WO2006087690A2

WO2006087690A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2006087690A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/050549
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alper Soysal; Tugrul Kodaz; A.Kerem Kurt
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2005-02-21
Filing date: 2006-02-20
Publication date: 2006-08-24
Also published as: WO2006087690A3

Abstract

The by product air generated in the compressor cabinet (4) is blown on the frame (10), preventing the formation of condensation on this surface without the need for the utilization of an extra energy source with the cooling device (1) of the present invention.

Description

Description A COOLING DEVICE

[001] The present invention relates to a cooling device wherein the formation of condensation is prevented on the frame of the cooling cabinet that is in contact with the outer surroundings.

[002] When the door is closed, condensation is formed on the frame which is partially in contact with the door resulting from the temperature difference between the inside of the cooling cabinet and the ambient surroundings. This condensation can freeze when the door is closed and result in the adhering on of the sealant which is situated between the door and the frame. When the user wants to open the door, a lot of force has to be applied due the adhering, and in some cases the sealant can be harmed by being torn due to the excessive amount of applied force. In state of the art, a heater is positioned in the frame to heat this surface thus preventing the condensation formed therein. However, in this embodiment the heat transfer in the cooling cabinet increases and the energy consumption of the cooling device goes up since the thermal load inside the cooling cabinet rises.

[003] In the state of the art United State of America Patent no. 4009586 the air warmed with the heat produced by the compressor during the cooling cycle is directed from the compressor housing through a channel and blown from the cooling cabinet and under the door along the surface of the door that is in contact with the exterior surroundings. Consequently formation of condensation is prevented on the surface where the door is in contact with the cooling cabinet. However, the air directed from the compressor housing is circulated within the cabinet and the thermal load of the cabinet increases in this embodiment.

[004] The object of the present invention is to design a cooling device in which the heated air formed in the compressor cabinet is blown onto the frame surface where the door and the refrigerating cabinet contact each other, preventing the formation of condensation on this surface without leading to an increase in the thermal load.

[005] The cooling device designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is shown in the attached figures, where:

[006] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device.

[007] Figure 2 - is the side schematic view of a cooling device.

[008] Figure 3 - is the front view of the door.

[009] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the frame, sealing element and the distribution channel.

[010] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a blower outlet. [Oil] Figure 6 - is the schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention comprising a stopper.

[012] Figure 7 - is the perspective view of the blower outlet.

[013] Figure 8 - is the schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention comprising a blower outlet which blows in one direction. [014] Figure 9 - is the schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention comprising a blower outlet which blows in two directions. [015] Figure 10 - is the flow chart of a control method for a cooling device comprising a flap. [016] Figure 11 - is the flow chart of a control method for a cooling device comprising a heater. [017] Figure 12 - is the flow chart of a control method for a cooling device comprising a heater together with a flap. [018] Elements shown in figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Cooling cabinet

3. Door

4. Compressor cabinet

5. Compressor

6. Condenser

7. Fan

8. Evaporator

9. Sealant element

10. Frame

11. Condensation preventing mechanism

12. Main channel

13. Distribution channel

14. Connection channel

15. Stopper

16. Extension

17. Blower outlet

18. Tab

19. Surface heat sensor

20. Air heat sensor

21. Filter

22. Flap

23. Heater

24. Opening [019] The cooling device (1) comprises a compressor (5) which activates the refrigerant fluid, a condenser (6) that condenses the fluid, a fan (7) that increases the heat transfer by blowing air over the condenser (6) and/or the compressor (5), a compressor cabinet

(4) where the compressor (5), the condenser (6) and the fan (7) are situated, one or more evaporators (8) where the condensed fluid is transferred and cools the surroundings by absorbing ambient heat, one or more cooling cabinets (2) in which items to be cooled are stored and having an opening for the user to access inside, one or more doors (3) which when closed prevents the heat transfer between the outer surroundings and the cooling cabinet (2) and when opened provides access by the user to the cooling cabinet (2), a frame (10) which surrounds the opening and upon which the door (3) rests when closed and a condensation preventing mechanism (11) which prevents the forming of condensation on the frame (10) by transferring the heat generated in the compressor cabinet (4) to the door (3), blowing on the frame (10) from the door (3) (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3).

