WO2022073593A1

WO2022073593A1 - A refrigeration appliance equipped with a cooled air regulating system

Info

Publication number: WO2022073593A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/078052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo INGARGIOLA; Michele SEDRANI; Alex SCHIAVON
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2020-10-07
Filing date: 2020-10-07
Publication date: 2022-04-14

Abstract

The invention relates a refrigeration appliance (1; 201) comprising at least one compartment (10, 12) for receiving food items and at least one air duct (100a) configured to channel cooled air towards said at least one compartment (10, 12). A manual air regulation system (60; 160) is used for controlling the amount of air flowing inside the air duct (100a) and comprises a manual actuator (62; 262) reachable by a user and a damper (64; 264) operatively arranged inside the air duct (100a). The actuator (62; 262) comprises a cursor (62; 262) which is slidable along a linear direction between a first position and a second position and the damper (64; 264) comprises a rotatable element (64; 264), operatively connected to the cursor (62; 262), which is rotatable between a first position, reached when the cursor (62; 262) is on its first position, and a second position, reached when the cursor (62; 262) is on its second position. When the cursor (62; 262) and the damper (64, 80; 264, 250) are in their first positions, a maximum amount of air flows inside the air duct (100a) and when the cursor (62; 262) and the damper (64, 80; 264, 250) are in their second positions, a minimum amount of air flows inside the air duct (100a).

Description

A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE EQUIPPED WITH A COOLED AIR REGULATING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, more specifically to a refrigeration appliance equipped with a cooled air regulating system for regulating the cooled air within a compartment of the refrigeration appliance.

BACKGROUND ART

Refrigeration appliances of known types generally include an inner liner disposed within an outer cabinet. The inner liner typically defines one or more compartments, for example a fresh food compartment and/or a freezer compartment. Each compartment has an open front closed by a door pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet. Compartments are preferably provided with shelves and/or storage drawers to receive items therein.

A refrigeration system is provided to cool the compartments. The refrigeration system typically includes an evaporator, which is preferably mounted inside one of the compartments, and a fan for creating a cooled air path for the compartmen t/s. The cooled air path is preferably circulated in a closed loop, or recirculated, inside the compartment/s.

The air passes over, or through, the evaporator which cools the air and then the air is conveyed inside the compartment/s. The fan is typically arranged downstream of the evaporator and conveys the cooled air, coming from the evaporator, inside the compartment/s. Hence the fan typically sucks cooled air coming from the evaporator and expels it towards the compartment/s.

In order to convey the expelled cooled air by the fan into the compartment/s one or more air ducts are realized from the fan to respective air openings opportunely distributed at rear and/or lateral sides of the compartment/s for a uniform cooling. In known systems, the air ducts are preferably realized in a layer of plastic foam insulation material disposed closed to the fan outlet.

Refrigeration appliances of known types preferably comprise a manual regulation system configured to manually adjust the temperature inside a compartment. The temperature regulation is preferably obtained by adjusting the air volume flowing inside the air duct and that reaches the compartments.

A knob is typically installed inside the compartment to be reachable by the user and a movable damper is located inside the air duct so that the rotation of the knob causes the displacement of the damper in different positions according to the degree of obstructions needed for the variation of temperature required. However, the regulating systems of known types present some limitations.

A first drawback of the known systems is the nonflexible design of system which requires that the knob is preferably arranged in a position closed to the air duct that may result in its displacement in a position difficult to be reached by the user.

A further drawback of using said regulation system is the assembling complexity during manufacturing. This negatively affects size and/or weight and/or manufacturing time and costs and hence productivity.

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks posed by the known technique.

It is therefore an object of the invention to implement a system providing a more user-friendly solution compared to known system.

It is a further object of the invention to implement a system apt to optimize the manufacturing method of the appliance.

It is another object of the invention to implement a system apt to reduce manufacturing time and/or costs compared to known systems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The applicant has found that by providing a refrigeration appliance equipped with a refrigeration system for cooling down air and a fan configured to force the cooled air to a compartment for food items through an air duct and by providing a manual air regulation system for controlling an amount of air flowing inside the air duct wherein the regulation system comprises a slidable cursor reachable by a user and a rotatable element arranged inside the air duct, it is possible to reach the above-mentioned objects.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a refrigeration appliance comprising:

- an outer cabinet and at least one compartment for receiving food items;

- a refrigeration system for cooling down air; - a fan configured to force the cooled air to said least one compartment;

- at least one air duct configured to channel the air forced by said fan towards said at least one compartment;

- a manual air regulation system for controlling an amount of air flowing inside said at least one air duct, said air regulation system comprising a manual actuator reachable by a user and a damper operatively arranged inside said at least one air duct, wherein:

- said actuator comprises a cursor which is slidable along a linear direction between a first position and a second position;

- said damper comprises a rotatable element, operatively connected to said cursor, which is rotatable between a first position, reached when said cursor is on its first position, and a second position, reached when said cursor is on its second position; wherein when said cursor and said damper are in their first positions, a maximum amount of air flows inside said at least one air duct and when said cursor and said damper are in their second positions, a minimum amount of air flows inside said at least one air duct.

