GB2160019A - Thermostatic assembly for domestic freezers - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermostatic assembly for a freezer comprises a thermostat (2) having contacts (4, 4') and a second manually operated rotary switch (7) having bipolar mains contacts (10, 10') for connecting the thermostat (2) to the mains and at contacts (11') for shorting the thermostat to provide for continuous running of the compressor (C). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Thermostatic assembly for domestic freezers The present invention relates to a thermostatic assembly for domestic freezers.

Conventional thermostats for controlling the domestic freezer temperature are provided with a switch having the following functions of: 1. switching on and off the compressor, which main function is controlled by the temperature sensor; 2. signalling a dangerous temperature increase by switching on an indicating lamp, of a generally red colour; and 3. interrupting, by driving a knob, a pole of the mains.

It should be pointed out that the above function 3) cannot be considered, usually, a proper line interruption since, as aforesaid, the interruption is performed on a single pole. Moreover it should be noted that conventional thermostats require, for a quick freezing, the use of a separated switch provided for shorting the thermostat in such a way as to hold the compressor in a continuously on condition.

The object of the present invention is to provide a thermostatic assembly for domestic freezer including a particular switch which, as it is combined with the conventional switch, is effective to perform, by means of a single shaft and knob, all of the functions above mentioned as well as that of bipolar mains switch, while being also effective to switch off the quick freezing thermostat.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by the following disclosure and the appended claims.

The thermostatic assembly for domestic freezer according to the invention is of the type comprising a thermostat proper with related sensor and a first switch associated with said thermostat and is essentially characterized in that it comprises a second switch provided with a single shaft rotatively driven by a knob, said shaft bearing, angularly offset from one another a first contact pairs forming bipolar mains contacts for said first switch and at least a contact shorting said thermostat and forming a member for directly closing the compressor supply circuit.

The thermostatic assembly according to the invention is illustrated in the figures of the sole annexed drawing sheet, where: Figure 1 is an outline view illustrating the thermostatic assembly; and Figure 2 is an electric diagram.

With reference to the above mentioned figures, the thermostatic assembly, which is indicated generally at 1 in figure 1, comprises a thermostat proper 2, provided with a sensor 3 for controlling a contact pair 4,4' forming a part of a first switch, of conventional type, 5, the contact 4 of said contacts being provided for switching on and off a compressor C and the contact 4' being provided for switching on an indicating lamp 6, effective to signal a dangerous increase of the freezer temperature.

According to the invention, the thermostatic assembly 1 comprises a second switch 7, provided with a shaft 8 rotatively driven through a knob 9, said shaft 8 bearing, as angularly offset, two contact pairs respectively indicated at 10,10', and 11,11', the pair 10,10' forming bipolar contacts effective to close on both poles of the mains 12, the contact 11 closing on an indicating lamps 13, yellow, and the contact 11' directly switching on or energizing the compressor C by shorting the thermostat 2.

From the above it should be apparent that in the thermostatic assembly 1 all of the controls and adjusting members are included in the single knob 9 and are controlled by the single shaft 8 projecting from the second switch superimposed on the members 2 and 5, as it is shown in Figure 1, in such a way as to hold within standardized values the width of the overall assembly.

The angular offsetting between contact pairs 10,10' and 11,11' is such that on rotation of shaft 8 to a first position contacts 10,10' close whilst contacts 11,11' remain open. This causes operation of the compressor C under the control of the thermo- stat 2 and lamp 6 is disposed in series with a sensor (not shown) which when the freezer temperature reaches a predetermined level causes illumination of the lamp. Further rotation of the shaft 8 to a second position causes closure of contacts 11,11' whilst contacts 10,10' remain closed.

This puts the compressor into a continuous running mode and causes illumination of the indicator lamp 13. Further rotation of shaft 8 opens both pairs of contacts 10,10' and 11,11'.

1. A thermostatic assembly for a freezer, in particular of the domestic or home type, comprising a thermostat proper (2) with related sensor (3) and a first switch (5) associated with said thermostat characterised in that there is provided a second switch (7) having a single manually rotatable shaft (8), said shaft carrying, angularly offset, a first contact pair (10,10') forming bipolar mains contacts for said first switch (5) and at least a contact (11') for shorting said thermostat and to provide for continuous running of the compressor (C) supply circuit.

2. A thermostatic assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that said second switch (7) is mounted above said thermostat (2) and said first switch (5) thereby providing an integral body with the latter.

