WO2010049327A1

WO2010049327A1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2010049327A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/063803
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alper Mirza; Ibrahim Yanik; Bulent Hatipoglu; Fatih Demiray
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2008-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) that comprises a compressor (2) for maintaining the refrigeration cycle, a serpentine shaped condenser (3) for condensing the refrigerant fluid, a compartment (4) wherein the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) are disposed, and a fan (5) also disposed in the compartment (4) for cooling the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) by blowing air thereon.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device wherein the assembly of the condenser and the fan is made easier.

[0002] In cooling devices, for example in the refrigerators, the heat energy from the condenser in the refrigerant cycle is discharged to the exterior by natural or enforced heat convection methods. The condensers that function with natural heat convection are generally used in conventional refrigerators and the condensers that operate with enforced heat convection are generally used in no-frost type refrigerators. The compressor and the condenser in the no-frost refrigerators are usually in a section situated at the bottom portion of the refrigerator body. Heat transfer from the condenser to the exterior needs to be accelerated in order to increase the performance of the refrigeration system and therefore removal of the heat by enforced convection is provided via a fan blowing air over the condenser. In the state of the art, the air aspirated from the exterior by means of the fan is usually directed to the compressor by passing over the condenser. A high amount of air flow is required so that the condenser can be cooled sufficiently which causes an increase in the noise level since the cooling fan is operated at a high speed.

[0003] In the state of the art United States of America Patent no US5592829, a casing and a counterpart casing are explained, which are used in assembling the fan and the condenser having a coil-shaped configuration.

[0004] In another state of the art document, the Japanese patent no

JP2001241834, a cooling device is explained comprising a case wherein the condenser is emplaced and fans mounted on this case.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device wherein the assembly of the condenser and the fan are easily performed.

[0006] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.

[0007] The cooling device of the present invention comprises at least one retainer for grouping the condenser and the fan and for assembling them on the base of the compartment wherein they are emplaced. The retainer comprises more than one hole. The serpentine bends of the condenser are tight-fittingly inserted into the holes such that the ducts extend in the vertical direction. The assembly of the condenser and the fan on the base of the compartment is maintained at the same time by mounting both the condenser and the fan together on the retainer.

[0008] The condenser is configured by bending a single duct such that more than one, consecutive serpentine group, parallel to each other are formed. The retainer comprises a number of holes matching the number of serpentine groups in the condenser, arranged in tandem such that at least one of the bends in each serpentine group of the condenser can be inserted into a hole on the retainer. When the serpentine bends of the condenser are inserted into the holes, the bends at least partially pass underneath the retainer.

[0009] The retainer comprises a body that extends in the horizontal, whereon the holes are arranged, at least two legs disposed on both sides of the body, maintaining to hold the body somewhat higher than the surface whereto the retainer is mounted and at least two feet situated at the end of the legs, extending in the horizontal, for mounting the retainer on the base of the compartment. The retainer furthermore comprises at least one vertical strut at the end of the foot farther away from the compressor, whereon the fan is mounted. The vertical strut extends upwards on the foot and the fan is mounted at the end thereof. Consequently, the fan is kept at the same height as the condenser in the vertical.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the retainer is configured by bending a single metal sheet.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the leg on the side the fan is mounted is inclined such that a space is left between the condenser and the fan.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retainer and the condenser are painted a dark color thereby enabling the retainer to contribute in the discharging of heat by the condenser.

[0013] The model embodiments relating to a cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0014] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a cooling device. [0015] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a compressor, a condenser, a fan and a retainer.

[0016] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of a condenser, a fan and a retainer. [0017] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a fan and a retainer. [0018] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Compressor

3. Condenser

4. Compartment

5. Fan

6. Retainer

7. Hole

8. Body

9. 109. Leg

10. 110. Foot

11. Vertical strut

[0019] A cooling device (1), for example a refrigerator, comprises a compressor

(2) for maintaining the refrigeration cycle, a serpentine shaped condenser

(3) for condensing the refrigerant fluid, a compartment (4) wherein the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) are disposed, a fan (5) also disposed in a compartment (4) for cooling the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) by blowing air thereon (Figure 1).

[0020] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises:

- at least one retainer (6),

- formed by configuring a metal plate,

- whereon the condenser (3) and the fan (5) are arranged,

- mounted on the base (A) of the compartment (4),

- having more than one hole (7) wherein the serpentine bends (B) of the condenser (3) are inserted tight-fittingly such that the ducts extend virtually in the vertical direction (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[0021] Consequently, the condenser (3) and the fan (5) can be assembled on the base (A) of the compartment (4) easily and in one action. On the other hand, the retainer (6) serves as a fin for discharging the heat of the condenser (3) and increases the efficiency of the condenser (3). Thus, it is possible to achieve the same performance by using a smaller condenser (3) than the previous technique. Moreover, since the serpentine bends (B) of the condenser (3) are seated tight-fittingly into the holes (7), the condenser (3) can be assembled to the retainer (6) without the need for additional assembly means.

