[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

EP0540873B1 - Refrigerator of forced air circulation type with an air duct provided with a shutter member - Google Patents

Refrigerator of forced air circulation type with an air duct provided with a shutter member Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0540873B1
EP0540873B1 EP92116590A EP92116590A EP0540873B1 EP 0540873 B1 EP0540873 B1 EP 0540873B1 EP 92116590 A EP92116590 A EP 92116590A EP 92116590 A EP92116590 A EP 92116590A EP 0540873 B1 EP0540873 B1 EP 0540873B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerator
shutter member
shutter
box casing
aperture
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92116590A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0540873A2 (en
EP0540873A3 (en
Inventor
Armando Whirlpool Europe S.r.l. Pellizzari
Salvatore Whirlpool Europe S.r.l. De Caprio
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Europe BV
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Europe BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Europe BV filed Critical Whirlpool Europe BV
Publication of EP0540873A2 publication Critical patent/EP0540873A2/en
Publication of EP0540873A3 publication Critical patent/EP0540873A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0540873B1 publication Critical patent/EP0540873B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/08Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
    • F24F13/10Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
    • F24F13/12Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of sliding members
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/045Air flow control arrangements

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a refrigerator of forced air circulation type comprising an air duct opening via an aperture into a freezer or refrigeration compartment, said aperture being provided with a shutter member cooperating with drive means able to move the shutter member from a first to a second working position, and elastically loadable return means for returning the shutter member from said second to said first working position.
  • the shutter member or shutter is used to close a corresponding duct when the temperature within the compartment, for example the refrigeration compartment, has reached a preset value.
  • a usual thermostat provided in the compartment senses when the preset value has been reached and closes said duct by means of said shutter. After this, the cold air normally fed into the refrigeration compartment can no longer enter it, so that the temperature within this latter is not further reduced.
  • the shutter is usually operated by two drive members (for example formed by usual resistors of positive or negative temperature coefficient fixed to opposing ends of the shutter and controlled in their operation by a usual electrical or electronic control circuit to which the thermostat is also connected.
  • two drive members for example formed by usual resistors of positive or negative temperature coefficient fixed to opposing ends of the shutter and controlled in their operation by a usual electrical or electronic control circuit to which the thermostat is also connected.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator of the aforesaid type which is of simple construction, short assembly and maintenance time and low cost.
  • a further object is to provide a refrigerator of the aforesaid type which is much less liable to develop faults or problems than analogous known devices.
  • a refrigerator of the aforesaid type characterised in that it comprises retention means able to cooperate with the shutter member for retaining it in its second working position.
  • the retention means are able to be released by the drive means.
  • the device of the invention is indicated overall by 1 and is positioned at a wall 2 of a compartment 3, for example the refrigeration compartment, of the cabinet 4 of a refrigerator 5 of forced air circulation type, a usual air circulation duct 8 opening at this wall via an aperture 7.
  • a grille 11 On the aperture 7 of the duct 8 there is provided a grille 11 along which there can be positioned a shutter 12 movable along guides 13 fixed for example to said grille.
  • the shutter 12 comprises a projection 15 which cooperates with a pusher member or pusher 16 which is separate from this projection and is operated in any known manner, for example by a resistor of positive or negative temperature coefficient (PTC or NTC), not shown, enclosed in a block 23 associated with the grille 12.
  • PTC positive or negative temperature coefficient
  • an arm 18 is provided projecting from the shutter 12.
  • This arm comprises opposing projections or fins 19 having a rounded first side 20 and a straight second side 21 angularly connected to the first side 20 to hence define a substantially triangular fin.
  • the shutter 12 is also preferably of grille formation with alternating full portions 12A and empty portions 12B reproducing the form of the grille 11.
  • the projecting arm 18 cooperates with a retention member 25 associated with a fixed support 26 fixed for example to the grille 11.
  • the retention member 25 comprises a box casing 27 within which a gripper element 28 comprising elastically movable arms 29 and extending from a body 30 moves inwardly and outwardly, one end 31 (projecting with said arms from the casing 27) of which cooperates with one end 18A of the projecting arm 18.
  • the gripper element 28 moves within a cavity 33 in the casing 27 against a spring 34 the opposing ends of which are fixed to the casing 27 and to the element 28 respectively.
