EP3191776A1

EP3191776A1 - A refrigerator comprising a humidity and temperature controlled compartment

Info

Publication number: EP3191776A1
Application number: EP15734330.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samet AKAN; Ahmet Alptekin; Aydin Celik; Aytac Timucin ONCUL
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-09-11
Filing date: 2015-06-29
Publication date: 2017-07-19
Also published as: WO2016037719A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2) wherein the foodstuffs and beverages to be cooled; a compartment (3) disposed inside the body (2); a wall (4) that insulates the interior of the body (2) from the outside environment; an evaporator (5) that is disposed on the wall (4) and that provides the refrigeration of the body (2); an evaporator lid (6) disposed in front of the evaporator (5); more than one opening (7) that is arranged on the evaporator lid (6) and that faces the compartment (3); a valve (8) mounted on the evaporator lid (6) so as to cover the front of the openings (7); a frame (9) mounted on the valve (8) so that the valve (8) remains between the frame (9) and the evaporator lid (6), and at least one slit (10) that is arranged on the valve (8) and that opens/closes the openings (7) by sliding when the valve (8) is moved on the frame (9) and the evaporator lid (6).

Description

A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING A HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED COMPARTMENT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a humidity and temperature controlled compartment.
Refrigerators generally comprise compartments wherein foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables are placed and where the control of humidity and temperature is performed independently. In the state of the art, the use of axially and radially movable valves that control the flow of the air directed into the compartment and/or onto the surface thereof for changing the temperature of the compartment is known. However, the movable valves wear away in the course of time due to the friction force thereby causing noise and wear out in a short span of time. The refrigeration effectiveness inside the compartment decreases due to the valve wearing away.
In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US6073458, a refrigerator is disclosed, comprising a plate having outlet openings that are opened controllably by means of the panel that moves by sliding, whereon the plate is disposed.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator that is enabled to operate silently and wherein the refrigeration effectiveness of the humidity and temperature controlled compartments is increased.
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 body suitable for storing the foodstuffs and beverages to be cooled; a compartment that is disposed inside the body and that is thermally insulated from the body; a wall that insulates the body from the outside environment; an evaporator that is disposed on the wall and that provides the refrigeration of the body; an evaporator lid disposed in the front of the evaporator; more than one opening that is arranged on the evaporator lid and that enables the air cooled by means of the evaporator to flow towards the compartment; a valve placed on the evaporator lid so as to be aligned with the openings; a frame wherein the valve is seated, supporting the valve, and at least one slit that is arranged on the valve and that slides and displaces in front of the openings when the valve is moved.
The refrigerator of the present invention comprises more than one protrusion that remains between the valve and the evaporator lid when the valve is mounted on the evaporator lid and that decreases the surface area where the valve and the evaporator lid contact one another.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a bearing whereon the evaporator is placed, that is disposed on the evaporator lid. In this embodiment, the successive protrusions are arranged on the bearing and by means of the protrusions the surface area where the valve contacts the evaporator lid is decreased along the bearing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion is in conical or pyramidal form and provides point contact between the evaporator lid and the valve. Thus, the area where the movable valve is connected to the evaporator lid is kept at a minimum and the friction between the evaporator lid and the valve is decreased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve has the stroke value that is smaller than the distance between two successive protrusions. Thus, the movement of the slits is not limited due to the protrusions.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises more than one linear frame – valve contact extension that is arranged on at least two of the opposite sides forming the frame and that guides the valve situated thereon over the frame, thus facilitating the mounting of the valve to the frame.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame comprises at least one frame – valve contact extension that is disposed on the upper and/or lower side of the frame, that guides the valve and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the valve.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve comprises at least one valve – frame contact extension that is disposed on the upper and/or lower side of the valve and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the frame.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve comprises at least one valve – evaporator lid contact extension that is disposed on the upper and/or lower side of the valve and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the evaporator lid.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a motor – gear mechanism that is disposed between the evaporator lid and the frame and that provides the displacement of the valve.
The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a refrigerator.
Figure 2 – is the perspective view of an evaporator lid, a valve, a frame and a motor- gear mechanism.
Figure 3 – is the view of detail A in Figure 2.
Figure 4 – is the view of detail B in Figure 2.
Figure 5 – is the view of detail C in Figure 2.
Figure 6 – is the detailed view of the valve, the evaporator lid and the frame.
Figure 7 – is the schematic view of a wall and an evaporator.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Body
Compartment
Wall
Evaporator
Evaporator lid
Opening
Valve
Frame
Slit
Protrusion
Bearing
Frame-valve contact extension
Valve-frame contact extension
Valve-evaporator lid contact extension
Motor-gear mechanism

