US20080196441A1 - Air Blowing Arrangement For a Combined Refrigerator - Google Patents
Air Blowing Arrangement For a Combined Refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080196441A1 US20080196441A1 US11/914,835 US91483506A US2008196441A1 US 20080196441 A1 US20080196441 A1 US 20080196441A1 US 91483506 A US91483506 A US 91483506A US 2008196441 A1 US2008196441 A1 US 2008196441A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- air
- interior
- case
- arrangement
- diffusing element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/06—Walls
- F25D23/061—Walls with conduit means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
- F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
- F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/06—Walls
- F25D23/065—Details
- F25D23/068—Arrangements for circulating fluids through the insulating material
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/066—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply
- F25D2317/0666—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply from the freezer
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/067—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by air ducts
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/067—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by air ducts
- F25D2317/0672—Outlet ducts
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/068—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the fans
- F25D2317/0682—Two or more fans
Definitions
- the present invention refers to an air blowing arrangement to be applied to a combined refrigerator of the forced ventilation type and presenting a single cabinet that internally defines a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, usually separated by a horizontal dividing wall.
- the combined refrigerators are generally constituted by a cabinet formed of an outer case, usually in metallic sheet, and by two inner cases molded in plastic material, EPS for example, which are spaced from each other and also from the outer case by a thermal insulating filler generally in polyurethane foam injected between said outer case and inner cases.
- the inner cases respectively define the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, and the freezing compartment can be disposed above or below the refrigerating compartment and separated therefrom by the dividing wall.
- These combined refrigerators with forced ventilation are provided with ducts for conducting cool air coming from the evaporator, to the freezing and refrigerating compartments.
- the cool air is produced in an air refrigerating compartment lodging an evaporator and a fan and which is disposed inside the freezing compartment, it is necessary to provide ducts that allow the cool air, which is produced upon passing through the evaporator, to be conducted not only to the freezing compartment inside which the air refrigerating compartment is situated, but also to the refrigerating compartment disposed below or above the freezing compartment, depending on the construction applied to the combined refrigerator.
- the conduction of cool air from the air cooling compartment to the refrigerating compartment is made through air passages provided in the horizontal dividing wall which separates the freezing compartment from the refrigerating compartment.
- the cool airflow After passing through said dividing wall, the cool airflow, to be released to the interior of the refrigerating compartment, is conducted through a diffusing duct mounted in the interior of the refrigerating compartment and seated and affixed against a rear wall of the latter, this diffusing duct being generally defined by an EPS body provided with at least one longitudinal slot opened to its rear face, against which is seated and affixed an adhesive blanket that operates as a sealing joint between the diffusing duct and the rear wall of the respective inner case.
- the diffusing duct body is provided with a plurality of air outlet openings turned to its front face and which are maintained in communication with the rear slot, in order to permit that the forced airflow admitted into the slot, by an adequately positioned inlet, be released through said openings in different levels of the refrigerating compartment.
- the diffusing duct is disposed inside the refrigerating compartment, therefore being exposed to the user upon the opening of the respective front door of the cabinet.
- this assembly it is necessary to provide a finishing cover to be affixed onto the diffusing duct, giving to the latter a esthetic aspect determined in the project of the refrigeration appliance.
- the finishing cover is designed to present openings or windows coinciding with the air outlet openings of the diffusing duct and also, optionally, an end portion with an increased depth, in order to define a chamber in which will be mounted an airflow control means for the diffusing duct, which can be defined by an obturator or a fan, depending on the design of the refrigerating appliance.
- this prior art construction requires special cares for assembling the diffusing duct and its finishing cover, turning the assembling operations difficult and expensive and requiring a design for both the diffusing duct and the finishing cover for each model of combined refrigerator.
- the present air blowing arrangement can be applied to a combined refrigerator of the forced ventilation type and which comprises a cabinet formed by an outer case and two inner cases, each provided with a rear wall and separated from each other and from the outer case by a thermal insulating filler, said inner cases respectively defining a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; and an air diffusing body mounted to the cabinet and defining at least one air distributing duct, having an air inlet in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment and a plurality of air outlets opened to the interior of the refrigerating compartment.
- the air diffusing body is disposed in the interior of the thermal insulating filler between the outer case and the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment, against which is seated and retained, said rear wall being provided with a plurality of windows, with which are aligned respective air outlet openings of the air distributing duct defined inside the air diffusing body.
- the basic construction defined above permits the air diffusing body to be disposed behind the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment and, therefore, not visible to the user.
- the assembly of the diffusing body is effected concomitantly with the assembly of the outer case and inner cases, during the injection phase of the thermal insulating filler, dispensing esthetic finishings and leaving the interior of the refrigerating compartment free of covering pieces and liable to variations of its ornamental aspect.
