WO2011141569A2

WO2011141569A2 - Outdoor refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2011141569A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/057761
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Hubert; Ilan Cohen
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2010-05-14
Filing date: 2011-05-13
Publication date: 2011-11-17
Also published as: SE1000519A1; BR112012029210A2; BR112012029210B1; WO2011141569A3

Abstract

A refrigerator (100) mountable at an external wall (210, 310) of a building is provided. According to an aspect, the refrigerator comprises a housing (120), a support structure (140) for storing items and fixation means (160) for mounting the housing at the external wall. The support structure is arranged to move relative to the housing between a close position, wherein the support structure is arranged inside the housing, and at least one access position, wherein the support structure is arranged at least partly outside the housing. The support structure comprises a base (145) and a rear wall (146) standing at or near an edge of the base, thereby defining an interior of the support structure. The fixation means (160) is arranged such that, when mounted, the side of the housing located closest to the external wall corresponds to the side from which the interior of the support structure is accessible in an access position. According to another aspect, a refrigerator comprises photovoltaic cells, cool storage means and a control unit is provided. The present invention is advantageous in terms of at least space savings and energy savings.

Description

OUTDOOR REFRIGERATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of refrigerators and in particular to a wall-hanging outdoor refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerators are known home appliances enabling to maintain an inner temperature adequate for storing items such as food and beverages, for example in the range of 2-10°C. Refrigerators exist in various sizes and shapes. However, in the context of future development of urban environment and thus shrinking domestic spaces, there is a need for new types of refrigerators. New types of refrigerators are also desirable to reduce energy consumption and therefore provide energy saving. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, there is a need for providing new devices that would alleviate at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks. It is with the above considerations that the invention has been made.

An object of the present invention is to alleviate the above

disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an improved alternative.

Generally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator providing a greater space efficiency.

This and other objects of the present invention are achieved by means of the refrigerator as defined in the independent claims. Preferred

embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator mountable at an external wall of a building. The refrigerator comprises a housing, a support structure for storing items (such as food) and fixation means for mounting the housing at the external wall. The support structure is arranged to move relative to the housing between a close position, wherein the support structure is arranged inside the housing, and at least one access position, wherein the support structure is arranged at least partly outside the housing. The support structure comprises a base and a rear wall standing at or near an edge of the base, thereby defining an interior of the support structure. The fixation means is arranged such that, when the refrigerator is mounted, the side of the housing located closest to the external wall corresponds to the side from which the interior of the support structure is accessible in an access position.

The present invention is based on the understanding that a refrigerator may be arranged outside a building instead of inside the building, thereby saving space. In the present invention, the outside is used as an extension of the inside of the building, which is advantageous due to limitation on inside spaces like kitchens in residential apartments. The refrigerator of the present invention is adapted for storage of food outside a residential apartment or a house. The refrigerator of the present invention is an external refrigerator which can be fixed or attached directly on the outside wall of a residential building.

In the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a support structure arranged to glide within a housing between a close position and at least one access position. The support structure is adapted to store food or other items requiring a certain cool temperature (normally in the range of about 2-10°C).

The side of the support structure from which its interior is accessible corresponds to the side of the housing located closest to the external wall of the building when the refrigerator is mounted at the external wall.

Further, the support structure of the refrigerator of the present invention comprises a base and a rear wall standing at or near an edge of the base, thereby defining an interior of the support structure. It will be

appreciated that the base may have any shape and may e.g. represent a lower shelf or any other lower element or carrier of the support structure. Together with the rear wall, the base forms an interior space of the (support structure of the) refrigerator. Further, the fixation means is arranged such that, when the refrigerator is mounted, the side of the housing located closest to the external wall corresponds to the side from which the interior of the support structure is accessible in an access position. Thus, the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a wall-hanging refrigerator with improved safety measures. When mounted at an external wall, the interior of the support structure of the refrigerator is accessible from the side of the wall, such as e.g. an open window, and the rear wall of the support structure prevents any item arranged at the support structure from falling off at the back of the support structure. In this respect, it will be appreciated that the rear wall may be complete or a grid or may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid net with a mesh size adapted to retain any item within the support structure.

It will be appreciated that the side from which the interior of the support structure is accessible corresponds to the side of the support structure providing an opening to the support structure. The support structure comprises a base and a rear wall thereby defining an interior space in which is arranged e.g. food, beverage or any other item suitable to be placed in a refrigerator.

