EP3775724A1

EP3775724A1 - A cooler appliance

Info

Publication number: EP3775724A1
Application number: EP19715038.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ahmet Refik Ozdemir; Mert PATKAVAK; Tolga Nurettin AYNUR; Muhsin Can AKKURT; Mert Can TASKIN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-04-02
Filing date: 2019-03-28
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-28
Also published as: WO2019192917A1; EP3775724B1; PL3775724T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooler appliance (1) comprising a body (2), at least one cooler compartment (3) provided in the body (2), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a first water chamber (7) adapted to store water therein, disposed on the surface of the door (4) facing the body (2) when the door (4) is closed, having a first wall (5) and a second wall (6), an ice chamber (8) placed in the first water chamber (7) so as to at least partially rest on its base, a thermoelectric module (11) having an upper surface (9) and a lower surface (10), whose upper surface (9) contacts the base of the ice chamber(8), an ice tank (13) and a control unit (12) enabling ice formation in the ice chamber (8) by activating the thermoelectric module (11) when the first water chamber (7) is filled with water up to a level predetermined by the producer, such that the upper surface (9) cools and the lower surface (10) heats, and enabling the ice pieces to leave the ice chamber (8) upon completion of ice formation by operating the thermoelectric module (11) such that the upper surface (9) heats and the lower surface (10) cools.

