WO2009023942A2

WO2009023942A2 - Refrigeration module, refrigeration system, refrigeration tower and distribution duct

Info

Publication number: WO2009023942A2
Application number: PCT/BR2008/000239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciana Wasnievski Da Silva; Márcio Roberto THIESSEN; Paulo Rogerio Carrara Couto; Taciani Meurer Duarte
Original assignee: Whirlpool S.A.; Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina - Ufsc
Priority date: 2007-08-17
Filing date: 2008-08-12
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: BRPI0705750A2; WO2009023942A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigeration unit (1) having a construction arrangement which enables a dedicated refrigeration, directed at specific regions or portions of the inside of a refrigeratable compartment. The present invention further relates to a refrigeration system comprising the aforementioned refrigeration unit. The present invention further relates to a refrigeration tower (2) which is able to uniformly refrigerate the inside of a refrigeratable compartment. The present invention further relates to a distribution duct which is able to direct and homogenize the distribution of refrigerated air to the items accommodated on the surface of a shelf (3) of a refrigeration equipment.

Description

Title: "REFRIGERATION MODULE, REFRIGERATION SYSTEM, REFRIGERATION TOWER AND DISTRIBUTION DUCT".

The present invention relates to a refrigeration unit having a construction arrangement which enables a dedicated refrigeration, directed at specific regions or portions of the inside of a refrigeratable compartment.

The present invention further relates to a refrigeration system comprising the aforementioned refrigeration unit.

The present invention further relates to a refrigeration tower which is able to uniformly refrigerate the inside of a refrigeratable compartment.

The present invention further relates to a distribution duct which is able to direct and homogenize the distribution of refrigerated air to the items accommodated on the surface of a shelf of a refrigeration equipment. Description of the Prior Art The problems involved in refrigeration consist not only of

"producing cold", but mainly of satisfactorily distributing it, according to the wishes and needs of the users, inside a refrigeratable compartment, such as, for example, a cabinet of a household refrigerator.

US document no. 2007044498 describes a refrigerator comprising two evaporators capable of refrigerating a plurality of shelves of the cabinet of the refrigerator, connected to each other by tubes. The air outlet ducts are directed to each shelf, and said ducts enable the provision of different intensity levels of refrigeration to each shelf of said cabinet. Although this US document describes a very useful embodiment, the distribution of cold (refrigerating) air on the surface of each shelf is not uniform, that is, the region of the shelf which is closer to its respective outlet duct has a higher refrigeration intensity level than a region which is further away from the outlet duct of this same shelf. In many cases, said heterogeneous distribution is undesirable, since the refrigeratable items which are more distant from the air outlet duct are less refrigerated than the items which are closer to said duct. Additionally, it is not even possible to predict the heterogeneity of temperatures on this shelf, in view of the internal temperature variations due to the opening and closing of the refrigerator door. No currently existing refrigerator has this ability to homogeneously distribute the refrigeration intensity level throughout the whole surface of the shelf. On the other hand, in some cases, a heterogeneous temperature distribution on the surface of the same shelf is desirable. For example, when there is a large variety of types of items to be refrigerated and each type requires a refrigeration intensity level within a specific range. It should be noted that the homogeneous distribution in question is not accidental, as in the case of the refrigerator disclosed by US document 2007044498. On the contrary, in the present case it is desired that the user know beforehand the refrigeration intensity level provided in each portion of or region of the shelf. The refrigerators produced nowadays do not offer this range of options of refrigeration intensity levels on the same shelf. These refrigerators have not been able to overcome the difficulties related to the limitations of the internal space.

Documents US 2,475,254, US 2,588,563 and US 2,400,135 disclose cylindrical refrigeration equipment having circular shelves concentrically arranged around a central axis. In said refrigeration equipment, the elements which are able to provide refrigeration are not comprised in a self-contained unit (module) which can be removably fitted into a refrigeration cabinet. Brief description and objectives of the invention

A first objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration unit which is able to provide specific refrigeration intensity levels to different regions or portions of a refrigeratable compartment, in which the temperature must be homogeneous throughout each region or portion.