- the air diffusing body can present two or more air distributing ducts and further at least one air inlet duct having an air inlet in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment, and an air outlet in selective communication with the air inlet of the air distributing duct(s), said selective communication being controlled by the manual or automatic drive of an obturator or by the automatic drive of a fan, the automatic drive being achieved, both to the obturator and to the fan, through a driving means whose operation is controlled by a temperature sensor means mounted in the interior of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment.
- the provision of an air inlet duct along the air diffusing body is recommended to keep the obturator away from the air cooling compartment defined in the interior of the freezing compartment, when the latter is disposed under the refrigerating compartment.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a combined refrigerator with forced ventilation, with the freezing compartment disposed under the refrigerating compartment and using the present air blowing arrangement, according to one of its embodiments;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a combined refrigerator of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 and presenting the air blowing arrangement object of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment of FIGS. 1 and 2 , further illustrating the air diffusing body and a case for lodging the air blowing control means;
- FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the air diffusing body used in the arrangement of FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment with the blowing arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 ;
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 , illustrating a combined refrigerator with forced ventilation, also with the freezing compartment inferiorly disposed, but with the upper refrigerating compartment using another embodiment for the air blowing arrangement;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a combined refrigerator of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 and presenting the air blowing arrangement according to said other embodiment;
- FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the air diffusing body used in the arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 ;
- FIG. 9 is a partial front perspective view of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment, with the air blowing arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 ;
- FIG. 10 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 6 , but illustrating a combined refrigerator with forced ventilation, having the freezing compartment disposed above the refrigerating compartment which uses said other embodiment for the air blowing arrangement;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a combined refrigerator of the type illustrated in
- FIG. 11 and presenting the air blowing arrangement according to said other embodiment
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flow control means in the form of an obturator.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a flow control means in the form of a fan.
- the present air blowing arrangement can be applied to the combined refrigerators of the no frost type and with forced ventilation, presenting the freezing compartment FC disposed above or under the refrigerating compartment RC.
- FIGS. 1-5 illustrates a combined refrigerator of the type considered herein and in which the freezing compartment FC is disposed under the refrigerating compartment RC.
- the refrigerator comprises a cabinet defined by an outer case 1 generally made of metallic sheet, an inferiorly disposed inner case 2 , defining the freezing compartment FC, and a superiorly disposed inner case 3 , defining the refrigerating compartment RC.
- the two inner cases 2 , 3 are separated from each other and also from the outer case 1 by a thermal insulating filler 4 , generally made of injected and expanded polyurethane (foam), said thermal insulating filler 4 further defining a dividing wall 5 horizontally lying between the inner cases 2 , 3 .
- the combined refrigerator further comprises an air cooling compartment 6 , provided in a rear region of the freezing compartment FC and lodging an evaporator 7 and a ventilator 8 .
- the air cooling compartment 6 presents a circulated air inlet (not illustrated) and a cool air outlet 6 b , disposed downstream of the fan 8 .
- the circulated air inlet and the cool air outlet 6 b can be multiple and arranged in different manners, according to each refrigerator design, not forming part of the present invention.
- the inner cases 2 and 3 present a respective rear wall 2 a , 3 a which is kept spaced from the outer case 1 by a respective extension of the thermal insulating filler 4 .
- the cool air outlet 6 b is opened to the interior of a plenum P, usually occupying the whole width and height of the freezing compartment FC and spaced therefrom by a thin wall 9 , which is generally vertical and provided with openings 9 a adequately dimensioned and positioned for allowing the cool air to be supplied to the freezing compartment FC in the evaporator 7 .
- the forced cool airflow is supplied to the refrigerating compartment RC, through the plenum P in the cases in which the blowing arrangement has the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 , or from the air cooling compartment 6 itself, in the cases in which said arrangement has the construction illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 , there being further provided conductors (not illustrated) to promote the return of air from the freezing FC and refrigerating RC compartments to the air cooling compartment 6 .
- the air blowing arrangement of the invention comprises an air diffusing element 10 , generally in the form of a parallelepipedic body of low height, constructed in EPS or other adequate material of low thermal conductivity and of easy moldability, to be lodged in the interior of the thermal insulating filler 4 between the rear wall 3 a of the inner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC and the outer case 1 , before the structure of the refrigerator cabinet is filled with the thermal insulating material in polyurethane foam.
- an air diffusing element 10 generally in the form of a parallelepipedic body of low height, constructed in EPS or other adequate material of low thermal conductivity and of easy moldability, to be lodged in the interior of the thermal insulating filler 4 between the rear wall 3 a of the inner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC and the outer case 1 , before the structure of the refrigerator cabinet is filled with the thermal insulating material in polyurethane foam.
