FR2638824A1 - REFRIGERATOR-FREEZER WITH THREE INDEPENDENT COMPARTMENTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator-freezer comprises upper A, central B and lower C compartments the coil 10 of the evaporator of the upper compartment has a grooved section and is applied by its flat part to an aluminum plate, the end edges of which are folded back respectively forming channels receiving the bent portions of the coils 10, the assembly being completed by adhesive tapes on both sides and a protective and heat diffusing tape. The present invention relates to improvements to a refrigerator-freezer with three independent compartments.

Description

"Fridge-freezer with three independent compartments". The

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator-freezer with three independent compartments, an upper compartment intended to function as a refrigeration means, a central compartment, intended to operate as a cellar (temperatures of the order of 9 * to 12C) as a refrigerator (temperatures from 0 to 5 ° C.) in storage (temperatures of about -18 ° C.) and freezing (temperatures up to 24 ° C.), and the third compartment or lower compartment is intended to function as a freezer and product preservative (temperatures of the order of -24 C in the first case and -18 C in the second case) the evaporators of the upper and lower compartments being interconnected and that the production of cold for these two evaporators is created by a single compressor, with using a solenoid valve, three-way and two positions, also associated with corresponding temperature controllers, while the evaporator The central generator is completely independent of the other two and includes its own compressor, as well as a three-way and two-position solenoid valve connected to a temperature controller, in conjunction with a corresponding control circuit and operating controls for select the commissioning of

  each compartment by the user.

  European Patent No. 0192526, already described as a refrigerator-freezer with three independent compartments, one for freezing and preservation, another for storage, refrigeration and storeroom and a third refrigeration and storeroom. It refers to a refrigerator cabinet of three compartments accessible separately and thermally insulated from each other, all three controlled by different thermostatic devices. In this refrigerating cabinet, the first compartment intended for freezing and preservation of products, is cooled by an evaporator, while the second compartment can operate indistinctly as a storage compartment, or as a refrigeration compartment and even as a cellar, the third compartment being intended to function as a storeroom or as

refrigeration compartment.

  On the basis of these basic principles, in this refrigerated cabinet, it is possible to use each compartment for a function distinct from the others, and also at least two compartments for the same function and the third for a different function, which makes it possible to to choose

one or the other of these functions.

  In this patent the refrigerating circuits, both that of the compartment for freezing and preservation, and that of the compartment which can be used indiscriminately for freezing, refrigeration or storeroom, are independent, and each

  from them is powered by a different motocompressor.

  For its part, the compartment for freezing and preservation of products, as well as the refrigeration compartment and cellar, are powered by a single compressor and each of them, logically has its evaporator. These refrigerating circuits and corresponding electrical circuits are combined so that when using the three-function compartment

  this compartment and that of freezing-

  refrigeration functions, having further provided that when this compartment with the three functions is used for refrigeration, it will produce cold only when, the first compartment, that is to say, that of refrigeration-storeroom, will need a

cold intake.

  The entire refrigeration unit is completed by controls, thermostats and

  corresponding switches, as well as electro-

  valves so that the cold transfer to each evaporator is carried out in accordance with the demands and

established programming.

  It is obvious that the refrigerator

  corresponding to European Patent 0102526, set out in

  above in its generalized form, offers very good performance, although it suffers from certain disadvantages, such as lack of physical structure of the evaporator in each of its compartments, as well as the assembly and the clean shape of the coil, characteristics very important for a refrigerator, the apparatus of this European patent having no accumulator to accumulate freon in excess of refrigeration when the compartment to

  three functions works as a refrigerator.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of such known refrigerator-freezers, described above, and for this purpose concerns a refrigerator-freezer characterized in that the coil (10) of the evaporator of the upper compartment has a cross section. groove and is applied by its flat part to an aluminum plate (14), whose extreme edges are folded forming respectively channels receiving the bent portions of the coil (10), the assembly being completed by adhesive tapes (15) on both sides and a protective tape and heat diffuser (16), and the central cooling circuit (B), comprises an additional accumulator of the coolant (29), mounted in the corresponding tube of the exchanger (25 '). ), and in which the unused refrigerant accumulates when this compartment operates in refrigeration, but necessary when it operates in freezing. The refrigerator-freezer with three compartments or enclosures, solves all the problems and disadvantages of the prior art by its characteristics relating to the own refrigerator circuit, to the construction of the evaporators, and to another series of characteristics.

  which as a whole make the refrigerator-

  freezer offers the maximum benefits and a

excellent operation.