Advantageously, by providing the air regulation system with a rotatable element, it is possible to arrange in the more appropriated position the rotation axis/fulcrum of the same rotatable element by considering the effective relative position between the air duct and the cursor.

In a preferred embodiment, the cursor and the damper are operatively connected through a pinion-rack coupling. Advantageously, the connection between the cursor and the damper is obtained in a cheap and reliable manner.

Preferably, the cursor comprises a straight-toothed rack and/or the damper comprises at least a portion of a circular gear.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air regulation system further comprises at least one linkage element arranged between the cursor and the damper.

In a preferred embodiment, the air regulation system further comprises one or more toothed gear arranged between the cursor and the damper.

Advantageously, by interposing a further element between the cursor and the damper it is possible to keep the proper dimension/length for the damper and maintaining at the same the desired position of the cursor inside the compartment. Preferably, the rotatable element comprises a lever shaped body with a rotation axis which lays in a correspondence of a lateral wall of the at least one air duct. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the distance between the air duct and the cursor is relatively high.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever comprises a LJ- shaped cross section. Advantageously, such a shape guarantees the maximum air flowing inside the air duct while the space occupied by the lever inside the duct is low.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the rotatable element comprises a rotatable body with a rotation axis which lays in a position between lateral walls of the at least one air duct and a longitudinal tab protruding from the rotatable body, said longitudinal tab being displaceable in a direction at least partially aligned to the flow direction of the air inside the at least one air duct when the rotatable element is in the first position and displaceable in a direction transversal to the flow direction of the air inside the at least one air duct when the rotatable element is in the second position.

This configuration is particularly advantageous when the distance between the air duct and the cursor is relatively low.

Preferably, the cursor has a manual actuating portion slidable in a slot defined at a side wall of the appliance facing the internal volume of the at least one compartment.

Advantageously, the slot is dimensioned to limit the stroke of the cursor between its first and second positions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall is arranged at a rear position inside the at least one compartment.

Advantageously, the slot defined in the rear wall inside the compartment is directly visible in front of the user and easily reachable by him when he opens the door of the compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, the slot is centrally positioned at the side wall.

Preferably, the at least one air duct is realized in a layer, preferably of insulation material, the cursor and the damper being associated to the layer.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one air duct is realized in the layer in a lateral position with respect to a central position of the layer.

In a preferred embodiment, a first air duct of the at least one air duct is realized in the layer in a first lateral position with respect to a central position of the layer and a second air duct is realized in the layer in a second lateral position with respect to the central position of the layer.

Advantageously, geometrical arrangement of air ducts is optimized. More advantageously, a compact arrangement for the air ducts and the cursor is achieved.

Preferably, the insulation material comprises a foam insulation material, more preferably expanded polystyrene.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cursor is arranged at a first lateral side of the layer facing the internal volume of the compartment and the damper is arranged at a second lateral side of the layer, opposite to the first lateral side, where the at least one air duct is realized. Advantageously, the geometrical arrangement of the air duct and the cursor is optimized. More advantageously, a compact arrangement for the air ducts and the cursor is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the appliance further comprises an inner liner, internal to the outer cabinet, defining the at least one compartment.

Preferably, the layer is mounted to the inner liner inside the at least one compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In said drawings:

- Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a refrigeration appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows the appliance of Figure 1 with some elements removed therefrom;

- Figure 3 shows a vertical plan sectional view of the appliance of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a particular of figure 3;

- Figure 5 shows an isometric view of some elements of the refrigeration appliance of Figure 2 isolated form the rest;

- Figure 6 shows the isometric view of Figure 5 from another point of view; - Figure 7 shows an exploded view of Figure 5;

- Figure 8 shows an exploded view of Figure 6;

- Figure 9 shows a plan view of an element of Figure 8 isolated from the rest;

- Figure 10 shows a plan view of elements of Figure 7 in an assembled position;

- Figure 11 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 11 ;

- Figure 12A shows a partial plan view of Figure 5 in transparency ad in a first operative condition;

- Figure 12B shows the plan view of Figure 12A in a second operative condition;

- Figure 13 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 12B;

- Figure 13 A shows a plan view of Figure 13 sectioned along line XIII^O-XIII°;

- Figure 14 shows an isometric view of a refrigeration appliance according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 15 shows the appliance of Figure 14 with some elements removed therefrom;