- the air diffusing element 10 has the function of conducting the forced cool airflow, coming from the plenum P provided inside the inner case 2 of the freezing compartment FC, to the interior of the refrigerating compartment RC, in an initially ascending and then descending path.
- the air diffusing element 10 defines an air inlet duct 11 , in the form of a longitudinal central channel, and a pair of air distributing ducts 12 , in the form of longitudinal lateral channel, the air distributing ducts 12 presenting a longitudinal extension shorter than that of the air diffusing element 10 and all the ducts being opened to a rear face 10 a of the air diffusing element 10 .
- a closing plate 20 is hermetically seated and retained against the rear face 10 a of the air diffusing element 10 .
- the closing plate 20 is made of PS and is affixed and sealed against the air diffusing element 10 by means of adhesive tape, not illustrated since it is a well known prior art solution.
- the air diffusing element 10 presents a front face lob which is seated and affixed, generally by adhesive tape (not illustrated), against the rear wall 3 a of the inner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC before injecting the thermal insulating filler 4 .
- the air inlet duct 11 presents an air inlet 11 a defined next to an end edge of the air diffusing element 10 and which is maintained in communication with the interior of the inner case 2 of the freezing compartment FC, more specifically with the plenum P defined downstream of the fan 8 , in order to receive a respective cool airflow coming from the air cooling compartment 6 .
- the fluid communication between the plenum P and the air inlet 11 a is made through a duct arrangement D adequately provided through the dividing wall 5 .
- the cool air is upwardly forced along the air inlet duct 11 by the fan 8 until reaching the opposite end of the air inlet duct 11 , where it is provided with an air outlet 11 b turned and opened to the front face 10 b of the air diffusing element 10 and aligned with a respective opening 3 b provided in the rear wall 3 a of the inner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC, in the upper region of the latter.
- the refrigerating compartment RC is internally provided with a case 30 which is affixed against the rear wall 3 a of the respective inner case 3 , so as to maintain its interior in fluid communication with the 25 air outlet 11 b of the air inlet duct 11 , through the opening 3 b provided in said rear wall 3 a.
- Each of the two air distributing ducts 12 presents an air inlet 12 a turned and opened to the front face 10 b of the air diffusing element 10 and aligned with a respective opening 3 c (see FIG. 7 ) provided in the rear wall 3 a of the inner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC.
- the cool airflow which penetrates in the case 30 , through the ascending inlet duct 11 , is directed downwardly through the interior of the two distributing ducts 12 , which are provided with a plurality of air outlets 12 b , turned and opened to the front face lob of the air diffusing element 10 and aligned with respective windows 3 d provided in the rear wall 3 a of the respective inner case 3 .
- the forced airflow system is provided with only one ventilator 8 , disposed between the plenum P and the air cooling compartment 6 , and being the responsible for supplying of cool air to both the freezing compartment FC and the refrigerating compartment RC.
- the supply of cool air to the refrigerating compartment RC is controlled by a flow control means CM, which can be in the form of an obturator 40 mounted inside the case 30 and to be selectively driven from a flow releasing condition, in which it communicates the case 30 and consequently the air outlet 11 b of the air inlet duct 11 with the air inlets 12 a of the air distributing ducts 12 , and a flow blocking condition, in which it impedes the communication.
- a flow control means CM can be in the form of an obturator 40 mounted inside the case 30 and to be selectively driven from a flow releasing condition, in which it communicates the case 30 and consequently the air outlet 11 b of the air inlet duct 11 with the air inlets 12 a of the air
- the movement of the obturator 40 can be manual or obtained by a driving means 50 operatively associated with a temperature sensor 60 mounted in the refrigerating compartment RC.
- a driving means 50 operatively associated with a temperature sensor 60 mounted in the refrigerating compartment RC.
- the temperature sensor 60 activates the driving means 50 , which displaces the obturator 40 to the closing position.
- the temperature sensor reactivates the driving means 50 , which makes the latter return the obturator 40 to the open position.
- the driving means 50 is generally defined by a thermostat, whose adjustment is made by an adjusting means 55 , manually operated by the user.
- a cover 35 onto the case 30 is adapted a cover 35 , which is provided with an opening 36 for mounting the adjusting means 55 and also air outlet openings 37 .
- the freezing compartment FC is also disposed below the refrigerating compartment RC.
- the air diffusing element 10 has a construction similar to that of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 , except for the fact that it does not present the inlet duct 11 and for the fact that the air inlets 12 a of the two air distributing ducts 12 are disposed in a lower region and maintained in communication with the interior of the case 30 positioned next to the dividing wall 5 , in the lower region of the refrigerating compartment RC, and maintained in fluid communication with the air cooling compartment 6 , by means of a duct D provided through the dividing wall 5 .