[020] The cooling device (1) comprises a sealant element (9) preferably made of plastic material, which being fixed to the door (3) or the cooling cabinet (2) is situated between the frame (10) and the door (3), that minimizes the heat transfer between the cooling cabinet (2) and the outer surroundings in order that the temperature and pressure values of the cooling cabinet (2) are kept at desired levels, providing the closing of the cooling cabinet (2) in such a way that air inflow is not permitted from the outer surroundings. The cooling cabinet (2) is insulated from the outer surroundings by the help of the sealant element (9) when the door (3) is closed.

[021] The condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises a main channel (12) which transfers to the door (3) the air inside the compressor cabinet (4) that is heated by the operation of the compressor (4) and the hot refrigerant flowing from the compressor

(5) to the condenser (6) and one or more distribution channels (13) situated on the door (3) and connected to the main channel (12) which provide the air that flows through the main channel (12) to be directed through the door (3) to be blown onto the frame (10) (Figure 2).

[022] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises a connection channel (14) which provides the connection of the main channel (12) situated in the cooling cabinet (2) to the distribution channel (13) situated in the door (3) without causing any leakage and not inhibiting the movement of the door (3). The connection channel (14) has a flexible structure that does not restrain the movement of the door (3). The connection channel (14) provides the connection of the main channel (12) to the distribution channel (13) and also interconnects the distribution channels (13) situated in the compartment doors (3) to each other in multi-compartment cooling devices (1). [023] The distribution channel (13) is situated on the door (3) and/or in the door (3) so that air can be blown on the frame (10) whereupon condensation is formed due to the temperature difference between the cooling cabinet (2) and the outer surroundings when the door (3) is closed (Figure 3).

[024] The condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises one or more openings (24) that allow the blowing of the air transferred to the distribution channel (13) towards the frame (10). The openings (24) are situated on the distribution channel (13) so as to blow air to the frame (10) when the door (3) is closed (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[025] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises one or more blower outlets (17) that provide a more effective blowing of the air transferred to the distribution channel (13) towards the frame (10). The blower outlet (17) is assembled on the distribution channel (13) so that air is blown to the frame (10) when the door (3) is closed and has openings (24) on it (Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9).

[026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises one or more blower extensions (16) that extend towards the frame (10) so that the air transferred from the compressor cabinet (4) by way of the main channel (12) can be blown effectively from the distribution channel (12) to the frame (10) (Figure 5). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blower extension (16) is so structured that one end extends into the channel and the other end to the frame (10), extending from the door (3) towards the frame (10), having openings (24) on its side extending to the frame (10).

[027] The blower outlet (17) can be mounted on the blower extension (16) so that it can also blow air towards the sealant element (9) and/or the outer surroundings (Figure 8 and Figure 9). The air blown from the side of the blower extension (16) facing the sealant element (9) provides heating of the sealant element (9), and the air blown from the side facing the outer surroundings prevents condensation that might be formed on the frame (10). The air blown from the side of the blower extension (16) facing the outer surroundings creates an air curtain, avoiding the blown air to be affected minimally by the air movements in the outer surroundings.

[028] The blower outlet (17) can also be mounted on the blower extension (16) subsequently. The blower outlet (17) has preferably a shape that gets narrower from the distribution channel (13) towards the frame (10) so as to speed up the flow of air. When the blower outlet (17) is mounted on the blower extension (16) for the purpose of providing sealing, it comprises one or more tabs (18) that flex to be inserted into the blower outlet (17) (Figure 7).

[029] The condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises a stopper (15) that forms a closed volume between the sealant element (9) and the outer surroundings when the door (3) is closed, minimizing the mixing of ambient air with the air transferred from the compressor cabinet (4), providing effective heating of the frame (10) by the heated air confined within this volume and blown towards the frame (10) (Figure 6, Figure 8, and Figure 9). The blower extension (16) and the blower outlet (17) are retained between the stopper (15) and the sealant element (9) in this case. When heated air is continuously blown on the frame (10), taking into consideration the possibility that this portion can reach temperatures higher than desired and this heat can increase the temperature of the refrigerant cabinet, the stopper (15) does not fully contact the frame (10) when the door (3) is in the closed position. Subsequently the air within the compressor cabinet (4) can be utilized more effectively.