  • the body 30 of this latter comprises a channel 37, formed about a pad 40, and within which (relatively speaking) there moves a pin 41 associated with an upper part 42 of the box casing 27 and able to move transversely in known manner relative to said part 42.
  • the channel 37 and pad 40 are of such a shape that the pin, during its movement within said channel, can become locked at a recessed end 40A of the pad 40 to hence retain the gripper element 28 within the casing 27 when this element is pressed into this latter.
  • the pin 41 is released from said end 40A.
  • the pin is then guided within the channel 37 until it reaches an end-of-travel seat 48 in which the pin stops. When in this seat the gripper element 28 projects from the box casing 27.
  • the shutter 12 slides along guides 13.
  • Proximity sensors 51 such as microswitches, are associated with these shoulders, against which the shutter 12 rests when in its end-of-travel position.
  • the sensors 51 are connected by an electrical connection to a control unit 54, advantageously of microprocessor type. To this latter there are also connected a usual thermostat 55 and the drive member for the pusher 16 housed in the block 23.
  • the thermostat and the unit 54 are indicated only by way of example. During the use of the refrigerator 5 it will be assumed that the temperature within the compartment 3 reaches a set minimum value but that the shutter 12 has yet to close the aperture 7.
  • thermostat 55 senses that the set temperature has been reached and feeds a signal V A to the unit 54.
  • this latter enables the drive member associated with the pusher 16 (for example a known PTC) to act on this latter to move it towards the shutter 12.
  • the drive member associated with the pusher 16 for example a known PTC
  • the pusher 16 makes contact with the projection 15 to then act on it and move the shutter 12 along the guides 13.
  • the end 17 of the shutter therefore approaches the member 25, with the shutter simultaneously closing the aperture 7 of the duct 8.
  • the projecting arm 18 penetrates with its end 18A between the elastic arms 29 of the gripper element 28.
  • the drive member presses against the shutter, which in its turn urges the body 30 into the casing 27.
  • the sensors 51 sense this and feed a relative signal to the unit 54, which on the basis of this interrupts the action of the drive member on the pusher 16, hence halting the movement of the shutter.
  • the pin 41 undergoes the described movement relative to said body 30.
  • the pin moves into the recessed end 40A of the said pad 40 and halts said body in its inserted position in the box casing 27.
  • the arms 29 are closed about the fins 19 of the projecting arm 18 by virtue of the cooperation between said arms and the walls of the cavity 33.
  • the arm 18 urges the body 30 into the cavity 33 of the box casing 27, to release the pin 41 from the end 40A of the pad 40 in the described manner.
  • the element 28 emerges from the box casing 27 to enable the arms 29 to diverge and release the fins 19 from the arm 18.
  • the spring 34 also pushes the shutter 12 into a position such as to open the duct 8, ie to move the empty portions 12B of the shutter 12 into positions corresponding with those of the grille 11.
  • Figure 4 shows a modified embodiment of the invention as an alternative to that described.
  • this figure in which parts corresponding to those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals, there is no longer the element 28 associated with the box casing 27, but instead there are provided at least two parts 200 movable towards and away from each other by the action of small electromagnets 201 powered in known manner and arranged to cooperate with the fins 19 of the arm 18. At least one pair of such parts 200 is provided to retain the shutter 12 associated with the member 25 and maintain the duct 8 closed.
  • a plurality of such pairs can be provided to retain the arm 18 of the shutter 12 inserted to a greater or lesser extent in the box casing 27. In this manner said shutter can be halted in different positions along the aperture 7, which can then be variously restricted.
  • the springs 100 return the shutter 12 into the position in which it does not restrict the grille 11 when such restriction is no longer required.
  • This embodiment operates in the following manner.
  • the shutter is driven in the described manner against elastic elements provided along the guides 13.
  • the electromagnets 201 act on metal projections 202 associated with the parts 200, to cause these latter to approach each other and close the arm 18 between them in the manner of jaws.
  • the shutter 12 By operating suitably in cascade on a plurality of elements 200 (if present), the shutter 12 can be moved from a position in which it completely closes the aperture 7 to a position in which it partly closes it.
  • the member 25 does not necessarily have to comprise the arms 29.
  • the loading of the spring 34 enables this latter to return the shutter to a second working position (for example grille open) when the pusher acts on it the second time (in the manner already described).
  • a second spring 270 acts on the end 14 of the shutter 12 to maintain it in contact with the member 25 when the shutter is in its first working position. This second spring, generating a force less than that of the spring 34, prevents undesirable grille movement due for example to vibration arising within the refrigerator during its use.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
  • Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)