- the airflow arriving to the case 30 is forced upwardly through the interior of the distributing ducts 12 , by the operation of a second fan 70 , mounted in the interior of the case 30 and whose driving means, defined by a respective electric motor 75 , is activated by the temperature sensor 60 mounted in the interior of the refrigerator compartment RC, through a known control module of the different functions of the appliance and which can be constructed in any adequate form known in the prior art.
- the second fan 70 is deenergized, blocking the passage of cool air to the air distributing ducts 12 , when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment RC lowers to a certain value.
- the case 30 does not present the air outlet openings 37 .
- the freezing compartment FC is provided above the refrigerating compartment RC and the air diffusing element 10 presents a construction practically equal to that of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 , occurring only the inversion in the assembly of the case 30 , which in this case is located in the upper region of the refrigerating compartment RC, just below the dividing wall 5 .
- the air coming from the plenum P or from the air cooling compartment 6 is conducted to the interior of the case 30 and, from the latter, to the air inlets 12 a of the air distributing ducts 12 , flowing downwardly therethrough and being discharged to the interior of different levels of the refrigerating compartment RC, through the air outlets 12 b and through the windows 3 d of the rear wall 3 a of the respective inner case 3 .
- the case 30 can lodge a flow control means CM that can be defined either by an obturator or a second fan 70 .
- the diffusing element 10 is rearly completed by the closing plate 20 , its front face 10 b being hermetically seated and affixed against the rear wall 3 a of the respective inner case 3 , which is equally provided with openings 3 c aligned with the air inlets 12 a of the distributing ducts 12 , and also with the windows 3 d aligned with the air outlets 12 b of the distributing ducts 12 .
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
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- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Abstract
An air blowing arrangement for a combined refrigerator of the forced ventilation type and that comprises: a cabinet formed by an outer case and by two inner cases spaced from each other by a thermal insulating filler and defining a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; and an air diffusing element defining at least one air distributing duct, having an air inlet in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment and a plurality of air outlets opened to the interior of the refrigerating compartment. The air diffusing element is disposed in the interior of the thermal insulating filler and seated against the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment, said rear wall being provided with a plurality of windows aligned with respective air inlet openings of the air distributing duct.
Description
- The present invention refers to an air blowing arrangement to be applied to a combined refrigerator of the forced ventilation type and presenting a single cabinet that internally defines a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, usually separated by a horizontal dividing wall.
- The combined refrigerators are generally constituted by a cabinet formed of an outer case, usually in metallic sheet, and by two inner cases molded in plastic material, EPS for example, which are spaced from each other and also from the outer case by a thermal insulating filler generally in polyurethane foam injected between said outer case and inner cases. The inner cases respectively define the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, and the freezing compartment can be disposed above or below the refrigerating compartment and separated therefrom by the dividing wall.
- These combined refrigerators with forced ventilation are provided with ducts for conducting cool air coming from the evaporator, to the freezing and refrigerating compartments.
- Considering that the cool air is produced in an air refrigerating compartment lodging an evaporator and a fan and which is disposed inside the freezing compartment, it is necessary to provide ducts that allow the cool air, which is produced upon passing through the evaporator, to be conducted not only to the freezing compartment inside which the air refrigerating compartment is situated, but also to the refrigerating compartment disposed below or above the freezing compartment, depending on the construction applied to the combined refrigerator.
- Usually, the conduction of cool air from the air cooling compartment to the refrigerating compartment is made through air passages provided in the horizontal dividing wall which separates the freezing compartment from the refrigerating compartment. After passing through said dividing wall, the cool airflow, to be released to the interior of the refrigerating compartment, is conducted through a diffusing duct mounted in the interior of the refrigerating compartment and seated and affixed against a rear wall of the latter, this diffusing duct being generally defined by an EPS body provided with at least one longitudinal slot opened to its rear face, against which is seated and affixed an adhesive blanket that operates as a sealing joint between the diffusing duct and the rear wall of the respective inner case. The diffusing duct body is provided with a plurality of air outlet openings turned to its front face and which are maintained in communication with the rear slot, in order to permit that the forced airflow admitted into the slot, by an adequately positioned inlet, be released through said openings in different levels of the refrigerating compartment.
- In this type of prior art construction, the diffusing duct is disposed inside the refrigerating compartment, therefore being exposed to the user upon the opening of the respective front door of the cabinet. With this assembly, it is necessary to provide a finishing cover to be affixed onto the diffusing duct, giving to the latter a esthetic aspect determined in the project of the refrigeration appliance. Besides being developed to esthetically minimize the presence of the diffusing duct inside the refrigerating compartment, the finishing cover is designed to present openings or windows coinciding with the air outlet openings of the diffusing duct and also, optionally, an end portion with an increased depth, in order to define a chamber in which will be mounted an airflow control means for the diffusing duct, which can be defined by an obturator or a fan, depending on the design of the refrigerating appliance.
