KR20120135515A - A system and method of temperature equalization applied to the door of electrical home appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the doors 12, 24, 30 of household appliances by the circulation of air in the freezing compartment 23, the freezer compartment 11 or the freezer compartment 16, in some cases, in order to eliminate areas where air stagnates. The present invention relates to a temperature homogenization method and system applied to The circulation includes forced movement of air between one or more air inlet openings 34 and one or more air outlet openings 15, 25, 35, 36, the forced movement being within the air inlet openings or air outlet openings. Provided by the action of one or more ventilation fans 13, 26, 37 installed. The openings are located in regions of different temperatures in the compartment and are interconnected by air flow guide means 14, 27, 34, which may be provided by conduits.

Description

A system and method of temperature equalization applied to doors of home appliances {A SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TEMPERATURE EQUALIZATION APPLIED TO THE DOOR OF ELECTRICAL HOME APPLIANCES}

The present invention relates to household appliances and, more particularly, to a temperature equalization system for application to the doors of refrigeration units, when defrost is carried out in each cycle of the compressor (commonly known as 'cycle defrost'). The refrigeration units may be of the "cycle defrost" type, and when defrost is autonomously controlled by a refrigerator (technically known as NoFrost or FrostFree). ) May be automatic , or may be manual when user intervention is required to perform defrost, and such a system may be applied regardless of whether the product has one, two or more doors.

Since early humans, there has been a need for food preservation to enable food storage. The first home refrigerator was produced in 1913 by Fred W. Wolf Junior of the City of Chicago and was called Domelre (Domestic Electric Refrigerator). It wasn't until 1925 that the first refrigerators were manufactured that included a refrigeration box and a motor, a compressor and a condenser (three of which were previously independent and located next to or below the refrigerator) in one single unit.

Between 1890 and 1929, refrigerators used toxic gases as refrigerant. Some examples included ammonia (NH ₃ ), methyl chloride (CH ₃ CL) and sulfur dioxide (S0 ₂ ). In 1928, American engineer Thomas Midgley developed chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as alternatives to toxic gases. It should be noted that among such CFCs, Freon (CCL ₂ F ₂ ).

Unfortunately, in 1973, American chemists Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina began to warn of the harmful effects of CFCs on the earth's ozone layer. The refrigeration gas used to replace CFCs, R22 and R12 gases in household refrigerators over the last two decades is R 134a.

In addition to the development of refrigeration systems, the quality of household refrigerators with the development of application of new materials with temperature control systems, forced ventilation systems, automatic defrost systems, better performance, design, ergonomics, aesthetics, practicality, etc. This was improved.

In the decade of the 1990s, the power consumption of household appliances, especially refrigerators, was of great interest. There have been implementations of energy consumption class tags for these decades, and thus the refrigerators have been classified according to their energy consumption level. The present invention therefore contemplates a continuing interest in reducing the energy consumption levels of household refrigerators, and seeks to contribute to the continuous reduction of such consumption levels.

Prior art analysis

A refrigerator is described in US Pat. No. 5,826,437, entitled "Refrigeration for Discharging Cool Air from a Door," in which the door of the refrigeration compartment comprises a conduit embedded therein, the conduit being connected to the inner side of the door. A located cold air intake opening and several cold air diffusion openings also located on the inner side. In Figures 3 and 4 of the above cited document, again described as Figures 1 and 2 herein, the side sections of the refrigeration compartment and the door in question are respectively shown. As can be observed from this, a fan 90 is installed in the suction opening 83 of the vertical conduit 80 which terminates in the diffusion openings 81 in the upper and lower regions of the door. In order to improve the cooling of the food stored on the shelves 76 of the door which are generally exposed to the surrounding heat each time the door is opened, the fan extracts cold air from the central area of the refrigeration compartment, as indicated by the arrows. And cold air is injected into the upper and lower regions following the door.