A second objective of this invention is to meet the needs of a user who wishes a single shelf of the refrigeration compartment to provide different regions and portions with specific refrigeration intensity levels (temperatures). Therefore, the user can choose a certain region or portion of the same shelf to refrigerate food or any other refrigeratable item, and he or she will be able to know beforehand the refrigeration intensity level of each region or portion of said shelf. Thus, the need to implement several partitions inside the same refrigeratable compartment to provide different temperatures to each portion or region is avoided, thus also avoiding the waste of internal space, in addition to making cleaning and maintenance easier

A third objective of the present invention is to provide a portable and self-contained refrigeration unit, of simple and easy installation and maintenance, in addition to being compatible with several types, models and variations of refrigeratable compartments. A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration system comprising the refrigeration units aforementioned.

The first objective of the present invention is achieved by the provision of a refrigeration module which is capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, said refrigeration module comprising at least one tower and one shelf, said shelf being connectable to the tower, said tower comprising at least one refrigeration circuit, said shelf comprising at least one distribution duct operatively connectable to the refrigeration circuit.

The second objective of the present invention is achieved by the provision of a refrigeration module which is capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, said refrigeration module comprising at least one tower and one shelf, said shelf being connectable to the tower, said tower comprising at least one refrigeration circuit, said shelf comprising at least two distribution ducts operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit, in which said distribution ducts are able to provide different refrigeration intensity levels each.

The third objective of the present invention is achieved by the provision of a refrigeration tower comprising at least one compressor, one evaporator and one condenser, in which the tower is capable of being removably fitted as an integral part of a refrigeratable cabinet, said refrigeratable cabinet having an upper portion and a lower portion, said tower substantially extending from the lower portion to the upper portion of the refrigeratable cabinet. The fourth object of the present invention is achieved by a refrigeration system having at least one refrigeration cabinet to accommodate refrigeratable items, said refrigeration system comprising at least one refrigeration module, said refrigeration module being as aforementioned. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: figure 1 - represents a view in perspective of a first preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 2 - represents a view in perspective of a first preferred embodiment of a refrigeration module of the present invention; figure 3 - represents a top view of the refrigeration module illustrated in figure 2; figure 4 - represents a view in perspective of a second preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 5 - represents a view in perspective of a second preferred embodiment of a refrigeration module of the present invention; figure 6 - represents a top view of the refrigeration module illustrated in figure 5; figure 7 - represents a view in perspective of a third preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 8 - represents a view in perspective of a third preferred embodiment of a refrigeration module of the present invention; figure 9 - represents a top view of the refrigeration module illustrated in figure 8; figure 10 - represents a manner of packing the parts which form the refrigeration module; figure 11 - represents a view in perspective of a fourth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 12 - represents a front view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 13 - represents a view in perspective of the fifth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 14 - represents a view in perspective of a sixth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 15 - represents a view in perspective of the sixth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention, with the refrigeration cabinet door half open; figure 16 - represents a view in perspective of a seventh preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 17 - represents a view in perspective of the seventh preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention, with the refrigeration cabinet door half open; figure 18 - represents a view in perspective of an eighth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention, with the refrigeration cabinet door half open; figure 19 - represents a view in perspective of the eighth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention, with two refrigeration cabinet doors half open; figure 20 - represents a view in perspective of a ninth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 21 - represents a view in perspective of a tenth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 22 - represents a view in perspective of the tenth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention, with the refrigeration cabinet door half open; figure 23 - represents a view in perspective of an eleventh preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; figure 24 - represents a view in perspective of the eleventh preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention, with the refrigeration cabinet door half open; figure 25 - represents a view in perspective of a twelfth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention seen from one side; figure 26 - represents a view in perspective of the twelfth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention seen from the opposite side; figure 27 - represents a view in perspective of a thirteenth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; and figure 28 - represents a top view of the thirteenth preferred embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention. Detailed Description of Drawings