- This known construction requires the provision of a finishing cover to cover the whole extension of the diffusing duct, with the consequent costs in material and investments in moulds with considerably dimensions.
- In addition to the inconvenience above, this prior art construction requires special cares for assembling the diffusing duct and its finishing cover, turning the assembling operations difficult and expensive and requiring a design for both the diffusing duct and the finishing cover for each model of combined refrigerator.
- Finally, the fact of the diffusing duct-finishing cover assembly being exposed inside the refrigerating compartment restricts or impairs the introduction of new esthetic characteristics in the combined refrigerator.
- By reason of the inconveniences presented by the solutions known so far, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an air blowing arrangement for a combined refrigerator of the type considered above, presenting a construction which is simple to assemble and of relatively reduced cost, and which can be applied to different models of refrigerator.
- It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an air blowing arrangement, which requires a finishing element of reduced dimensions and which interferes very little with the esthetic design of the interior of the refrigerating compartment of the combined appliance.
- As already mentioned above, the present air blowing arrangement can be applied to a combined refrigerator of the forced ventilation type and which comprises a cabinet formed by an outer case and two inner cases, each provided with a rear wall and separated from each other and from the outer case by a thermal insulating filler, said inner cases respectively defining a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; and an air diffusing body mounted to the cabinet and defining at least one air distributing duct, having an air inlet in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment and a plurality of air outlets opened to the interior of the refrigerating compartment.
- According to the invention, the air diffusing body is disposed in the interior of the thermal insulating filler between the outer case and the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment, against which is seated and retained, said rear wall being provided with a plurality of windows, with which are aligned respective air outlet openings of the air distributing duct defined inside the air diffusing body.
- The basic construction defined above permits the air diffusing body to be disposed behind the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment and, therefore, not visible to the user. In this condition, the assembly of the diffusing body is effected concomitantly with the assembly of the outer case and inner cases, during the injection phase of the thermal insulating filler, dispensing esthetic finishings and leaving the interior of the refrigerating compartment free of covering pieces and liable to variations of its ornamental aspect.
- While only one air distributing duct in the air diffusing body has been provided, it should be understood, as described ahead, that the air diffusing body can present two or more air distributing ducts and further at least one air inlet duct having an air inlet in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment, and an air outlet in selective communication with the air inlet of the air distributing duct(s), said selective communication being controlled by the manual or automatic drive of an obturator or by the automatic drive of a fan, the automatic drive being achieved, both to the obturator and to the fan, through a driving means whose operation is controlled by a temperature sensor means mounted in the interior of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment. The provision of an air inlet duct along the air diffusing body is recommended to keep the obturator away from the air cooling compartment defined in the interior of the freezing compartment, when the latter is disposed under the refrigerating compartment.
- The invention will be described below, with reference to the enclosed drawings, given by way of example of possible embodiments of the invention and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a combined refrigerator with forced ventilation, with the freezing compartment disposed under the refrigerating compartment and using the present air blowing arrangement, according to one of its embodiments; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a combined refrigerator of the type illustrated inFIG. 1 and presenting the air blowing arrangement object of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , further illustrating the air diffusing body and a case for lodging the air blowing control means; -
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the air diffusing body used in the arrangement ofFIGS. 1 , 2 and 3; -
FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment with the blowing arrangement illustrated inFIGS. 1 , 2 and 3; -
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 1 , illustrating a combined refrigerator with forced ventilation, also with the freezing compartment inferiorly disposed, but with the upper refrigerating compartment using another embodiment for the air blowing arrangement; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a combined refrigerator of the type illustrated inFIG. 6 and presenting the air blowing arrangement according to said other embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the air diffusing body used in the arrangement ofFIGS. 6 and 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a partial front perspective view of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment, with the air blowing arrangement illustrated inFIGS. 6-8 ; -
FIG. 10 is a view similar to those ofFIGS. 1 and 6 , but illustrating a combined refrigerator with forced ventilation, having the freezing compartment disposed above the refrigerating compartment which uses said other embodiment for the air blowing arrangement; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a combined refrigerator of the type illustrated in -
FIG. 11 and presenting the air blowing arrangement according to said other embodiment; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flow control means in the form of an obturator; and -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a flow control means in the form of a fan. - As already mentioned, the present air blowing arrangement can be applied to the combined refrigerators of the no frost type and with forced ventilation, presenting the freezing compartment FC disposed above or under the refrigerating compartment RC.