- Figure 16 shows an isometric view of some elements of the refrigeration appliance of Figure 15 isolated form the rest;

- Figure 17 shows the isometric view of Figure 16 from another point of view;

- Figure 18 shows an exploded view of Figure 16;

- Figure 19 shows an exploded view of Figure 17;

- Figure 20 shows a plan view of an element of Figure 19 isolated from the rest;

- Figure 21 shows an isometric view of elements of Figure 18 in an assembled position;

- Figure 21 A shows an exploded view of some elements of Figure 21;

- Figure 22A shows a partial plan view of Figure 16 in transparency ad in a first operative condition;

- Figure 22B shows the view of Figure 22A from another point of view;

- Figure 23 A shows the plan view of Figure 22A in a second operative condition;

- Figure 23B shows the view of Figure 23 A from another point of view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, preferred embodiments of a refrigeration appliance in the form of a domestic refrigerator are shown. Although the detailed description that follows concerns domestic stand-alone refrigerators, the refrigeration appliance of the appliance can be embodied by refrigeration appliances other than a domestic refrigerator.

Furthermore, the embodiments described in detail below refer to a bottom mount refrigerator, i.e. of the type including a freezer compartment disposed vertically below a fresh food compartment. However, the refrigerator according to the invention can have any desired configuration, for example a top mount refrigerator wherein the freezer compartment is disposed vertically above the fresh food compartment or a refrigerator comprising only a fresh food compartment or only a freezer compartment.

Furthermore, while the present application is described with reference to standalone refrigerators it has to be noted that also a built-in solution may be contemplated.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 a refrigeration appliance 1, hereinafter indicated also as refrigerator 1, comprises an outer cabinet 2 and an inner liner 22, internally received in the outer cabinet 2. The outer cabinet 2 and the inner liner 22 are separated by a spacing filled with thermal insulation 13, preferably a foam insulation.

The outer cabinet 2 preferably extends in a vertical direction V and preferably comprises a base 2A suitable to lay on the ground, a roof 2B and lateral side walls 2C, 2D, 2E connecting the base 2A and the roof 2B, preferably two lateral side walls 2C, 2D and a rear side wall 2E.

In its installed position, lateral side walls 2C, 2D and the rear side wall 2E are preferably aligned to the vertical direction V.

The refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment shown in the figures preferably represents a bottom mount type refrigerator. At this purpose, a divider portion 5 (Figure 3) is provided which divides the inner liner 22 into a lower space that is used as a freezer compartment 10, and an upper space that is used as a fresh food compartment 12.

The freezer compartment 10 substantially preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening 14. A door 15 is preferably pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet 2 and is movable between an open position and a closed position to cover the front opening 14.

The freezer compartment 10 preferably shows a rear wall 24 (Figure 3) which is defined by a portion of the inner liner 22, more preferably a rear shaped wall 24.

Analogously, the fresh food compartment 12 substantially and preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening 16. A door 17 is preferably pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet 2 and is movable between an open position and a closed position to cover the front opening 16.

The fresh food compartment 12 preferably shows a rear wall 26 which is defined by a portion of the inner liner 22, more preferably a vertical rear wall 26.

In an alternative embodiment, a single door can be provided to open and close both the front openings 14, 16 of the freezer and the fresh food compartments 10, 12.

The compartments 10, 12 preferably comprise shelves S and/or drawers D for receiving food items.

A refrigeration system 30 is preferably provided to cool the compartments 10, 12.

According to the present invention, the refrigeration system 30 is apt to cool down air which is circulated inside at least one compartment of refrigerator 1, preferably to cool down air which is circulated inside a compartment, preferably the freezer compartment 10 and, in the preferred embodiment here illustrated, also inside the fresh food compartments 12.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration system 30 preferably comprises a closed recirculating system filled with a suitable refrigerant, for example R12 or R134a or R600a. The refrigeration system preferably comprises an electric motor-driven compressor 32, a condenser heat exchanger 34, a pressure device such as a capillary tube or a thermostatic valve (not shown) and an evaporator 38.

The evaporator 38 is preferably mounted inside the freezer compartment 10, whereas the compressor 32 is mounted external to the freezer compartment 10 and preferably arranged in a working chamber 21 at the bottom of the refrigerator 1.

The condenser heat exchanger can be a condenser tubing 34 that preferably has a serpentine configuration and is preferably externally secured to the rear side wall 2E of the outer cabinet 2 so as to form what is commonly known as a “hot wall”. The evaporator 38 is more preferably mounted to the rear wall 24 of the freezer compartment 10 towards the interior of the freezer compartment 10.