Description

  • This invention relates to a refrigerator of forced air circulation type comprising an air duct opening via an aperture into a freezer or refrigeration compartment, said aperture being provided with a shutter member cooperating with drive means able to move the shutter member from a first to a second working position, and elastically loadable return means for returning the shutter member from said second to said first working position.
  • The shutter member or shutter is used to close a corresponding duct when the temperature within the compartment, for example the refrigeration compartment, has reached a preset value. In this situation a usual thermostat provided in the compartment senses when the preset value has been reached and closes said duct by means of said shutter. After this, the cold air normally fed into the refrigeration compartment can no longer enter it, so that the temperature within this latter is not further reduced.
  • The shutter is usually operated by two drive members (for example formed by usual resistors of positive or negative temperature coefficient fixed to opposing ends of the shutter and controlled in their operation by a usual electrical or electronic control circuit to which the thermostat is also connected.
  • These drive members operate alternately, one closing the shutter and the other opening it.
  • This method has however various drawbacks.
  • In particular, the use of two drive members associated with the shutter negatively affects the refrigerator construction cost and its maintenance time.
  • In addition, the control circuit which operates on these drive members is of complicated construction. US-A-3645108 discloses a refrigerator of the type mentioned at the beginning of the description. In this document the drive means are constituted by metal bellows containing a suitable vapour. This technical solution requires a complicated system for its calibration, which increases its cost.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator of the aforesaid type which is of simple construction, short assembly and maintenance time and low cost.
  • A further object is to provide a refrigerator of the aforesaid type which is much less liable to develop faults or problems than analogous known devices.
  • These objects are attained by a refrigerator of the aforesaid type, characterised in that it comprises retention means able to cooperate with the shutter member for retaining it in its second working position.
  • Preferably, the retention means are able to be released by the drive means. The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:
    • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention in one example of its application;
    • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1;
    • Figure 3 is a cross-section through a part of the device of Figure 1; and
    • Figure 4 is a modification of the device of Figure 1.
  • With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the device of the invention is indicated overall by 1 and is positioned at a wall 2 of a compartment 3, for example the refrigeration compartment, of the cabinet 4 of a refrigerator 5 of forced air circulation type, a usual air circulation duct 8 opening at this wall via an aperture 7.
  • On the aperture 7 of the duct 8 there is provided a grille 11 along which there can be positioned a shutter 12 movable along guides 13 fixed for example to said grille.
  • At one end 14 the shutter 12 comprises a projection 15 which cooperates with a pusher member or pusher 16 which is separate from this projection and is operated in any known manner, for example by a resistor of positive or negative temperature coefficient (PTC or NTC), not shown, enclosed in a block 23 associated with the grille 12.
  • At the end 17 distant from said end 14 an arm 18 is provided projecting from the shutter 12. This arm comprises opposing projections or fins 19 having a rounded first side 20 and a straight second side 21 angularly connected to the first side 20 to hence define a substantially triangular fin.
  • The shutter 12 is also preferably of grille formation with alternating full portions 12A and empty portions 12B reproducing the form of the grille 11.
  • The projecting arm 18 cooperates with a retention member 25 associated with a fixed support 26 fixed for example to the grille 11.
  • The retention member 25 comprises a box casing 27 within which a gripper element 28 comprising elastically movable arms 29 and extending from a body 30 moves inwardly and outwardly, one end 31 (projecting with said arms from the casing 27) of which cooperates with one end 18A of the projecting arm 18.
  • The gripper element 28 moves within a cavity 33 in the casing 27 against a spring 34 the opposing ends of which are fixed to the casing 27 and to the element 28 respectively.
  • The body 30 of this latter comprises a channel 37, formed about a pad 40, and within which (relatively speaking) there moves a pin 41 associated with an upper part 42 of the box casing 27 and able to move transversely in known manner relative to said part 42.
  • The channel 37 and pad 40 are of such a shape that the pin, during its movement within said channel, can become locked at a recessed end 40A of the pad 40 to hence retain the gripper element 28 within the casing 27 when this element is pressed into this latter. On again pressing the element 28 into the casing 27 the pin 41 is released from said end 40A. The pin is then guided within the channel 37 until it reaches an end-of-travel seat 48 in which the pin stops. When in this seat the gripper element 28 projects from the box casing 27.
  • As stated, the shutter 12 slides along guides 13.
  • At the end of this movement, namely when the shutter is close to the retention member 25, the shutter comes into contact with the shoulders 50 provided on the grille 11.
  • Proximity sensors 51, such as microswitches, are associated with these shoulders, against which the shutter 12 rests when in its end-of-travel position.
