WO2016034223A1

WO2016034223A1 - Refrigeration appliance compressor variable volume water collection receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2016034223A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/068741
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarper Marasli; Cihan Gunduz
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2014-09-03
Publication date: 2016-03-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance having an evaporator and a compressor in communication with a fluid circulation circuit, effecting circulation of a refrigerant fluid to heat exchange units and being configured to communicate with a water discharge line in association with the evaporator such that water discharged through the water discharge line is adapted to be receivable into a water collection receptacle (2), the capacity of which is variable owing to a capacity increasing mechanism (3).

Description

REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE COMPRESSOR VARIABLE VOLUME WATER COLLECTION RECEPTACLE

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance having a compressor with a variable volume evaporation tray for collecting defrost water through a defrost water drainage line.

It is well-known that in the refrigerant cycle effected in refrigeration appliances, the thermal energy absorbed from the inner cabin of the appliance is discharged by means of a condenser. The refrigerant fluid is accordingly circulated between a condenser, a tube expander and an evaporator. The refrigerant fluid undergoes a phase transition from the liquid phase into the gas phase by way of absorbing the ambient heat of the foodstuff preserved within the cabin while passing through the evaporator. Cooling devices allowing optional use for refrigeration of perishable materials e.g. as a fresh food refrigerator or alternatively, as a deep-freeze, utilize as such an evaporator, which is usually located between the inner plastic liner of the storage compartment and the outer housing of the device.

The evaporator serves for reducing the temperature of circulating air within the cooling device. The surface temperature of the evaporator may go as low as -27° Celsius, which is way below the freezing temperature of water, eventually causing frost of the humidity contained in the air. The defrost process should therefore be performed in order to deice the frost formed on the refrigeration system. A defrost water drainage line in this respect leads to a water collection receptacle, the latter being employed for accumulating and optionally evaporating the defrost water.

The frost and particles formed around the evaporator are typically melted by a defrost system, the latter system utilizing for instance an electric heater or performing hot gas discharge method. The defrost process is therefore performed in order to deice the frost such that the defrost water is transported to a water collection receptacle in which the water is collected and evaporated.

The water collection receptacle can be disposed in the manner that the heat received from the compressor evaporates the water in the water collection receptacle.

To this end, the present invention is devised under the recognition that an improved system by which the capacity of the water collection receptacle is variable remains a need because the lower part of the refrigerator situated below the refrigeration cabin in association with different refrigerator models involve components such as compressor, condenser and evaporator connection tubing, all having a model-specific size. An inverter housing may also be present depending on the specific product model. Therefore, it is desirable to flexibly design the lower region of the refrigeration appliance in the production line such that the capacity of the water collection receptacle is modifiable so as to limit man-hour losses due to additional model-specific space management procedures. A more practical manufacturing scheme also provides that neighboring components can be mounted in a quicker manner in the refrigeration cabin.

Among others, a prior art patent publication relevant to the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as CN101936634, disclosing a refrigerator, wherein an evaporator, a thaw water removal device, a condenser and a water receiving tray are arranged in a refrigerator body; the thaw water removal device is arranged between the evaporator and the condenser, and comprises a thaw water drain pipe and a seal chamber; the seal chamber is communicated with the defrost water drain pipe; and the bottom of the seal chamber is provided with a drainage hole. The invention also discloses the thaw water removal device. The disclosed refrigerator with the defrost water removal device effects drainage and sealing, and simultaneously uses defrost water with lower temperature to cool the condenser.

The present invention proposes a variable capacity water collection receptacle mounted on the compressor of a refrigeration appliance as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1 and subsequent claims.

Primary object of the present invention is to provide a variable capacity water collection receptacle for the compressor of a refrigeration appliance.

The present invention proposes a variable volume water collection receptacle with at least one capacity increasing mechanism such that the volume capacity of the receptacle can be flexibly determined in the production line.

At least one confinement means is provided to modify the volume capacity in cooperation with at least one capacity increasing mechanism. Preferably, a first and a second confinement means are provided. The confinement means are movable lateral walls defining a side cover of the water collection receptacle.