A fan assembly 50 is preferably associated to the evaporator 38, more preferably at least a portion of the fan assembly 50 is mounted inside the freezer compartment 10 over the evaporator 38. The evaporator 38 is preferably received in an air chamber 40 of the fan assembly 50. The lower part of the air channel 40 is preferably configured to define a water collecting zone to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator 38. A collecting tray 55 is preferably fluidly connected to the water collecting zone 44.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the fan assembly 50 is preferably a pre-assembled fan assembly 50 which is arranged/mo unted closed to the evaporator 38.

The fan assembly 50 is advantageously pre-assembled during manufacturing of the refrigerator 1 and then it is mounted inside the compartments 10, 12 and over the evaporator 38.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan assembly may not be necessarily pre-assembled.

The function of the fan assembly 50 is to generate the cooling air stream that is conveyed and recirculated inside the compartments 10, 12. The fan assembly 50 is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator 38 and to channel it into a compartment, preferably the freezer compartment 10 and, in the preferred embodiment here illustrated, also inside the fresh food compartments 12.

The fan assembly 50 is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator 38 and to expel it into the freezer compartment 10 through lower air openings 102a (some of them visible in Figure 2) opportunely distributed inside the freezer compartment 10. Air from the freezer compartment 10 flows back to the evaporator 38, preferably back to the air chamber 40 receiving the evaporator 38, through an air inlet 57 preferably defined between an air conveyor 56 applied at the lower part of the freezer compartment 10 and the rear wall 24, as indicated in Figure 3.

The fan assembly 50 is further preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator 38 and to expel it into the fresh food compartment 12 through a plurality of upper openings 102b. The upper openings 102b are preferably arranged along a first row of vertical upper openings 102b (on the left side of the fresh food compartment 12 in the frontal view of figure 2).

Air from the fresh food compartment 12 is preferably conveyed to the freezer compartment 10 and from there the air flows back to the evaporator 38 through the air inlet 57 as explained above.

A plurality of upper openings 102c are preferably arranged along a second row of vertical upper openings 102c (on the right side of the fresh food compartment 12 in the frontal view of figure 2) for the conveyance of the air to the freezer compartment 10.

The fan assembly 50 preferably comprises a fan 72 configured to generate the air flow which is channelled towards the evaporator 38, more preferably for generating the air flow which is channelled inside the air channel 40 and then forced inside the compartments 10, 12, as better described later.

The air flow generated by the fan 72 passes over, or through, the evaporator 38 which cools the air and then the cooled air is forced inside the compartments 10, 12. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the figures, the fan 72 is preferably arranged downstream of the evaporator 38 and more preferably above the evaporator 38. Hence the fan 72 sucks the cooled air coming from the evaporator 38 and expels it towards the compartments 10, 12. The fan 72 preferably comprises an impeller 82 with a rotation axis X. The fan 72 preferably comprises a centrifugal fan, preferably a radial fan.

In different embodiments, nevertheless, the fan may be of any type and arranged in any other point of the fan assembly suitable to generate an air flow that is channelled towards the evaporator and then forced inside the compartment or compartments of the refrigerator.

According to an aspect of the invention, the air flow generated by the fan 72 is channelled towards the compartments 10, 12 by providing air ducts 100a with the function of channelling the cooled air expelled by the fan 72 towards the air openings 102a and 102b inside the compartments 10, 12.

Preferably, the air ducts 100a are realized in a first layer 70.

The first layer 70 is preferably made of expanded polystyrene. The first layer 70 preferably comprises a first lateral side 77a, or front side 77a, and a second lateral side 77b, or rear side 77b, opposite to the first lateral side 77a.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figure, the first layer 70 also preferably supports the fan 72.

In particular, one or more lower air ducts, not shown, are preferably realized in the first layer 70 and extend downwardly from the fan 72 up to the lower openings 102a of the fan assembly 50. A first air duct 100a is preferably realized in the first layer 70 and extends upwardly from the fan 72 up to the upper openings 102b (as visible in Figures 8 and 9).

More preferably, the first air duct 100a is realized at the rear side 77b of the first layer 70 and communicates with the first row of vertical upper openings 102b. Preferably, a second air duct 100b is realized in the first layer 70 and communicates with the second row of vertical upper openings 102c (as visible in Figures 8 and 9). The second air duct 100b is preferably configured to convey air from the fresh food compartment 12 towards the freezer compartment 10 (details of the air path from the second air duct 100b and the freezer compartment 10 are not shown in the Figures).

The first layer 70 is preferably sandwiched between a frontal covering plate 74 and a rear covering plate 76.

The frontal covering plate 74 faces the internal volume of the fresh food compartment 12 and it is preferably contemplated that is made from plastic to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a user.

The rear covering plate 76 preferably faces the rear wall 26 of the fresh food compartment 12 and preferably rests on the rear wall 26.

