WO2018041525A1

WO2018041525A1 - A refrigerator having an ice making unit

Info

Publication number: WO2018041525A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/069777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serdar Kocaturk; Murat Kantas; Sabahattin Hocaoglu; Unsal KAYA; Umutcan Salih ERYILMAZ
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-09-02
Filing date: 2017-08-04
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: TR201612414A2

Abstract

A refrigerator (1) comprising a cabin (2); at least one freezing compartment (3) that is disposed in the cabin (2) and wherein the food products to be frozen are placed, and an ice making unit (8) that is disposed in the freezing compartment (3) and that has at least one ice tray (5) with more than one cell wherein water is put to form ice pieces, a body (6) wherein the ice tray (5) is placed and a casing (7) wherein the body (6) is disposed, wherein - the body (6) that almost completely covers the ice tray (5), - at least one heater (9) that is disposed between the body (6) and the casing (7), - at least one fan (10) - at least one fan housing (11) that is disposed on the body (6) so as to remain under the heater (9), that receives the fan (10).

Description

A REFRIGERATOR HAVING AN ICE MAKING UNIT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator that comprises an ice making unit that provides the generation of clear ice pieces.

In the ice making units used in refrigerators, ice pieces are obtained generally by freezing the mains water. Mains water typically contains impurities such as air bubbles, dust, chloride, minerals and foreign particles. This type of impurities in the frozen water causes development of a foggy appearance in the ice cubes and adversely affects the user experience in visual terms. Moreover, the gasses dissolving in the water and confined in the ice during the freezing also cause the taste and odor of the food to change. In the state of the art, there are various methods for obtaining clear ice, such as shaking the ice tray to provide the separation of the gasses from the water, fractional freezing, freezing from center to outside, vacuuming, etc. However, the said methods cause difficulties in practice and are found impractical by the users since they cause the freezing time to be prolonged excessively. Therefore, the need for a refrigerator having an ice making unit wherein ice pieces with high clarity can be obtained easily and in optimum time arises.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2743611, a refrigerator that enables the generation of clear ice pieces by delivering hot air received from the outer environment or a refrigeration compartment onto the ice tray is disclosed. However, in this embodiment, the varying temperature and the irregular flow of the hot air may cause difference in the freezing times and the degree of clarity of the ice cubes.

In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No. JPH0611219, it is disclosed that a heater that prevents the top surface of the ice-water mixture from freezing is disposed on the lower surface of a cover covering the ice tray. Thus, the gasses can be removed from the top surface of the ice that freezes last. However, in this embodiment, the freezing time prolongs and loss of mass occurs due to the evaporation of the water since the ice pieces are exposed to direct thermal radiation.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator wherein ice pieces with high degree of clarity are obtained by providing an efficient air flow in the ice making unit.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a cabin; a freezing compartment that is disposed in the cabin and wherein foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, and an ice making unit that is disposed in the freezing compartment. The ice making unit comprises a casing; a body that is disposed in the casing and wherein the ice making process is realized, and at least one ice tray that is disposed into the body and that have more than one cell wherein water is filled to make ice pieces.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a heater that is disposed at the upper part of the body so as to remain between the casing and the body; a fan that is disposed at the ceiling of the body so as to be under the heater and that enables the air in the body to be passed over the heater and circulated over the ice tray, and a fan housing that is formed at the ceiling of the body as a depression, wherein the fan is disposed and that has air suction holes through which the air sucked from inside the body is received and air blowing holes through which the heated air is discharged. The blowing holes enable the hot air blown by the fan to be guided towards the walls of the body so as to hit the wall of the body and to reach the ice tray. Thus, the air hitting the wall of the body disperses inside the body and creates a homogeneous air distribution, and each of the ice cubes is enabled to be simultaneously made with the ideal clarity.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the blowing holes face the vertical wall of the body. Thus, the hot air hitting the wall of the body is enabled to flow immediately over the ice tray in the direction of the ice tray and the efficiency of the air flow is improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the suction holes are arranged at the lower wall of the housing so as to face the ice tray. Thus, a permanent flow is provided over the ice tray and the hot air is prevented from causing excessive evaporation on the surface of the water-ice mixture.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the blowing holes are arranged on the opposite walls of the housing so as to enable the hot air to be blown in a direction parallel to the long side of the ice tray. Thus, the hot air is enabled to be circulated along the ice tray and excessive heat is prevented from being transferred onto the cells at the center of the ice tray.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the casing a recess-shaped housing is provided, wherein the heater is disposed. By means of the housing, an appropriate distance allowing the heat to be efficiently transferred to the air by convection between the fan and the heater can be provided. Thus, the amount of heat transferred to the ice tray by means of the air is increased and the total operation time of the heater is shortened.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one support is provided, that extends from the inner surface of the body toward the ice tray and that bears against the edge of the ice tray so as to enable the volume of the body together with the ice tray to be divided into two. Thus, the heated air is enabled to be circulated only in the volume remaining above the ice tray and an efficient temperature difference is obtained between the lower part and the upper part of the cells, thereby increasing the degree of clarity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at the ceiling of the body at least one extension is provided, that extends towards the ice tray and that enables the hot air blown from the blowing holes to hit thereon so as to change direction. Thus, at the regions where the air flow rate is low, the amount of air escaping from the hot air circulation is decreased and the amount of air circulated over the ice tray is increased.