As shown in cross section in FIG. 1, the cold air for cooling the compartment originates from a freezer (not shown) and is introduced by conduit 68. Due to the higher density of the cold air, the cold air tends to accumulate in the lower region 91 of the refrigerator. As a result, the distribution mode as shown will clearly show the loss of efficiency of the process, because about half of the volume of cold air drawn by the fan 90 is transferred to the lower region, which lower region is already naturally It is the area of the lowest temperature compartment.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature equalization system for a refrigerator which is more efficient than what is currently known as presented in the above cited examples.

One other object is to provide a temperature equalization system that can be used in refrigeration compartments, freezer devices and refrigeration compartments.

One other object of the present invention is to provide a system that does not require modification of the refrigeration system.

One other object is to provide a system that can be used in a refrigerator whether or not the refrigerator has one, two or more doors.

One other object is to provide a temperature equalization system that can also be used in other types of household appliances, which maintains the basic principle of operation of other types of household appliances, for example ovens and cooking devices.

The above and other objects are achieved by the present invention by providing a means for circulating air in a refrigeration compartment, freezer device or refrigerator, as the case may be, in order to eliminate areas where air is stagnant.

According to other features of the invention, the circulation comprises the displacement of air between regions with different temperatures, using one or more ventilation fans for circulation purposes.

According to other features of the invention, the means used comprise a ventilation fan associated with an arrangement comprising at least an air inlet and an air outlet, said air inlet and air outlet directing the air flow between said inlet and outlet. Located within several areas of the interconnected compartments by means for performing, the construct is provided with a target compartment in the door to promote forced circulation of air to equalize the temperature distribution in the compartment.

According to other features of the invention, the different areas correspond to different levels of the compartment.

According to another feature of the invention, the system presented herein can be used in cycle defrost type products when defrost is executed in each cycle of the compressor (commonly known as 'cycle defrost'). It can be used in automatic types of products when defrosting is autonomously controlled by the refrigerator (technically known as NoFrost or FrostFree) or to perform defrosting. It can be used in passive types of products when the intervention of the product is needed, and the products have one, two or more doors.

According to another feature of the invention, the presented system may be used only for temperature equalization in a freezing compartment or freezer, in a cold compartment or in both compartments (freezer and refrigerator or freezing compartment and refrigerator).

According to another feature of the invention, a temperature equalization system is applied to the doors of the refrigeration devices, thus avoiding the need to change the refrigeration system.

According to another feature of the present invention, the presented system facilitates the orientation of the direction of air flow in the regions of interest.

Similarly, the present invention acts within the door of the cooking apparatus to equalize the temperature in the oven compartment.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and from the drawings of such embodiments, the description of which has no limitative meaning. It is given by way of example only without reference.
1 shows a cross-sectional view of a temperature equalization system in a known cooling compartment.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a pipe embedded in a door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.
3 shows one possible embodiment of the air flow in the freezer compartment by a cross-sectional view of a two-door refrigerator with a system according to the invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the door of the freezer compartment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature equalization system of a refrigeration compartment applied to refrigerators having a single-door cabinet.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view specifically showing the temperature homogenization system applied to the door of the refrigeration compartment in the single-door refrigerator shown in FIG.
7 is an exploded view of another configuration of the system presented herein applied to the door of a refrigeration compartment in a single-door cabinet.
8 is a cross-sectional view of the door of the freezing compartment for the configuration of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating air flow in the alternative configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The present invention invention herein thus provides a solution to improve the air circulation in the refrigeration system, and is a defroster (known as "cycle defrost" typically) executed in each cycle of the compressor frost cycles in the removal-type products (known technically as a frost protection or no frost) defrosting is being autonomously controlled by the refrigerator passive requires user intervention in order to carry out in the automatic type products, or defrost It can be used in in-type products, which have one, two or more doors.

The present invention may be used in conventional refrigerators that distribute air only in a freezer compartment or in a freezer compartment or both (freezer and freezer or freezer compartment and freezer). In addition, the system presented herein may be used in horizontal-type freezers with one or two doors as well as vertical-type freezers. The present invention, when applied to a door of a refrigeration system, provides an air flow, which can be provided as a ventilation fan, internal or external, conduit construct, to promote forced circulation of air to equalize the temperature in the compartment in question. Consisting of execution means, air outlets and air inlets.