The two air ducts 100a, 100b of the first layer 70, as illustrated in Figure 8, are opened in the rear direction, i.e. in the direction of the rear covering plate 76. Advantageously, the rear covering plate 76 opportunely close the two air ducts 100a, 100b allowing the air conveyance inside said closed air ducts 100a, 100b. Alternatively, the first layer 70 can be sandwiched between the frontal covering plate 74 and the rear wall 26, so that the rear wall 26 closes/delimits the air ducts 100a, 100b.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the air ducts may be realized as closed air ducts directly on the first layer. In further different embodiments, then, the air ducts may be realized in any different way. For example, the air ducts may be realized as a box- shaped structure formed of metal sheets joined together.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fan assembly 50 preferably comprises two parts, or modules: a lower part 50a and an upper part 50b (Figure 3). The two parts 50a, 50b are opportunely assembled to form substantially a single unit. In further preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan assembly may comprise a different number of parts/modules.

Accordingly, the first layer 70 in turn preferably comprises two parts: a lower layer part 70a and an upper layer part 70b.

The lower air ducts, not shown, are preferably formed by respective air ducts formed in the lower layer part 70a and the two air ducts 100a, 100b are preferably realized in the upper layer part 70b, as better illustrated in Figure 8A. Preferably, also the fan 72 is supported by lower layer part 70a. We will focus, hereinafter, on the upper part 50b of the fan assembly 50 and in particular on the first air duct 100a that channels cooled air to the fresh food compartment 12.

This has not to be intended as limitative for the advantageous aspects of the present invention described in detail later. On the contrary, what is described later may be applied to any configuration of refrigerators where an air duct is used to channel cooled air to a compartment.

According to an aspect of the invention, the refrigerator 1 preferably comprises a manual air regulation system, globally indicated with 60, for controlling an amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a.

The refrigeration 1 is advantageously equipped with said air regulation system 60 to adjust the temperature inside the fresh food compartment 12. The temperature regulation is preferably obtained by adjusting the air volume flowing inside the first air duct 100a and hence the amount of cooled air that reaches the fresh food compartment 12. It is known that the higher the cooled air volume flowing inside the first air duct 100a, the lower the temperature inside the fresh food compartment 12.

The air regulation system 60 preferably comprises a manual actuator 62 reachable by a user and a damper 64 operatively connected to the actuator 62 and arranged inside the first air duct 100a.

According to an aspect of the invention, the actuator 62 preferably comprises a cursor which is slidable between a first position, shown for example in Figure 12A, corresponding to the maximum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a and a second position, shown for example in Figure 12B, corresponding to the minimum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a. The cursor 62 is preferably slidable along a linear direction, preferably a horizontal linear direction.

The cursor 62 preferably has a manual actuating portion 62a that is slidable in a slot 75 of the frontal covering plate 74, more preferably in a slot extending horizontally. Preferably the slot 75 is centrally positioned in the frontal covering plate 74 and the cursor 62 with its manual actuating portion 62a is slidable in the central part of the frontal covering plate 74. Said central position facilitates the actuation for the user and/or provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the user.

Preferably, also, the slot 75 is dimensioned to opportunely limit the stroke of the cursor 62 between its first and second extreme positions.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the damper 64 preferably comprises a rotatable element operatively connected to the cursor 62. The rotatable element 64 is rotatable between a first position, shown for example in Figure 12A, defining the maximum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a and a second position, shown for example in Figure 12B, defining the minimum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a.

Advantageously, the first position of the cursor 62 corresponds to the first position of the rotatable element 64 and the second position of the cursor 62 corresponds to the second position of the rotatable element 64. Furthermore, intermediate positions of the cursor 62 and of the rotatable element 64 define corresponding intermediate amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a between maximum and minimum positions.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rotatable element 64 comprises a lever shaped body 80 with a rotation axis R1 which lays in a correspondence of a lateral wall 106a of the first air duct 100a, as better visible in Figure 13. The lever 80 rotates around its rotation axis R1 at an extremity 80a thereof. The extremity 80a of the lever 80 is preferably received in a seat 110 realized in the lateral wall 106a of the first air duct 100a, more preferably received in a circular shaped seat 106b.

Advantageously, by providing the air regulation system 60 with a rotatable element 64, it is possible to arrange in the more appropriated position the rotation axis/fulcrum R1 of the same rotatable element 64 by considering the effective relative position between the first air duct 100a and the cursor 62. In the preferred embodiment above, the rotation axis R1 of the lever 80 is advantageously positioned at the lateral wall 106a of the first air duct 100a considering that the first air duct 100a is offset of a large extent compared to the cursor 62 which is slidable in the central part of the frontal covering plate 74, i.e. the distance between the first air duct 100a and the cursor 62 is relatively high.

The area where the lever 80 is positioned is preferably covered by a cover element 76a arranged between the first air duct 100a and the rear covering plate 76.