[030] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises a filter (21), preferably positioned between the compressor cabinet (4) and the main channel (12) to withhold the particles like dust etc. contained within the air activated in the compressor cabinet (4).

[031] In all the embodiments of the present invention, when the door (3) that closes the cooling cabinet (2) is opened, the compressor (5) and the fan (7) stop operating, air is not blown on the frame (10), since the transfer of air from the compressor cabinet (4) to the main channel (12) and thereby to the distribution channel (13) is halted by the condensation preventing mechanism (11).

[032] In another embodiment of the present invention the condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises a flap (22) positioned on the main channel (12) and/or the distribution channel (13), which provides controlled passage of air directed from the compressor cabinet (4) and one or more surface heat sensors (19) positioned on the frame (10) to detect the temperature value (T ) of the frame (10). In this surface embodiment, the cooling device (1) comprises a control card where the compiled values derived from outer surrounding air temperatures, the relative humidity corresponding to the outer surrounding air temperature, frame (10) temperature values and other factors contributing to the formation of condensation and the momentary frame (10) condensation forming temperatures (T condensation ) are stored and which controls the flap (22) according to these temperature values. [033] The control card compares the temperature value (T ) detected by the surface surface heat sensor (19) to the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ) condensation and allows the air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4) to be transferred to the distribution channel (13) or disallows the transfer, with the flap (22) changing to the open or closed position respectively depending on the result of this comparison process.

[034] The control method designed for a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a flap (22) is as follows (Figure 10):

[035] The value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is read (101) and the value (T ) is compared to (102) the momentary condensation forming temperature surface value (T condensation ). If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is greater than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ), the condensation flap (22) is closed (103) since there is no need for blowing hot air to the frame (10). In this case, even though the compressor (5) and the fan (7) are operating, there is no transfer of hot air from the main channel (12) to the distribution channel (13), no hot air is blown on the frame (10), consequently returning back to the first step of reading (101) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19). If the value (T ) surface surface detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is less than or equal to the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ) resulting from the comparison (102) condensation process, the flap (22) is changed to the open position (104) and the air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4) is transferred to the distribution channel (13) via the main channel (12) blowing this air towards the frame (10), and returning back to the first step of reading (101) the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19).

[036] In some cases, even though air is blown on its surface by opening the flap (22), forming of condensation on the frame (10) can not be prevented since the blown air is not at the required temperature value. In another embodiment of the present invention, the condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprises a heater (23) which operates when the air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4) is not at the necessary temperature value to heat the air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4) and an air heat sensor (20) which enables the operation of this heater (23) by preferably measuring the temperature value of the air blown (T ) on the frame (10). blown_measurement

[037] In this embodiment, the cooling device (1) comprises a control card which comprises the temperature values (T ) that the blown air should have in order blown_determined to prevent the condensation on the frame (10), preset by the producer according to the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ) and controls the condensation heater (23) according to these values. [038] The control method designed for a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a heater (23) is as follows (Figure 11): [039] The value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is read (201) and this surface value (T ) is compared to (202) the momentary condensation forming temperature surface value (T condensation ). If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is greater than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ), the condensation heater (23) is not operated (203) since there is no need for blowing hot air to the frame (10), returning back to the first step of reading (201) the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19). If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is less than or equal to the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ∞n- densaϋon ) after the comparison (202) process, then the value (T blown_measured ) detected by the air heat sensor (20) is read (204) and this value is compared (205) to the temperature value (T ) that the air blown on the frame (10) should have. If the value (T blown_determined

) detected by the air heat sensor (20) is equal or greater than the temperature blown_measured value (T ) that the air blown on the frame (10) should have, then the heater blown_determined

(23) is not operated (206), returning back to the step of reading (201) the value (T ) surface detected by the surface heat sensor (19). If the value (T ) detected by the air blown_measured heat sensor (20) is less than the temperature value (T ) that the air blown on blown_determined the frame (10) should have, then the heater (23) operates (207), blowing the air having the temperature value that will not allow forming of condensation on the frame (10), returning back to the step of reading (201) the value (T ) detected by the surface surface heat sensor (19). [040] The heater (23) can be controlled independently from the flap (22) as explained above or can operate depending on the position of the flap (22) as well. The control method where the heater (23) and the flap (22) are utilized jointly is as follows(Fϊgure