  • The sensors 51 are connected by an electrical connection to a control unit 54, advantageously of microprocessor type. To this latter there are also connected a usual thermostat 55 and the drive member for the pusher 16 housed in the block 23. The thermostat and the unit 54 are indicated only by way of example. During the use of the refrigerator 5 it will be assumed that the temperature within the compartment 3 reaches a set minimum value but that the shutter 12 has yet to close the aperture 7.
  • In this situation the thermostat 55 senses that the set temperature has been reached and feeds a signal VA to the unit 54.
  • On the basis of this signal this latter enables the drive member associated with the pusher 16 (for example a known PTC) to act on this latter to move it towards the shutter 12.
  • The pusher 16 makes contact with the projection 15 to then act on it and move the shutter 12 along the guides 13. The end 17 of the shutter therefore approaches the member 25, with the shutter simultaneously closing the aperture 7 of the duct 8.
  • During this movement, the projecting arm 18 penetrates with its end 18A between the elastic arms 29 of the gripper element 28.
  • When said end 18A comes into contact with the end 31 of the body 30 of said element 28, it causes this latter to retract into the box casing 27.
  • Until the shutter 12 reaches its end-of-travel position, ie in contact with the sensors 51, the drive member presses against the shutter, which in its turn urges the body 30 into the casing 27.
  • When the shutter has reached its travel limit, the sensors 51 sense this and feed a relative signal to the unit 54, which on the basis of this interrupts the action of the drive member on the pusher 16, hence halting the movement of the shutter.
  • As the body 30 withdraws into the box casing 27, the pin 41 undergoes the described movement relative to said body 30. The pin moves into the recessed end 40A of the said pad 40 and halts said body in its inserted position in the box casing 27. In this position the arms 29 are closed about the fins 19 of the projecting arm 18 by virtue of the cooperation between said arms and the walls of the cavity 33.
  • As the drive member of the pusher 16 is no longer powered, this retracts (at least partly) into the block 23. The shutter however remains in the position in which it has closed the aperture 7, retained by the element 28 acting on the projecting arm 18, and slightly separated from the shoulders 50.
  • In contrast, to open the shutter 12 the drive member of the pusher 16 is again powered so that this latter again makes contact with the projection 15, to press (a second time) the shutter 12 towards the member 28 until the shutter again makes contact with the shoulders 50.
  • In this manner, the arm 18 urges the body 30 into the cavity 33 of the box casing 27, to release the pin 41 from the end 40A of the pad 40 in the described manner.
  • Then, on interrupting power to the drive member of the pusher 16 when the shutter makes contact with the shoulders 50, the element 28 emerges from the box casing 27 to enable the arms 29 to diverge and release the fins 19 from the arm 18. In urging the body 30 of the element 28 out of the cavity 33, the spring 34 also pushes the shutter 12 into a position such as to open the duct 8, ie to move the empty portions 12B of the shutter 12 into positions corresponding with those of the grille 11.
  • Advantageously, further springs 100 (fixed to the grille 11 and acting on the shutter 12) positioned along the guides 13 complement the action of the spring 34 and contribute to returning the shutter into the position in which it does not close the aperture 7.
  • Figure 4 shows a modified embodiment of the invention as an alternative to that described. In this figure (in which parts corresponding to those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals), there is no longer the element 28 associated with the box casing 27, but instead there are provided at least two parts 200 movable towards and away from each other by the action of small electromagnets 201 powered in known manner and arranged to cooperate with the fins 19 of the arm 18. At least one pair of such parts 200 is provided to retain the shutter 12 associated with the member 25 and maintain the duct 8 closed.
  • Advantageously, a plurality of such pairs can be provided to retain the arm 18 of the shutter 12 inserted to a greater or lesser extent in the box casing 27. In this manner said shutter can be halted in different positions along the aperture 7, which can then be variously restricted.
  • The springs 100 return the shutter 12 into the position in which it does not restrict the grille 11 when such restriction is no longer required.
  • This embodiment operates in the following manner.
  • The shutter is driven in the described manner against elastic elements provided along the guides 13. When the fins 19 of the arm 18 are within the box casing 27, the electromagnets 201 act on metal projections 202 associated with the parts 200, to cause these latter to approach each other and close the arm 18 between them in the manner of jaws.
  • On reversing the polarity of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnets 201 to allow the elastic elements acting on the shutter 12 to operate, the parts 200 open and the shutter 12 returns to its rest position.
  • By operating suitably in cascade on a plurality of elements 200 (if present), the shutter 12 can be moved from a position in which it completely closes the aperture 7 to a position in which it partly closes it.
  • Particular embodiments of the invention have been described.
  • However further embodiments are therefore possible.
  • In particular, the member 25 does not necessarily have to comprise the arms 29. In this case, the loading of the spring 34 enables this latter to return the shutter to a second working position (for example grille open) when the pusher acts on it the second time (in the manner already described). In this case, advantageously a second spring 270 (see Figure 2) acts on the end 14 of the shutter 12 to maintain it in contact with the member 25 when the shutter is in its first working position. This second spring, generating a force less than that of the spring 34, prevents undesirable grille movement due for example to vibration arising within the refrigerator during its use.

