WO2012076451A2

WO2012076451A2 - Refrigeration appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2012076451A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/071710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiupeng Chen; Songtao Lu; Jiangwen Zhang; Weizhong Zhu
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2010-12-10
Filing date: 2011-12-05
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: WO2012076451A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance comprises a first storage chamber (2) and a second storage chamber (3) which are arranged side by side, a separation wall (4, 4') which separates the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3) from each other, an air passage (5) for supplying cooling air to at least one of the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3), and a fan (6) disposed in the air passage (5). According to the disclosure, the separation wall (4, 4') comprises a recessed space (7, 7'), wherein at least a portion of the fan (6) is disposed in the recessed space (7, 7'), and/or at least a portion of the air passage (5) is defined in the recessed space (7, 7'). (Figure 3)

Description

REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE

Technical Field

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, such as a household refrigerator, a wine cooler, a freezer, or the like.

Background Art

It is known to provide an air circulation device for a storage compartment of a refrigeration appliance for establishing uniform temperature distribution in the storage compartment. In the solution disclosed in Chinese patent publication CN1254652C, an air circulation device comprises a fan for forcing air having a relatively high temperature in the storage compartment to enter into an air passage and then flow through a cooling device (such as an evaporator or a surface to be cooled by the evaporator) so that the air is cooled down, and then the cooled air enters into the storage compartment again through a plurality of outlet holes.

On the other hand, large volume refrigeration appliances (such as multi-door refrigerators, French-door refrigerators, and the like) become more and more popular on the market in recent years. Such a refrigerator can have an increased lateral width, and thus it is possible to provide two storage compartments which are arranged side by side. In such a refrigeration appliance, a technical problem to be solved by those skilled in the art is to provide an air circulation system for establishing uniform temperature distribution in the storage compartment without significantly reducing the effective storage volume of the refrigeration appliance.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance, wherein at least one of two storage compartments arranged side by side of the refrigeration appliance has advantageously uniform temperature distribution inside, while the effective storage volume of the refrigeration appliance is not significantly reduced.

To this end, the invention in one aspect relates to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance comprises a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber which are arranged side by side, a separation wall which separates the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other, an air passage for transferring cooling air to at least one of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, and a fan disposed in the air passage, characterized in that the separation wall comprises a recessed space, wherein at least a portion of the fan is disposed in the recessed space, and/or at least a portion of the air passage is defined in the recessed space.

On the one hand, compulsory air circulation is established by means of the fan which operates in the air passage to affect the temperature gradients in the storage chambers, so that the temperature gradients inside the storage chambers can be lowered down, and it is also possible that the temperature distribution in the storage chamber become uniform. On the other hand, the fan and the air passage are partly arranged in the separation wall which is not used for storing items, so that the volume consumption of the fan and the air passage in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber is reduced, and thus the effective storage volume of the refrigeration appliance is increased.

Other features of the invention, which are disclosed here individually or in combination with other correlated features, will be described in the following technical solutions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed space is formed in a way recessed downwards from an upper end of the separation wall. Obviously, it does not exclude the possibility that the recessed space is recessed forwards from a back end of the separation wall. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed space extends forwards from a back end of the separation wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed space is invisible when the separation wall is viewed in a backward direction from its front surface.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a back end of the separation wall has a height which is lowered down to form the recessed space, the recessed space having a notch-like shape.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separation wall comprises a side wall on each of the opposite sides of the recessed space.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed space has a length which is larger than one third of the length of the separation wall. A relatively long recessed space is advantageous to increase the length of the air duct of the air passage in the separation wall, so that the air duct can be formed relatively smooth, and air flow is benefitted from a lower flow resistance.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air passage comprises a first branch for transferring the cooling air to the first storage chamber and a second branch for transferring the cooling air to the second storage chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first branch and the second branch are both connected to a portion of the air passage which is in the recessed space.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first branch and the second branch each extend on the top portion of the corresponding storage chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan is disposed in a back end of the recessed space, and a portion of the recessed space which is in front of the fan forms a part of the air passage. This attributes to space saving, and in addition, the fan is under a relatively low pressure for the reason that the air duct is provided in front of the fan, which benefits the efficiency of the fan.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as viewed in a direction from back to front, a bottom surface of the recessed space comprises a curved surface which is raised upwards to define a part of the air passage. A smooth air duct benefits the decreasing of the air flow resistance and the increasing of the efficiency of the fan.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration appliance further comprises an air guiding plate which comprises a hollow protrusion part protruding into the recessed space, wherein the fan is accommodated in the protrusion part, and/or the protrusion part defines a part of the air passage.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration appliance further comprises several groups of outlet openings corresponding to each of the storage chambers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one group of outlet openings is disposed at a front end of the air passage and forms main outlet openings for the cooling air.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one group of outlet openings is provided in a substantially central area of each of the storage chambers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one group of outlet openings is provided in a back area of each of the storage chambers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one group of outlet openings is provided in an upper end of a side wall which defines a portion of the air passage in the recessed space.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one group of outlet openings comprises outlet openings aligned in a row in a front to back direction.

