WO2009004013A1

WO2009004013A1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2009004013A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/058466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Isik Ozyaka; Husnu Kerpicci; Levent Akdag; Aydin Celik
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-07-02
Filing date: 2008-07-02
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: EP2160545A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a fixing element (6) that maintains the condenser (3) to occupy less space during packaging and transportation, however allows staying in a form that increases heat transfer during usage.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device that comprises a condenser.

[0002] The cooling devices, for example refrigerators, operate in accordance with a refrigerant cycle wherein the refrigerant fluid is circulated between a condenser, a tube expander and the evaporator. The refrigerant fluid changes from the liquid phase to the gas phase by absorbing the heat of the food items in the body while passing through the evaporator in the cooling device body. Afterwards, the fluid, of which the pressure is increased in the compressor, is cooled and condensed by transferring its heat unto the condenser surface in the condenser. In other words, the performance of the cooling device is indirectly related to lowering the surface temperature of the condenser.

[0003] In conventional implementations in the technique, the condenser is mounted flatly, parallel to the body, and is cooled by taking advantage of heating of the air after natural convection and moving from the bottom upwards.

[0004] In the state of the art Great Britain Patent No GB736152, a condenser is disclosed which is mounted in the body in an inclined manner and the effect of this positioning of the condenser on the cooling device performance is explained.

[0005] In the embodiment explained by the Great Britain Patent No GB736155, the cooling device comprises a condenser configured to have an inclined shape, by being bent from two different points, a little below and above the central section thereof, with a concave surface facing the cooling device body.

[0006] Another embodiment known in the state of the art is explained in the

European Patent Application No EP0861409. In this embodiment, a zigzag form is given to the condenser thus increasing the heat transfer surface area and also the rising air is subjected to turbulence by impacting the serpentine shaped condenser surfaces and thus increasing heat transfer efficiency. [0007] However, in these embodiments known in the state of the art, positioning the condenser angularly with respect to the body for increasing efficiency or producing with a different geometry gives rise to difficulties in packaging and transportation.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a condenser that is configured to increase heat transfer, which occupies less space during packaging and transportation.

[0009] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. The said cooling device comprises a condenser having at least two serpentine shaped components, wherein at least one lies on a different plane than the others, and at least one fixing element mounted on these components that maintains the components to remain almost on the same plane in the mounted active position.

[0010] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the condenser components standing angularly to each other from occupying more space during transportation, the fixing element is mounted on the condenser in the active position after the condenser is assembled in the cooling device. Thus, the condenser becomes virtually parallel to the body and thereby configured to occupy less space and can be transported easily.

[0011] After the cooling device is transported to the location of use, the components are released by preferably the service personnel bringing the fixing element to a secondary position. Thus, at least one of the components, the one produced to stand with a certain angle with respect to the other components, remains on a different plane than the others and hence is brought to a form that increases heat transfer.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element is detached from the place mounted on the condenser for setting the components free.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element is brought to a passive position during the installation phase, in this position, the force applied on the components for remaining flat is released and thus the components that initially were on a different plane than the others are allowed to again return to this position. [0014] In a version of this embodiment, the fixing element, in the passive position, supports the component standing on a different plane, maintaining the angle with the other components or the distance to the cooling device body to remain constant.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser comprises more than one component, each one serpentine shaped, and one arm for each that connects the inlet of each component with the exit of the other by bringing on a connecting axis and coupling at this level such that a continuous flow is maintained. The condenser comprises more than one, preferably three components disposed one over the other in this form. In this embodiment, the condenser comprises three components, being top, middle and bottom, the inlets and exits of the components are joined on the connecting axis situated at the level of the bottom component inlet by means of arms. At least one of the arms is produced to be angular with respect to others. Accordingly, the component of the condenser connected to the inclined arm stands on a different plane than the others. The ends of the top and middle components have the length to at least reach the inlet level of the lowermost component. The components are successively connected to each other from the inlets and exits. In other words, the fluid for example after circulating in the bottom component, reaches from the exit of the component to the arm connected to that end and from there to the inlet of the middle component connected to the other end of the arm. Similarly, after completing circulation in the middle component will proceed to the arm connected to the exit of the said component and to the inlet of the top component from there.

[0016] In this embodiment, the fixing element mounted on the condenser before transportation, presses on the angular component to bring to virtually the same plane as the others. After the cooling device is delivered to the location of use, the fixing element holding the components almost parallel to the cooling device body is brought to the passive position thus allowing the components to become inclined with respect to each other. For example, the top and bottom components will return to the produced inclined form, with the middle component remaining stationary, and thus the three components will form a virtually convex structure when viewed from outside.