Since the installation of the ventilation fan does not change the object of the present invention, the ventilation fan may be installed inside the door or even in the outer part of the door, so that the purpose of the ventilation fan is to move air in the compartments. It is because it drives (forced ventilation).

Changes that cause the ventilation fan to suck or blow air do not change the objects and results of the present invention. Altering the shapes and portions of the air outlets or the air inlets also does not affect the objects and results of the present invention, in which the specific function of the air outlets and air inlets directs the air flow towards the predetermined regions. Because it includes. The shape and arrangement of the conduit constructs, internal or external, do not affect the overall objectives of the present invention.

Specific aspects of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings for the sake of convenience, each of which may be combined with other aspects within the scope of the same aspect of the invention as desired. Accordingly, FIG. 3 illustrates the application of the system according to the invention to a freezer compartment 11 of a two door refrigerator 10. As shown in FIG. 3 and embodied in FIG. 4, the door 12 of the freezer has a ventilation fan 13 installed in the air intake opening, the opening extending along a substantially vertical conduit 4 and Ends at one or more air outlets 15. As can be observed in the exemplary embodiment, air is sucked in near the lower area or level of the door 12, ie next to the lower area of the freezer compartment 11, and in contrast to the area of the intake opening. Discharged back into the same compartment through one or more air outlets 15 located in the region or level; In this case, this level is a higher level. This forced movement of the air leads to a closed-circuit type circulation as indicated by the arrow, resulting in a uniform temperature in the entire freezer compartment. If two or more outlets are used, the same will preferably be located at the same height.

Alternative embodiments will be understood by those skilled in the art and will be included within the scope of the claims herein. Thus, for example, the direction or sense of air circulation in the compartments to which the system is applied may differ from that shown in the figures.

In FIG. 5, the system of the present application is exemplarily shown in cross section for a refrigerator 20 having a cabinet with a single door 21 on which shelves 22 are mounted. As shown, a temperature equalization system is mounted in the door 24 of the refrigeration compartment 23, and includes a fan 26, which draws cold air from the lower region of the compartment and of the same compartment. The air is discharged through an opening 25 located in the upper region, thus facilitating the circulation of air inside the compartment. In FIG. 6, further details of the system presented herein are shown in perspective view. In the illustrated embodiment, the air drawn by the ventilation fan 26 is directed towards the air outlet openings 25 by a set of conduits 27 (shown in dashed lines) embedded in the door 24. .

7, 8 and 9 show alternative constructs wherein the means used to direct air flow in such constructs dispense with the use of conduits. As shown, the door 30 of the refrigeration compartment (not shown in these figures) includes an insulated main panel 31 overlaid with an inner face facing towards the refrigeration compartment, such an insulated main panel In the case, with or without a layer of heat insulating material, the trays 32, which are preferably molded of thermoplastic material, are overlapped. The tray has a depth 33, the depth of which can sufficiently accommodate the ventilation fan 37 and its support pedestal 38, which is provided on the inner side of the panel 31 for convenience of configuration. Attached. The tray has a circular opening 34 for air intake, which is arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the ventilation fan 37 and has a sufficient diameter to receive the propeller. This tray also has two openings 35 and 36 located at a level different from the level of the intake opening. Thus, when the assembly is mounted by overlapping the tray 32 over the panel, a cavity or "plenum" 34 is formed, as shown in FIG. Air drawn by the ventilation fan 37 is discharged into the plenum and thus diffuses toward the openings 35 and 36, as shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 9, through the freezing compartment. Infused into me. By this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the system can be reduced because such configuration precludes the use of flow directing conduits, and the flow generally proceeds from the intake opening 34 to the outlet openings 35 and 36. do. As a result, on the inner side of the tray 32, ribs may be provided that are molded integrally with such tray and provided to direct air flow between the intake opening and the exhaust opening.