The lever 80 preferably shows a transversal U-shaped cross section, as illustrated in figure 13 A. The U-shaped cross section preferably confers a high mechanical strength to the lever 80. The lever 80 is preferably arranged inside the first air duct 100a so that it transversally occupies substantially all the space defined between the cover element 76a and a bottom surface 71 of the first layer 70 defining the first air duct 100a (as shown in Figure 13A). Preferably, the transversal width WL of the lever 80 is slightly lower than the width WD of the first air duct 100a.

The U-shaped cross section further optimizes the air flow flowing into the first air duct 100a. In particular, when the lever 80 is in its first position, i.e. the position with the maximum air flowing inside the first air duct 100a, the lever 80 offers the less possible resistance to the air.

In general, the U-shaped cross section guarantees the maximum air flowing inside the air duct while the space occupied inside the duct by the lever is low.

The cursor 62 and the lever 80 are preferably operatively connected through a pinion-rack coupling (Figures 10 and 11).

Advantageously, the connection between the cursor and the lever is obtained in a cheap and reliable manner.

More preferably, a linkage element 63 is interposed between the cursor 62 and the lever 80. The linkage element 63 is preferably constituted of a toothed gear 63.

The cursor 62 preferably comprises a straight-toothed rack 62c that engages with the toothed gear 63.

The lever 80 preferably comprises a portion of a circular gear 64a that engages with the toothed gear 63.

Advantageously, by interposing a further linkage element between the cursor and the lever it is possible to keep the proper dimension/length for the lever and maintaining at the same the desired position of the cursor inside the compartment.

In a further preferred embodiment, not shown, the cursor and the damper may be connected directly one to the other, i.e. without interposition of any linkage element, preferably through a pinion-rack coupling.

In further preferred embodiments, not shown, more than one linkage element or more than one toothed gear may be interposed between the cursor and the lever.

The circular gear 64a is preferably realized as a separate element from the lever 80 and is fixedly mounted thereto so that the circular gear 64a and the lever 80 rotate together.

The toothed gear 63 and the circular gear 64a of the lever 80 are preferably supported by the frontal covering plate 74.

The toothed gear 63 is preferably pivotally connected to the frontal covering plate 74 by means of a first pin 66a protruding from the frontal covering plate 74, as shown in Figure 8. The circular gear 64a of the lever 80 is preferably pivotally connected to the frontal covering plate 74 by means of a second pin 66b protruding from the frontal covering plate 74.

The pins 66a, 66b advantageously determines and maintains the correct distance between the respective axis of rotations of the two gears 63, 64a.

The toothed gear 63 and the circular gear 64a are preferably received in a shaped seat 70c of the upper layer part 70b facing the frontal covering plate 74.

Also, the cursor 62 is preferably arranged in the shaped seat 70c of the upper layer part 70b.

Advantageously, the refrigerator 1 with said manual air regulation system 60 allows the arrangement of the cursor 62 and its manual actuating portion 62a in the central position of the frontal covering plate 74 even if the first air duct 100a receiving the damper 64 is not centrally positioned.

The actuation of the cursor 62 is therefore facilitated and the aesthetically pleasing appearance is also reached.

Also, advantageously, the components of the manual air regulation system 60 are easily installable to the first layer 70 with mechanical interference. No additional mechanical fasteners are thus required. The assembling complexity during manufacturing results therefore reduced compared to known systems. Also size and/or weight of the appliance are reduced. Still advantageously, by reducing the complexity and the number of mechanical elements utilized a more reliable fixation of the components of the manual air regulation system is obtained.

With reference to Figure 14 to 21 a further preferred embodiment of a refrigeration appliance 201 is described hereinafter.

In the figures, parts or elements corresponding to the parts or elements of the first preferred embodiment previously described are identified by the same numbers and are not described in detail.

This embodiment differs from the embodiment previously described in the different realization of the manual air regulation system 260.

Here again, according to an aspect of the invention, the manual air regulation system 260 is configured for controlling the amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a. The air regulation system 260 preferably comprises a manual actuator 262 reachable by a user and a damper 264 operatively connected to the actuator 262 and arranged inside the first air duct 100a.

According to an aspect of the invention, the actuator 262 preferably comprises a cursor which is slidable between a first position, shown for example in Figures 22A and 22B, corresponding to the maximum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a and a second position, shown for example in Figures 23 A and 23B, corresponding to the minimum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a. The cursor 262 is preferably slidable along a linear direction, preferably a horizontal linear direction.

The cursor 262 preferably has a manual actuating portion 262a that is slidable in a slot 75 of the frontal covering plate 74, more preferably in a slot extending horizontally. Preferably the slot 75 is centrally positioned in the frontal covering plate 74 and the cursor 262 with its manual actuating portion 262a is slidable in the central part of the frontal covering plate 74. Said central position facilitates the actuation for the user and/or provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the user.