A stationary guiding channel integral with the water collection receptacle is provided to displaceably guide a movable ridge of the confinement means so that capacity change is effectuated. Further, a capacity restriction means blocks outward movement of the movable ridge as well as the associated confinement means at a certain extended position. A stopper protrusion of the movable ridge leans on said capacity restriction means to limit further extension.

Alternatively, a peripheral confinement means movable by means of at least one peripheral capacity increasing mechanism is provided to lift side walls of the water collection receptacle. Said peripheral capacity increasing mechanism comprises a guiding channel through which the peripheral confinement means displaces. A stopper protrusion contacting a capacity restriction means blocks further movement.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a variable capacity water collection receptacle whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1a and 1b demonstrate general perspective views of a compressor on which a water collection receptacle is mounted.

Fig. 2a and 2b demonstrate a first alternative embodiment according to the present invention, in which a variable capacity water collection receptacle is obtainable. The capacity of the water collection receptacle seen in Fig. 2a is increased in Fig. 2b, the latter also demonstrating an enlarged view of a capacity increasing mechanism.

Fig. 3a demonstrates the variable capacity water collection receptacle in dismantled condition according to the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3b demonstrates an enlarged view of a capacity restriction means.

Fig. 4a and 4b demonstrate a second alternative embodiment according to the present invention, in which a variable capacity water collection receptacle is obtainable. The capacity of the water collection receptacle seen in Fig. 4a is increased in Fig. 4b. Fig. 4a also demonstrates an enlarged view of the capacity increasing mechanism.

Fig. 5 demonstrates the variable capacity water collection receptacle in dismantled condition according to the second alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6a and 6b demonstrate a third alternative embodiment according to the present invention, in which a variable capacity water collection receptacle is obtainable. The capacity of the water collection receptacle seen in Fig. 6a is increased in Fig. 6b.

Fig. 7 demonstrates the variable capacity water collection receptacle in dismantled condition according to the third alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The following numerals are used in the detailed description:

Compressor
Water collection receptacle
Capacity increasing mechanism
First confinement means
Second confinement means
Capacity restriction means
Guiding channel
Movable ridge
Ridge opening
Peripheral capacity increasing mechanism
Peripheral confinement means
Stopper protrusion

The present invention proposes a compressor (1) for a refrigeration appliance, said refrigeration appliance comprises a cooling or refrigeration compartment for preserving foodstuff. The compressor (1) circulates a refrigerant fluid to a condenser providing the refrigerant fluid to be condensed and an evaporator placed in an evaporator interspace effectuates refrigeration by absorbing the ambient thermal energy in the refrigeration compartment

The evaporator is conventionally placed behind an evaporator liner or cover defining the rear wall of the refrigeration appliance’s inner compartment. For defrosting the ice deposited on the evaporator surface caused by frozen water content, a defrost system is provided such that a water discharge line leading from said evaporator interspace to a discharge line outlet allows drainage of the defrost water. The drained water then reaches a water collection receptacle (2) as will be delineated hereinafter.

The invention enables that a variable capacity is provided for the water collection receptacle (2) such that different refrigerator models in the product line can have different defrost water accumulation volumes.

The water collection receptacle (2) in accordance with the invention has an open-sided water collection housing in which the defrost water is received in a manner to be evaporated by the thermal exchange with the compressor (1) which is surrounded by said water collection receptacle (2). The water collection receptacle (2) enclosing the metal housing of the compressor (1) provides that an enhanced thermal exchange effect is obtained. The heat energy generated by the compressor (1) is transferred in a plurality of directions from the core, i.e. the internal center of the housing to the water collection receptacle (2).

In accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, the water collection receptacle (2) has a capacity increasing mechanism (3) effective in increasing the volume of the water collection receptacle (2) such that more defrost water can be accumulated, for instance in the case of products having a larger refrigeration cabin and an associated evaporator. To this end, the capacity increasing mechanism (3) mechanically cooperates with a confinement means so as to modify the volume capacity of the water collection receptacle (2).