Claims (11)

  1. An refrigerator of forced air circulation type, comprising an air duct (8) opening via an aperture (7) into a freezer or refrigeration compartment (3), said aperture being provided with a shutter member (12) cooperating with drive means (16, 23) able to move the shutter member (12) from a first to a second working position, and elastically loadable return means (34, 100) for returning the shutter member (12) from said second to said first working position, characterised in that it comprises retention means (28,29;200,201) able to cooperate with the shutter member (12) for retaining it in its second working position.
  2. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 1, characterised in that the retention means (28,29;200,201) are able to be released by the drive means (16, 23).
  3. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 1, characterised in that the drive means is a pusher (16) associated with a resistor of positive or negative temperature coefficient and acting on a part (15) associated with one end (14) of the shutter member (12).
  4. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 1, characterised in that the return means comprise a body (30) movable within a fixed box casing (27) against elastic means (34), said body being able to assume at least two stationary positions relative to the box casing (27), with respect to which it moves.
  5. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 4, characterised in that the retention means comprise a gripper element (28) having elastically movable arms (29) and extending from the body (30) of the return means movable within a cavity (33) in the box casing (27) against the elastic means (34), said arms (29) projecting from said box casing (27) and cooperating with a projecting part (18) of the shutter member comprising engagement means (19) for engaging said elastic arms.
  6. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 5, characterised in that the engagement means of the projecting part (18) of the shutter member (12) are opposing fins (19) of substantially triangular shape.
  7. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 3, characterised by comprising sensor means (51) for sensing at least when the shutter member attains the position in which it closes the aperture (7) of the air duct (8), i.e. when it attains one of its two working positions.
  8. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 7, characterised in that the sensor means are microswitches (51) arranged on shoulders (50) provided in a position corresponding with the retention means (28,29).
  9. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 8, characterised in that the microswitches (51) are connected to a control unit connected to a thermostat (55) situated in the compartment (3) into which the duct (8) opens, said unit powering the resistor of positive or negative temperature coefficient.
  10. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 1, characterised in that the retention means are at least one pair of parts (200) mutually movable towards and away from each other and arranged to move orthogonally to a projecting part (18) of the shutter member (12), said movable parts being moved by electromagnets (201).
  11. A refrigerator as claimed in claimed 10, characterised by comprising a plurality of pairs of mutually movable parts (200) operating sequentially with and/or independently of each other, to obtain different degrees of closure of the air duct (8).
EP92116590A 1991-11-08 1992-09-29 Refrigerator of forced air circulation type with an air duct provided with a shutter member Expired - Lifetime EP0540873B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI912979A IT1251782B (en) 1991-11-08 1991-11-08 ACTUATOR DEVICE FOR THE MOVEMENT OF AN INTERCEPTION BODY OF AN AIR DUCT IN AN AIR-CIRCULATION TYPE REFRIGERATOR
ITMI912979 1991-11-08

