24 is also adapted to draw the ambient air 56 from an area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16. This ambient air 56 can be drawn from an area 26 rearwardly of and/or laterally outward from the refrigerated compartment 14. As described above, the heated air 54 and ambient air 56 combine to define mixed air 58 that is directed toward the compressor 18 for cooling the compressor 18 during operation of the condenser fan 24. It is contemplated that this configuration of the condenser fan 24 between the condenser 44 and the compressor 18 may allow for a greater rejection of heat from the condenser 44 and also greater cooling capacity provided to an area proximate the compressor 18, which may increase the efficiency of the refrigerant loop 50.

[0026] Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, according to various embodiments, the condenser 44 is positioned at an angle with respect to a front wall 60 of the machine compartment 16.

For example, an exterior side 62 of the condenser 44 extends at a 45° angle away from the compressor 18. Stated another way, an interior side 64 of the condenser 44 is positioned proximate the front wall 60 of the machine compartment 16 and is positioned at a 45° angle distal from the compressor 18. In this configuration, the interior side 64 of the condenser 44 proximate the front wall 60 is positioned closer to the compressor 18 than the exterior side 62 of the condenser 44.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover 42 includes air inlets 66 and air outlets 68 for delivering the ambient air 56 to be mixed with the heated air 54 (FIG. 3). The angled configuration of the condenser 44 provides a clear space 70 proximate a first side portion 72 of the cover 42 to increase airflow through the condenser 44. The air inlets 66 allow for the movement of ambient air 56 from the area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16 and outwardly of the refrigerated compartment 14 of the refrigerator 10.

[0028] During operation of the condenser fan 24, the condenser fan 24 draws heated air 54 from the condenser 44 and also draws ambient air 56 from the area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16 through the air inlets 66. The ambient air 56 and heated air 54 are combined proximate the condenser fan 24 (e.g. within the funnel 28 and/or while passing through the condenser 44) to define mixed air 58 that is delivered to the compressor 18. The mixed air 58 that is cooled through the incorporation of the ambient air 56 from the area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16 may have a greater cooling capacity for absorbing heat from the compressor 18. This absorption of heat from the compressor 18 allows for greater cooling of the compressor 18 and a more efficient refrigeration system.

[0029] According to various embodiments, the condenser fan 24 is positioned to define a rotational axis 76 that is substantially transverse with the interior edge 64 of the condenser 44 providing an airflow path through the fan 24 in a substantially parallel direction. The positioning of these components provides for the efficient rejection of heat from the condenser 44. Moreover, the tunnel 30 may direct the mixed air 58 toward the compressor 18 providing for efficient absorption of heat from the compressor 18 to assist in preventing overheating of the compressor 18 during operation of the refrigerant loop 50. In various embodiments, the condenser 44 may include cooling fins formed on an outer surface of the condenser 44 to enlarge a contact area with the heated air 54 and the ambient air 56 to improve heat exchange performance.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the funnel 28 may be provided for directing the mixed air

58 from the condenser 44 upstream of the fan 24 into the fan 24. Thus, the fan 24 draws the mixed air 58 in through the funnel 28 and blows air through the fan 24. The air is then directed through the tunnel 30 and toward the compressor 18, the control unit 46, and/or the heatsink 48. The funnel 28 may have a first end portion 86 that is similar in size to the interior side 64 of the condenser 44 and may be disposed in close proximity, or attached to, the interior side 64 of the condenser 44. A second end portion 88 extends away from the condenser 44 and may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the first end portion 86. However, in alternate embodiments the first and second end portions 86, 88 may be of equal size, or the second end portion 88 may have a larger cross- sectional area than the first end portion 86 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] With further reference to FIGS. 3-5, the fan 24 includes an impeller 78, a fan motor 80 coupled to a shaft 82 that drives the impeller 78, and a housing 84. In various embodiments, the fan 24 may be partially or fully encompassed by the housing 84, the funnel 28, and/or the tunnel 30. While the fan 24 is in operation, the fan 24 may generate an operational noise level. The operational noise level may be suppressed by the encompassing of the fan 24. Accordingly, the refrigerator 10 as a whole may have a reduced operating noise level. It will be appreciated that any fan 24 having any components may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] The motor 80 may be a variable speed motor that promotes heat transfer between the condenser 44 and the surrounding air by creating the airflow path that may be substantially parallel to the rotational axis 76 of the fan 24. According to various embodiments, the motor 80 is an electronically commutated motor (ECM) that provides for speed control of the motor 80 with the input of a pulse width modulated signal. According to various embodiments, the housing 84 is disposed within the funnel 28. The housing 84 may be attached to the funnel 28 or formed therewith according to various embodiments.