3. A thermostatic assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that with said contact (11') is associated a further contact (11) for switching on a lamp (13) effective to signal the continuous running condition of said compressor.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Thermostatic assembly for domestic freezers The present invention relates to a thermostatic assembly for domestic freezers. Conventional thermostats for controlling the domestic freezer temperature are provided with a switch having the following functions of:

1. switching on and off the compressor, which main function is controlled by the temperature sensor;

2. signalling a dangerous temperature increase by switching on an indicating lamp, of a generally red colour; and

3. A thermostatic assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that with said contact (11') is associated a further contact (11) for switching on a lamp (13) effective to signal the continuous running condition of said compressor.

3. interrupting, by driving a knob, a pole of the mains.

It should be pointed out that the above function 3) cannot be considered, usually, a proper line interruption since, as aforesaid, the interruption is performed on a single pole. Moreover it should be noted that conventional thermostats require, for a quick freezing, the use of a separated switch provided for shorting the thermostat in such a way as to hold the compressor in a continuously on condition.

The object of the present invention is to provide a thermostatic assembly for domestic freezer including a particular switch which, as it is combined with the conventional switch, is effective to perform, by means of a single shaft and knob, all of the functions above mentioned as well as that of bipolar mains switch, while being also effective to switch off the quick freezing thermostat.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by the following disclosure and the appended claims.

The thermostatic assembly for domestic freezer according to the invention is of the type comprising a thermostat proper with related sensor and a first switch associated with said thermostat and is essentially characterized in that it comprises a second switch provided with a single shaft rotatively driven by a knob, said shaft bearing, angularly offset from one another a first contact pairs forming bipolar mains contacts for said first switch and at least a contact shorting said thermostat and forming a member for directly closing the compressor supply circuit.

The thermostatic assembly according to the invention is illustrated in the figures of the sole annexed drawing sheet, where: Figure 1 is an outline view illustrating the thermostatic assembly; and Figure 2 is an electric diagram.

With reference to the above mentioned figures, the thermostatic assembly, which is indicated generally at 1 in figure 1, comprises a thermostat proper 2, provided with a sensor 3 for controlling a contact pair 4,4' forming a part of a first switch, of conventional type, 5, the contact 4 of said contacts being provided for switching on and off a compressor C and the contact 4' being provided for switching on an indicating lamp 6, effective to signal a dangerous increase of the freezer temperature.

According to the invention, the thermostatic assembly 1 comprises a second switch 7, provided with a shaft 8 rotatively driven through a knob 9, said shaft 8 bearing, as angularly offset, two contact pairs respectively indicated at 10,10', and 11,11', the pair 10,10' forming bipolar contacts effective to close on both poles of the mains 12, the contact 11 closing on an indicating lamps 13, yellow, and the contact 11' directly switching on or energizing the compressor C by shorting the thermostat 2.

From the above it should be apparent that in the thermostatic assembly 1 all of the controls and adjusting members are included in the single knob 9 and are controlled by the single shaft 8 projecting from the second switch superimposed on the members 2 and 5, as it is shown in Figure 1, in such a way as to hold within standardized values the width of the overall assembly.

The angular offsetting between contact pairs 10,10' and 11,11' is such that on rotation of shaft 8 to a first position contacts 10,10' close whilst contacts 11,11' remain open. This causes operation of the compressor C under the control of the thermo- stat 2 and lamp 6 is disposed in series with a sensor (not shown) which when the freezer temperature reaches a predetermined level causes illumination of the lamp. Further rotation of the shaft 8 to a second position causes closure of contacts 11,11' whilst contacts 10,10' remain closed.

This puts the compressor into a continuous running mode and causes illumination of the indicator lamp 13. Further rotation of shaft 8 opens both pairs of contacts 10,10' and 11,11'.

1. A thermostatic assembly for a freezer, in particular of the domestic or home type, comprising a thermostat proper (2) with related sensor (3) and a first switch (5) associated with said thermostat characterised in that there is provided a second switch (7) having a single manually rotatable shaft (8), said shaft carrying, angularly offset, a first contact pair (10,10') forming bipolar mains contacts for said first switch (5) and at least a contact (11') for shorting said thermostat and to provide for continuous running of the compressor (C) supply circuit.

2. A thermostatic assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that said second switch (7) is mounted above said thermostat (2) and said first switch (5) thereby providing an integral body with the latter.