The invention in another aspect relates to a refrigeration appliance which comprises a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber which are arranged side by side, a separation wall which separates the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other, and a first branch and a second branch for transferring cooling air to the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber respectively, wherein the first branch and the second branch are bifurcated at the separation wall and then extend to top portions of corresponding storage chambers respectively.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first branch and the second branch share a common fan for blowing the cooling air into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separation wall comprises a recessed space in which the fan is at least partly arranged.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration appliance further comprises an air duct in the separation wall, the first branch and the second branch being bifurcated from the air duct.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separation wall comprises a plurality of through holes which are configured for establishing fluid communication between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber have different humidities therein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separation wall comprises a thermal insulation material, so that the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are thermally insulated from each other by the separation wall. The structural details and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more comprehensively understood by reading the description to preferred embodiments below with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawings, which form a portion of the specification and provide further understanding to the invention, show some preferred embodiments of the invention and disclose the principle of the invention together with the detailed description, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein a door of the second storage compartment is removed;

Figure 2 is a partial assembled view of a zero-degree compartment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein an outer shell and an insulation material of the refrigeration appliance are not shown;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an air guiding plate according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the air guiding plate shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view taken along a line A-A in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along a line B-B in Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view taken along a line C-C in Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a separation wall according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein a fan has been mounted to the separation wall; Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of an inner shell of a compartment of the refrigeration appliance according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein an air guiding plate has been mounted to the inner shell; and

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of the separation wall shown in Figure 9 mounted to the inner shell shown in Figure 10.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

With reference to the drawings, especially with reference to Figure 1 first, a refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a heat insulation cabinet 20 which comprises an inner shell 21, an outer shell 22, and a thermal insulation material (not shown) between the inner shell 21 and the outer shell 22. The thermal insulation material can be formed in a foaming process in which a foamable material in injected into the space between the inner shell 21 and the outer shell 22. When the foaming process is finished, the inner shell 21 and the outer shell 22 are fixed together by the hardened thermal insulation foam material.

In the present embodiment, the cabinet 20 defines a thermally insulated refrigerating compartment 23 in its upper section, a zero-degree compartment 24 directly under the refrigerating compartment 23, and a freezing compartment 25 in a lower section of the cabinet 20. These storage compartments 23, 24 and 25 are thermally separated from each other by corresponding separation walls.

The refrigeration appliance 1 comprises doors for closing these storage compartments. In an embodiment, the refrigerating compartment 23 is closed by a pair of French doors 26 which are hinged to opposites of the cabinet 20 and are able to rotate around corresponding vertical axes, and the zero-degree compartment 24 and the freezing compartment 25 can be closed by corresponding drawer type doors respectively.

As shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3, the interior of the zero-degree compartment 24 is divided by a vertical separation wall 4 into a first storage chamber 2 and a second storage chamber 3 which are arranged side by side. In the present embodiment, the separation wall 4 is located in a middle location of the zero-degree compartment 24 so that the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 have the same width. However, in other embodiments, the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 may have different widths which are determined by the location of the separation wall 4.