-
FIGS. 1-5 illustrates a combined refrigerator of the type considered herein and in which the freezing compartment FC is disposed under the refrigerating compartment RC. In these exemplary applications, the refrigerator comprises a cabinet defined by anouter case 1 generally made of metallic sheet, an inferiorly disposedinner case 2, defining the freezing compartment FC, and a superiorly disposedinner case 3, defining the refrigerating compartment RC. The twoinner cases outer case 1 by athermal insulating filler 4, generally made of injected and expanded polyurethane (foam), said thermalinsulating filler 4 further defining a dividingwall 5 horizontally lying between theinner cases - The combined refrigerator further comprises an
air cooling compartment 6, provided in a rear region of the freezing compartment FC and lodging anevaporator 7 and aventilator 8. Theair cooling compartment 6 presents a circulated air inlet (not illustrated) and acool air outlet 6 b, disposed downstream of thefan 8. - It should be understood that the circulated air inlet and the
cool air outlet 6 b can be multiple and arranged in different manners, according to each refrigerator design, not forming part of the present invention. - As it can be noted, in the different ways of carrying out the invention, the
inner cases rear wall outer case 1 by a respective extension of thethermal insulating filler 4. - In the arrangement illustrated in
FIGS. 1-5 , thecool air outlet 6 b is opened to the interior of a plenum P, usually occupying the whole width and height of the freezing compartment FC and spaced therefrom by athin wall 9, which is generally vertical and provided withopenings 9 a adequately dimensioned and positioned for allowing the cool air to be supplied to the freezing compartment FC in theevaporator 7. - The forced cool airflow is supplied to the refrigerating compartment RC, through the plenum P in the cases in which the blowing arrangement has the construction illustrated in
FIGS. 1-5 , or from theair cooling compartment 6 itself, in the cases in which said arrangement has the construction illustrated inFIGS. 6-9 , there being further provided conductors (not illustrated) to promote the return of air from the freezing FC and refrigerating RC compartments to theair cooling compartment 6. - The air blowing arrangement of the invention comprises an
air diffusing element 10, generally in the form of a parallelepipedic body of low height, constructed in EPS or other adequate material of low thermal conductivity and of easy moldability, to be lodged in the interior of the thermalinsulating filler 4 between therear wall 3 a of theinner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC and theouter case 1, before the structure of the refrigerator cabinet is filled with the thermal insulating material in polyurethane foam. - In the construction illustrated in
FIGS. 1-5 , theair diffusing element 10 has the function of conducting the forced cool airflow, coming from the plenum P provided inside theinner case 2 of the freezing compartment FC, to the interior of the refrigerating compartment RC, in an initially ascending and then descending path. In this construction, theair diffusing element 10 defines anair inlet duct 11, in the form of a longitudinal central channel, and a pair ofair distributing ducts 12, in the form of longitudinal lateral channel, theair distributing ducts 12 presenting a longitudinal extension shorter than that of theair diffusing element 10 and all the ducts being opened to arear face 10 a of theair diffusing element 10. In order to form said air inlet and distributingducts closing plate 20 is hermetically seated and retained against therear face 10 a of theair diffusing element 10. Generally, theclosing plate 20 is made of PS and is affixed and sealed against theair diffusing element 10 by means of adhesive tape, not illustrated since it is a well known prior art solution. - In all the constructive forms illustrated herein, the
air diffusing element 10 presents a front face lob which is seated and affixed, generally by adhesive tape (not illustrated), against therear wall 3 a of theinner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC before injecting thethermal insulating filler 4. - In the construction of
FIGS. 1-5 , theair inlet duct 11 presents anair inlet 11 a defined next to an end edge of theair diffusing element 10 and which is maintained in communication with the interior of theinner case 2 of the freezing compartment FC, more specifically with the plenum P defined downstream of thefan 8, in order to receive a respective cool airflow coming from theair cooling compartment 6. It should be understood that the fluid communication between the plenum P and theair inlet 11 a is made through a duct arrangement D adequately provided through the dividingwall 5. In this constructive form, the cool air is upwardly forced along theair inlet duct 11 by thefan 8 until reaching the opposite end of theair inlet duct 11, where it is provided with anair outlet 11 b turned and opened to thefront face 10 b of theair diffusing element 10 and aligned with arespective opening 3 b provided in therear wall 3 a of theinner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC, in the upper region of the latter. - The refrigerating compartment RC is internally provided with a
case 30 which is affixed against therear wall 3 a of the respectiveinner case 3, so as to maintain its interior in fluid communication with the 25air outlet 11 b of theair inlet duct 11, through the opening 3 b provided in saidrear wall 3 a. - Each of the two