  In a more concrete form, according to the invention, the refrigerator-freezer which also comprises three independent speakers, has the particularity that one of the speakers can perform four functions, to obtain cellar or cellar temperatures of the order of 12 ' at 9 ° C., refrigeration temperatures of the order of 0 ° C. to 5 ° C., storage temperatures of the order of <-18 ° C. and freezing temperatures of up to -24 ° C., the other two speakers being planned for

  operate one of them as medium freezer-

  preservative of products and the other as a means of refrigeration. In order to avoid descriptive complications, by convention only, the refrigeration compartment will be referred to hereafter; upper compartment, while the freezer-storage compartment will be designated by lower compartment, and the third compartment, that is to say, one that performs four distinguished functions, will be

called central compartment.

  According to this terminology convention, the evaporators of the upper and lower compartments communicate with each other and their cooling production is provided by a single compressor, using a two-position three-way solenoid valve, the cooling circuit being associated with

  temperature regulators and interrupters

  dent. In this way, when in the upper compartment, the temperature controller

  corresponding, detects a need for cold, electro-

  The corresponding valve changes position so that the compressor sends the coolant to the evaporator of the upper compartment, so that once this evaporator is fed, the agent continues to the evaporator of the lower compartment. When the refrigerant has also traveled the evaporator circuit of the lower compartment, it will return to the compressor by the circuit corresponding to the exchanger tube. According to what has been explained above, during the cooling of the upper compartment, cold is also produced for the lower compartment. Nevertheless, it may happen that at a certain moment we no longer need cold in the upper compartment; this situation is detected by the corresponding temperature controller sends in turn a signal to the three-way solenoid valve and two positions to change its position and direct cold only to the lower compartment or

freezer compartment.

  Logically the entire apparatus comprises a number of user-operated controls, among which there is a manual pusher to permanently cut the cold supply of the upper compartment or refrigeration, thus leaving the freezer to continue to operate. function as a food conservator

  frozen, for example during holidays. -

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the coil of the evaporator of the upper compartment having a groove section and is applied by its flat part against an aluminum plate, the extreme edges of which are folded forming respectively channels in which are placed the bent parts of the coils, the assembly being completed by adhesive tapes on both sides and a protective tape and heat diffuser, and the central cooling circuit, comprises an additional accumulator for the refrigerant, mounted in the corresponding tube of the exchanger, and in which accumulates the unused refrigerant when the compartment operates in refrigeration, but necessary when it

works in freezing.

  The central compartment, may or may not produce cold according to the choice of the user,

  to be able to select its function, that is,

  say, choose the function of cellar or cellar, of

  refrigeration, preservation or freezing.

  This central compartment has its own compressor and a three-way valve with two positions, so that to obtain cellar or cellar temperatures, (between 9 and 12-C) or refrigeration, from 0 'to 5' C ) the solenoid valve is placed in a determined position and using an evaporation plate backed to the rear part of the bottom wall of the central compartment, while to obtain conservation or freezing temperatures, the solenoid valve will be placed in the other position and one will use the same evaporation plate and in addition the evaporator coil that support

the freezer bins.

  A sufficient accumulator is obtained by virtue of that of the own refrigerator evaporator, by inserting an additional accumulator in the corresponding exchanger tube, the latter being formed by two

  capillary tubes coupled to the outputs of the electro-

  valve; one of these tubes leads Freon to the evaporator to cool as a refrigerator or cellar, and the other tube leads to the coil of the freezer bins, all the freon for the cooling evaporator as for the refrigerator or cellar returning to the compressor . The circuit of the refrigerator, has the particularity that the tube in groove on an aluminum plate which constitutes the evaporator, forms the primary circuit of this refrigerator circuit, while the plate deforms the secondary circuit. As the coil is leaning against the aluminum plate, an intimate contact is obtained between the tube of this coil and the plate, the turns of which remain below the grooved configuration determined on the edges of the plate; this allows a perfect centering and excellent fixing of the coil, thus facilitating manufacture, also giving greater rigidity to the assembly and allowing greater contact between the grooved tube and the aluminum plate. This assembly is placed in the hidden part of the corresponding tank, by means of in adhesive tape which covers the two faces of the assembly whose rear is protected with a plate of

alumina polyethylene.