The first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 are each provided with at least one container 31 for storing items. Each container 31 comprises a drawer having an open upper end.

In the present embodiment, a front end of the separation wall 4 extends forwards beyond the front end of each container 31. Thus, the separation wall 4 is easily to be seen by a user, which gives the user an impression that the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 are two individual storage compartments. In the present embodiment, the separation wall 4 extends to the front end opening of the zero-degree compartment 24. When the door of the zero-degree compartment 24 is in a closed state, the back side of the door contacts the front end surface of the separation wall 4.

The first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 can be closed by a common door 50. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 are closed by respective doors. For example, the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 may be closed by a pair of French doors. For example, the French type doors 26 extends to a level below the bottom wall of the zero-degree compartment 24, so that each of the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 may also be closed by a corresponding one of the French type doors 26. As another possible solution, each of the first and second storage chambers may be closed by a corresponding one of another pair of French type doors, which are separately provided with respect to the French type doors 26. Of course, it is also possible that the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 are closed by respective drawer type doors. A sealing gasket provided on the back side of the door is preferably able to come into tight engagement with the front end of the separation wall 4.

In the present embodiment, the separation wall 4 is provided with many through holes 28 for establishing fluid communication between the first and second storage chambers 2 and 3, so that the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 may have substantially the same storing temperature. The through holes 28 are disposed in a grid-like pattern, which facilitates sufficient heat exchange between the two storage chambers 2 and 3.

A moisture retaining unit 29 may be provided in the second storage chamber 3 for increasing or maintaining the humidity in the second storage chamber 3, so that the second storage chamber 3 is particularly suitable for storing vegetables, fruits, or similar foods.

The moisture retaining unit 29 is located at the top portion of the second storage chamber 3 or near the top portion of the second storage chamber 3. By decreasing or preventing moisture carried away from the container 31 by air, the container 31 may have a humidity higher than that in the first storage chamber 2, so that items stored in the container 31 of the second storage chamber 3 may be stored in the container 31 in a longer timer and a fresher state. In this way, the zero-degree compartment 24 is divided by a vertical structure into a "dry area" (the first storage chamber) and a "wet area" (the second storage chamber) which are arranged side by side.

In an alternative embodiment, the second storage chamber 3 may also be configured in a form of a moisturizing unit, which can generate moisture, such as water vapor, for increasing or maintaining the humidity in the second storage chamber 3. In this case, a corresponding humidity controlling device may be used for controlling the operation of such a moisturizing device.

As shown in Figure 3, Figure 6 and Figure 7, the refrigeration appliance 1 comprises an evaporator 30 which can perform heat exchange with the zero-degree compartment 24 (including both the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3). The evaporator 30 comprises a refrigerant pipe and a heat conductive element arranged in close contact with the refrigerant pipe. In the present embodiment, the heat conductive element is in the form of a plate which covers nearly the whole back wall 32 of the zero-degree compartment 24. The evaporator 30 may be arranged on a side of the back wall 32 of the zero-degree compartment 24 which faces towards the thermal insulation layer, and the evaporator abuts closely against the back wall 32 to cool the back wall 32, so that the back wall 32 forms a cooling surface. In another embodiment, the evaporator 30 may be provided on the inner side of the back wall 32 within the zero-degree compartment 24, so that the evaporator 30 itself forms a cooling surface.

In order to lower down the temperature gradients in the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3, the refrigeration appliance 1 comprises an air circulation device for drawing out air from the first and second storage chambers 2 and 3, cooling the air directly or indirectly by means of the evaporator, and then supplying the cooled air into the first and second storage chambers 2 and 3 again. The air circulation device comprises an air guiding plate 10 for forming an air passage 5 and a fan 6 disposed in the air passage 5.

With reference to Figure 3 to Figure 9, in this embodiment, the air guiding plate 10 comprises a top plate 13 which is located near a common top wall 12 of the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 of the zero-degree compartment 24 and is separated from the top wall 12 by a distance. The air guiding plate 10 further comprises a back plate 33 bending from the back end of the top plate 13 and extending downwards. The back plate 33 is proximal to the back wall 32 and is separated from the back wall 32 by a distance. In this way, the air passage 5 extends from a gap between the back plate 33 and the back wall 32 to a gap between the top plate 13 and the top wall 12. Lateral edges of the top plate 13 and the back plate 33 may comprise spacing walls 34 extending towards the top wall 12 and the back wall 32 respectively, so that the above described gaps are formed between the air guiding plate 10 and the inner shell 21.