In accordance with the second alternative embodiment, the water collection receptacle (2) may simultaneously have a first confinement means (4) and a second confinement means (5).

These confinement means are preferably structured as lateral walls defining a side surface of the water collection receptacle (2) so as to cover a lateral portion thereof. The capacity increasing mechanism (3) of the invention features a stationary guiding channel (7) fixedly attached to a body portion of the water collection receptacle (2) and through which a movable ridge (8) being fixedly attached to a body portion of the first or second confinement means (4, 5) is displaceable such that the capacity of the water collection receptacle (2) is changed. While the movable ridge (8) is guidably displaced within the guiding channel (7), a capacity restriction means (6) in the form of an end-cover mountable to close the open side of the guiding channel (7) through which the movable ridge (8) moves in and out, provides that outward movement of the movable ridge (8) is stopped at a certain extended position. The capacity restriction means (6) being mounted on the open end of the guiding channel (7), the movable ridge (8) passes through a ridge opening (9) of the capacity restriction means (6) until further displacement is blocked when a stopper protrusion (12) of the movable ridge (8) leans on the capacity restriction means (6). Therefore, the extended position of the first or second confinement means (4, 5) is determined by the longitudinal dimension of the movable ridges (8). Water collection receptacles with two confinement means are demonstrated in Figures 4a, 4b and 5.

In accordance with a third alternative embodiment of the present invention, the water collection receptacle (2) comprises at least one peripheral capacity increasing mechanism (10) by which a peripheral confinement means (11) laterally enclosing the water collection receptacle (2) in all lateral directions is movable up to a defined distance so that the capacity of the water collection receptacle (2) is increased by upwardly rising lateral confinement means. The peripheral confinement means (11) is provided in the form of four side-walls delimiting the water collection receptacle (2) when moving up a certain amount. The peripheral capacity increasing mechanism (10) involves a guiding channel (7) fixedly attached to a stationary portion of the water collection receptacle (2) body and a stopper protrusion (12) in connection with movable peripheral confinement means (11) being displaceable within the guiding channel (7). Further displacement is prevented by means of a capacity restriction means (6) attached to an outer surface of the guiding channel (7) at an upper part thereof.

In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having an evaporator and a compressor (1) in communication with a fluid circulation circuit, effecting circulation of a refrigerant fluid to heat exchange units and being configured to communicate with a water discharge line in association with the evaporator such that water discharged through the water discharge line is adapted to be receivable into a water collection receptacle (2).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water collection receptacle (2) comprises at least one capacity increasing mechanism (3) effective in increasing the volume of the water collection receptacle (2) such that a variable capacity water collection receptacle (2) is obtainable to accumulate more defrost water.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the capacity increasing mechanism (3) cooperates with a confinement means so as to modify the volume capacity of the water collection receptacle (2).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the water collection receptacle (2) comprises a second confinement means (5), each of the confinement means cooperating with at least one capacity increasing mechanism (3).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the water collection receptacle (2) simultaneously has a first confinement means (4) and a second confinement means (5).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a confinement means is structured as a wall defining a surface of the water collection receptacle (2) so as to cover a lateral portion thereof.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the capacity increasing mechanism (3) comprises a stationary guiding channel (7) through which a movable ridge (8) is guidably displaceable such that the capacity of the water collection receptacle (2) is changed.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the stationary guiding channel (7) is fixedly attached to a body portion of the water collection receptacle (2) and the movable ridge (8) is fixedly attached to a body portion of the confinement means.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the capacity increasing mechanism (3) comprises a capacity restriction means (6) blocking outward movement of the movable ridge (8) at a certain extended position.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the capacity restriction means (6) is in the form of an end-cover mountable to close open side of the guiding channel (7) through which the movable ridge (8) is movable in and out.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the capacity restriction means (6) comprises a ridge opening (9) through which the movable ridge (8) passes.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, further displacement of the confinement means is blocked by a stopper protrusion (12) of the movable ridge (8) leaning on the capacity restriction means (6).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the water collection receptacle (2) comprises at least one peripheral capacity increasing mechanism (10) by which a peripheral confinement means (11) enclosing the water collection receptacle (2) is movable to a defined distance so that the capacity of the water collection receptacle (2) is increased by upwardly rising lateral peripheral confinement means (11).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral confinement means (11) is in the form of four simultaneously movable side-walls delimiting the water collection receptacle (2).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral capacity increasing mechanism (10) comprises a guiding channel (7), a stopper protrusion (12) and a capacity restriction means (6) whereby further displacement of the peripheral confinement means (11) within the guiding channel (7) is stopped by means of the capacity restriction means (6) on which the stopper protrusion (12) leans.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the guiding channel (7) is fixedly attached to a stationary portion of the water collection receptacle (2) body, the stopper protrusion (12) is integral to the peripheral confinement means (11) and the capacity restriction means (6) is attached to an outer surface of the guiding channel (7).