In particular, the support structure is arranged within the housing such that, when the refrigerator is mounted at the external wall, the rear wall is located at or near the base edge furthest away from the external wall.

According to an embodiment, the support structure may be arranged within the housing such that, when the refrigerator is mounted at an external wall, the interior of the support structure is accessible, in an access position, from the side of the housing located closest to the external wall, such as through an open window of the external wall.

In a first alternative, the support structure may be arranged to move along a vertical direction, which is advantageous when the refrigerator is mounted above or below a window of the building. In a second alternative, the support structure may be arranged to move along an horizontal direction, which is advantageous when the refrigerator is mounted on the side of a window of the building.

According to an embodiment, the support structure may be a drawer or a sliding box having a rectangular or polygonal shape, optionally with rounded corners. It will be appreciated that the form and shape of the support structure is not linnited to these examples and that any form and shape may be used for providing an interior space adapted to store food and prevent the food from falling off the support structure (in e.g. the street).

The support structure may comprise shelves or various kinds of food carriers for storing the items to be arranged in the refrigerator.

According to an embodiment, the rear wall of the support structure may be at least partly transparent or translucent, which is advantageous in that external light, from e.g. luminaries located in the neighborhood or the street, can be used to illuminate the interior of the support structure. The present embodiment is therefore advantageous in that less energy is needed for internal lighting of the refrigerator, thereby further improving energy saving.

According to an embodiment, the housing may have the shape of a slab. In particular, the width of the base of the support structure may be less than about 180 cm, and preferably less than 1 15 cm. The present

embodiment is advantageous in that such geometry and/or size of the refrigerator further enhances safety. The refrigerator is preferably shaped as a slab, i.e. with a limited thickness as compared to its length. Such limitation in width of the base (i.e. in thickness of the refrigerator) is intended to enhance security in that the risk to fall off an open window for a person trying to catch food located in the support structure is reduced. Still, it will be appreciated that such limitation in width may provide a reasonably large storage volume, depending on the other dimensions of the support structure such as the height and the length. It will also be appreciated that the total volume of the refrigerator may be designed taking into account the solidity of the corresponding fixation means. More specifically, the whole refrigerator is to be designed such that the risk to be accidentally detached from the wall is minimized, thereby providing requirements on the total volume of the interior space of the support structure and thereby the total weight (in particular when loaded) of the refrigerator.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may comprise a locking system for locking the support structure within the housing in the close position, which is advantageous for security purposes in that it is more difficult for thieves to open the refrigerator and empty it. According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may further comprise a rail mechanism with which the support structure is arranged to slide between the close position and the access position.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator, and in particular the support structure, may further comprise a handle for manually moving the support structure relative to the housing, which is an alternative way for pulling and pushing the support structure relative to the housing.

According to an embodiment, the support structure may be horizontally tilted relative to the housing such that, from the close position to the access position, the support structure is moved upwards. The present embodiment is advantageous in that it requires a certain force for pulling the support structure out of the housing from its close position while the support structure can itself glide in the housing from an access position, thereby improving the closing of the refrigerator. With such an arrangement, the support structure slides itself in the housing, thereby limiting the risk that the refrigerator remains open unnecessarily. The tilt angle may be adapted as a function of the weight of the support structure such that the manual force required for pulling out the support structure is reasonable (and possible for any adult person).

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may be equipped with an electric motor or a spring arrangement to drive the movement of the support structure between the close position and the access position (and vice versa). The present embodiment is more user-friendly in that assistance is provided to the user for opening and/or closing of the refrigerator.

According to an embodiment, a surface of the housing is at least partially reflective and/or the housing further comprises sound emitting means, a display, a light emitter and/or intimidating means, such as standing objects or pins, for preventing animals from landing on or approaching the housing. The present embodiment is advantageous in that it provides a more hygienic refrigerator since fewer animals may approach the housing. Further, it is desirable that no animal is present close to the refrigerator when the refrigerator is in an access position. According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may comprise a receiver for receiving, from a remote controller and/or a sensor, instructions to move the support structure towards an access position or to the close position. For example, the refrigerator may be configured to receive information from a remote controller located inside the building. This is advantageous in that the refrigerator may be open (the support structure being in an access position) before the user opens a window. In another example, the refrigerator may open automatically when the window opens.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may be equipped with an insect protecting screen arranged to cover an opening of the support structure, which is advantageous to reduce the risk that insects enter the interior space of the support structure.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may comprise a panel standing at or near the edge of the base located closest to the external wall when mounted, the panel covering at least part of the front part of the support structure. In a more specific embodiment, at least a portion of the panel may be rotatable around the edge of the base located closest to the external wall when mounted, thereby enabling access to the interior of the support structure. The present embodiments are advantageous in that they provide some safety and protection possibilities for the interior of the support structure, such as e.g. that an upper panel or an upper portion of a panel protects against undesirable weather conditions such as rain and snow (both the user and the interior space of the refrigerator may be protected by the upper panel) or that a lower panel covers the gap (distance) between the support structure and the external wall for limiting the risk that item (food or beverage object) falls in such gap down to e.g. a street. More specifically, the height of the portion of such a panel may be equal or larger than the intended distance from the edge of the base located closest to the external wall to the external wall.