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2) wherein the foodstuffs and beverages to be cooled are placed; a humidity and temperature controlled compartment (3) disposed inside the body (2); a wall (4) that insulates the interior of the body (2) from the outside environment; an evaporator (5) that is disposed on the wall (4) inside the body (2) and that provides the refrigeration of the interior volume of the body (2); an evaporator lid (6) that is disposed in front of the evaporator (5) between the evaporator (5) and the compartment (3) and that enables the air cooled by the evaporator (5) to be directed into the body (2) and the compartment (3); more than one opening (7) that is arranged on the evaporator lid (6) and that faces the compartment (3); a valve (8) mounted on the evaporator lid (6) so as to cover the front of the openings (7); a frame (9) that is disposed over the valve (8) so that the valve (8) remains between the frame (9) and the evaporator lid (6), that is mounted on the evaporator lid (6) and that protects the valve (8), and at least one slit (10) that is arranged on the valve (8) and that opens/closes the openings (7) by sliding when the valve (8) is moved on the frame (9) and the evaporator lid (6). When the humidity and temperature controlled compartment (3) suitable for placing foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables is desired to be cooled, the valve (8) is moved and the air cooled by the evaporator (5) is enabled to flow onto the surface of the compartment (3) through the openings (7) and the slits (10) that partially or entirely open the front of the openings (7), allowing the passage of air in the desired amount. Furthermore, when required, the slits (10) are prevented from overlapping with the openings (7) by moving the valve (8) and the air flow into the compartment (3) is interrupted. The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises more than one protrusion (11) that is disposed on the evaporator lid (6) and that decreases the friction between the valve (8) and the evaporator lid (6) by contacting the valve (8). Since the valve (8) moves on the evaporator lid (6) by only bearing (12) against the protrusions (11) by means of the successive protrusions (11), the friction force between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8) is decreased and the valve (8) is enabled to easily make sliding movement on the evaporator lid (6) in the horizontal or vertical directions.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a bearing (12) whereon the valve (8) moves, that is situated below the openings (7), that extends from the evaporator lid (6) towards the compartment (3) and that supports the valve (8). In this embodiment, the protrusions (11) are arranged on the bearing (12) and decrease the contact area between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (11) is in conical or pyramidal form and provides point contact between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8). Thus, the contact area between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8) is kept at a minimum.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (11) is in form of a triangular prism and provides linear contact between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (11) is configured as a half cylinder. Thus, the friction force between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8) is decreased by means of the protrusion (11) of which the surface area is decreased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (11) is produced from material having low coefficient of friction. Thus, less friction force is generated during the movement of the valve (8) and the lifespan of the valve (8) is increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame (9) comprises at least one frame – valve contact extension (13) that is disposed on the lower and/or upper side thereof, that guides the valve (8) and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the valve (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve (8) comprises at least one valve – frame contact extension (14) that is disposed on its lower and/or upper side thereof and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the frame (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve (8) comprises at least one valve –evaporator lid extension (15) that is disposed on its lower and/or upper side thereof and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the evaporator lid (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises more than one linear frame – valve contact extension (13) that is disposed on at least two of the opposite sides forming the frame (9) and which facilitates the mounting of the valve (8) to the frame (9) by guiding the valve (8) on the frame (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a motor – gear mechanism (16) that is disposed between the evaporator lid (6) and the frame (9) and that provides the displacement of the valve (8).
By means of the protrusion (11) of the present invention, the friction force generated during the movement of the valve (8) is decreased by decreasing the contact area between the evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8). Thus, the valve (8) is prevented from being worn away in the course of time and creation of noise in the refrigerator (1) due to movement of the valve (8) is prevented.

Claims

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2) wherein the foodstuffs and beverages to be cooled are placed; a humidity and temperature controlled compartment (3) disposed inside the body (2); a wall (4) that insulates the interior of the body (2) from the outside environment; an evaporator (5) that is disposed on the wall (4) inside the body (2) and that provides the refrigeration of the interior volume of the body (2); an evaporator lid (6) that is disposed in front of the evaporator (5) between the evaporator (5) and the compartment (3) and that enables the air cooled by the evaporator (5) to be directed into the body (2) and the compartment (3); more than one opening (7) that is arranged on the evaporator lid (6) and that faces the compartment (3); a valve (8) mounted on the evaporator lid (6) so as to cover the front of the openings (7); a frame (9) that is disposed over the valve (8) so that the valve (8) remains between the frame (9) and the evaporator lid (6), that is mounted on the evaporator lid (6) and that protects the valve (8), and at least one slit (10) that is arranged on the valve (8) and that opens/closes the openings (7) by sliding when the valve (8) is moved on the frame (9) and the evaporator lid (6), characterized by more than one protrusion (11) that is disposed on the evaporator lid (6) and that decreases the friction between the valve (8) and the evaporator lid (6) by contacting the valve (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a bearing (12) whereon the valve (8) moves, that is situated below the openings (7), that extends from the evaporator lid (6) towards the compartment (3) and that supports the valve (8) and by the protrusion (11) that is disposed on the bearing (12) and that decreases the contact area between evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the protrusion (11) in conical or pyramidal form, that provides point contact between evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the protrusion (11) in the form of a triangular prism, that provides linear contact between evaporator lid (6) and the valve (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the protrusion (11) in the form of a half cylinder.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the protrusion (11) that is produced from material having low coefficient of friction.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one frame – valve contact extension (13) that is disposed on the lower and/or upper side of frame (9), that guides the valve (8) and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the valve (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one valve – frame contact extension (14) that is disposed on the lower and/or upper side of the valve (8) and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the frame (9).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one valve –evaporator lid extension (15) that is disposed on the lower and/or upper side of the valve (8) and that decreases friction by providing linear contact with the evaporator lid (6).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by more than one linear frame – valve contact extension (13) that is disposed on at least two of the opposite sides forming the frame (9) and that facilitates the mounting of the valve (8) to the frame (9) by guiding the valve (8) on the frame (9).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a motor – gear mechanism (16) that is disposed between the evaporator lid (6) and the frame (9) and that provides the displacement of the valve (8).