By means of the present invention, in an ice making unit where the freezing process is realized from bottom to top, an ideal air flow profile is obtained, that enables the ice pieces to be rapidly produced with a high degree of clarity. Thus, in all cells ice is enabled to be produced with the same degree of clarity and in the same time period.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the sideways schematic view of the refrigerator related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the sideways schematic view of the freezing compartment related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the perspective view of the body related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the perspective view of the body and the heater related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the sideways partial view of the body and the ice tray related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the front schematic view of the ice making unit related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 - is the bottom view of the casing, the heater and the heater housing relate to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Cabin
Freezing compartment
Cell
Ice tray
Body
Casing
Ice making unit
Heater
Fan
Fan housing
Suction hole
Blowing hole
Heater housing
Support
Air barrier
Chamber
Pivoting means

The refrigerator (1) comprises a cabin (2); at least one freezing compartment (3) that is disposed in the cabin (2) and wherein the food products to be frozen are placed, and an ice making unit (8) that is disposed in the freezing compartment (3) and that has at least one ice tray (5) with more than one cell wherein water is put to form ice pieces, a body (6) wherein the ice tray (5) is placed and a casing (7) wherein the body (6) is disposed. The refrigerator (1) also comprises a tank (not shown in figures) wherein the water to be frozen is stored; a water adding apparatus (not shown in figures) that enables the water in the tank to be taken into the ice tray (5), and a pivoting means (18) that is attached to the ice tray (5), that enables the user to rotate the ice tray (5) in a horizontal axis and thus that enables the ice pieces to be separated from the ice tray (5) and to fall into a chamber (17) disposed under the ice tray (5).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises the body (6) that almost completely covers the ice tray (5); at least one heater (9) that is disposed between the body (6) and the casing (7) so as to be at the upper part of the body (6) and that enables the air in the body (6) to be heater during the ice making process; at least one fan (10) that enables the air in the body (6) to be sucked so as to be passed over the heater (9) and the heated air to be blown back into the body (6), and at least one fan housing (11) that is disposed on the body (6) so as to remain under the heater (9), that receives the fan (10) and that has at least one suction hole (12) enabling the air in the body (6) to be sucked and at least one blowing hole (13) facing the wall of the body (6) so as to enable the air heated by the heater (9) to be blown towards the wall of the body (6). The hot air blown by the fan (10) prevents the upper surface of the water-ice mixture in the cells (4) from freezing and thus clear ice pieces are obtained by removing the gases in the water from the upper surface during the freezing process. The fan housing (11) is in the form of a cavity formed at the part of the wall of the body (6) remaining under the heater (9) and allows the fan (10) and the heater (9) to be positioned with a distance therebetween so as to provide a streamline flow between the fan (10) and the heater (9). The body (6) almost completely surrounds the ice tray (5) so as to provide an independent air flow over the ice tray (5). The fan (10) enables the air sucked through the suction hole (12) to be passed over the heater (9) and heated and blows the hot air through the blowing holes (13) towards the walls of the body (6) so as not to directly reach the ice tray (5). The hot air hitting the wall of the body (6) is guided towards the ice tray (5), thus providing a homogeneous heat distribution over the ice tray (5). The air passed over the upper surface of the ice tray (5) is sucked through the suction holes (12) so as to be sent again to the heater (9) and the hot air circulation continues during the ice making process. By means of the suction holes (12) and the blowing holes (13), the flow path of the hot air is regulated and an efficient flow profile is obtained. Thus, errors arising due to chaotic air flow such as differences in freezing times, ice pieces with different degrees of clarity, etc. are eliminated and hydrodynamic efficiency is improved.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the blowing hole (13) is arranged on the wall of the fan housing (11) extending towards the ice tray (5) so as to face the lateral walls of the body (6). The hot air leaving the blowing hole (13) hits the lateral wall of the body (6), changes direction and flows towards the ice tray (5). Thus, an air flow parallel to the ice tray (5) is created at the upper surface of the ice tray (5) and almost the same hot air flow is enabled to be passed over all the cells (4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the suction holes (12) are arranged at the base of the fan housing (11) so as to face the ice tray (5). The hot air passed over the ice tray (5) is sucked by the fan (10) and flows upwards from the upper surface of the ice tray (5) towards the suction holes (12). Thus, a permanent air flow is obtained over the ice tray (5) and the amount of evaporation in the water in the cells (4) is minimized. Moreover, by positioning the suction holes (12) at the base of the fan housing (11), the air blown through the blowing holes (13) is prevented from being sucked through the suction holes (12) before reaching the ice tray (5).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the blowing holes (13) are positioned on the opposite walls of the fan housing (11) that are relatively further to the walls of the body (6). The body (6) covering the ice tray (5) has an almost rectangular cross-section so as to match the form of the ice tray (5). The blowing holes (13) are disposed on the fan housing (11) so as to face the short side of the body (6). The hot air blown through the blowing holes (13) flows along the body (6) and hits the short walls of the body (6). Thus, the hot air blown into the body (6) is prevented from hitting the long walls of the body (6) that are relatively closer to the fan housing (11) and moreover prevented from reaching the ice tray (5) by following a shorter path. Thus, the middle section of the ice tray (5) that is already closer to the heater (9) is prevented from heating up more than the side sections of the ice tray (5) and the formation of ice is enabled to occur in all the cells (4) at the same time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the casing (7) a recess-shaped heater housing (14) is provided, wherein the heater (9) is disposed. The heater (9) is placed into the heater housing (14) so as to be flush with the surface of the casing (7) facing the body (6). Thus, the heater (9) is prevented from causing irregularities in the flow of the air sucked by the fan (10) and sent onto the heater (9), hence enabling the heat to be efficiently transferred to the air.