The top plate 13 and the back plate 33 may be substantially perpendicular to each other, so that the air guiding plate 10 forms a substantially "L" shape in cross section. In the present embodiment, the back plate 33 covers a majority of the back wall 32. It is understood that, in other embodiments, the back plate 33 may cover only a portion of the back wall 32. For example, it is possible that the back plate 33 covers a small portion near an upper end of the back wall 32 or covers an upper half portion of the back plate 33. A gap existed between a lower end of the back plate 33 and the bottom walls of the first storage compartment 2 and the second storage compartment 3 forms a back flow port 41.

The top plate 13 and the back plate 33 are each provided with a plurality of fixing holes 45, and fixing members (not shown), such as screws, may be inserted through these fixing holes 45 to fix the air guiding plate 10 to the inner shell 21. Sealing slots 49 may be formed along the spacing walls 34 on opposite lateral edges of the back plate 33 and the spacing walls 34 on the back side of the top plate 13, and sealing strips (not shown) may be inserted into the sealing slots, so that lateral edges of the back plate 33 and the back side of the top plate 13 may abut against the back wall 32 and the top wall 12 respectively in a sealing manner.

The top plate 13 comprises a pair of substantially plate-like main bodies 35 exposed above the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 respectively, and a middle portion 36 between the pair of main bodies 35. The main bodies 35 are substantially parallel to the top wall 12 and extend in horizontal directions. The air passage 5 comprises a first branch 8 and a second branch 9, which are formed between the top wall 12 of the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 and corresponding main bodies 35, for transferring cooling air into the storage chambers 2 and 3 respectively. In the present embodiment, the first branch 8 and the second branch 9 are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal central normal plane of the top plate 13.

The first branch 8 and the second branch 9 each have a substantially circular sector shape. Each of the main bodies 35 may comprise arc-shaped first baffle plate 44 and second baffle plate 27, for defining the boundaries of the first branch 8 and the second branch 9. The first baffle plate 44 extends between the front outer corner and the back inner corner of a corresponding one of the main bodies 35 to prevent the cooling air from being detained at back outer corners of the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 where it is likely to result in turbulence flows by detained air.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the middle portion 36 comprises a protrusion part 11 protruded downwards. The protrusion part 11 is formed in a back portion of the middle portion 36, and a back end of the protrusion part 11 is emerged in the back plate 33.

The protrusion part 11 is hollow and comprises a space 38. An upper end of the space 38 is open and is in fluid communication with the first branch 8 and the second branch 9. A back end of the space 38 is open into the back plate 33. Thus, the space 38 is in fluid communication with a portion of the air passage 5 between the back plate 33 and the back wall 12. After having been cooled by the cooling surface, air can enter into the space 38 via the opening of the space 38 in the back plate 33.

The space 38 comprises a fan accommodating socket 38a for accommodating the fan 6, and an air duct 38b in front of the fan accommodating socket 38a. In this embodiment, the fan accommodating socket 38a is formed in the back portion of the space 38 with respect to the air duct 38b.

The air duct 38b has a width substantially corresponding to that of the separation wall 4. The fan accommodating socket 38a may be wider than the air duct 38b, for accommodating the fan 6. Of course, whether the fan accommodating socket 38 is wider or narrower than the air duct 38b should be determined on the basis of the size of the fan 6.

The bottom wall of the fan accommodating socket 38a is preferably flat, while the bottom wall of the air duct 38b is preferably in the form of smooth curved surface which facilitates the flow of air. In the present embodiment, the air duct 38b of the protrusion part 11 has a vertical height which is decreased gradually from back to front, or in other words, the bottom wall of the air duct 38b of the protrusion part 11 is raised from back to front.