According to an embodiment, the housing may comprise isolating material, wherein the thickness of isolating material is adapted to withstand at least one target outside temperature. In other words, the thickness (and the selection of the isolating material) is adapted to the climate of the

geographical region where the refrigerator is intended to be used.

According to an embodiment, the cooling system of the refrigerator may be connected to the housing for cooling food stored at the support structure, the cooling system being optionally arranged separately from the housing and/or installable at or within the external wall.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may be configured to receive power supply from the electricity supply network (mains) and/or photovoltaic cells, which is advantageous in that alternative energy sources for driving the refrigerator are possible, thereby enabling energy savings. As described in connection to the second aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator may also comprise cool storage means for storing cooling energy, thereby providing yet another alternative way of driving the refrigerator.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may comprise a heating element for heating the interior of the housing, which is advantageous in that it might be needed to heat up the interior of the housing if the outside temperature is too low.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator mountable at an external wall of a building. The refrigerator comprises a housing, a cool compartment arranged within the housing, photovoltaic cells, cool storage means for storing cooling energy from outside the housing and a control unit. The photovoltaic cells are configured to receive and convert energy from sunlight to electrical energy. The photovoltaic cells are connected to a cooling system adapted to cool the cool compartment. The control unit is connected to the photovoltaic cells, the cool storage means and the electrical supply network. The control unit is adapted to regulate the temperature of the cool compartment using the photovoltaic cells, the cool storage means and the electrical supply network.

According to an embodiment, the control unit may be configured to switch between operation via energy from the photovoltaic cells, the electrical supply network and the cool storage means, which is advantageous in that it reduces energy consumption from the electrical supply network. According to an embodiment, the photovoltaic cells may be panels, optionally foldable, arranged on a surface of the housing and/or panels, optionally foldable, arranged separate from the housing.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may comprise at least one sensor such as a photosensor for detecting the amount of sunlight impinging on the housing, an external temperature sensor for detecting the temperature outside the housing and/or a timer (or clocking system). The control unit may then be configured to receive information from the sensor for determining time periods for operation (of the refrigerator or cooling system of the refrigerator) via the photovoltaic cells, the electrical supply network and the cool storage means.

According to an embodiment, the control unit may be configured to determine the amount of energy to be supplied via the electric supply network based on a targeted temperature for the cool compartment and the amount of energy available at the photovoltaic cells and the cool storage means.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator may comprise additional energy storage means for accumulating and storing electrical energy, and optionally arranged to return the accumulated and stored energy to the electric supply network.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following. In particular, it will be appreciated that the features of the refrigerators defined above in accordance with the two aspects of the present invention are combinable. Similarly, the embodiments described in connection to the first aspect of the present invention are also combinable with any embodiment described in connection to the second aspect of the present invention, and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention when mounted on the side of a window;

Fig. 3 shows a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention when mounted below a window;

Figs. 4a and 4b show a refrigerator in accordance with another exemplifying embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 5a and 5b show a refrigerator in accordance with yet another exemplifying embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 shows a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating the elements of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1 , there is shown a refrigerator in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a refrigerator 100 comprising a housing 120 and a support structure 140. The support structure 140 is arranged to move (or slide, glide) relative to the housing 120 between a close position, wherein the support structure 140 is arranged inside the housing 120, and at least one access position (as shown in Figure 1 ), wherein the support structure 140 is arranged at least partly outside the housing 140. The support structure is arranged for storing food, beverages or any other item requiring a cool temperature. The support structure 140 comprises a base 145 and a rear wall 146 standing at or near an edge of the base 145, thereby defining an interior of the support structure 140.

