EP4206582A1

EP4206582A1 - A cooling device comprising a pipe holder

Info

Publication number: EP4206582A1
Application number: EP22210248.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tarik Burak SEVIN; Hamdi GUNDOGAN; Recep KARAGOZ; Yasin AKSIN; Karani ALKAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2021-12-31
Filing date: 2022-11-29
Publication date: 2023-07-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a cooling volume (3) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooled are placed; at least one cabinet (2) having an inner wall (4) surrounding the cooling volume (3) and an outer wall (5), wherein a heat insulation material is pumped between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5); a compressor (6) which compresses the refrigerant; at least one circulation pipe (7) which extends at least partially between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5) and through which the refrigerant leaving the compressor (6) is circulated so as to cool the cooling volume (3); and a holder (8) which is attached onto the circulation pipe (7) and which enables the circulation pipe (7) to be kept at a distance from the inner wall (4) and/or the outer wall (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a holder for holding the circulation pipes.
In cooling devices, the cabinet wherein the cooling process is performed is manufactured by pumping the heat insulating material between an inner wall and an outer wall. The circulation pipes wherein the refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle is circulated extend between the inner wall and the outer wall. The temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the circulation pipes is different from the temperature of the outer environment or of the interior of the cabinet. Therefore, when the circulation pipes contact the inner wall and the outer wall, condensation and sweating occur on the inner wall and outer wall, respectively. The occurrence of sweating on both the inner wall and the outer wall causes discomfort for the user. Moreover, condensation on the surface of the inner walls causes the food placed in the cabinet to deteriorate quickly. Therefore, holders are attached to the circulation pipes to prevent condensation on the inner and outer walls of the cooling device, and the circulation pipes are positioned at a distance between the inner wall and the outer wall. The holders used in the cooling devices are generally designed according to the diameter of the circulation pipe and holders in different sizes are required for the circulation pipes with different diameters to be used in production. This causes an increase in production costs. On the other hand, the holders attached onto the circulation pipes may slide and even dislodge when the insulation material is filled in between the inner wall and the outer wall. Therefore, after being attached to the circulation pipe, the holders are fixed on the circulation pipe by means of tape. However, in case the holders cannot be fixed firmly, the circulation pipes may approach the walls. This situation also causes an increase in production and labor costs.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2659209B1 , a holder is disclosed, which is attached to the circulation pipes and which has arms extending out from the body thereof.
In the state of the art Chinese Utility Model Application No. CN201672152U , a holder is disclosed, which is attached to the circulation pipes and which has arms extending out from the body thereof.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device having a holder suitable for gripping circulation pipes with different diameters.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises at least one circulation pipe which extends between the inner wall and the outer wall and through which the refrigerant leaving the compressor is circulated so as to provide the cooling of the cooling volume; and a holder which is attached onto the circulation pipe and which ensures that the circulation pipe is kept at a distance from the inner wall and/or outer wall, and which has a first body and a second body in the form of a semicircle which almost completely surround the circulation pipe so that the circulation pipe remains therebetween, a connection portion located between the first body and the second body which can be stretched such that the first body and the second body are at least partially moved away from each other. and at least one support which is provided on the first body or the second body, which has a flexible structure, which, when attached onto the circulation pipe, stretches and bears against the circulation pipe and which enables the circulation pipe to be gripped between the support and the first body and/or the second body. Thus, the circulation pipe is securely gripped between at least one of the first body and the second body and the support, and the holder is enabled to tightly grip the circulation pipes with different diameters.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the holder has at least one housing and at least one claw, suitable for being fitted into the housing such that one of the housing and the claw is provided on the first body and the other on the second body. The claw and the housing are located at the other ends of the first body and the second body which are not connected to the connection portion. After the holder is attached to the circulation pipe, the claw is fitted into the housing. Thus, the circulation pipe is enabled to be gripped more tightly in the holder.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support bears against the circulation pipe from behind so that the circulation pipe is pressed against the connection portion. Thus, when the holder is attached onto a circulation pipe with a larger diameter, the connection portion stretches a bit and the holder is enabled to grip the circulation pipe with a larger diameter without causing any deformation.
In another embodiment of the present invention, one recess is provided on each of the first body and on the second body, close to the connection portion. The recesses create a cavity in the interior and ensure the fixing of additional ducts, such as the capillary tube, around the circulation pipe.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support is provided on the first body and an abutment is provided on the second body, which bears against on the circulation pipe. While the support on the first body applies pressure on the circulation pipe and keeps the same stable, the abutment grips the circulation pipe from over the second body. Thus, the circulation pipe is gripped from both sides, providing better gripping.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support is configured to have more flexibility than the abutment. By means of the abutment, which is more rigid than the support, the circulation pipe is supported firmly.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support has a curved form. Thus, the holder can apply more pressure to the circulation pipes with different diameters.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first body and the second body have a plurality of arms in the form of ribs extending outward. The arms enable the distance of the circulation pipe to the inner wall and the outer wall to be adjusted.
By means of the present invention, a cooling device is realized, having at least one holder suitable for being automatically fixed on the circulation pipes with different.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the cooling device in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the view of the inner wall, the circulation pipes and the holders in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the view of the holder stretched before being attached onto the circulation pipe in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the top view of the holder as attached onto the circulation pipe in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the view of the holder, the circulation pipe and the additional ducts with the holder attached onto the circulation pipe in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the view of the holder as attached onto a circulation pipe with a larger diameter in another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device
2. Cabinet
3. Cooling volume
4. Inner wall
5. Outer wall
6. Compressor
7. Circulation pipe
8. Holder
9. Upper body
10. Lower body
11. Connection portion
12. Additional ducts
13. Arm
14. Rib
15. Abutment
16. Support
17. Claw
18. Housing
19. Recess