Description

A COOLER APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to a cooler appliance having a door with ice making properties.
Thermoelectric coolers are currently being used as cooler systems in various fields such as micro-electric systems, and telecommunication and aviation industries. Some of the advantages of using thermoelectric coolers as cooler systems lie in that they operate vibration free and silently, do not have any movable mechanical parts, are of modular structure, do not require a working fluid and are capable of operating with DC current. When a low voltage is applied to a thermoelectric module by means of a DC power supply, heat is quickly transferred from one side of the module to the other side. Therefore, one side of the thermoelectric module heats up while the other side cools and a temperature difference forms between two sides. In the state of the art, there are applications for making ice by means of thermoelectric modules in different regions of cooler appliances. In current designs, a thermoelectric module used for producing ice, causes ice pieces to melt and stick inside ice chambers. This is disadvantageous in terms of convenience.
State of the art United States patent application no. US2014150456A1 aims to make ice on a cooler appliance door.
State of the art United States patent document no. US3146601A aims to make ice on a cooler appliance door.
The aim of the present invention is to realize an ice making unit enabling users to get ice without requiring to open a freezer compartment in cooler appliances.
The cooler appliance realized to achieve the aim of the invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a body, a cooler compartment provided in the body and a door enabling access into the cooler compartment. A first water chamber is provided on the surface of the door facing the body in the closed state of the door. An ice chamber is provided on the base of the first water chamber. Said ice chamber fills with water when water is transmitted to the first water chamber. A thermoelectric module is provided, having an upper surface contacting the base of the ice chamber and a lower surface placed below the upper surface. A control unit activates the thermoelectric module upon the ice chamber being filled with water. The thermoelectric module operates such that its upper surface of cools and its lower surface heats up, freezing the water in the ice chamber. Upon completion of freezing, the control unit changes the polarization direction of the thermoelectric module, enabling it to operate such that the upper surface heats. Consequently, a thin layer of ice melts on the surface of the ice contacting the ice chamber, breaking the contact of the ice to the ice chamber. Ice leaves the ice chamber due to buoyancy of water and rises up to water surface. A catcher is provided in the first water chamber, placed so as to rest partially in water. The catcher is attached to a pin by means of a first member. A second member is placed in the first member pivoting about the pin. The second member is movable inside the first member. The length of the catcher extends and shortens as a result of this movement.
In an embodiment of the invention, in the ice making unit, the first member is attached from one of its ends to the pin and has a passive position in which it extends towards the base of the first water chamber such that it is almost parallel to the second wall, and an active position to which it is brought by rotation of the pin about its axis, resting at the upper point of the second wall so as to have an acute angle predetermined by the producer. The second member is placed to the other end of the first member. The second member is placed so as to be able to fit into the first member. By this, while the catcher shifts from the passive position to active position, the second members enters into the first member by the second member contacting the first wall, shortening the length of the catcher. This enables the catcher to convey all ice on the surface of the first water chamber to the ice tank. In addition, the catcher is inhibited from being damaged due to contacting the first wall by pivoting.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit activates the catcher within a period predetermined by the producer, starting upon the ice leaving the ice chamber, thereby saving energy.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice chamber comprises a separator segmenting its inner volume into a plurality of volumes. This enables obtaining readily available ice and provides ease of use.
In the cooler appliance of the invention, a cover is provided, covering the ice chamber. The ice chamber is separated from the first water chamber by means of said cover. The cover isolates the ice chamber from the first water chamber throughout the duration in which the upper surface is cooled, and the cover is opened within a period predetermined by the producer which starts after the period in which the upper surface is heated. The cover is opened and closed by means of a motor and a signal transmitted to the motor by the control unit. The cover prevents the formed ice from overflowing out of the ice chamber and production of deformed ice, improving product quality perception.
In an embodiment of the invention, the base of the ice tank is perforated. Water formed due to melting of ice is transmitted to the second water chamber disposed below the ice tank. This enables the ice making unit to be used for a long time without requiring a user to add water therein.
In an embodiment of the invention, in the ice making unit, the pin is rotated by means of a motor. This enables minimizing user intervention to the catcher and the ice making unit.
In an embodiment of the invention, in the ice making unit, the ice tank and the first water chamber are produced adjacent each other and the first wall is disposed in between. The second wall is disposed opposite the first wall in the first water chamber. Material costs are improved thanks to the first water chamber and the ice tank having a common wall.
The invention enables users to get ice directly from doors in cooler appliances without requiring them to open the cooler appliance door, thereby providing ease of use to the users.
A cooler appliance realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a frontal view of the cooler appliance.
Figure 2 is a view of the cooler appliance with the door open.
Figure 3 is an A-A section of the ice making unit shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an A-A section of the ice making unit shown in Figure 2.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.
1 - Cooler appliance
2. Body
3. Cooler compartment
4. Door
5. First wall
6. Second wall
7. First water chamber
8. Ice chamber
9. Upper surface
10. Lower surface
11. Thermoelectric module
12. Control unit
13. Ice tank
14. Pin
15. First member
16. Second member
17. Catcher
18. Ice making unit
19. Separator
20. Cover
21. Second water chamber
22. Water pump
23. Motor
The cooler appliance (1) of the invention comprises a body (2), at least one cooler compartment (3) provided in the body (2), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a first water chamber (7) adapted to store water therein, disposed on the surface of the door (4) facing the body (2) when the door (4) is closed, having a first wall (5) and a second wall (6), an ice chamber (8) placed in the first water chamber (7) so as to at least partially rest on its base, a thermoelectric module (11) having an upper surface (9) and a lower surface (10), whose upper surface (9) contacts the base of the ice chamber (8), an ice tank (13), and a control unit (12) enabling ice formation in the ice chamber (8) by activating the thermoelectric module (11) when the first water chamber (7) is filled with water up to a level predetermined by the producer, such that the upper surface (9) cools and the lower surface (10) heats, and enabling the ice pieces to leave the ice chamber (8) upon completion of ice formation by operating the thermoelectric module (11) such that the upper surface (9) heats and the lower surface (10) cools.
The cooler appliance (1) of the invention comprises an ice making unit (18) comprising a catcher (17) having a first member (15) attached from an end to a pin (14) provided on the second wall (6), and a second member (16) provided in the first member (15), movably attached from an end to the first member (15). Two separate compartments are provided in the cooler appliance (1), namely a cooler compartment (3) and a freezer compartment. Fresh food products are stored in the cooler compartment (3). Said cooler compartment (3) has a door (4) enabling a user to access therein and isolating the cooler compartment (3) from the outer environment. A first water chamber (7) is provided, having a first wall (5) disposed on the inner surface of the door (4), a second wall (6) positioned opposite the first wall (5), and two lateral walls extending between the first and the second walls (5, 6). Said first water chamber (7) is adapted to store water therein and an ice chamber (8) is provided on its base. A thermoelectric module (11) is provided below the base of the ice chamber (8). The thermoelectric module (11) has two active surfaces, namely an upper surface (9) and a lower surface (10). The thermoelectric module (11) is controlled by means of a control unit (12). The thermoelectric module (11) is activated upon the first water chamber (7) being filled up to a level predetermined by the producer. As a result of this activation, the upper surface (9) cools and the lower surface (10) heats. Consequently, the temperature of the ice chamber (8) decreases and ice formation beings therein. Once ice formation is completed, the control unit (12) shifts the polarization of the thermoelectric module (11), thereby heating the upper surface (9) and cooling the lower surface (10). The heat energy transmitted to the ice chamber (8) melts the surfaces of the ice pieces contacting the ice chamber (8), said ice pieces leave the ice chamber (8) due to density difference and rise up to the surface of the first water chamber (7). The ice pieces on the water surface are collected by means of a catcher (17) driven by the pin (14). The catcher (17) is attached to the pin (14) by means of a first member (15). A second member (16) is disposed inside the first member (15). The second member (16) is placed in the first member (15) so as to be movable from its first end. The movement of the second member (16) inside the first member (15) is delimited by stoppers disposed proximate to the end of the first member (15). This structure of the catcher (17) minimizes the number of parts which are movable and which require being energized, thereby improving maintenance and production costs. (Figures 1 and 2)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler appliance (1) comprises an ice making unit (18) comprising a catcher (17) having a passive position in which it extends towards the base of the first water chamber (7) such that it is almost parallel to the second wall (6), and an active position to which it is brought by being moved inside the first water chamber (7) by rotation of the pin (14) about its axis, so as to have with the second wall (6) an acute angle predetermined by the producer. The length of the catcher (17) is at maximum in the passive position. The catcher (17) fastened to the pin (14) begins pivoting due to rotation of the pin (14) about its axis. During pivoting, the catcher (17) contacts the first wall (5) by means of the second member (16). This contact causes the second member (16) to enter into the first member (15), shortening the length of the catcher (17). The pin (14) continues rotating until the acute angle predetermined by the producer is obtained between the catcher (17) and the second wall (6). Once this angle is reached, the catcher (17) have caught the ice pieces floating on the surface of the first water chamber (7). The widths of the first member (15) and the second member (16) are almost equal to the width of the first water chamber (7). This enables conveying the ice pieces to the ice tank (13) during shifting of the catcher (17) from the passive position to the active position. (Figures 3 and 4)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler appliance (1) comprises an ice making unit (18) having a control unit (12) activating the catcher (17) within a period predetermined by the producer which starts upon the ice pieces leaving the ice chamber (8). This avoids operation of the catcher (17) when there is no ice in the first water chamber (7), saving energy.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler appliance (1) comprises an ice making unit (18) having at least one separator (19) segmenting the internal volume of the ice chamber (8) into a plurality of smaller volumes. This enables obtaining readily available ice, while preventing larger ice pieces from damaging the catcher (17).
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler appliance (1) comprises an ice making unit (18) having a cover (20) which, throughout the period in which the upper surface (9) is cooled, isolates the ice chamber (8) from the first water chamber (7) in an almost liquid tight manner by covering the ice chamber (8), and opens upon heating of the upper surface (9), allowing the ice pieces to leave the ice chamber (8). The ice chamber (8) is isolated from the first water chamber (7) by means of the cover (20). As a result, formed ice pieces are enabled to have geometric shapes, creating product quality perception for the users. Moreover, freezing ice is inhibited from damaging the first water chamber (7) due to overflowing the ice chamber (8).
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler appliance (1) comprises an ice making chamber (18) having an ice tank (13) whose base is perforated, a second water chamber (21) to which water is transmitted by means of said perforations, and a pump (22) transmitting the water in the second water chamber (21) to the first water chamber (7). The perforated structure of the ice tank (13) drains the excess water, preventing the ice pieces from melting. In addition, the water obtained from the melting ice pieces is first transmitted to the second water chamber (21) and in turn to the first water chamber (7) by means of the pump (22) provided in the second water chamber (21), saving water. Also, ice pieces are prevented from melting due to water accumulation in the ice tank (13).
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler appliance (1) comprises an ice making unit (18) having a motor (23) rotating the pin (14). The motor (23) is activated by the control unit (12).