Further, the refrigerator comprises fixation means 160 for mounting the housing 120 at an external wall of a building (not shown in Figure 1 ) such that, when mounted, the side of the housing 120 located closest to the external wall corresponds to the side from which the interior of the support structure 140 is accessible in an access position. With the arrangement shown in Figure 1 , wherein the fixation means is located at the side from which the interior of the support structure is accessible, the refrigerator is intended to be mounted on an external wall located at the side at which the fixation means is located.

It will be appreciated that other kinds of fixations means than that illustrated in Fig. 1 may be used. Such other fixation means may for example be located on the opposite side of the refrigerator. In any case, the fixation means 160 is arranged such that, when the refrigerator is mounted on the external wall, the interior of the support structure is accessible, in an access position, from the side of the housing located closest to the external wall.

The present invention is advantageous since the support structure 140 is arranged within the housing 120 such that, when the refrigerator 100 is mounted at an external wall, the rear wall 140 is located at or near the base edge furthest away from the external wall. With such an arrangement, the rear wall 146 prevents any items stored on the support structure 140 from falling at the back of the refrigerator, which is an advantageous safety measure since the refrigerator may for example be mounted in proximity of a window located at a high level of a building and above a street.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the support structure 140 may comprise a shelf or a plurality of shelves. The support structure 140 may also be equipped with any other kinds of food or bottle carrier and/or any other storage means for food or beverage normally used in refrigerators. The support structure 140 may be a drawer or a sliding box having a rectangular shape with rounded corners. It will be appreciated that the shape of the support structure is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1 and that any other shape is possible. It will also be appreciated that the support structure may be divided in a number of carriers or a plurality of support structures of smaller sizes instead of being made of a single support structure. Each of these carriers or support structures of smaller sizes may be arranged to move relative to the housing between a close position and at least one access position. Such carriers and support structures of smaller sizes may each comprise a base and a rear wall standing at or near an edge of the base.

Further, although it is not shown in Figure 1 , the refrigerator may comprise an insect protecting screen arranged to cover an opening of the support structure.

Further, the housing 120 may have the shape of a slab and the width of the base of the support structure (i.e. the depth of the support structure) may be less than about 100 cm, and preferably less than about 60 cm, which is a size suitable for an adult person to reach items arranged close to the rear wall of the support structure without taking any risk of falling off the window.

Optionally, the refrigerator may comprise a camera to watch (via e.g. a receiver or TV screen located at the inside of the building) the inside of the refrigerator, thereby limiting unnecessary opening of the refrigerator in case the desired item is not on the support structure. Using a thin refrigerator is advantageous in that it facilitates inspection of the whole support structure.

According to an embodiment, the housing 120 may comprise isolating material having a thickness adapted to withstand at least one target outside temperature (or in other words adapted to a particular climate). The isolating material may serve to maintain an adequate temperature within the

refrigerator (both against a too warm outside temperature or too cold outside temperature in comparison to a targeted temperature inside the refrigerator).

Optionally, the refrigerator may also comprise a heating element (not shown) for heating the interior of the housing 120, and thereby the interior of the support structure, in case the outside temperature is too low and the isolating material is not sufficient for maintaining an adequate temperature within the housing.

The refrigerator 100 may also comprise a rail mechanism 180, or any other kind of mechanism, with which the support structure is arranged to slide (or glide or roll) between the close position and an access position.

Further, the refrigerator 100 comprises also a cooling system (not shown) connected to the housing 120 for cooling food stored at the support structure 140. The cooling system, comprising e.g. a compressor, may optionally be arranged separately from the housing 120 and/or installable at or within an external wall of the building.

With reference to Figure 2, a refrigerator 200 in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention is described.

The refrigerator 200 may be identical to the refrigerator 100 described above with reference to Figure 1 . In the present embodiment, the refrigerator is mounted on the side of a window 215 of an external wall 210. Figure 2 shows the window 215 and the refrigerator 200 seen from the outside of the building at which the refrigerator 200 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the support structure of the refrigerator 200 is arranged to move along a horizontal direction. Thus, when a user opens the window 215 and the refrigerator 200, the support structure moves in front of the user who can then take any items disposed in the refrigerator 200.

With reference to Figure 3, a refrigerator 300 in accordance with an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention is described.