The damper 264 preferably comprises a rotatable element 264 operatively connected to the cursor 262. The rotatable element 264 is rotatable between a first position, shown for example in Figure 22B, defining the maximum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a and a second position, shown for example in Figure 23B, defining the minimum amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a.

Advantageously, the first position of the cursor 262 corresponds to the first position of the rotatable element 264 and the second position of the cursor 262 corresponds to the second position of the rotatable element 264. Furthermore, intermediate positions of the cursor 262 and of the rotatable element 264 define corresponding intermediate amount of air flowing inside the first air duct 100a between maximum and minimum positions.

According to this preferred embodiment, the rotatable element 264 comprises a rotatable body 250 with a rotation axis R2 which lays in a position between lateral walls 106a, 106b of the first air duct 100a, as better visible in Figures 22 A and 23 A and a longitudinal tab 252 protruding from the rotatable body 250.

The rotatable body 250 is preferably disc-shaped and the longitudinal tab 252 preferably comprises a rectangular flap. Advantageously, by providing the air regulation system 260 with a rotatable element 264, it is possible to arrange in the more appropriated position the rotation axis/fulcrum R2 of the same rotatable element 264 by considering the effective relative position between the first air duct 100a and the cursor 262. In the preferred embodiment above, the rotation axis R2 of the rotatable body 250 is advantageously positioned between lateral walls 106a, 106b of the first air duct 100a considering that the first air duct 100a is offset of a small extent compared to the cursor 262 which is slidable in the central part of the frontal covering plate 74. i.e. the distance between the first air duct 100a and the cursor 262 is relatively low.

The rotatable body 250 with its longitudinal tab 252 is preferably arranged inside the first air duct 100a so that it transversally occupies substantially all or the majority of the space defined between the cover element 76a and a bottom surface 71 of the first layer 70 defining the first air duct 100a. Preferably, the transversal width of the rotatable body 250 is slightly lower than the width of the first air duct 100a.

When the rotatable element 264 is rotated inside the first air duct 100a, the longitudinal tab 252 is accordingly displaced inside the first air duct 100a at different respective positions. Preferably, the longitudinal tab 252 is displaced in a direction at least partially aligned to the flow direction of the air inside the first air duct 100a when the rotatable element 264 is in the first position, as illustrated in Figure 22B, and displaced in a direction transversal to the flow direction of the air inside the first air duct 100a when the rotatable element 264 is in the second position, as illustrated in Figure 23B.

The rotatable element 264 is preferably rotatably mounted in a pass-through aperture 210 of the first layer 70, preferably a circular aperture 210 (Figure 20).

The cursor 262 and the rotatable element 264 are preferably operatively connected through a pinion-rack coupling. More preferably, a linkage element 263 is interposed between the cursor 262 and the rotatable element 264. The linkage element 263 is preferably constituted of a toothed gear 263.

The cursor 262 preferably comprises a straight-toothed rack 262c that engages with the toothed gear 263.

The rotatable element 264 preferably comprises a portion of a circular gear 264a that engages with the toothed gear 263.

In further preferred embodiments, not shown, more than one linkage element or more than one toothed gear may be interposed between the cursor and the lever. The circular gear 264a is preferably integrally made with the rotatable element 264. In different embodiments, the circular gear may be realized as a separate element from the rotatable element and then fixedly mounted thereto.

The toothed gear 263 and the rotatable element 264 are preferably supported by a supporting element 266 which advantageously determines and maintains the correct distance between the respective axis of rotations of the toothed gear 263 and the rotatable element 264.

The toothed gear 263 is preferably pivotally connected to the supporting element 266 by means of a first pin 266a. The rotatable element 264 is preferably pivotally connected to the supporting element 266 by means of a second pin 266b (Figure 21 A).

The supporting element 266 is preferably arranged at the front side 77a of the first layer 70 facing the frontal covering plate 74.

Also, the cursor 262 is preferably arranged at the front side 77a of the first layer 70 facing the frontal covering plate 74 and hence facing the internal volume of the fresh food compartment 12.

Advantageously, all the effects and/or advantages above-mentioned with reference to the first embodiment are achieved.

According to the preferred embodiments illustrated and described above, the manual air regulation system is preferably associated to the fan assembly that is preferably pre-assembled and arranged/mounted closed to the evaporator inside the compartments.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan assembly may be arranged outside the compartment. In this case, preferably, the cursor of the manual air regulation system with its manual actuating portion is slidable in a slot defined in a side wall of a compartment. More preferably the slot is defined in a rear side wall of the compartment so that the cursor is directly visible in front of the user and easily reachable by him when he opens the door.