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the body (6) at least one support (15) is disposed, that extends toward the ice tray (5) and that bears against the ice tray (5) so as to enable the gap between the ice tray (5) and the body (6) to be closed. The supports (15) bear against the edges of the ice tray (5), thus enabling the volume surrounded by the ice tray (5) and the body (6) to be divided into two. Thus, the hot air is prevented from leaking towards the lower side of the ice tray (5) through the gap between the ice tray (5) and the wall of the body (6), hence increasing the efficiency of the hot air circulation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the body (6) has at least one air barrier (16) that extends from the ceiling of the body (6) towards the ice tray (5) and that enables the hot air to be guided. In cases wherein the fan (10) is not powerful enough or the distance between the blowing holes (13) and the body (6) is too long, the flow rate of the air moving towards the wall of the body (6) gradually decreases and the air leaves the suction zone of the fan (10) and leaks out of the body (6) through structural openings such as the cool air inlet, the assembly gaps, etc. The air barrier (16) enables the air to be guided towards the center of the body (6) where the air flow rate is low, thus decreasing the amount of air leaking out of the body (6).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the length of the air barrier (16) to the short edge of the ice tray (5) is between 0.15 and 0.35. Thus, the amount of hot air escaping from inside the body (6) is minimized.

By means of the present invention, an ideal hot air circulation is created in the body (6) and the heat provided by the heater (10) is enabled to be efficiently distributed over the ice tray (5). Thus, ice pieces with identical degrees of clarity are enabled to be produced independently of the distances between the cells (4) and the heater (9) and the thermal efficiency is improved.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising a cabin (2); at least one freezing compartment (3) that is disposed in the cabin (2) and wherein the food products to be frozen are placed, and an ice making unit (8) that has at least one ice tray (5) with more than one cell (4) wherein water is put to form ice pieces, a body (6) wherein the ice tray (5) is placed and a casing (7) wherein the body (6) is disposed, characterized by

- the body (6) that almost completely covers the ice tray (5),

- at least one heater (9) that is disposed between the body (6) and the casing (7) so as to be at the upper part of the body (6) and that enables the air in the body (6) to be heater during the ice making process,

- at least one fan (10) that enables the air in the body (6) to be sucked so as to be passed over the heater (9) and the heated air to be blown back into the body (6), and

- at least one fan housing (11) that is disposed on the body (6) so as to remain under the heater (9), that receives the fan (10) and that has at least one suction hole (12) enabling the air in the body (6) to be sucked and at least one blowing hole (13) facing the wall of the body (6) so as to enable the air heated by the heater (9) to be blown towards the wall of the body (6).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the blowing hole (13) that is arranged on the wall of the fan housing (11) extending towards the ice tray (5) so as to face the lateral walls of the body (6).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the suction hole (12) that is arranged at the base of the fan housing (11) so as to face the ice tray (5).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized by more than one blowing hole (13) that is positioned on the opposite walls of the fan housing (11) that are relatively further to the walls of the body (6).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one recess-shaped heater housing (14) that is disposed on the casing (7) and wherein the heater (9) is disposed.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one support (15) that is disposed on the body (6), that extends toward the ice tray (5) and that bears against the ice tray (5) so as to enable the gap between the ice tray (5) and the body (6) to be closed.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one air barrier (16) that extends from the ceiling of the body (6) towards the ice tray (5) and that enables the hot air to be guided.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the air barrier (16) the ratio of the length of which to the short edge of the ice tray (5) is between 0.15 and 0.35.