The refrigerator 300 may be identical to the refrigerator 100 described above with reference to Figure 1 . In the present embodiment, the refrigerator is mounted on the side of a window 315 of an external wall 310. Figure 3 shows the window 315 and the refrigerator 300 seen from the outside of the building at which the refrigerator 300 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the support structure of the refrigerator 300 is arranged to move along a vertical direction. Thus, when a user opens the window 315 and the refrigerator 300, the support structure moves in front of the user who can then take any items disposed in the refrigerator 300. In both embodiments described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the support structure is arranged within the housing such that, when the refrigerator is mounted at an external wall, the interior of the support structure is accessible, in an access position, from the side of the housing located closest to the external wall, such as through the open windows 215 and 315 of the external walls 210 and 310, respectively.

Various configuration orientations according to the window opening system and storage preference for the residents are possible.

It will be appreciated that the support structure may be automatically opened before, simultaneously or after the window is opened. For this purpose, the refrigerator may further comprise a receiver for receiving, from a remote controller and/or a sensor, instructions to move the support structure towards an access position or to the close position.

According to an embodiment, the rear wall of the support structure may be at least partly transparent or translucent, which is advantageous as external light may be used to illuminate the inside of the refrigerator, thereby reducing energy consumption.

According to an embodiment, as a security measure against thieves, the refrigerator may further comprise a locking system (not shown) for locking the support structure within the housing in the close position.

With reference to Figures 4a and 4b, another embodiment of the present invention is described.

Figures 4a and 4b show a refrigerator 400 comprising a housing 420 and a support structure 440, which may be equivalent to the refrigerator 100 (with the housing 120 and the support structure 140) described above with reference to Figure 1 . The refrigerator 400 comprises an opening system, which is a hand touch system to open the refrigerator. Upon sensing a touch (from the hand of a user), the support structure 440 automatically opens along a horizontal direction as indicated by the arrow shown in Figure 4b. For this purpose, the refrigerator may be equipped with an electric motor or a spring arrangement in order to drive or activate the movement of the support structure 440 between the close position and the access position. Figure 4a illustrates the refrigerator 400 in a close position at the instant when a hand touches the support structure 440. Figure 4b illustrates the next instant when the support structure 440 moves out of the housing 420.

With reference to Figures 5a and 5b, an embodiment illustrating an alternative opening system for the refrigerator of the present invention is described.

Figures 5a and 5b show a refrigerator 500 comprising a housing 520 and a support structure 540, which may be equivalent to the refrigerator 100 (with the housing 120 and the support structure 140) described above with reference to Figure 1 . The refrigerator 500 comprises an opening system, which is a handle 545 arranged at a side of the support structure 540. The handle 545 is adapted for manually moving the support structure 540 relative to the housing 520. More specifically, the handle 545 is arranged at the external side of the support structure 540 which can be viewed from the outside when the support structure 540 is in the close position. The

refrigerator 500 may then be opened by (manually) pulling the handle such as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, wherein Figure 5a illustrates the support structure 540 in a close position and Figure 5b illustrates the support structure 540 in an access position.

According to an embodiment, the support structure 540 may be horizontally tilted relative to the housing 520 such that, from the close position to the access position, the support structure is moved upwards, thereby facilitating the closing of the refrigerator and improving the sealing of the refrigerator. Alternatively, both the housing and the support structure may be tilted relative to the external wall at which the refrigerator is attached.

Further, for sealing of the support structure 540 in the housing 520, the side of the support structure 540 at which the handle (or the hand touch system) is arranged (i.e. the side of the support structure arranged to abut the opening of the housing at which the support structure 540 enters and exits) may be larger than the opening of the housing at which the support structure 540 enters and exits and may be equipped with a sealing element, e.g. made of rubber. With reference to Figure 6, another embodiment of the present invention is described.

Figure 6 shows a refrigerator 600 comprising a housing 620 and a support structure 640, which may be equivalent to the refrigerator 100 (with the housing 120 and the support structure 140) described above with reference to Figure 1 . In the refrigerator 600, a surface 690, preferably the top surface, of the housing 620 is at least partially reflective, which is

advantageous in that it prevents animals, such as birds, from landing on or approaching the housing 620. Alternatively, the refrigerator may be equipped with a display 625, sound emitting means, a light emitter and/or any intimidating means, such as standing objects or pins (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the display 625 may also be used for providing a lightning ambiance, animation and communication directly perceptible from the outside, in particular during the night. The refrigerator may therefore create a living and human interactive feeling with, in itself, the representation of the kitchen (i.e. the inside/heart of the home) from the outside and, with the display, promotes an urban landscape design which enlivens the residential buildings.