In an alternative alternative configuration, blocks of insulating or non-insulating material may be inserted between the inner faces of the walls that form the plenum, wherein the blocks allow air flow between the inlet and outlet openings. Have shapes and positions to form directing channels.

The innovations introduced herein are not limited to those described and mentioned herein, and should be understood to the widest scope. Many modifications and other representations of the invention will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and will have the benefit of the teachings presented in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description. As a result, the innovations are not limited to the forms specifically described herein, and such changes and other forms will be understood to be included within the scope of the claims appended hereto. Among the possible constructional variations, it should be noted that not only horizontal freezers with one or two doors, but also those for vertical freezers, in which case the intake and blow areas may be located at the same level.

Although specific terms have been used herein, such terms are used only in general and descriptive form, without any restrictive purpose.

Accordingly, the above description should be understood as illustrative and not restrictive with respect to the scope of protection of the present invention, and all obvious modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of protection defined by the claims appended hereto. will be.

Claims (23)

A temperature equalization system applied to a door of household appliances, the door may correspond to a freezer compartment 11, a freezing compartment 23, a refrigerating compartment 17, 21, a cooking compartment or a horizontal or vertical type freezer. The temperature equalization system may comprise an air flow interconnecting one or more ventilation fans 13, 26, 37, one or more air inlet openings 34 with one or more air outlet openings 15, 25, 35, 36. In the temperature equalization system, consisting of means (14, 27, 34) for the guidance of
The one or more air inlet openings are substantially disposed in a first region of the compartment, the temperature in the first region being different from the temperature present in the second region of the same compartment, wherein the one or more air outlet openings in the compartment And wherein one of the openings is associated with the ventilation fan. The method of claim 1,
Wherein said first region corresponds to a position of lower air temperature in said compartment and said second region corresponds to a position of higher air temperature. The method of claim 1,
Wherein said first region corresponds to a position of a higher air temperature in said compartment and said second region corresponds to a position of a lower air temperature. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
And the air inlet opening is disposed in the first region. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
And the air inlet opening is disposed in the second region. The method according to claim 4 or 5,
The ventilation fan (26, 37) is arranged in the air inlet opening (34). 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
And said ventilation fan is disposed within said air outlet opening. The method of claim 7, wherein
At least two air outlet openings (25, 35, 36), all of which are located at substantially the same level. The method of claim 8,
The means for guiding the flow of air is provided by conduits (14, 27) located therein relative to the door (12, 24) in which the system is installed. The method of claim 8,
And said air flow guide means are provided by conduits located externally with respect to the door in which said system is installed. The method of claim 8,
The air flow guide means is provided by a plenum (34) associated with the door (30) in which the system is installed. 12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
Temperature homogenization system, characterized in that applied to the door (24, 31) of the refrigeration compartment (23). 12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
Temperature homogenization system, characterized in that applied to the door (12) of the freezer compartment (11). 12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
Temperature equalization system, characterized in that applied to the door (17) of the refrigeration compartment (16). 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Temperature equalization system comprising blowing air within certain internal accessories. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
Temperature equalization system comprising evacuating air within a particular internal accessory. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Temperature equalization system, characterized in that applied to the cooking apparatus. In the temperature equalization method applied to the doors of home appliances,
One or more openings 15, disposed in or in the second compartment of the same compartment, by inhaling or drawing air through the openings associated with the doors 12, 24, 31 disposed in the first region of the one or more compartment (s). Providing a circulation of air in the one or more compartments (11, 16, 23) by blowing air through 25, 35, 36). The method of claim 18,
And wherein the first region corresponds to a position of lower air temperature in the compartment, and the second region corresponds to a position of higher air temperature in the compartment. The method of claim 18,
And wherein the first region corresponds to a position of a higher air temperature in the compartment, and the second region corresponds to a position of a lower air temperature in the compartment. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
The intake of air is provided by a ventilation fan (13, 26, 37). The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
And said air is blown in by a ventilation fan. The method of claim 18,
And wherein the first region corresponds to a first level of the one or more compartment (s), and the second region corresponds to a second level of the one or more compartment (s).

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