The cooling device (1) comprises a cooling volume (3) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooled are placed; at least one cabinet (2) having an inner wall (4) surrounding the cooling volume (3) and an outer wall (5), wherein a heat insulation material is pumped between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5); a compressor (6) which compresses the refrigerant; at least one circulation pipe (7) which extends at least partially between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5) and through which the refrigerant leaving the compressor (6) is circulated so as to cool the cooling volume (3); and a holder (8) which is attached onto the circulation pipe (7) and which enables the circulation pipe (7) to be kept at a distance from the inner wall (4) and/or the outer wall (5).
The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises the holder (8) which has a first body (9) and a second body (10) which at least partially surround the circulation pipe (7) so that the circulation pipe (7) remains therebetween, a connection portion (11) which has a flexible structure and which connects the first body (9) and the second body (10) to each other from one end, and at least one support (16) which is provided on the first body (9) or the second body (10), which has a flexible structure, which bears against the circulation pipe (7) and which presses the circulation pipe (7) towards the first body (9) and/or the second body (10) such that the circulation pipe (7) is gripped between the support (16) and the first body (9) and/or the second body (10). The first body (9) and the second body (10) are almost semicircular and surround the circulation pipe (7). The flexible connection portion (11) enables the first body (9) and the second body (10) to be connected to each other from one end while allowing the other ends to move freely. The connection portion (11) preferably has a U form to be connected from the ends thereof to the first body (9) and the second body (10). While the holder (8) is being attached to the circulation pipe (7), the connection portion (11) is stretched such that the first body (9) and the second body (10) are moved away from each other, and the holder (8) can be easily fitted over the circulation pipe (7). When the holder (8) is fitted over the circulation pipe (7), the flexible support (16) located on the inner face of the first body (9) or the second body (10) facing the circulation pipe (7) stretches and bears against the circulation pipe (7), thus pushing the circulation pipe (7) towards the first body (9) and/or the second body (10). Thus, the circulation pipe (7) is tightly gripped between the rigid abutment (15) and the flexible support (16). By means of the flexible support (16), the holder (8) can be fixed to the circulation pipes (7) with different diameters.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the holder (8) comprises at least one housing (18) and at least one claw (17) which is fitted into the housing (18), which together enable the first body (9) and the second body (10) to be fixed to each other. Thus, the first body (9) and the second body (10) are firmly attached to each other, and the first body (9) and the second body (10) are prevented from moving away from each other during the high pressure injection of the insulation material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support (16) presses the circulation pipe (7) against the parts of the first body (9) and the second body (10) which are connected to each other by means of the connection portion (11). The support (16) supports the circulation pipe (7) towards the area where the first body (9) and the second body (10) are connected to each other. Thus, by benefiting from the flexibility of the connection portion (11), it is possible to place circulation pipes (7) even with the largest diameters between the first body (9) and the second body (10).
In another embodiment of the present invention, a recess (19) is provided on each of the ends of the first body (9) and the second body (10) connected to the connection portion (11). The recesses (19) form a gap between the connecting portion (11) and the circulation pipe (7). Additional ducts (12) around the circulation pipes (7) can be fitted into the gap formed by said recesses (19). Said additional ducts (12) are capillary tubes with different diameters.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support (16) is provided on the first body (9) and an abutment (15) is provided on the second body (10), which bears against on the circulation pipe (7). The abutment (15) is in the form of a protrusion on the second body (10), almost in a position to be opposite the support (16). The abutment (15) and the support (16) press the circulation pipe (7) from both sides. Thus, the holder (8) is enabled to grip the circulation pipe (7) more firmly.