[0022] The condenser (3) is configured by bending a single duct such that consecutive serpentine groups (SG), parallel to each other are formed. The retainer (6) comprises sequential holes (7) with a number matching the number of serpentine groups (SG) of the condenser (3). Consequently, at least one of the bends (B) in each serpentine group (SG) of the condenser (3) can be inserted into a hole (7). For example, one serpentine group (SG) of the condenser (3) comprises four bends (B), and passing to the rear row can be maintained by a vertical bend (B) at the ends of the group (SG) such that five consecutive serpentine groups (SG) are arranged in tandem. In this position, rows of holes (7) are arranged on the retainer (6) such that five consecutive holes (7) are in tandem. However, each bend (B) in each serpentine group (SG) of the condenser (3) does not have to be seated in one hole (7). It is sufficient for the retainer (6) to comprise one or two rows of holes (7) so that securing can be provided.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser (3) is positioned such that it remains between the compressor (2) and the fan (5).

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (6) comprises:

- a body (8) that extends in the horizontal, whereon holes (7) are arranged,

- at least two legs (9, 109), disposed on both sides of the body (8), for holding the body (8) somewhat higher than the compartment (4) base (A),

- at least two feet (10, 110) situated at the ends of the legs (9), extending in the horizontal, for assembling the retainer (6) on the base (A) of the compartment (4),

- at least one vertical strut (11) disposed at the end of the foot (110) farther away from the compressor (2) and whereon the fan (5) is mounted (Figure 4). [0025] In this embodiment, the leg (109), on the side whereto the fan (5) is mounted, is inclined such that the end thereof joining with the body (8) makes a wide angle with the body (8) (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

Consequently, a suitable distance between the fan (5) and the condenser

(3) is provided. [0026] The retainer (6) is assembled on the base (A) of the compartment (4) from the feet (10, 110) by means of fastening elements such as screws or clips. [0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (6) is configured by bending a single metal sheet to form the legs (9, 109), the feet (10, 110) and the vertical strut (11). [0028] In another embodiment, the retainer (6) is configured by joining more than one metal part with a connection technique such as welding, screws etc. [0029] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (6) is the same color as the condenser (3), for example a dark color like black.

Accordingly, the retainer (6) can effectively contribute in the heat discharging of the condenser (3). [0030] In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the condenser (3) and the fan (5) are easily assembled on the base (A) of the compartment (4) and the condenser (3) is operated more efficiently. [0031] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention. [0032]

Claims

1. A cooling device (1 ) that comprises a compressor (2) for maintaining the refrigeration cycle, a condenser (3) for condensing the refrigerant fluid, configured by bending the ducts in a serpentine shape, where through the fluid flows, a compartment (4) wherein the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) are disposed and a fan (5) also disposed in the compartment (4) for cooling the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) by blowing air thereon, and characterized by at least one retainer (6), formed by configuring a metal plate, whereon the condenser (3) and the fan (5) are emplaced, mounted on the base (A) of the compartment (4), having more than one hole (7) wherein the serpentine bends (B) of the condenser (3) are inserted tight-fittingly such that the ducts extend virtually in the vertical.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the condenser (3) that is configured by bending a single duct such that consecutive serpentine groups (SG), parallel to each other are formed and the retainer (6) comprising sequential holes (7), with a number matching the number of the serpentine groups (SG) of the condenser (3).

3. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a retainer (6) comprising a body (8) that extends in the horizontal, whereon the holes (7) are arranged, at least two legs (9, 109), disposed on both sides of the body (8), for holding the body (8) somewhat higher than the compartment (4) base (A), at least two feet (10, 110) situated at the ends of the legs (9), extending in the horizontal and providing the assembling of the retainer (6) on the base (A) of the compartment (4), and at least one vertical strut (11) disposed at the end of the foot (110) farther away from the compressor (2) and whereon the fan (5) is mounted.

4. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a retainer (6) that is configured by bending a single metal sheet to form the legs (9, 109), the feet (10, 110) and the vertical strut (11).

5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a retainer (6) comprising an inclined leg (109) disposed on the side whereto the fan (5) is mounted, such that the end thereof joining with the body (8) makes a wide angle with the body (8).

6. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a retainer (6) which is of the same dark color as the condenser (3).