air distributing ducts 12 presents anair inlet 12 a turned and opened to thefront face 10 b of theair diffusing element 10 and aligned with arespective opening 3 c (seeFIG. 7 ) provided in therear wall 3 a of theinner case 3 of the refrigerating compartment RC. Thus, the cool airflow, which penetrates in thecase 30, through the ascendinginlet duct 11, is directed downwardly through the interior of the two distributingducts 12, which are provided with a plurality ofair outlets 12 b, turned and opened to the front face lob of theair diffusing element 10 and aligned withrespective windows 3 d provided in therear wall 3 a of the respectiveinner case 3. - In the construction of
FIGS. 1-5 , the forced airflow system is provided with only oneventilator 8, disposed between the plenum P and theair cooling compartment 6, and being the responsible for supplying of cool air to both the freezing compartment FC and the refrigerating compartment RC. In this construction, the supply of cool air to the refrigerating compartment RC is controlled by a flow control means CM, which can be in the form of anobturator 40 mounted inside thecase 30 and to be selectively driven from a flow releasing condition, in which it communicates thecase 30 and consequently theair outlet 11 b of theair inlet duct 11 with theair inlets 12 a of theair distributing ducts 12, and a flow blocking condition, in which it impedes the communication. The movement of theobturator 40 can be manual or obtained by a driving means 50 operatively associated with atemperature sensor 60 mounted in the refrigerating compartment RC. When the temperature in the interior of the refrigerating compartment lowers to a determined value, thetemperature sensor 60 activates the driving means 50, which displaces theobturator 40 to the closing position. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment RC rises again, reaching a certain value, the temperature sensor reactivates the driving means 50, which makes the latter return theobturator 40 to the open position. The driving means 50 is generally defined by a thermostat, whose adjustment is made by an adjusting means 55, manually operated by the user. - As it can be observed in
FIG. 3 , onto thecase 30 is adapted acover 35, which is provided with anopening 36 for mounting the adjusting means 55 and alsoair outlet openings 37. - In the embodiment of
FIGS. 6-9 , the freezing compartment FC is also disposed below the refrigerating compartment RC. In this construction, theair diffusing element 10 has a construction similar to that of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-5 , except for the fact that it does not present theinlet duct 11 and for the fact that theair inlets 12 a of the twoair distributing ducts 12 are disposed in a lower region and maintained in communication with the interior of thecase 30 positioned next to the dividingwall 5, in the lower region of the refrigerating compartment RC, and maintained in fluid communication with theair cooling compartment 6, by means of a duct D provided through the dividingwall 5. In this mounting arrangement, the airflow arriving to thecase 30 is forced upwardly through the interior of the distributingducts 12, by the operation of asecond fan 70, mounted in the interior of thecase 30 and whose driving means, defined by a respective electric motor 75, is activated by thetemperature sensor 60 mounted in the interior of the refrigerator compartment RC, through a known control module of the different functions of the appliance and which can be constructed in any adequate form known in the prior art. - The
second fan 70 is deenergized, blocking the passage of cool air to theair distributing ducts 12, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment RC lowers to a certain value. - In this construction, the
case 30 does not present theair outlet openings 37. - In the construction exemplified in
FIGS. 10 and 11 , the freezing compartment FC is provided above the refrigerating compartment RC and theair diffusing element 10 presents a construction practically equal to that of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 6-9 , occurring only the inversion in the assembly of thecase 30, which in this case is located in the upper region of the refrigerating compartment RC, just below the dividingwall 5. In this embodiment, the air coming from the plenum P or from theair cooling compartment 6 is conducted to the interior of thecase 30 and, from the latter, to theair inlets 12 a of theair distributing ducts 12, flowing downwardly therethrough and being discharged to the interior of different levels of the refrigerating compartment RC, through theair outlets 12 b and through thewindows 3 d of therear wall 3 a of the respectiveinner case 3. In this construction, thecase 30 can lodge a flow control means CM that can be defined either by an obturator or asecond fan 70. - It should be understood that in the illustrated embodiments in
FIGS. 6-9 and 10 and 11, the diffusingelement 10 is rearly completed by the closingplate 20, itsfront face 10 b being hermetically seated and affixed against therear wall 3 a of the respectiveinner case 3, which is equally provided withopenings 3 c aligned with theair inlets 12 a of the distributingducts 12, and also with thewindows 3 d aligned with theair outlets 12 b of the distributingducts 12. - While only some embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that alterations can be made in the form and physical arrangement of the elements, provided that they fall within the inventive concept defined in the claims accompanying the present specification.