[0017] Consequently, the air rising up by heating from the lower segment of the condenser is separated into two upon reaching the flat segment. As the first air current continues to rise from the inside of the flat middle component, the passive current interacts with the colder ambient air and while following the formed angular structure of the condenser is subjected to turbulence thus cooling the top component more effectively. Besides the turbulence thus formed, since the geometry of the separately segmented condenser increases the heat transfer area that the air interacts with, the cooling performance of the condenser also increases in proportion with the increased heat transfer area.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element is U shaped and comprises at least four slots, two on the base formed thereon and two at the ends of the lateral sides. When the fixing element is about to be mounted on the condenser for holding the components virtually parallel to the body, one of the slots on the base is seated on one inclined component and the other on the adjacent flat component. In this position, the two components fitted on a straight line come closer to each other to be virtually parallel to the body and the cooling device is thus transported. Afterwards, the components are set free by removing the fixing element and the inclined component resumes its initial position. In this position wherein the two components are on different planes with respect to each other, the fixing element is fitted to the inclined component from the slots at the ends of the lateral sides of the U form for supporting the components and adjusting the angle therebetween. In this position, the base of the U bears against the cooling device body so that the inclined component stays at a constant distance from the body.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element comprises a retainer fitted to one of the components and a lever disposed in the said retainer, rotatably attached to both the component that the retainer is fitted and to the component adjacent thereto by means of two slots situated thereon. At least one receptacle each is provided on the retainer and the lever. The fixing element furthermore comprises at least one insert placed in the receptacles, supporting the components in the active and passive positions and for the lever and retainer to be locked at this position. [0020] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0021] Figure 1 - is the side schematic view of a cooling device condenser when the fixing element is in the active (transporting) position. [0022] Figure 2 - is the side schematic view of a cooling device condenser when the fixing element is in the passive (usage) position. [0023] Figure 3 - is the rear schematic view of the cooling device. [0024] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the condenser. [0025] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of a condenser used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0026] Figure 6 - is the perspective view of a condenser used in yet another embodiment of the present invention. [0027] Figure 7 - is the perspective view of the fixing element used in an embodiment of the present invention. [0028] Figure 8 - is the perspective view of a fixing element placed on the condenser in the active position, used in an embodiment of the present invention. [0029] Figure 9 - is the perspective view of a fixing element placed on the condenser in the passive position, used in an embodiment of the present invention. [0030] Figure 10 - is the exploded perspective view of a fixing element used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0031] Figure 11 - is the perspective view of a fixing element in the active position placed on the condenser, used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0032] Figure 12 - is the perspective view of a fixing element placed on the condenser in the passive position, used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0033] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 1. Cooling device

2. Compressor

3. Condenser

4. Component

5. Arm

6. Fixing element

7. Retainer

8. Slot

9. Lever

10. Receptacle

1 1. Insert

[0034] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises,

- a body,

- a compressor (2) that maintains the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant cycle and

- a condenser (3) for cooling the refrigerant fluid delivered from the compressor (2) (Figure 1).

[0035] The said condenser (3) comprises at least two serpentine shaped components (4) of which at least one is produced to be on a different plane than the others.

[0036] The cooling device (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises at least one fixing element (6) mounted on the condenser (3) that maintains the components (4) to remain virtually in the same plane in the active position of mounting.

[0037] In order to prevent the component (4) that stands with a certain angle to the cooling device (1) body and the other components from occupying too much space during transportation, the fixing element (6) is mounted in the active position during transportation on the component (4) that is produced to stand with a certain angle with the other components (4). Thus, all the components (4) of the condenser can be transported virtually parallel to the body and hence occupy less space. After the cooling device (1) is delivered to the location of use, the fixing element (6) is brought to the passive position preferably by the service personnel so that at least one of the components (4) is again on a different plane than the others and thus resumes the position of increasing heat transfer.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element (6) is removed from the condenser (3) for setting the components (4) free. Accordingly, since the force applied by the fixing element (6) on the components (4) is released, that component (4) which is produced to remain on a different plane than the others returns to its inclined position.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element (6) is brought to the passive position for releasing the components (4). In the passive position, the fixing element (6) does not exert a force for the components to remain flat.

[0040] In a version of this embodiment, the fixing element (6) while in the passive position supports the component (4) standing on a different plane than the others, thus keeping the angle thereof with the other components (4) and/or the distance from the cooling device (1) body to be constant.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser comprises one arm (5) that connects the inlet (I) of each component (4) with the exit (E) of the other by bringing on a connecting axis (A) and coupling at this level such that a continuous flow is maintained. The condenser (3) comprises more than one, preferably three components (4) disposed one over the other in this form. In this embodiment, the inlets (I) and exits (E) of the components (4) are connected to the arms (5). The connecting axis (A) is situated at the level of the bottom component (4) inlet (I). The arms (5) join the exit (E) of one of the adjacent components (4) to the inlet (I) of the next one on the connecting axis (A).

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the serpentine shape is configured such that the inlets (I) and exits (E) of the components (4) are always on the same side. Therefore, the arms (5) reach the connecting axis (A) by going down from the same side of the component (4) (Figure

4).

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, the serpentine shape is configured such that the inlets (I) and exits (E) of some components (4) are on the same side and some on a different side. Therefore, some of the arms (5) reach the connecting axis (A) by going down from one side of the component (4) and the others from the other side (Figures 5 and 6).