Figures 2, 5 and 8 illustrate three types of preferred embodiments of a refrigeration module 1 of the present invention. Refrigeration module 1 can be used in any refrige ratable compartment, such as various types and models of household / commercial / industrial / transportation refrigerator and freezer cabinets, air conditioner cabinets, cupboards, rooms, boxes, spaces, among others. Thus, in order to enable the refrigeration module 1 to be removably fitted, the refrige ratable compartment needs only to have a recess, a hollow portion or any support base. As an example of a refrigeratable compartment, figures 1 , 4 and 7 show refrigeration cabinets 100 which are able to accommodate refrigeratable items used in household refrigerators. Preferably, the refrigeration module 1 comprises all of the elements of a conventional, well-known refrigeration circuit, normally used in household refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. The refrigeration circuit comprises an evaporator, an accumulator, a compressor, a filter drier, a condenser, an expansion device, connected to one another by tubes, in which a cooling fluid circulates, which cooling fluid, in turn, is responsible for heat (energy) exchange and transportation. Generally speaking, heat is removed from the hot air present inside the refrigeratable compartment by the evaporator and is transported to the condenser, which releases said heat outside the refrigeratable compartment. The hot zone is the portion comprised by the region near the condenser and the cold zone is the portion comprised by the region near the evaporator.

Preferably, the tower 2 further comprises at least: - one outlet which enables the refrigerated air to flow into the refrigeratable compartment;

- a fan associated with the outlet;

- inlet slots which enable ambient air to flow into the tower 2; - cooling slots which enable heat to be dispersed to the environment.

The electric supply to, or energization of, the refrigeration module 1 , which is not shown in the picture, is preferably provided by a conventional electric cable to be connected to an alternating current (AC) power socket. However, batteries, a DC power supply or any other type of electric supply can be used, as long as it is compatible with the operation of the refrigeration module 1.

The tower 2 preferably comprises at least one electronic submodule which is able to control the refrigeration intensity levels. Said electronic submodule comprises at least one microcontroller or microprocessor having a control program.

Therefore, it can be said that the refrigeration module 1 is of the self-contained type, since in addition to comprising all of the elements, pieces and parts required to provide refrigeration, its electric supply is not provided by/dependent on the refrigeratable compartment, as in case of a conventional household refrigerator.

Although the present invention relates to a refrigeration module, it should be understood that the construction arrangements described in this document are applicable to other types of climatization equipment, such as, for example, equipment intended for heating in general.

Embodiments of the refrigeration module comprising shelves having distribution ducts

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate details of a first embodiment of the refrigeration module 1 of the present invention. The refrigeration module 1 is capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment. Said refrigeration module 1 has at least one tower 2 and one shelf 3 connectable to said tower 2. Preferably, the tower 2 comprises at least one refrigeration circuit. The shelf 3 comprises at least one distribution duct 5 operatively connectable to the refrigeration circuit.

This refrigeration module 1 or refrigeration cassette platform, designed to serve refrigeration cabinets 101 of cylindrical refrigerators or of cylinder sections (figures 1 , 4 and 7), comprise distribution ducts 5 to distribute cold air inside the refrigeration cabinet 101 , connected to a central tower 2. The distribution duct 5 can be easily moved by the user, by rotation, closer to the regions where a higher concentration of cold air is desired. Thus, the user can configure the cold air distribution (from the number of distribution ducts 5 to their position) according to his or her needs, instead of moving the food around every time he or she stocks up the refrigerator.

The distribution ducts 5 may be perforated on both surfaces (lower and upper) if the refrigerator shelves are perforated or wired, thus enabling the sharing of a duct by more than one shelf and an additional air distribution. For cold air to be concentrated at specific points, said ducts should be perforated only on one surface.

Thus, the shelf 3 is capable of dividing the refrigeratable compartment into at least two different environments, and the refrigeration module 1 is capable of refrigerating each environment separately.

It is also possible to determine a specific refrigeration intensity level for each distribution duct 5, and therefore the distribution ducts 5 of the same shelf 3 may have different temperatures, providing practicality and flexibility to the user. The shelf 3 can be moved along a vertical axis of the tower 2.