Claims (13)
1. An air blowing arrangement for a combined refrigerator of the type with forced ventilation and which comprises: a cabinet formed by an outer case and two inner cases, each provided with a rear wall and spaced from each other and from the outer case by a thermal insulating filler, said inner cases respectively defining a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; and an air diffusing element mounted to the cabinet and defining at least one air distributing duct, which has an air inlet in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment, in order to receive a cool airflow, and a plurality of air outlets opened to the interior of the refrigerating compartments, characterized in that the air diffusing element is disposed in the interior of the thermal insulating filler, between the outer case and the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartments, against which it is seated and retained, said rear wall being provided with a plurality of windows with which are aligned respective air inlet openings of the air distributing duct defined in the interior of the air diffusing body.
2. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the air diffusing element comprises a parallelepipedic body of low height and made of a material of low thermal conductivity and presenting a rear face and a front face to be hermetically seated and externally affixed against the rear wall of the respective inner case, said air distributing duct being defined by a respective channel provided along part of the longitudinal extension of the air diffusing element and opened to the rear face of the latter, the formation of said air distributing duct being completed by closing the channel with a closing plate hermetically seated and retained against the rear face of the air diffusing element
3. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the air distributing duct presents an air inlet turned and opened to the front face of the air diffusing element, the rear wall of the inner case of the refrigerating compartment being provided with an opening aligned with said air inlet, and the refrigerating compartment being internally provided with a case affixed against the rear wall of the respective inner case, in order to have its interior maintained in fluid communication with the air inlet of the air distributing duct through the respective opening provided in said rear wall and the case being maintained in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartment to receive the cool airflow.
4. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 3 , wherein it comprises: a flow control means mounted in the case and to be selectively driven from a flow releasing condition to a flow blocking condition of the case to the air distributing duct.
5. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 4 , characterized in that wherein it further comprises a driving means operatively associated with the flow control means to modify the operational condition of the latter; and a temperature sensor mounted in the refrigerating compartment, so as to activate the driving means to conduct the flow control means to one of its operational conditions due to the temperature reigning in the refrigerating compartments.
6. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the driving means is defined by a thermostat.
7. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the flow control means is defined by an obturator mounted in the interior of the case.
8. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the flow control means is defined by a fan mounted in the interior of the case, the driving means being defined by an electric motors.
9. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 1 wherein the air diffusing element comprises an air inlet duct also in the form of a channel and having an air inlet opened to one of the ends of the air diffusing element and in communication with the interior of the inner case of the freezing compartments, and an air outlet turned and opened to the front face of the air diffusing element, the rear wall of the inner cases of the refrigerating compartments being provided with an opening aligned with said air outlet and in communication with the interior of the case.
10. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the air inlet of the air inlet duct is disposed in a lower end of the air diffusing element, the air outlet being disposed in an upper region of both the air diffusing element and the refrigerating compartment.
11. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the air diffusing element comprises an air inlet duct that is centrally disposed, and two air distributing ducts each disposed on each side of the air inlet duct.
12. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the flow control means is defined by an obturator mounted in the interior of the case.
13. The arrangement, as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the flow control means is defined by an obturator mounted in the interior of the case.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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BRP10502706-3 | 2005-07-12 | ||
BRPI0502706A BRPI0502706B1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2005-07-12 | air supply arrangement in a combined refrigerator |
PCT/BR2006/000141 WO2007006113A1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2006-07-11 | Air blowing arrangement for a combined refrigerator |
Publications (1)
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US20080196441A1 true US20080196441A1 (en) | 2008-08-21 |
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US11/914,835 Abandoned US20080196441A1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2006-07-11 | Air Blowing Arrangement For a Combined Refrigerator |
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US (1) | US20080196441A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1904797B1 (en) |
AR (1) | AR056416A1 (en) |
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WO (1) | WO2007006113A1 (en) |
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US11543172B2 (en) | 2019-02-18 | 2023-01-03 | Whirlpool Corporation | Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface |
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EP4235065A1 (en) * | 2022-02-25 | 2023-08-30 | LG Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL1904797T3 (en) | 2013-02-28 |
ES2393265T3 (en) | 2012-12-19 |
EP1904797A1 (en) | 2008-04-02 |
BRPI0502706B1 (en) | 2015-12-15 |
MX2008000566A (en) | 2008-03-14 |
WO2007006113A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 |
BRPI0502706A (en) | 2007-02-27 |
BRPI0502706A8 (en) | 2015-09-22 |
AR056416A1 (en) | 2007-10-10 |
EP1904797B1 (en) | 2012-07-04 |
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Owner name: WHIRLPOOL S.A., BRAZIL Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FERREIRA, LUIZ AFRANIO ALVES;MEZAVILA, MOACYR MARANGONE;CARGNIN, ADRIANO;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:020435/0867 Effective date: 20071213 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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