The present invention therefore provides an advantageous and practical solution to the problem of size management of the water collection receptacles (2) mounted on the compressors (1) in different refrigeration appliances. The solution substantially contributes to manufacturing efficiency of the products by accelerating manufacturing processes.

Claims

A refrigeration appliance comprising an evaporator and a compressor (1) in communication with a fluid circulation circuit, effecting circulation of a refrigerant fluid to heat exchange units and being configured to communicate with a water discharge line in association with said evaporator such that water discharged through said water discharge line is adapted to be receivable into a water collection receptacle (2), characterized in that

said water collection receptacle (2) comprising at least one capacity increasing mechanism (3) effective in increasing the volume of the water collection receptacle (2) such that a variable capacity water collection receptacle (2) is obtainable to accumulate more defrost water.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1, characterized in that the capacity increasing mechanism (3) cooperates with a confinement means so as to modify the volume capacity of the water collection receptacle (2).
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 2, characterized in that the water collection receptacle (2) comprises a second confinement means (5), each of the confinement means cooperating with at least one capacity increasing mechanism (3).
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 3, characterized in that the water collection receptacle (2) simultaneously has a first confinement means (4) and a second confinement means (5).
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 2 or 4, characterized in that a confinement means is structured as a wall defining a surface of the water collection receptacle (2) so as to cover a lateral portion thereof.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the capacity increasing mechanism (3) comprises a stationary guiding channel (7) through which a movable ridge (8) is guidably displaceable such that the capacity of the water collection receptacle (2) is changed.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 5 and 6, characterized in that the stationary guiding channel (7) is fixedly attached to a body portion of the water collection receptacle (2) and the movable ridge (8) is fixedly attached to a body portion of the confinement means.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the capacity increasing mechanism (3) comprises a capacity restriction means (6) blocking outward movement of the movable ridge (8) at a certain extended position.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 8, characterized in that the capacity restriction means (6) is in the form of an end-cover mountable to close open side of the guiding channel (7) through which the movable ridge (8) is movable in and out.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the capacity restriction means (6) comprises a ridge opening (9) through which the movable ridge (8) passes.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that further displacement of the confinement means is blocked by a stopper protrusion (12) of the movable ridge (8) leaning on the capacity restriction means (6).
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1, characterized in that the water collection receptacle (2) comprises at least one peripheral capacity increasing mechanism (10) by which a peripheral confinement means (11) enclosing the water collection receptacle (2) is movable to a defined distance so that the capacity of the water collection receptacle (2) is increased by upwardly rising lateral peripheral confinement means (11).
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 12, characterized in that the peripheral confinement means (11) is in the form of four simultaneously movable side-walls delimiting the water collection receptacle (2).
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the peripheral capacity increasing mechanism (10) comprises a guiding channel (7), a stopper protrusion (12) and a capacity restriction means (6) whereby displacement of the peripheral confinement means (11) within the guiding channel (7) is stoppable by means of the capacity restriction means (6) on which the stopper protrusion (12) leans.
A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 14, characterized in that the guiding channel (7) is fixedly attached to a stationary portion of the water collection receptacle (2) body, the stopper protrusion (12) is integral to the peripheral confinement means (11) and the capacity restriction means (6) is attached to an outer surface of the guiding channel (7).