Optionally, in order to optimize transportation, the refrigeration module 1 can be divided into subparts (figure 10). Thus, the distribution ducts 5 can be packed separately from the tower (if any), to be sent to the manufacturer of the refrigerator.

The tower 2, which has a cylindrical shape, is capable of moving angularly around its vertical axis. The cabinet 101 , which also has a cylindrical shape (figure 1), can be accessed by revolving doors. In this case, the hot zone, which needs to be in contact with the external environment, would be located on a base having the same diameter as the cabinet 101. Evidently, said arrangement is not mandatory, and the hot zone could be on the top of the cabinet 101.

Preferably, the cold air distribution ducts 5 would not be the surface of the tower 2 itself. The distribution ducts 5 are coupled to the refrigeration module 1 , preferably to the tower 2, and can be moved, by rotation, closer to the regions where a lower temperature is desired and farther to the regions where a higher air humidity is desired, as in the case of fruits and vegetables. The user can configure the cold distribution, according to his or her needs, instead of moving the food around every time he or she stocks up the refrigerator.

The shelf 3 is capable of being removably fitted to the tower 2 and accommodated along the vertical axis of the tower 2. Preferably, the shelf 3 is capable of moving angularly around the vertical axis of the tower 2.

The distribution duct 5 is directly connected to the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit by means of tubes.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the refrigeration module 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tower

2 has a semi-cylindrical shape and may be partiality or totally accommodated inside the refrigeratable compartment. In this case, all of the components of the refrigeration circuit may be accommodated inside the tower 2. When the cabinet 101 has this shape (semi-cylindrical), there is no need for a base, as aforementioned, since there is a region of the tower in contact with the external environment (flat surface) to carry out the heat exchanges.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the refrigeration module 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tower 2 has the shape of a cylindrical quadrant. The advantage of this embodiment is the economy of space and the easy coupling to orthogonal walls.

Evidently, the cylindrical section of the refrigeration module 1 can have any interior angle, thus providing greater adaptability. Embodiments of the refrigeration module comprising shelves without distribution ducts

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of a cassette in the form of a tower (elevated height compared to the other dimensions) formed by a prism having a semi-cylinder as a base (figure 11 ). In this tower, which can be coupled to the center of the refrigeration compartment on the back wall, all of the angular surface, which is in contact with the internal environment along the whole length of the refrigeration compartment, consists of the cold air insufflating duct itself. The flat surface touching the back wall of the cabinet exchanges heat with the external environment. The central portion is where the tubes, the compressor and the control devices are located. It should be noted that the radial shape enables the cold air to be distributed in every direction inside the cabinet.

Still with respect to the cassette in the form of a tower, another option would be to couple it to the comer of the cabinet. In this case, the tower consists of a prism, the base of which corresponds to a quadrant (figures 12 and 13). Similarly, the whole extent of the angular surface corresponds to the cold zone, whereas the flat surfaces, which are in contact with the external environment, correspond to the hot zone. It should be further noted that this alternative of a refrigeration module (cassette) in the form of a tower has a very advantageous shape from the point of view of logistic transportation.

Thus, the cabinet 101 could have the same semi-circular prism shape as the refrigeration module 1 (figure 14 and 15). This configuration expands the region of the door, providing convenience of use and offering a wide viewing range and easy access to the products accommodated on the internal shelves, since the depth of the refrigerator is reduced. Additionally, this refrigerator configuration makes it easier for people to move around the environment in view of the absence of corners. It should be noted that there is no substantial change to the construction characteristics of the cabinet in any of the configurations of the refrigeration module 1. The same applies to the refrigeration module 1 defined by a cylindrical quadrant, which could be used in a corner refrigerator (figures 16 and 17) or positioned near a wall.