Claims

A cooler appliance (1) comprising a body (2), at least one cooler compartment (3) provided in the body (2), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a first water chamber (7) adapted to store water therein, disposed on the surface of the door (4) facing the body (2) when the door (4) is closed, having a first wall (5) and a second wall (6), an ice chamber (8) placed in the first water chamber (7) so as to at least partially rest on its base, a thermoelectric module (11) having an upper surface (9) and a lower surface (10), whose upper surface (9) contacts the base of the ice chamber (8), an ice tank (13) and a control unit (12) enabling ice formation in the ice chamber (8) by activating the thermoelectric module (11) when the first water chamber (7) is filled with water up to a level predetermined by the producer, such that the upper surface (9) cools and the lower surface (10) heats, and enabling the ice pieces to leave the ice chamber (8) upon completion of ice formation by operating the thermoelectric module (11) such that the upper surface (9) heats and the lower surface (10) cools, characterized by the ice making unit (18) comprising a catcher (17) having a first member (15) attached from an end to a pin (14) provided on the second wall (6), and a second member (16) provided in the first member (15), movably attached from an end to the first member (15).
A cooler appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized by an ice making unit (18) comprising a catcher (17) having a passive position in which it extends towards the base of the first water chamber (7) such that it is almost parallel to the second wall (6), and an active position to which it is brought by being moved inside the first water chamber (7) by rotation of the pin (14) about its axis, so as to have an acute angle predetermined by the producer, with the second wall (6).
A cooler appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the ice making unit (18) having a control unit (12) activating the catcher (17) within a period predetermined by the producer which starts upon the ice pieces leaving the ice chamber (8).
A cooler appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the ice making unit (18) having at least one separator (19) segmenting the inner volume of the ice chamber (8) into a plurality of smaller volumes.
A cooler appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the ice making unit (18) having a cover (20) which, throughout the period in which the upper surface (9) is cooled, isolates the ice chamber (8) from the first water chamber (7) in an almost liquid tight manner by covering the ice chamber (8), and opens upon heating of the upper surface (9), allowing the ice pieces to leave the ice chamber (8).
A cooler appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the ice making chamber (18) having an ice tank (13) whose base is perforated, a second water chamber (21) to which water is transmitted by means of said perforations, and a pump (22) transmitting the water in the second water chamber (21) to the first water chamber (7).
A cooler appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the ice making unit (18) having a motor (23) rotating the pin (14).