It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it makes it possible to provide a more user-friendly solution compared to known system. Although two illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance (1; 201) comprising:

- an outer cabinet (2) and at least one compartment (10, 12) for receiving food items;

- a refrigeration system (30) for cooling down air;

- a fan (72) configured to force the cooled air to said least one compartment (10, 12);

- at least one air duct (100a) configured to channel the air forced by said fan (72) towards said at least one compartment (10, 12);

- a manual air regulation system (60; 160) for controlling an amount of air flowing inside said at least one air duct (100a), said air regulation system (60; 160) comprising a manual actuator (62; 262) reachable by a user and a damper (64; 264) operatively arranged inside said at least one air duct (100a), characterized in that:

- said actuator (62; 262) comprises a cursor (62; 262) which is slidable along a linear direction between a first position and a second position;

- said damper (64; 264) comprises a rotatable element (64; 264), operatively connected to said cursor (62; 262), which is rotatable between a first position, reached when said cursor (62; 262) is on its first position, and a second position, reached when said cursor (62; 262) is on its second position; wherein when said cursor (62; 262) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250) are in their first positions, a maximum amount of air flows inside said at least one air duct (100a) and when said cursor (62; 262) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250) are in their second positions, a minimum amount of air flows inside said at least one air duct (100a).

2. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 1, characterized in that said cursor (62; 262) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250) are operatively connected through a pinion-rack coupling.

3. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 2, characterized in that said cursor (62; 262) comprises a straight-toothed rack (62c; 262c) and/or said damper (64, 80; 264, 250) comprises at least a portion of a circular gear (64a; 264a).

4. The appliance (1; 201) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said air regulation system (60; 160) further comprises at least one linkage element (63; 263) arranged between said cursor (62; 262) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250).

5. The appliance (1; 201) according to any of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said air regulation system (60; 160) further comprises one or more toothed gear (63; 263) arranged between said cursor (62; 262) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250).

6. The appliance (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said rotatable element (64, 80) comprises a lever shaped body (80) with a rotation axis (Rl) which lays in a correspondence of a lateral wall (106a) of said at least one air duct (100a).

7. The appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said lever (80) comprises a U-shaped cross section.

8. The appliance (201) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said rotatable element (264, 250) comprises a rotatable body (250) with a rotation axis (R2) which lays in a position between lateral walls (106a, 106b) of said at least one air duct (100a) and a longitudinal tab (252) protruding from said rotatable body (250), said longitudinal tab (252) being displaceable in a direction at least partially aligned to the flow direction of the air inside said at least one air duct (100a) when said rotatable element (64, 80; 264, 250) is in said first position and displaceable in a direction transversal to the flow direction of the air inside said at least one air duct (100a) when said rotatable element (64, 80; 264, 250) is in said second position.

9. The appliance (1; 201) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said cursor (62; 262) has a manual actuating portion (62a; 262a) slidable in a slot (75) defined at a side wall (74) of said appliance (1; 201) facing the internal volume of said at least one compartment (10, 12).

10. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 9, characterized in that said side wall (74) is arranged at a rear position inside said at least one compartment (10, 12).

11. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said slot (75) is centrally positioned at said side wall (74).

12. The appliance (1; 201) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one air duct (100a) is realized in a layer (70, 70a, 70b), preferably of insulation material, said cursor (62; 262) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250) being associated to said layer (70, 70a, 70b).

13. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 12, characterized in that said at least one air duct (100a) is realized in said layer (70, 70a, 70b) in a lateral position with respect to a central position of said layer (70, 70a, 70b).

14. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said a first air duct of said at least one air duct (100a) is realized in said layer in a first lateral position with respect to a central position of said layer (70, 70a, 70b) and a second air duct (100b) is realized in said layer (70, 70a, 70b) in a second lateral position with respect to said central position of said layer (70, 70a, 70b).

15. The appliance (1; 201) according to any of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said insulation material comprises a foam insulation material, preferably expanded polystyrene.

16. The appliance (1; 201) according to any of the claims 12 to 15, characterized in that said cursor (62; 262) is arranged at a first lateral side (77a) of said layer (70, 70a, 70b) facing the internal volume of said compartment (10, 12) and said damper (64, 80; 264, 250) is arranged at a second lateral side (77b) of said layer (70, 70a, 70b), opposite to said first lateral side (77a), where said at least one air duct (100a) is realized.

17. The appliance (1; 201) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said appliance (1; 201) further comprises an inner liner (22), internal to the outer cabinet (2), defining said at least one compartment (10, 12).

18. The appliance (1; 201) according to claim 17 when depending on any of the claims 12 to 16, characterized in that said layer (70, 70a, 70b) is mounted to said inner liner (22) inside said at least one compartment (10, 12).