[0033] Referring still to FIGS. 3-5, the tunnel 30 may also be operably coupled with the funnel 28 and/or the fan housing 84 at an entrance portion 90. As illustrated, the tunnel 30 may be substantially disposed on an opposing side of the funnel 28 from the fan housing

84. Accordingly, the entrance portion 90 may have a similar cross-sectional geometry

(with a potentially varied size) to that of the funnel 28 and/or the fan housing 84.

Moreover, the tunnel 30 may be attached or coupled (removably or permanently) to the funnel 28, or fan housing 84, through an attachment feature. For example, the tunnel 30 may define a void 94 on a rim 96 of the entrance portion 90 that interacts with a protrusion

98 on the funnel 28 for removably coupling the tunnel 30 to the funnel 28. It will be appreciated, however, that the tunnel 30, the funnel 28, and/or the fan housing 84 may be connected to one another in any manner without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the funnel 28, the tunnel 30, and/or the fan housing 84 may be integrally formed with one another in various embodiments. [0034] The tunnel 30 is configured to direct mixed air 58 from the fan 24 toward the compressor 18, the control unit 46, and/or the heatsink 48 as the air exits the tunnel 30 through an exit portion 92. The exit portion 92 may have a varied geometry from that of the entrance portion 90. For example, in various embodiments, the exit portion 92 has a generally oval cross-sectional geometry that extends above and/or below the compressor 18 to provide convection heat transfer to the compressor 18 and/or the control unit 46 when the fan 24 is operating. Due to the orientation of the compressor 18 in relation to the condenser 44, the tunnel 30 may have an intermediate portion 100 that redirects the mixed air 58 in a desired direction from the airflow path generated by the fan 24. The exit portion 92 and/or the intermediate portion 100 may also include a baffle 102 that is configured to further direct the mixed air 58 in a desired direction. The baffle 102 may be integrally formed with the exit portion 92 and/or the intermediate portion 100, or later attached thereto. The tunnel 30 may be formed from any polymeric material, any elastomeric material, a combination thereof, and/or any other material known in the art.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the exit portion may have a larger cross- sectional area than the entrance portion 90 of the tunnel 30. Accordingly, an airflow speed of the mixed air 58 may be faster at proximate the entrance portion 90 relative the exit portion 92. According to alternate embodiments, the exit portion 92 may have a smaller cross-sectional area such that the airflow speed is increased as the mixed air 58 is forced through the tunnel 30. Alternatively still, the entrance portion 90 and the exit portion 92 of the tunnel 30 may have a similar cross-sectional area such that the airflow speed at the entrance portion 90 and the exit portion 32 may be substantially equal while the fan 24 is in operation.

[0036] A tray 104 may be disposed within the machine compartment 16 and below the condenser 44 and/or the tunnel 30. The tray 104 may be formed from a polymeric material. The tray 104 has a bottom wall 108 and an upstanding continuous peripheral wall 110 forming front, rear and sidewalls. The tray 104 may be mounted to the machine compartment 16. The tray 104 may collect and retain condensate that is generated or develops during operation of the refrigerant loop 50. In various embodiments, a bottom portion of the tunnel 30 is disposed above the peripheral wall 110 of the tray 104.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the cover 42 is formed with the air inlets 66 and the air outlets 68. The air inlets 66 guide ambient air 56 into the machine compartment 16 and the air outlets 68 guide mixed air 58, which has absorbed heat of the machine compartment 16, outward. Also, the air inlets 66 include a first set of guiding features 112 that are angled in an opposing direction to a second set of guiding features 114 that are operably coupled with the air outlets 68. Accordingly, the ambient air 56 directed into the machine compartment 16 may be retrieved from a first side portion 116 of the cabinet 12 and the air exiting the machine compartment 16 may be directed away from the air inlets 66 on a second side portion 74 of the cover 50, towards a second side portion 118 of the cabinet 12.

[0038] When the refrigerant loop 50 operates, the compressor 18, the condenser 44, and the fan 24 operate. The ambient air 56 surrounding the lower part of the refrigerator 10 enters the machine compartment 16 through the air inlets 66 of the cover 42 as a pressure within the machine compartment 16 is lowered. The inlet air absorbs heat generated during a heat exchanging process of the condenser 44 and/or heat generated from the compressor 18 forming mixed air 58 that is then blown out of the machine compartment 16 by the fan 24. If the mixed air 58 expelled from the machine compartment 16 remains in an area 26 surrounding the lower part of the refrigerator 10, and reenters the machine compartment 16, the cooling efficiency of the machine compartment 16 may be lowered. Therefore, the mixed air 58 expelled through the air outlets 68 of the cover 42 is blown away from the air inlets 66. Moreover, a blowing efficiency of the fan 24 may be increased, since the fan 24 and the cover 42 form a substantially sealed space.