The refrigerator may also be provided in a wide range of colors in order to improve integration to the building style. Generally, the design shape and finishing of the outside of the refrigerator is arranged to provide a pure and simple appearance to integrate the outside urban environment.

The display 625 may therefore be used to create external animations and visual effects. For this purpose, the refrigerator 600 may be equipped with a transceiver in order to communicate, e.g. via Bluetooth communication, with other refrigerators and thereby synchronize their respective animations.

Still referring to Figure 6, the refrigerator 600 may comprise a user interface for displaying of, and/or allowing input of, parameters, thereby enabling monitoring and control of the refrigerator. The user interface may preferably be a touch sensitive display allowing monitoring of inside

temperature of the refrigerator and possibly display of the outside

temperature as well as volume information of the energy saved by the product. The user interface may provide a tactile interface to vary the inside temperature of the refrigerator. Alternatively, the user interface may be provided with entry means, such as knobs and buttons.

With reference to Figure 7, another embodiment of the present invention is described.

Figure 7 shows a refrigerator 700 comprising a housing 720 and a support structure 740, which may be equivalent to the refrigerator 100 (with the housing 120 and the support structure 140) described above with reference to Figure 1 .

Figure 7 shows the refrigerator 700 with the support structure 740 in an access position. Figure 7 illustrates the refrigerator 700 viewed from the inside of the building, i.e. from e.g. a kitchen.

The refrigerator 700 comprises two panels 790 and 795 for covering the opening of the support structure 740 in order to close access to the interior of the support structure 740. The two panels 790 and 795 are rotatable (as illustrated by the angle a in the figure) in order to uncover the opening of the support structure and thereby grant access to the interior of the support structure 740. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 700 comprises a lower panel 795 and an upper panel 790. The lower pane 795 is arranged at or near the edge 741 of the base 745 located closest to the external wall when the refrigerator is mounted. The lower panel 795 is arranged to cover at least part of the front part of the support structure 740 when arranged in an upwards position. The lower panel 795 is rotatable around the edge 741 of the base 745 located closest to the external wall when mounted, thereby enabling access to the interior of the support structure 740 when the panel 795 is rotated downwards. Preferably, the height of the rotatable panel 795 is equal or larger than the intended distance from the edge 741 of the base 745 located closest to the external wall to the external wall, thereby limiting the risk of dropping food items in the gap between the refrigerator 700 and the wall 710.

With reference to Figure 8, another embodiment of the present invention is described.

Figure 8 shows a refrigerator 800 comprising a housing 820 and a support structure 840, which may be equivalent to the refrigerator 100 (with the housing 120 and the support structure 140) described above with reference to Figure 1 .

The refrigerator 800 is equipped with photovoltaic panels or cells 822 arranged at a surface of the housing 820. The photovoltaic cells 822 are arranged to receive and convert energy from sunlight 845 to electrical energy. The photovoltaic cells 822 may be panels, optionally foldable, arranged on a surface of the housing 820 or integrated in the housing 820 (as shown in Figure 8) and/or panels, optionally foldable, arranged separate from the housing 820. The refrigerator 800 may therefore be configured to receive power supply from the electricity supply network and/or the photovoltaic cells 822.

Further, the refrigerator 800 may comprise cool storage means 830 adapted to store cooling energy from outside the housing 820. For this purpose, the refrigerator 800 may comprise collecting means (not shown or integrated in the cool storage means 830) for collecting cool air from outside the housing 820 and for providing the cool air to the cool storage means 830. The cool storage means may be a phase changing material, such as e.g. water or paraffin. The cool storage means is adapted to accumulate and store cool energy and then provide this energy for cooling the inside of the housing (or at least of the support structure), such as a battery. For example, cold air may be collected and accumulated at the cool storage means during the night by changing the phase of the material, e.g. from liquid water to ice. Then, during next day, the energy required for cooling the refrigerator may be obtained from the cool storage means by e.g. melting of the ice. It will be appreciated that further materials and components (such as e.g. a piping system in which the molten ice may circulate) may be added for the transfer of the energy from the storage means to the inside of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator 800 may then comprise a control unit for controlling operation of the refrigerator via any one or any combinations of such energy sources. Such operation will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 9.