[0044] In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, at least one of the arms (5) connecting that component (4) to the others is produced to be inclined with respect to the plane whereon the others stand so that one of the components (4) remains on a different plane than the others. Thus, the component (4) connected to the inclined arm (5) stands on a different plane with respect to the others (4). The fixing element (6) mounted on the condenser (3) before the transportation exerts a force on the inclined produced arm (5) for maintaining thereof to be virtually parallel to the cooling device (1) body and to the other arms (5). Accordingly, the condenser (3) can be carried almost parallel to the body without occupying much space.

[0045] After the cooling device (1) of the present invention is delivered to the location of use, the fixing element (6) holding the components (4) virtually parallel to the body is removed from the condenser (3) or brought to the passive position so that the components (4) can resume their mutually angular position with respect to each other.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element (6) is U shaped and comprises at least four slots (8) thereon, two on the base and two at the ends of the lateral sides. When the fixing element (6) is in the active position, that is when about to be mounted on the condenser (3) for holding the components (4) virtually parallel to the body, one of the slots (8) on the base is seated on one inclined component (4) and the other on the adjacent flat component (4). Accordingly, the components (4) are fitted on a straight line and thus come closer to each other to be virtually parallel to the body. The transportation process is realized in this position. After finalizing the transportation process, the components (4) are set free by detaching the fixing element (6) from the condenser (3) and the angular component (4) resumes its initial position as the force applied by the fixing element (6) is released. In this position, the fixing element (6) this time is fitted to only the angular component (4) from the slots (8) at the ends of the lateral sides of the U form for supporting the components (4) and for the components (4) to remain with a fixed angle therebetween for a long period of time. In this position, the base of the U bears against the cooling device (1) body so that the inclined component (4) stays at a constant distance from the body.

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element (6) comprises a retainer (7) fitted to one of the components (4) and a lever (9) disposed in the said retainer (7). The lever (9) comprises slots (8) maintaining thereof to be rotatably attached to both the component (4) that the retainer (7) is fitted and to the component (4) adjacent thereto. In this embodiment, the retainer (7) and the lever (9) each comprise at least one receptacle (10). The fixing element (6) furthermore comprises at least one insert (11) placed in the receptacles (10), supporting the components (4) in the active and passive positions and for the lever (9) and the retainer (7) to be locked in this position.

[0048] When the fixing element (6) is in the active position wherein the components (4) are held virtually parallel to the body, the receptacle (10) on the lever (9) is at the level of the first receptacle (10) on the retainer (7). In this position, the insert (11) is passed through two receptacles (10) at the same level and the fixing element (6), hence the components (4) are fixed in this position. The cooling device (1) is thus transported. Afterwards, the insert (11) is removed from the receptacles (10) so that the condenser (3) can be changed to the usage position. The freed angular component (4) resumes its initial position and in the meantime moves the lever (9) together. In this position, the receptacle (10) on the lever (9) is aligned with the second receptacle (10) on the retainer (7). The insert (11) is disposed in the aligned two receptacles (10) this time, thereby fastening the fixing element (6) and hence the components (4) in this position. Thus the inclined component (4) is also supported.

[0049] The cooling device (1) of the present invention can be transported occupying less space by means of the condenser (3) comprising a fixing element (6) that can be secured in two different positions and the heat transfer rate is high during usage therefore having both a lower transportation cost and also a high efficiency.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) that comprises a body, a compressor (2) that maintains the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant cycle and a condenser (3) for cooling the refrigerant fluid delivered from the compressor (2) and characterized by the condenser (3) having at least two serpentine shaped components (4) of which at least one is produced to be on a different plane than the others and at least one fixing element (6) mounted on the condenser

(3) that maintains the component (4) that is produced to stand with a certain angle with the other components (4) to remain virtually in the same plane with the other components (4).

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the fixing element (6), which when brought to a second position, allows the component (4) that is produced to stand with a certain angle with the other components (4) to lie on a different plane.

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the condenser (3) having an arm (5) that connects the inlet (I) of each component (4) with the exit (E) of the other by bringing on a connecting axis (A) and coupling at this level such that a continuous flow is maintained.

4. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by components (4) the serpentine shapes of which are configured such that the inlets (I) and exits (E) are always on the same side.

5. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by components (4) the serpentine shapes of which are configured such that the inlets (I) and exits (E) of some are on the same side and some are on a different side.

6. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the condenser (3) wherein at least one of the arms (5) connecting that component

(4) to the others is produced to be angular with respect to the others so that one of the components (4) remains on a different plane than the others.

7. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the U shaped fixing element (6) that comprises at least four slots (8) thereon, two on the base and one each at the ends of the lateral sides.

8. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fixing element (6) comprising a retainer (7) fitted to one of the components (4), a lever (9) disposed in the said retainer (7) and slots (8) situated on the lever (9) maintaining the lever (9) to be rotatably attached to both the component (4) that the retainer (7) is fitted and to the component (4) adjacent thereto.

9. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the fixing element (6) comprising the retainer (7) and the lever (9) each having at least one receptacle (10) and at least one insert (11) placed in the receptacles (10), for supporting the components (4) in the active and passive positions and for the lever (9) and the retainer (7) to be locked in these positions.