The refrigerator shown in figures 18 and 19 refers to a conventional cabinet. Taking into consideration that the door is an important region, as it enables quick access to the products, this alternative defined by a slim cabinet provides bilateral access by means of two (or more) side doors and reduction of the shelf area. In this case, the refrigeration module 1 , which also has the form of a tower, would be defined by a rectangular base prism, in which the internal surface would be the cold side and the external surface would be the hot side.

Using the refrigeration module 1 itself as the structural element of the cabinet and combining its rectilinear shapes with the slightly organic shapes of the cabinet, a refrigerator is obtained which can be used as a room partition and accessed from both sides.

With this configuration, the cold zones could be located on the two side towers, which would also be used as ducts along the whole length of the cabinet, whereas the hot zone would occupy all of the lower region, which would also lodge a conventional size compressor in the transition region between the side and the base. An axis dividing the refrigeration module 1 into two parts, as shown in figure 20, could be adjusted according to the dimension of the cabinet.

Thus, a configuration is disclosed which enables the adaptation of the products to different individual needs, following the example of products which can be modulated according to the use for which they are required. This is a very attractive attribute, not only in the aforementioned segment, but also in many other industrial sectors, including in the automobile industry.

In another configuration, shown in figures 21 and 22, the products meet consumers' individual needs, and can be purchased in modules, including refrigeratable compartment submodules which can be fitted to one another and to the refrigeration module 1. This configuration can have a further variation, in which the cold zones for cold air blowing are installed between the cabinet compartments, making it possible to compose the cassette itself, as shown in figures 23 and 24. The cold zone can be used to blow air into two compartments. On the two sides of the same compartment, for example, the conditions are more favorable for a freezer.

The cylindrically shaped refrigeration module 1 can also be fitted into refrigerated environments and other cupboard spaces (figures 25 and 26), provided the insulation conditions are met. Part of the hot zone can be used to supply heat to a sort of constant warming cupboard for keeping food warm.

A further application for the cylindrical refrigeration module 1 comprising the tower 2 is shown in figures 27 and 28. It is a refrigerator composed exclusively of doors - combined in pairs, and composed of as many pairs as desired - which suggests the elimination of the cabinet with the traditional shelves in view of the importance of the door due to all the aforementioned conveniences.

These doors can also be rotated during handling, and this arrangement makes it easier to divide food into different sections, optimizing organization.

Refrigeration system

Figures 1 , 4, 7, show refrigeration systems 100 respectively comprising the first, second and third embodiments of the refrigeration module 1 and a refrigeration cabinet 2. Said refrigeration system 100 is represented by a household refrigerator having a freezer attached thereto. However, as previously mentioned, other types of refrigeratable compartments can be used.

Thus, the refrigeration system 100 has at least one refrigeratable cabinet 101 to accommodate refrigeratable items, said refrigeration system 100 comprising at least one refrigeration module 1 as previously described.

The refrigeration module 1 is partially or fully accommodated inside the refrigeratable cabinet 101. On the other hand, the refrigeration module 1 can be fully accommodated inside the refrigeration cabinet 101 , depending on the construction arrangement.

A common example of a refrigeration system is a household refrigerator having a freezer.

In the case of a cylindrical cabinet (figure 1), the central tower of the cassette is lodged in the central region, and a base providing an interface with the external environment must be built in order to enable the heat exchanges to be made. All the components required for the refrigeration cycle to work (compressor, control device, heat exchangers, drier filter, among others) are installed inside the tower 2 and/or even at the base region. Additionally, in this cabinet 101 configuration, the tower 2 may provide support for the refrigeration shelves if the doors are opened and closed by rotation. Refrigeration tower

The refrigeration tower itself can comprise at least one compressor, the evaporator and the condenser, and said tower 2 can be removably fitted as an integral part of a refrigeratable cabinet 101 , more specifically a refrigeratable cabinet 101 having an upper portion and a lower portion, and said tower 2 substantially extending from the lower portion to the upper portion of the refrigeratable cabinet 101.

In this configuration, the tower comprises a cold surface and a hot surface, in which the cold surface can be integrated with an internal portion of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 and the hot portion can be integrated with an external portion of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , said cold part comprising a multiplicity of air outlets for the distribution of refrigerated air into the refrigeratable compartment, said air inlets being distributed from the lower portion to the upper portion of the tower.