The separation wall 4 is substantially plate like, with the upper end of the separation wall 4 connected to the under side of the middle portion 36. When assembling, the separation wall 4 may be inserted into the zero-degree compartment 24 from front to back along the middle portion 36.

The separation wall 4 is provided with a recessed space 7 for accommodating the protrusion part 11. The recessed space 7 is recessed downwards from the back portion of the upper end of the separation wall 4. In the present embodiment, the separation wall 4 has a reduced height in its back portion for forming the notch-like recessed space 7. The separation wall 4 has a lateral width which is substantially constant from front to back.

The upper end of the front portion of the separation wall 4 is substantially flat, and the separation wall has a height there which is approximately equal to that of the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3. Thus, when the separation wall 4 is viewed from its front surface, the recessed space 7 is invisible.

The recessed space 7 has a vertical depth which is decreased gradually from back to front. Thus, the upper end surface of the separation wall 4 in the recessed space 7 is raised up gradually from back to front for following the shape of the protrusion part 11.

The length of the protrusion part 11 and the recessed space 7 in the front-to-back direction may be at least larger than one third of the length of the separation wall 4, for example, approximately equal to one half of the length of the separation wall 4. Correspondingly, the upper end surface of the separation wall 4 in the recessed space 7 comprises a curved surface similar to the bottom wall of the air duct 38b.

The fan 6 is accommodated in the fan accommodating socket 38a of the protrusion part 11. Since the protrusion part 11 is protruded into the recessed space 7, the fan 6 is at least partly accommodated in the recessed space 7. In a lateral direction, the fan 6 extends beyond the boundary of the separation wall 4, and thus a portion of the fan 6 is accommodated in the recessed space 7. It is understood that, in another embodiment, the fan 6 may be completely accommodated in the recessed space 7 of the separation wall 4.

The air guiding plate 10 comprises a mounting plate 40 extending over the fan accommodating socket 38a, and the fan 6 is attached to the under side of the mounting plate 40.

In the present embodiment, the fan 6 blows air in a front direction. When the fan 6 is operated, cooling air, which has been cooled by the evaporator 30, is drawn by the fan 6 into the space 38 and is forced to flow forwards into the air duct 38b. Then, the cooling air enters into the first branch 8 and the second branch 9 from opposite sides of the air duct 38b respectively, and then enters into corresponding one of the storage chambers 2 and 3 via the outlet openings 14 in the front end of each of the main bodies 35. By means of the air passage 5, a negative pressure is established near the cooling surface, and thus the air in the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 leaves the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 from the back flow port 41 at the lower end of the back plate 33 and enters into the portion of the air passage 5 which is behind the back plate 33, so that the air is cooled by means of heat exchange with the evaporator 30. Then, the cooled air is drawn by the fan 6 into the space 38 again, is then divided from the space 38 and flows into the first branch 8 and the second branch 9, and is finally supplied into the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 respectively. In this way, compulsory air circulation is established.

The side of the back plate 33 which faces towards the back wall 32 may be provided with several curved baffle ribs 48 for distributing the returning air flow to the whole cooling surface evenly, so that the air can sufficiently undergo heat exchange.

In addition to the main outlet openings 14 in the front end of the air guiding plate 10, the air circulation system may further comprise at least one group of secondary outlet openings between the fan and the main outlet openings 14.

In the present embodiment, the air circulation system comprises a group of first secondary outlet openings 15a disposed in the middle portion of the main bodies 35. The cooling air is blown into the containers 31 in the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 through the first secondary outlet openings 15a. Thus, foods in the storage containers 31 may be cooled effectively and directly, which results in more uniform temperature distribution in the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3.

The top plate 13 comprises indentations 42 recessed downwards. Each of the indentations 42 has a side wall 43 extending in the vertical direction, with a corresponding sub-group of the first secondary outlet openings 15a formed through the side wall 43. The first secondary outlet openings 15a are orientated not parallel to the flowing direction of the cooling air, but forming an angle therewith. In the present embodiment, the side wall 43 is substantially perpendicular to the flowing direction of the cooling air. Thus, when the cooling air is blown forwards, it is easier for the flow of the cooling air, which moves substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, to enter into corresponding one of the storage compartments 2 and 3 from the first secondary outlet openings 15a, which helps to increase the cooling air intake volume in the middle areas and/or the middle-to-back areas of the storage compartments 2 and 3.