[0039] Use of the present disclosure may offer several advantages. First, the assembly provided herein may enhance the efficiency of the refrigerant loop within the appliance due to increased airflow within the machine compartment. For example, the offset angle of the evaporator may increase the amount of airflow through the condenser. The funnel may increase the amount of air through the condenser that is then directed through the tunnel and towards the condenser, the control unit, and/or the heatsink. The exit portion of the tunnel may be configured to maximize airflow through the remaining portions of the machine compartment. For example, the exit portion may extend above and/or below the compressor such that some of the air may make unimpeded contact with additional components of the machine compartment (other than the compressor). The tunnel may also include a baffle that further directs air towards a desired component within the machine compartment. Moreover, the fan may be encompassed by the funnel and/or tunnel. Accordingly, fan noise outside of the machine compartment may be minimized. It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to cabinets for refrigerators, but may be used to form a variety of structures and assemblies which that utilize the refrigerant loop. Accordingly, although the disclosure was described in terms of a refrigerator, the disclosure may equally be applied to coolers, ovens, dishwashers, laundry applications, air-conditioning systems, and other applications.

[0040] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

[0041] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

[0042] Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable" to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited, to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

[0043] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0044] It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0045] It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment;

a compressor disposed within the machine compartment and adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line;

a heat exchanger positioned in communication with the compressor and adapted to reject heat from a refrigerant into the machine compartment;

a fan disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor, the fan adapted to draw air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and through the heat exchanger; a funnel disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan and directs air toward the fan; and

a tunnel disposed between the fan and the compressor and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned at an angle with respect to a front wall of the machine compartment.

3. The refrigerator of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the heat exchanger is configured as a micro-channel condenser.

4. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the fan is disposed within a portion of the funnel.

5. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tunnel is removably attached to an exterior surface of the funnel through an attachment feature.

6. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tunnel is offset from an airflow path that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the fan to redirect air from the fan toward the compressor.

7. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1-6, wherein an exit portion of the tunnel has a height that is greater than the height of the compressor.

8. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1-7, wherein tunnel directs air towards a control unit that is disposed within the machine compartment.

9. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet defining a machine compartment;

a heat exchanger and a compressor each disposed within the machine compartment;

a fan positioned between the heat exchanger and compressor, the fan adapted to draw air through the heat exchanger;

a funnel having a first end portion disposed proximate an interior side of the heat exchanger and a second end portion encompassing the fan; and

a tunnel operably coupled with the fan and configured to direct the air toward the compressor from an exit portion thereof.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising:

a tray disposed below the heat exchanger and the tunnel.

11. The refrigerator of either of claims 9 or 10, further comprising:

a cover partially concealing the machine compartment and having air inlets and air outlets, the air inlets configured to guide outside air into the machine compartment on a first side of the cover and the air outlets configured to guide air outwardly from the machine compartment on a second side of the cover.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the air inlets include a first set of guiding features that are angled in an opposing direction to a second set of guiding features that are operably coupled with the air outlets.

13. The refrigerator of any one of claims 9-12, wherein the tunnel includes a baffle proximate the exit portion thereof to direct air toward the compressor.

14. The refrigerator of any one of claims 9-13, wherein the tunnel has a varied thickness therealong and a height that is greater than a height of the compressor at the exit portion.

15. The refrigerator of any one of claims 9-14, further comprising:

a control unit disposed within the machine compartment and configured to receive unimpeded air from the exit portion of the tunnel.

16. The machine compartment of any one of claims 9-15, wherein the funnel includes a protrusion and the tunnel defines a void that is disposed around the protrusion for attaching the tunnel to the funnel.

17. A machine compartment comprising:

a compressor and a condenser;

a fan positioned within the machine compartment between the condenser and compressor and adapted to draw air through the condenser, wherein the fan has an airflow path that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the fan, the airflow path offset from the compressor; and

a tunnel coupled to the fan and configured to redirect the air toward the compressor.

18. The machine compartment of claim 17, further comprising:

a funnel configured to direct air from the condenser into the fan, wherein the tunnel is removably attached to an exterior surface of the funnel.

19. The machine compartment of either of claims 17 or 18, further comprising:

a cover partially concealing the machine compartment and having air inlets and air outlets, the air inlets configured to guide air outside of a refrigeration cabinet through the condenser on a first side of the cover and the air outlets configured to guide air outwardly from the cabinet on a second side of the cover.

20. The machine compartment of claim 19, wherein the air inlets include a first set of guiding features that are angled in an opposing direction to a second set of guiding features that are operably coupled with the air outlets.