According to another possible variant of this configuration, substantially half of the external surface of the tower can be associated with the internal part of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , while the other half of its external surface can be associated with the external part of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , and there is a further option of building the tower so that its external surface can be fully associated with the internal part of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , with the exception of its lower portion, which can be associated with the external part of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , for the heat to be expelled. A further option is for the heat to be expelled through the upper part, as required.

In one of the variations, the tower has a substantially semi- cylindrical shape and is substantially coupled to a central portion of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , on the respective back wall. The angular surface of the tower is in contact with the internal environment along the whole length of the cabinet, whereas the flat surface touches the back wall of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , performing heat exchanges with the external environment.

Thus, the refrigeration tower 2 can be integrated with different types of cabinets for easy maintenance by simply replacing the tower 2, thus making it possible to use any kind of refrigeratable cabinet 101 , from those having a rectangular section or a semi-circular prism section to those having a semi-prism section with doors dividing the accesses to the refrigeratable cabinet 101 into different parts. Other variants of the cabinet may include, for example, a rectangular section refrigeratable cabinet 101 having the refrigeration tower at its rear part, interfacing the internal environment of the cabinet, said refrigeration tower extending along substantially all of the back wall of the refrigeratable cabinet 101 , said cabinet having doors extending along substantially all of the length of the side portions of the refrigeratable cabinet 101.

Additionally, the fact that the tower 2 is self-sustained makes it possible for the cabinet to be structured around it, by means of a kit of modular parts which can be purchased separately, thus enabling the customized assembly of a refrigeratable cabinet 101 by each user, which can even provide a cupboard comprising household appliances other than the refrigerator, for example, forming an island of household appliances around the refrigeration tower 2.

The examples described above represent preferreds embodiments, however, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, and is limited only by the content of the appended claims, which includes all possible equivalents.

Claims

1. A refrigeration module (1) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, said refrigeration module (1) having at least one tower (2) and one shelf (3), said shelf (3) being connectable to said tower (2), said tower (2) comprising at least one refrigeration circuit, the refrigeration module (1) being characterized in that the shelf (3) comprises at least one distribution duct (5) operatively connectable to the refrigeration circuit.

2. The refrigeration module (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) is able to move angularly around its vertical axis.

3. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) has a cylindrical shape.

4. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) has a semi-cylindrical shape.

5. The refrigeration module (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) has a quadrant cylindrical shape.

6. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelf (3) can be removably fitted to the tower (2).

7. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelf (3) is able to move angularly around a vertical axis of the tower (2).

8. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelves (3) are capable of being accommodated along a vertical axis of the tower (2).

9. The refrigeration module (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) is partially or fully accommodated inside the refrigeratable compartment.

10. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the refrigeration circuit comprises at least one evaporator, said evaporator being connected to the distribution duct (5) by tubes.

11. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the refrigeration circuit comprises at least one evaporator, one accumulator, one expansion device, one condenser, one compressor and one drier filter, associated with one another by tubes.

12. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) comprises at least one electronic submodule which is able to control the refrigeration intensity levels.

13. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the electronic submodule comprises at least one microcontroller or one microprocessor having a control program.

14. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) comprises at least one outlet which enables the refrigerated air to flow into the refrigeratable compartment.

15. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the tower (2) comprises at least one fan associated with the outlet.

16. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the tower (2) comprises inlet slots (108) which enable ambient air to flow into the tower (2).

17. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tower (2) comprises cooling slots which enable heat to be dispersed to the environment.

18. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelf (3) is capable of being moved along a vertical axis of the tower (2).

19. The refrigeration module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelf (3) is able to divide the refrigeratable compartment into at least two different environments, said refrigeration module (1) being able to refrigerate each environment separately.

20. A refrigeration system having at least one refrigeration cabinet (101) to accommodate refrigeratable items, said refrigeration system being characterized by comprising at least one refrigeration module (1), said refrigeration module (1) being in accordance with claims 1 to 19.