With reference to Figure 9, another embodiment, corresponding more closely to the second aspect of the present invention is described. Figure 9 shows a block diagram illustrating the elements of a refrigerator 900. The structural arrangement and the design of the refrigerator 900 may be equivalent to that of the refrigerator 800 described above with reference to Figure 8. The refrigerator 900 is also mountable at an external wall of a building.

The refrigerator comprises a housing 920, a cool compartment 901 arranged within the housing 920, photovoltaic cells 903 (such as e.g. denoted as 822 in Figure 8) for receiving and converting energy from sunlight to electrical energy, a cool storage means 904 (such as e.g. denoted as 830 in Figure 8) for storing cooling energy from outside the housing. The refrigerator 900 further comprises a control unit 902 connected to the photovoltaic cells 903, the cool storage means 904 and the electrical supply network 905. The photovoltaic cells 903, the cool storage means 904 and the electric power supply 905 via a plug are connected to a cooling system (not shown) adapted to cool the cool compartment 901 .

The cool storage means 904 may be equivalent to the cool storage means 830 described above with reference to Figure 8 and operate in a similar manner.

The control unit 905 is adapted to regulate the temperature of the cool compartment 901 using the photovoltaic cells 903, the cool storage means 904 and the electrical supply network 905. In particular, the control unit 902 may be configured to switch between operation via energy from the photovoltaic cells 903, the electrical supply network 905 and the cool storage means 904.

The refrigerator 900 may further comprise at least one sensor 906 and the control unit 902 may be configured to receive information from the sensor 906 for determining time periods for operation via the photovoltaic cells 903, the electrical supply network 905 and the cool storage means 904. The sensor 906 may be a photosensor for detecting the amount of sunlight impinging on the housing 920, an external temperature sensor for detecting the temperature outside the housing 920 and/or a timer.

It will be appreciated that the control unit may be configured to determine the amount of energy to be supplied via the electric supply network 905 based on a targeted temperature for the cool compartment 901 and the amount of energy available at the photovoltaic cells 903 and the cool storage means 904.

Optionally, the refrigerator may further comprise additional energy storage means (not shown) for accumulating and storing electrical energy from the photovoltaic cells 903, and optionally arranged to return the accumulated and stored energy to the electric supply network 905.

The refrigerator of the present invention may be designed in various sizes such that the consumer may acquire an equipment in accordance with the size of his/her family. The refrigerator of the present invention may be used as a main refrigerator or as an additional refrigerator extension. In the different configurations, the concept provides greater space organization and permits to extend the size of the rooms for human activities.

An advantage of the present invention, i.e. the outside refrigerator, is its energy efficiency, with reduction of electric consumption. Further to the embodiments described above, it may be envisaged that, during the cold season and night time, the refrigerator may collect, filter and reuse the outside low temperature to provide a fresh temperature for the food.

Alternatively, as described above, the outside lower temperature is stored in a cool storage means which can then be used to cool down a cool compartment of the refrigerator. Further, during the hot season or during periods of the day with higher temperature, the refrigerator may take advantage of the sun to transform light into energy through photovoltaic panels. The refrigerator is preferably always plugged to the mains in order to assure a constant temperature in the housing. According to the quantity of natural outside energies (i.e. either that obtained via the photovoltaic cells or via the cool storage means), the electric consumption of the refrigerator via the mains is reduced, which is both environmental friendly and cost saving. Itemized list of embodiments:

1 . Refrigerator for mounting to an external wall of a housing comprising a food storage compartment that is accessible from the inside of the building, e.g. through a window, when open. 2. Refrigerator according to item 1 , wherein the refrigerator comprises a housing with a wall fixation system, a food drawer comprising a food storage, said food drawer being slidably arranged in the housing.

3. Refrigerator according to any of the items above, wherein a surface of the refrigerator has photovoltaic panel for transforming sunlight to energy to supply the refrigerator with at least a part of the energy needed.

4. Refrigerator according to any of the items above, wherein the refrigerator comprises means for collecting the outside low temperature to at least partly help to provide a suitable temperature inside the refrigerator.