Each side wall 43 has an arc shape, and thus the first secondary outlet openings 15a aligned in a row in the side wall 43 are distributed along an arc. In this way, the cooling air may be blown into the container 31 divergently, which facilitates the distribution of the cooling air inside the container 31.

Further, it is also possible that each side wall 39 of the protrusion part 11 is provided with at least one second secondary outlet openings 15b. The second secondary outlet openings 15b are formed through upper end edges of the side walls 39, at locations corresponding to the back portions the first and second storage chambers 2 and 3. The second secondary outlet openings 15b are aligned in a row in a front to back direction. When the cooling air is blown by the fan 6 to the space 38 and the first and second branches 8 and 9, a portion of the cooling air enters into the back portion of a corresponding one of the storage chambers 2 and 3 through the second secondary outlet openings 15b.

By means of outlet openings disposed in multi-locations and multi-orientations, the temperature distribution in the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 can become more uniform, heat exchange rate between cold air and warm air can be increased, and the refrigerating efficiency of the refrigeration appliance 1 can be increased ultimately. Further, the fan and the air passage are partly arranged in the separation wall, so that the volume consumption of the fan and the air passage in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber is reduced, and thus the effective storage volume of the refrigeration appliance is increased.

Figure 9 to Figure 11 schematically show various views of an air circulation device of a refrigeration appliance according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 7 to Figure 9, a separation wall 4' has a height which is substantially constant from front to back, but the back portion of it comprises a recessed space 7' which is recessed downwards. The separation wall 4' comprises a side wall 39' on each of the opposite sides of the recessed space 7', and the recessed space 7' has an open upper end. A bottom surface of the recessed space 7' comprises a smooth curved surface which has a shape similar to the bottom wall of the protrusion part 11 in the first embodiment.

The recessed space 7' comprises an enlarged fan accommodating socket 51 in its back portion, and an air duct 52 in front of the fan accommodating socket 51. A fan 6 is accommodated in the fan accommodating socket 51, and the air duct 52 forms a portion of the air passage 5.

An air guiding plate 10' is formed with a substantially L-shaped opening 46 in its portions which are opposed to by the separation wall 4'. The separation wall 4' is connected to the air guiding plate 10' along the opening 46.

When the fan 6 is operated, the fan 6 creates a negative pressure at its backside, so that the cooling air is blown forwards into the air duct 52 of the recessed space 7' and is then divided and flows into the first branch and the second branch in a way similar to that in the first embodiment. Then, the air enters into the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 through the outlet openings 14 in the front end of the air guiding plate 10'. In the present embodiment, the separation wall 4' is not provided with any through hole, so that there is no fluid communication between the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3. A thermal insulation material may be provided in the separation wall 4', so that the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 are thermally isolated from each other. In this condition, it is possible to set the first storage chamber 2 and the second storage chamber 3 in different temperatures.

In the above embodiments, the air circulation system supplies cooling air to both the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, so that compulsory air circulation is established in the two storage chambers respectively. However, in other embodiments, it is also possible that the air passage of the air circulation system supplies cooling air to only one of the storage chambers, and a fan for creating compulsory air circulation in this storage chamber is located at least partly in a separation wall which divides the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other, and/or a portion of such an air passage is formed in the separation wall. Further, it is also possible that the recessed space in the separation wall accommodates only one of the fan and the air duct. For example, the cooling air is blown directly into the first storage chamber and/or the second storage chamber by a fan located in the recessed space. Alternatively, by means of the action of a fan located outside the recessed space, the cooling air flows into an air duct formed in the separation wall, and then enters into a corresponding storage chamber through this air duct.

It should be understood that the invention is also applicable in other compartments of a refrigeration appliance, such as refrigerating compartments, freezing compartments, variable-temperature compartments, and the like, in addition to the zero-degree compartment.