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0540873A2 EP0540873A2 (en) 1993-05-12
EP0540873A3 EP0540873A3 (en) 1993-11-24
EP0540873B1 true EP0540873B1 (en) 1996-05-08

Family

ID=11361057

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92116590A Expired - Lifetime EP0540873B1 (en) 1991-11-08 1992-09-29 Refrigerator of forced air circulation type with an air duct provided with a shutter member

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0540873B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69210541T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2092609T3 (en)
IT (1) IT1251782B (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19806041A1 (en) * 1998-02-13 1999-08-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Food storage containers
KR101542962B1 (en) * 2013-09-09 2015-08-10 현대자동차 주식회사 Active air flap of vehicle
EP3191776A1 (en) * 2014-09-11 2017-07-19 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi A refrigerator comprising a humidity and temperature controlled compartment

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3645108A (en) * 1970-06-01 1972-02-29 Ranco Inc Air damper control for refrigerators
GB8410927D0 (en) * 1984-04-27 1984-06-06 Dixon International Ltd Ventilator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITMI912979A1 (en) 1993-05-08
ITMI912979A0 (en) 1991-11-08
ES2092609T3 (en) 1996-12-01
EP0540873A2 (en) 1993-05-12
EP0540873A3 (en) 1993-11-24
IT1251782B (en) 1995-05-24
DE69210541T2 (en) 1996-11-28
DE69210541D1 (en) 1996-06-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3617957A (en) Locking devices for washing machines or electromechanical appliances with bimetallic element
EP0453121B1 (en) Thermostat having a movable backstop
GB2101379A (en) Door-open alarm arrangement
US4635020A (en) Thermal-type over load relay
KR20200045798A (en) Refrigerator possible with open the door
EP0540873B1 (en) Refrigerator of forced air circulation type with an air duct provided with a shutter member
US4986173A (en) Electric bread toaster
US2911509A (en) Switch actuating device
US4518835A (en) Force responsive switch
US4111474A (en) Electrically operated door lock
CN108417446B (en) Electromagnetic switch energy-saving device
US5194839A (en) Electromagnetic relay assembly with test actuator
US4868529A (en) Circuit breaker armature latch with control leg
EP0600390B1 (en) Safety door lock structure particularly for washing machines with built-in electronic system
US2295456A (en) Control apparatus
KR102377618B1 (en) Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
US4224593A (en) Double-motion thermostat
US2511640A (en) Circuit controlling device
US3421131A (en) Thermostat assembly
KR102442380B1 (en) Refrigerator
US4553117A (en) Pneumatic timing attachment for an electromagnetic device
EP0896117B1 (en) Closure device for sliding leaves
US2486365A (en) Thermostatic switch
US3634801A (en) Bimetal-actuated snap action sequencing relay
EP0393597B1 (en) Contact device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19940502

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19941031

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69210541

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960613

ET Fr: translation filed
RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: WHIRLPOOL EUROPE B.V.

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2092609

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20000912

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20000925

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20000925

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20000927

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010929

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020501

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20010929

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20021011