5. Refrigerator according to any of the items above, wherein the front panel comprises means for lightning animation.

6. Refrigerator according to any of the items above, having an air conditioning function. Even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. The described embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A refrigerator (100) mountable at an external wall (210, 310) of a building, said refrigerator comprising:

a housing (120),

a support structure (140) for storing items, said support structure being arranged to move relative to said housing between a close position, wherein the support structure is arranged inside said housing, and at least one access position, wherein the support structure is arranged at least partly outside said housing, said support structure comprising a base (145) and a rear wall (146) standing at or near an edge of said base, thereby defining an interior of said support structure, and

fixation means (160) for mounting said housing at the external wall such that, when mounted, the side of said housing located closest to the external wall corresponds to the side from which the interior of said support structure is accessible in an access position.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is arranged within the housing such that, when the refrigerator is mounted at the external wall, the rear wall is located at or near the base edge furthest away from the external wall.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the support structure is arranged within said housing such that, when the refrigerator is mounted at an external wall (210, 310), the interior of the support structure is accessible, in an access position, from the side of the housing located closest to the external wall, such as through an open window (215, 315) of the external wall.

4. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure is arranged to move along a vertical direction or along an horizontal direction.

5. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure is a drawer or sliding box having a rectangular or polygonal shape, optionally with rounded corners.

6. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear wall of said support structure is at least partly transparent or translucent.

7. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing has the shape of a slab and/or wherein the width of the base of the support structure is less than about 100 cm, and preferably less than about 60 cm.

8. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking system for locking said support structure within said housing in said close position.

9. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a rail mechanism (180) with which said support structure is arranged to slide between said close position and said access position.

10. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle (545) for manually moving said support structure relative to said housing.

1 1 . The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure is horizontally tilted relative to the housing such that, from said close position to said access position, the support structure is moved upwards.

12. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electric motor or a spring arrangement to drive the movement of the support structure between said close position and said access position.

13. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface (690) of the housing is at least partially reflective and/or wherein the housing further comprises sound emitting means, a display, a light emitter and/or intimidating means, such as standing objects or pins, for preventing animals from landing on or approaching said housing.

14. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a receiver for receiving, from a remote controller and/or a sensor, instructions to move the support structure towards an access position or to the close position.

15. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insect protecting screen arranged to cover an opening of said support structure.

16. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a panel (795) standing at or near the edge (741 ) of said base located closest to the external wall when mounted, said panel covering at least part of the front part of said support structure.

17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said panel is rotatable around the edge of said base located closest to the external wall when mounted, thereby enabling access to the interior of the support structure.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the height of said portion of the panel is equal or larger than the intended distance from the edge of said base located closest to the external wall to the external wall.

19. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing comprises isolating material, wherein the thickness of isolating material is adapted to withstand at least one target outside

temperature.

20. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cooling system connected to the housing for cooling food stored at the support structure, said cooling system being optionally arranged separately from the housing and/or installable at or within the external wall.

21 . The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, being configured to receive power supply from the electricity supply network and/or photovoltaic cells.

22. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a heating element for heating the interior of the housing.

23. A refrigerator (900) mountable at an external wall of a building, said refrigerator comprising:

a housing (920),

a cool compartment (901 ) arranged within said housing, photovoltaic cells (822, 903) for receiving and converting energy from sunlight to electrical energy, said photovoltaic cells being connected to a cooling system adapted to cool said cool compartment; cool storage means (830, 904) for storing cooling energy from outside the housing; and

a control unit (902) connected to the photovoltaic cells, the cool storage means and the electrical supply network (905), said control unit being adapted to regulate the temperature of said cool

compartment using the photovoltaic cells, the cool storage means and the electrical supply network.

24. The refrigerator of claim 23, wherein the control unit is configured to switch between operation via energy from the

photovoltaic cells, the electrical supply network and the cool storage means.

25. The refrigerator of claim 23 or 24, wherein the photovoltaic cells are panels, optionally foldable, arranged on a surface of the housing and/or panels, optionally foldable, arranged separate from said housing.

26. The refrigerator of any one of claims 23-25, further comprising at least one sensor (906) such as a photosensor for detecting the amount of sunlight impinging on the housing, an external temperature sensor for detecting the temperature outside the housing and/or a timer, wherein the control unit is configured to receive information from said sensor for determining time periods for operation via the photovoltaic cells, the electrical supply network and the cool storage means.

27. The refrigerator of any one of claims 23-26, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the amount of energy to be supplied via the electric supply network based on a targeted temperature for the cool compartment and the amount of energy available at the

photovoltaic cells and the cool storage means.

28. The refrigerator of any one of claims 23-28, further comprising additional energy storage means for accumulating and storing electrical energy, and optionally arranged to return the accumulated and stored energy to the electric supply network.