11): [041] The value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is read (301) and this value (T ) is compared to (302) the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ). If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is greater than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ), the flap (22) is closed since there is no need for blowing hot air, and the heater (23) does not operate (303) regardless of the temperature value (T ) of the air blown on blown_measured the frame (10) and the temperature value (T ) that the air blown on the frame blown_determined

(10) should have for prevention of condensation. In this case, hot air is not blown since there is no transfer of any hot air from the main channel (12) to the distribution channel (13) even if the compressor (5) and the fan (7) are operating. After this step, the step of reading (301) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is repeated. surface

After the process of comparison (302), if the value (T ) detected by the surface surface heat sensor (19) is equal to or less than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ), the flap (22) is changed to the open position (304) and the air in the compressor cabinet (4) is transferred from the distribution channel (13) via the main channel (12), blowing this air onto the frame (10). The value (T ) blown_measured detected by the air heat sensor (20) is read (305) and the value (T ) detected blown_measured by the air heat sensor (20) is compared to (306) the temperature value (T ) blown_determined that the air blown on the frame (10) should have for prevention of condensation. If the value (T blown_measured ) detected by the air heat sensor (20) is equal to or greater than the temperature value (T blown_determined ) that the air blown on the frame (10) should have for prevention of condensation, then the heater (23) is not operated (308), returning back (301) to the step of reading the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19). This process is repeated until the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor surface

(19) reaches or goes below the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ). If the value (T ) detected by the air heat sensor (20) is less than the condensation blown_measured temperature value (T ) that the air blown should have for prevention of con- blown_determined densation on the frame (10), then the heater (23) operates (307), and the air having the temperature not allowing for condensation formation on the frame (10) blows onto the frame (10). This process is repeated until the value (T ) detected by the surface surface heat sensor (19) reaches or goes below the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ).

[042] When the compressor (5) stops under normal operating conditions, the fan (7) also s tops. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control card compares the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) to the momentary surface condensation forming temperature value (T ) and depending on this condensation comparison process, the fan (7) either operates or stops when the compressor (5) is not operating. . The fan (7) preferably operates simultaneously with the heater (23) while the compressor (5) is not operating.

[043] The by product air generated in the compressor cabinet (4) blows on the frame (10), preventing the formation of condensation on this surface without the need for the utilization of an extra energy source with the cooling device (1) of the present invention.

Claims

[001] A cooling device (1) comprising a compressor (5) which activates the refrigerant fluid, a condenser (6) that condenses the fluid, a fan (7) that increases the heat transfer by blowing air over the condenser (6) and/or the compressor (5), a compressor cabinet (4) where the compressor (5), the condenser (6) and the fan (7) are positioned, one or more refrigerant cooling (2) in which items to be cooled are stored, and having an opening for the user to access inside, one or more doors (3) which when closed prevents the heat transfer between the outer surroundings and the cooling cabinet (2) and when opened provides access by the user to the cooling cabinet (2), a frame (10) which surrounds the opening and upon which the door (3) is coupled when closed and a sealant element (9) situated between the frame (10) and the door (3), that minimizes the heat transfer between the cooling cabinet (2) and the outer surroundings in order that the temperature, providing closing of the cooling cabinet (2) in such a way that air inflow is not permitted, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) which prevents the forming of condensation by transferring the heat generated in the compressor cabinet (4) to the door (3) and blowing on the frame (10) from the door (3).

[002] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a main channel (12) which transfers to the door (3) the air inside the compressor cabinet (4) that is heated by the operation of the compressor (4) and the hot refrigerant flowing from the compressor (5) to the condenser (6) and one or more distribution channels (13) situated on the door (3) and connected to the main channel (12) which provides the air that flows through the main channel (12) to be passed through the door (3) to be blown onto the frame (10).

[003] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a connection channel (14) which provides the connection of the main channel (12) situated in the cooling cabinet (2) to the distribution channel (13) situated in the door (3) and/or the interconnection of the distribution channels (13) to each other, without causing any leakage and not inhibiting the movement of the door (3).

[004] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising one or more openings (24) that allow for blowing the air transferred from the main channel (12) towards the frame (10).

[005] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2 to 4, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising one or more blower outlets (17) that provide an effective blowing of the air transferred to the distribution channel (13) towards the frame (10).