Claims

Claims:

1. A refrigeration appliance (1) comprising: a first storage chamber (2) and a second storage chamber (3) which are arranged side by side; a separation wall (4, 4') which separates the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3) from each other; an air passage (5) for transferring cooling air to at least one of the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3); and a fan (6) disposed in the air passage (5); characterized in that the separation wall (4, 4') comprises a recessed space (7, 7'), wherein at least a portion of the fan (6) is disposed in the recessed space (7, 7'), and/or at least a portion of the air passage (5) is defined in the recessed space (7, 7').

2. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the recessed space (7, 7') is formed in a way recessed downwards from an upper end of the separation wall (4, 4').

3. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recessed space (7, 7') extends forwards from a back end of the separation wall (4, 4').

4. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recessed space (7, 7') is invisible when the separation wall (4, 4') is viewed in a backward direction from its front surface.

5. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a back end of the separation wall (4) has a height which is lowered down to form the recessed space (7), the recessed space (7) having a notch-like shape.

6. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separation wall (4') comprises a side wall (39') on each of the opposite sides of the recessed space (7').

7. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the recessed space (7, 7') has a length which is larger than one third of the length of the separation wall (4, 4').

8. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the air passage (5) comprises a first branch (8) for transferring the cooling air to the first storage chamber (2) and a second branch (9) for transferring the cooling air to the second storage chamber (3).

9. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 8, characterized in that the first branch (8) and the second branch (9) are both connected to a portion of the air passage (5) which is in the recessed space (7).

10. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 8, characterized in that the first branch (8) and the second branch (9) each extend on the top portion of the corresponding storage chamber (2, 3).

11. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the fan (6) is disposed in a back end of the recessed space (7, 7'), and a portion of the recessed space (7, 7') which is in front of the fan (6) forms a part of the air passage (5).

12. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, as viewed in a direction from back to front, a bottom surface of the recessed space (7, 7') comprises a curved surface which is raised upwards to define a part of the air passage (5).

13. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises an air guiding plate (10) which comprises a hollow protrusion part (11) protruding into the recessed space (7), wherein the fan (6) is accommodated in the protrusion part (11), and/or the protrusion part (11) defines a part of the air passage (5).

14. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises several groups of outlet openings (14, 15a, 15b) corresponding to each of the storage chambers (2, 3).

15. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 14, characterized in that at least one group of outlet openings (14) is disposed at a front end of the air passage (5) and forms main outlet openings for the cooling air.

16. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 14, characterized in that at least one group of outlet openings (15a) is provided in a substantially central area of each of the storage chambers (2, 3).

17. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 14, characterized in that at least one group of outlet openings (15b) is provided in a back area of each of the storage chambers (2, 3).

18. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 17, characterized in that the at least one group of outlet openings (15b) is provided in an upper end of a side wall (39) which defines a portion of the air passage (5) in the recessed space (7, 7').

19. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 17, characterized in that the at least one group of outlet openings (15b) comprises outlet openings aligned in a row in a front to back direction.

20. A refrigeration appliance (1) comprising: a first storage chamber (2) and a second storage chamber (3) which are arranged side by side; a separation wall (4, 4') which separates the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3) from each other; and a first branch (8) and a second branch (9) for transferring cooling air to the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3) respectively, wherein the first branch (8) and the second branch (9) are bifurcated at the separation wall (4, 4') and then extend to top portions of corresponding storage chambers (2, 3) respectively.

21. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 20, characterized in that the first branch (8) and the second branch (9) share a common fan (6) for blowing the cooling air into the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3).

22. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 21, characterized in that the separation wall (4, 4') comprises a recessed space (7, 7') in which the fan (6) is at least partly arranged.

23. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises an air duct (38b, 52) in the separation wall (4, 4'), the first branch (8) and the second branch (9) being bifurcated from the air duct (38b, 52).

24. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the separation wall (4) comprises a plurality of through holes (28) which are configured for establishing fluid communication between the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3).

25. The refrigeration appliance (1) of claim 24, characterized in that the first storage chamber (2) and the second storage chamber (3) have different humidities therein.

26. The refrigeration appliance (1) of any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the separation wall comprises a thermal insulation material, so that the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are thermally insulated from each other by the separation wall.