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the abutment (15) is configured to have less flexibility than the support (16). The abutment (15) is configured to stretch less than the support (16) when the holder (8) is attached onto the circulation pipe (7). Thus, the abutment (15) supports the circulation pipe (7) towards the support (16) and ensures that the circulation pipe (7) presses onto the support (16) more firmly. Consequently, the circulation pipes (7) with different diameters are enabled to be gripped more tightly.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support (16) has a curved form. The support (16) is curved in the form of a C. By means of the curved form of the support (16), the circulation pipes (7) with different diameters are enabled to be more tightly gripped and clamped.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first body (9) and the second body (10) have a plurality of arms (13) extending outward. The arms (13) extend towards the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5). The arms (13) extending in opposite directions are configured in a suitable length to bear against both the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5) at the same time. Thus, the holder (8) enables the circulation pipe (7) to be kept between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5) at a distance from both walls (4 and 5). In a preferred version of this embodiment, ribs (14) are provided between the arms (13). By means of the ribs (14), the arms (13) are prevented from bending towards each other under force.
By means of the present invention, a cooling device is realized, having a holder (8) which suitable for being attached onto the circulation pipes (7) with different diameters and which can be fixed on the circulation pipe (7) without the need for an additional fixing means. Thus, labor and production costs are decreased.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a cooling volume (3) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooled are placed; at least one cabinet (2) having an inner wall (4) surrounding the cooling volume (3) and an outer wall (5), wherein a heat insulation material is pumped between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5); a compressor (6) which compresses the refrigerant; at least one circulation pipe (7) which extends at least partially between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5) and through which the refrigerant leaving the compressor (6) is circulated so as to cool the cooling volume (3); and a holder (8) which is attached onto the circulation pipe (7) and which enables the circulation pipe (7) to be kept at a distance from the inner wall (4) and/or the outer wall (5), characterized by the holder (8) having
- a first body (9) and a second body (10) which at least partially surround the circulation pipe (7) so that the circulation pipe (7) remains therebetween,

- a connection portion (11) which has a flexible structure and which connects the first body (9) and the second body (10) to each other from one end, and

- at least one support (16) which is provided on the first body (9) or the second body (10), which has a flexible structure, which bears against the circulation pipe (7) and which presses the circulation pipe (7) towards the first body (9) and/or the second body (10) such that the circulation pipe (7) is gripped between the support (16) and the first body (9) and/or the second body (10).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the holder (8) having at least one housing (18) and at least one claw (17) which is fitted into the housing (18), which together enable the first body (9) and the second body (10) to be fixed to each other.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the support (16) which presses the circulation pipe (7) against the parts of the first body (9) and the second body (10) which are connected to each other by means of the connection portion (11).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a recess (19) which is provided on each of the ends of the first body (9) and the second body (10) connected to the connection portion (11).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the support (16) which is provided on the first body (9) and at least one abutment (15) which is provided on the second body (10), which bears against on the circulation pipe (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the abutment (15) which is configured to have less flexibility than the support (16).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the support (16) which has a curved form.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the first body (9) and the second body (10) which have a plurality of arms (13) extending outward.