21. The refrigeration system according to claim 20, characterized in that the refrigeration module (1) can be partially or fully accommodated inside the refrigeration cabinet (101).

22. The refrigeration system according to claim 20, characterized in that the refrigeration module (1) can be fully accommodated outside the refrigeration cabinet (101).

23. The refrigeration system according to claim 20, characterized in that it is a household refrigerator having a freezer.

24. A refrigeration module (1) capable of being removably fitted to a refrigeratable compartment, said refrigeration module (1) having at least one tower (2) and one shelf (3), said shelf (3) being connectable to said tower (2), said tower (2) comprising at least one refrigeration circuit, the refrigeration module (1) being characterized in that the shelf (3) comprises at least two distribution ducts (5) operatively connectable to the refrigeration circuit, said distribution ducts (5) being able to provide different refrigeration intensity levels each.

25. A refrigeration tower (2) characterized by comprising: at least one compressor; one evaporator and one condenser; in which said tower (2) is capable of being removably fitted as an integral part of a refrigeratable cabinet (101), said refrigeratable cabinet (101 ) having an upper portion and a lower portion, said tower (2) substantially extending from the lower portion to the upper portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (101).

26. The tower according to claim 25, characterized by comprising a cold surface and a hot surface, the cold surface being capable to be integrated with an internal portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (101) and the hot portion can be integrated with an external portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (101 ).

27. The tower according to claim 26, characterized in that the cold part comprises a multiplicity of air outlets for the distribution of refrigerated air into the refrige ratable cabinet (101).

28. The tower according to claim 27, characterized in that the air outlets are distributed from the lower portion to the upper portion of the tower.

29. The tower according to claim 28, characterized in that substantially half of the external surface of the tower can be associated with the internal part of the refrigeratable cabinet (101) and half of its external surface can be associated with the external part of the refrigeratable cabinet (101).

30. The tower according to claim 28, characterized in that its external surface can be fully associated with the internal part of the refrigeratable cabinet (101), with the exception of its lower portion, which can be associated with the external part of the refrigeratable cabinet (101).

31. The tower according to claim 28, characterized by having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, said tower being substantially coupled to a central portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (101) on the respective back wall, having its angular surface in contact with the internal environment along the whole length of the cabinet, and its flat surface touching the back wall of the refrigeratable cabinet (101), performing heat exchanges with the external environment.

32. The tower according to claim 28, characterized by having the shape of a prism, and in that the front surface of the tower is in contact with the internal environment along the whole length of the cabinet, while its rear surface touches the back wall of the refrigeratable cabinet, performing the heat exchanges with the external environment.

33. The tower according to claim 28, characterized by comprising a quadrant section and in that the whole length of the respective angular surface can be fitted to the internal portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (101) and the flat surfaces can be turned to the external environment.

34. The tower according to claim 29, 30, 31 or 32, characterized in that the refrigeratable cabinet has a rectangular section.

35. The tower according to claim 29, 30, 31 or 32, characterized in that the refrige ratable cabinet has a semi-circular prism section, said semi- prism section having doors dividing the accesses to the refrige ratable cabinet into different parts.

36. The tower according to claim 29, 30, 31 or 32, characterized in that the refrigeratable cabinet has a rectangular section and in that it has, at its rear part, the refrigeration tower interfacing the inside and the outside of the cabinet, said refrigeration tower extending along substantially all of the back wall of the refrigeratable cabinet, said cabinet having doors extending along substantially all of the length of the sides of the refrigeratable cabinet.

37. The tower according to claim 29, 30, 31 or 32, characterized in that the refrigeration tower is capable of being removably fitted, so as to structure the refrigeratable cabinet.

38. The tower according to claim 29, 30, 31 or 32, characterized in that the refrigeratable cabinet is a cupboard comprising household appliances other than the refrigerator.

39. A refrigeration duct which is able to provide refrigerating air, said duct being characterized in that it is capable of being coupled to a refrigeration tower and in that it extends along the inside of a refrigeration shelf.