  In the central compartment, it may or may not produce cold depending on the choice of use, so that when it works or can select its function, that is to say, choose the function of cellar or cellar, refrigeration , preservation or freezing. This central compartment has its own compressor and a three-way valve with two positions, so that to obtain cellar or cellar temperatures (between 9 'and 12' C) or refrigeration, (0 'to 5' C ) the solenoid valve is placed in a specific position, and uses an evaporation plate backed to the rear part of the bottom wall of the central compartment, while to obtain conservation or freezing temperatures, the solenoid valve is placed in the other position and one will use the same plate of evaporation and in addition the evaporator coil that support

the freezer bins.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the evaporation of the lower compartment is completed by a special evaporation plate to obtain a completely uniform storage or freezing temperature in this lower compartment, also facilitating entry into the evaporator. -freezer and the return of the agent

refrigerant to the compressor.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the refrigerant coming from the compressor common to the upper and lower compartments is in a condition to be sent to the evaporator of the upper compartment, then returning to the compressor by passing through the evaporator. the lower compartment, or directly to the evaporator of the lower compartment to return then also directly to the compressor. According to another characteristic of the invention, the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit corresponding to the central compartment can be sent to an evaporator, to fulfill the function of cellar and refrigeration, to be sent to an evaporator for obtaining temperatures of preservation and freezing, this refrigerant then in both cases returning to the compressor through the evaporator mentioned in FIG.

first place.

  The present invention is represented in

  As a non-limiting example in the drawings

  joints in which: - Figure 1 shows a front view of a refrigerator-freezer with three independent compartments, according to the invention - Figure 2 shows a side elevational view of the same refrigerator unit, in a section by a

vertical plane.

  FIG. 3 shows in schematic form the refrigerant circuit corresponding to the compartments

upper and lower.

  - Figure 4 shows the refrigerant circuit corres-

  central compartment, which is totally independent of the one constituting the upper and lower compartments

the previous figure.

  - Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the shape and positioning of each coil on the

aluminum support plate.

  According to the figures and in particular FIG.

  a cabinet i seen from the front, comprises three compartments

  completely independent parts corresponding to the stages designated respectively by A, B, C, stage A

  being the upper compartment, stage B compares

  center and floor C the lower compartment ..

  The upper compartment A is designed to operate as a refrigerator at a temperature of the order of 0 'to 5 C. The central compartment B operates, depending on the chosen option, at four temperatures, a cellar or cellar temperature, 9 'to 12 ° C, a refrigeration temperature of the order of 0 to 5 ° C, a storage temperature of the order of <-18 ° C and a freezing temperature of -24 ° C , while the lower compartment is intended to function as a freezer and at the same time as a means of preservation, at temperatures of

-24 ° C to -18 ° C.

  These three compartments, A, B, and C, are completely independent of each other, with the particularity that the evaporator 2 of the upper compartment A, is in communication with the evaporator 3 of the lower compartment C, via the refrigerant circuit. corresponding common to both evaporators. The production of cold in these two compartments A and C is carried out by a single compressor 4 with a condenser 5 output, and after it a desiccant filter 6, then a solenoid valve 7 three-way and two positions, which come out capillary tubes passing through the corresponding exchanger 9. When in the upper compartment A, the corresponding temperature controller detects the need to produce cold, the solenoid valve 7 changes position and that, according to the direction of the arrow

  indicated, that is to say, passing through the condensa-

  the compressor and the solenoid valve, the compressor 4 sends the refrigerant to the evaporator 2, through the corresponding capillary tube 8, so that once this refrigerant has passed through the coil 10 of the evaporator 2 indicated, it is directed by the return tube 11 to the evaporator 3 of the lower compartment, passing in turn the evaporator 3 and then returning to the compressor by the section 9 'of the exchanger. Therefore, during the cooling of the upper compartment A, cold will also be produced in the lower compartment. However, it may happen that at a certain point, there is no longer any need for cold in the upper compartment A, in which case this situation

  is detected by the respective temperature regulator.

  which sends a signal to the solenoid valve 7 to change its position and send only the coolant to the evaporator 3 of the lower compartment C corresponding to freezing and preservation.

  One can also act on a button

  manual pusher provided on the control panel 12, as shown in Figure 1, for the purpose of eliminating

  completely sending cold to the upper compartment

  A, leaving the lower compartment C

  as a preservative of frozen foods.

  FIG. 5 shows the structure of the evaporator 2 of the upper compartment, which has its corresponding coil 10 with a groove section, so that its flat part is placed against a flat surface of aluminum 13 whose two lateral edges folded 14 form respective channels where are precisely housed the curved ends of the coil 10 serving as a guide to it and to keep it centered properly, this facilitates

  besides its movement, its storage and its transport.

  The assembly thus formed is attached to the corresponding tank by means of an adhesive tape 15 provided on both sides and completed by a protective tape

and heat conductor 16.

  FIG. 3 shows, as already described, the refrigerant circuit common to the two upper and lower compartments A and C, by making it appear in the latter, the evaporator 3 with the corresponding freezer tanks 17 traversed by the

respective coil 18.