[006] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 5, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising one or more blower extensions (16) that extend towards the frame (10) so that the air transferred from the compressor cabinet (4) by way of the main channel (12) can be blown effectively from the distribution channel (13) to the frame (10).

[007] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 5 or 6, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a blower outlet (17) having a shape that gets narrower from the distribution channel (13) towards the frame (10) so as to speed up the flow of air.

[008] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a stopper (15) that forms a closed volume between the sealant element (9) and the outer surroundings when the door (3) is closed, minimizing the mixing of the outer surrounding air with the air transferred from the compressor cabinet (4), providing the air blown towards the frame (10) to heat frame (10) within this volume more effectively.

[009] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 8, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a filter (21) positioned between the compressor cabinet (4) and the main channel (12) to withhold the particles like dust etc. contained within the air activated in the compressor cabinet (4).

[010] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 9, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a flap (22) positioned on the main channel (12) and/or the distribution channel (13), which provides the controlled passage of air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4).

[011] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 10, characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising a heater (23) which operates to heat the air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4) when the air obtained from the compressor cabinet (4) is not at the necessary temperature.

[012] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims , characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising one or more surface heat sensors (19) situated on the frame (10), detecting the temperature value (T ) surface on the frame (10).

[013] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims , characterized by a condensation preventing mechanism (11) comprising one or more air heat sensors (20) which detect the temperature value (T blown_measured ) of the air blown on the frame (10). [014] For a cooling device (1) as in Claim 10, a control method comprising the steps of: reading (101) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19); surface comparing (102) this value to the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ); If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is greater than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ), condensation closing the flap (22) (103) and returning back to the first step of reading (101) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19); If the value (T ) surface surface detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is equal to or less than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T ), changing the flap (22) to condensation the open position (104), returning back to the first step of reading (101) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19). surface

[015] For a cooling device (1) as in Claim 11, a control method comprising the steps of: reading (201) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19); surface comparing (202) this value to the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ); If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is greater than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ), not operating (203) the heater (23) and returning back to the step of reading (201) the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19); If the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is equal to or less than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ), reading (204) the value (T blown_measured ) detected by the air heat sensor (20); comparing (205) this value (T ) to the temperature value (T ) that the air blown blown_measured blown_determined should have for the prevention of condensation on the frame (10); if the value (T ) detected by the air heat sensor (20) is equal to or greater than the blown_measured temperature value (T ) that the air blown should have for the blown_determined prevention of condensation on the frame (10), not operating (206) the heater (23), returning back to the first step of reading (201) the value (T ) detected surface by the surface heat sensor (19); if the value (T ) detected by the air heat blown_measured sensor (20) is less than the temperature value (T ) that the air blown blown_determined should have for the prevention of condensation on the frame (10), operating (207) the heater (23), returning back to the first step of reading (201) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19). surface

[016] For a cooling device (1) as in Claims 10 and 11, a control method comprising the steps of: reading (301) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat sensor surface

(19); comparing (302) this value (T ) to the momentary condensation surface forming temperature value (T condensation ); if the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19) is greater than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ), closing the flap (22) and not operating (303) the heater (23), returning back to the step of reading (301) the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19); if the value (T ) detected by the surface surface heat sensor (19) is equal to or less than the momentary condensation forming temperature value (T condensation ), changing the flap (22) to the open position (304); reading (305) the value (T ) detected by the air heat blown_measured sensor (20); comparing (306) the value (T ) detected by the air heat blown_measured sensor (20) to the temperature value (T ) that the air blown should blown_determined have for prevention of condensation on the frame (10);if the value (T ) blown_measured detected by the air heat sensor (20) is equal to or greater than the temperature value (T ) that the air blown should have for prevention of con- blown_determined densation on the frame (10), not operating (308) the heater (23), returning back to the first step of reading (301) the value (T ) detected by the surface heat surface sensor (19); if the value (T ) detected by the air heat sensor (20) is less blown_measured than the temperature value (T ) that the air blown should have for blown_determined prevention of condensation on the frame (10), operating (307) the heater (23), rreettuurrnniinngg bbaacckk ttoo tthhee ffiirrssit step of reading (301) the value (T surface ) detected by the surface heat sensor (19).