  In the lower part of the corresponding lower compartment C of the freezer, and in addition to the tanks 17 of the general evaporator 3 of this compartment, an evaporation plate 19 is provided to obtain one. more uniform storage or freezing temperature throughout the lower compartment; this plate is preferably with a loop connection to facilitate the return of the refrigerant to the compressor 4 through the section

9 'of the exchanger.

  The central compartment B has an independent refrigerant circuit, with its own independent compressor 20 with the condenser output

  21, followed by the desiccant filter 22, and then an electro-

  23 three-way valve and two positions, from which the capillary tubes 24 leave; these tubes pass through the exchanger 25 and feed the evaporators 26

and 27 as coolant.

  As this central compartment B can also assume the freezer function, it needs the corresponding freezing tanks 27 and coils 28 mounted above them in the same way as was necessary for the evaporators of the freezers 28.

  upper and lower compartments.

  The operating mode of this intermediate compartment B is manually selected from the control panel 12, by means of the appropriate pushbutton; to obtain for example cellar or cellar or refrigeration temperatures, the solenoid valve is placed in a determined position to send the refrigerant through the section 25 'to the evaporator 26, while to obtain storage and freezing temperatures , the solenoid valve 23 is placed in the other position and the coolant sent through the capillary tube 24 'to the evaporator formed by the tanks 27

and the coils 28.

  In this cooling circuit of the central compartment B, there is provided an additional accumulator 29, given the need to accumulate excess freon during operation in refrigeration, since an excess of refrigerant is required so that in case of need the whole can work in freezer; this additional accumulator 29 is mounted in the exchanger tube, specifically in the section

'shown in Figure 4.

  The return of the refrigerant is carried out, whatever the function of this central compartment B, by the evaporator 26 to the compressor 20, to

  through the corresponding section 25 ".

  The assembly is completed by the control circuit associated with the temperature regulators, solenoid valve and of course the compressors, as well as a series of controls on the panel corresponding to the control support 12, to allow the user to select the

timely functions.

Claims (4)

R E V E N D I C A T I 0 N S   1 ') Refrigerator-freezer (1) consisting of three independent compartments (A, B, and C), whose upper compartment A is intended to function as a means of refrigeration, the central compartment B is intended to function as a storeroom ( temperatures of the order of 9 'to 12' C) as a refrigerator (temperatures of 0 'to 5 C) in storage (temperatures of about -18' C) and in freezing (temperatures up to -24 C) and the third compartment (C) or lower compartment is intended to function as freezer and product preservative, (temperatures of the order of -24 C in the first case and -18 * C in the second case), the evaporators (2, 3 ) upper and lower compartments being connected and their production of cold being created by a single compressor (4), with the help of a solenoid valve (7), three-way and two positions, also associated with corresponding temperature controllers , while the evaporation central (26, 27) is completely independent of the other two and comprises its own compressor (20), as well as a three-way solenoid valve (23) and two connected positions, as well as a temperature controller, in connection with a corresponding control circuit and the operating commands (12) to enable the user to select the start-up of each compartment, refrigerator-freezer characterized in that the coil (10) of the evaporator of the upper compartment has a groove section and is applied by its flat part to an aluminum plate (14), whose extreme edges are folded forming respectively channels receiving the bent portions of the coils (10), the assembly being completed by adhesive tapes (15) on both sides and a protective tape and heat diffuser (16), and the central cooling circuit (B), comprises an additional accumulator of the refrigerant ant (29), mounted in the corresponding tube of the exchanger (25 '), and in which accumulates the unused refrigerant when the compartment operates in refrigeration, but necessary when it operates in freezing. 2 ') Refrigerator-freezer formed of three compartments (A, B, C) independent, according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaporator of the lower compartment (C) is completed by a special evaporation plate (19) for to obtain a completely uniform storage or freezing temperature in this lower compartment (C), also facilitating the entry into the evaporator-freezer (3) and the return of the agent refrigerant to the compressor (4).   3 ") Refrigerator-freezer consisting of three compartments (A, B, C) independent, according to one   any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that   it comprises a circuit for directing the coolant from the common compressor (4) to the upper and lower compartments or to the evaporator of the upper compartment (2), then to return to the compressor (4) passing through the evaporator of the lower compartment (3), or directly to the evaporator of the lower compartment (3) to return also directly and directly to the compressor (4).   4 ') refrigerator-freezer formed of three independent compartments, according to any one of   claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   comprises a circuit for directing the coolant of the refrigerant circuit corresponding to the central compartment (B) to an evaporator (26), to perform the function of storeroom and refrigeration, or to an evaporator (27) for obtaining the temperatures preservation and freezing, this refrigerant then returning in both cases to the compressor (20) through the first-mentioned evaporator (26).