CN111406189A

CN111406189A - Vacuum insulation structure with thermal bridge circuit breaker with thermal loop

Info

Publication number: CN111406189A
Application number: CN201780097270.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 拉克什亚·J·德卡; 埃里克·J·赫尔德; 琳内·F·亨特; 刘华; 达斯丁·M·米勒; 迪普特什·慕克吉; 阿比安·奈克; 桑吉什·库马尔·帕塔克
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 2017-11-30
Filing date: 2017-11-30
Publication date: 2020-07-10
Also published as: US20210356195A1; WO2019108204A1; EP3717847A4; EP3717847A1

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a housing having an opening with a front edge. The inner container includes an opening and a front edge. A thermal bridge interconnects the housing and the inner bladder to form a vacuum insulated cavity between the housing and the inner bladder. The thermal bridge includes an outwardly open channel and first and second inwardly open channels. The front edge of the housing is received in the first inwardly open channel and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly open channel. The second inwardly open channel is inserted relative to the first inwardly open channel on the thermal bridge. A conduit is disposed in the outwardly open channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium. It is contemplated that the outer shell and the inner container are constructed of an electrically conductive material, such as sheet metal, and the thermal bridge is constructed of a heat resistant material, such as a polymeric material.

Description

Vacuum insulation structure with thermal bridge circuit breaker with thermal loop

Background

The present apparatus relates generally to thermal insulation structures and, more particularly, to a vacuum insulated refrigerated cabinet including a thermal bridge circuit breaker that includes a thermal circuit and interconnects an outer shell and one or more liners and cooperates with the liners to define a refrigerated storage compartment.

Various types of insulated freezer structures have been developed. One type of insulation structure includes an outer shell and an inner bladder. The outer shell and the inner bladder are generally spaced apart to form a cavity therebetween filled with an insulating material. In a vacuum insulated refrigerator construction, this cavity may be filled with a vacuum insulated core material. In order to maintain the vacuum, an airtight seal must be provided between the enclosure, the one or more internal bladders, and the thermal bridge circuit breaker. Furthermore, heat conduction between components of the refrigerator should be avoided in an attempt to reduce condensation.

Disclosure of Invention

In at least one aspect of the present concept, a refrigerator includes a case having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. The inner bladder includes a second opening and a second rim extending around the second opening. In assembly, the inner container is disposed inside the housing. A thermal bridge interconnects the outer shell and the inner bladder to form a cavity between the outer shell and the inner bladder. The thermal bridge includes a body portion having first and second channels opening in a first direction and a third channel opening in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first and second edges of the outer shell and the inner bladder are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. A conduit for a thermal circuit is received in the third channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium.

In at least another aspect of the present concept, a refrigerator includes a housing having an opening and a front edge extending around the opening of the housing. The liner includes an opening and a front edge extending around the opening of the liner. A thermal bridge interconnects the housing and the inner bladder to form a vacuum insulated cavity between the housing and the inner bladder. The thermal bridge includes a body portion having an outwardly open channel disposed at a front side of the thermal bridge and first and second inwardly open channels disposed at a rear side of the thermal bridge. The front edge of the housing is received in the first inwardly open channel of the thermal bridge and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly open channel of the thermal bridge. The second inwardly open channel is inserted relative to the first inwardly open channel on the thermal bridge.

In another aspect of the present concept, a refrigerator includes a case having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. The inner bladder includes a second opening and a second rim extending around the second opening. The thermal bridge includes a first portion having a first channel disposed thereon, and further includes a second portion extending inwardly from the first portion and having a second channel disposed thereon. The first and second channels are vertically and horizontally offset from each other, and the first and second edges are received in the first and second channels, respectively. The refrigeration compartment includes an exterior opening. The refrigerated compartment includes a front defined by the second portion of the thermal bridge and a rear defined by the inner liner. The second edge of the inner container is inserted from the external opening of the refrigerating compartment.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present apparatus will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator including a vacuum insulated cabinet structure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure of FIG. 2 when assembled;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 taken at line IV;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the thermal bridge taken from location V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the thermal bridge taken from location VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal bridge taken from location VII of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the thermal bridge of FIG. 5 with a portion of a conduit coupled thereto;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the thermal bridge of FIG. 6 with a portion of a conduit coupled thereto;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the thermal bridge of FIG. 7 with a portion of a conduit coupled thereto; and

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure of FIG. 3 with portions thereof shown in phantom to show conduit loops.

Detailed Description

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in fig. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2, which in the embodiment of FIG. 1 also includes a fresh food compartment 28 disposed above a freezer compartment 44. Doors 5 and 6 are provided to selectively provide access to the fresh food compartment 28, while drawer 7 is used to provide access to the freezer compartment 44. In assembly, the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 is enclosed by an outer enclosure 8. The configuration of the refrigerator 1 is exemplary only, and it is contemplated that the present concepts may be used with all refrigerator styles, including but not limited to double door refrigerators, full body refrigerator and freezer refrigerators, and refrigerators having an upper freezer compartment.

Referring now to fig. 2, the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 generally includes a thermal bridge 10. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the thermal bridge 10 or thermal circuit breaker includes a frame 12 having an upper opening 12A and a lower opening 12B with a mullion portion 14 disposed therebetween. Thermal bridge 10 also includes an upper portion 10A, a middle portion 10B, and a lower portion 10C. As described further below, the rear of the upper opening 12A of the thermal bridge 10 defines a front 28A of the refrigerated compartment 28 when the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 is assembled (fig. 3 and 4). Similarly, as described further below, when the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 is assembled, the rear of the lower opening 12B of the thermal bridge 10 defines a front 44A of the freezer compartment 44 (fig. 3 and 4).

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 2, the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 further includes a refrigerated interior 16 having a top wall 18, a bottom wall 20, opposed

side walls

22, 24 and a rear wall 26. When the evacuated insulated cabinet structure 2 is assembled (see fig. 3 and 4), the

walls

18, 20, 22 and 24 cooperate together to define a rear 28B of the refrigerated compartment 28. Refrigeration liner 16 also includes a front edge 30 disposed at a front portion thereof. The front edge 30 is disposed along the top wall 18, the bottom wall 20 and the

opposing side walls

22, 24 in a quadrilateral annular configuration.

As further shown in the embodiment of fig. 2, a freezing bladder 32 is provided that includes a top wall 34, a bottom wall 36,

opposing side walls

38, 40, and a back wall 42. When the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 is assembled (see fig. 3 and 4), the

walls

34, 36, 38 and 40 cooperate together to define a rear 44B of the freezer compartment 44. The rear wall 42 is shown in fig. 2 as a curved rear wall that provides a space S for receiving mechanical equipment 43 (fig. 4) for cooling both the fresh food compartment 28 and the freezer compartment 44. Such equipment may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a plurality of conduits, and other associated components for cooling the fresh food compartment 28 and the freezer compartment 44. As further shown in the embodiment of fig. 2, the freezer liner 32 includes a front edge 46 disposed at a front portion thereof. The front edge 46 is disposed along the top wall 34, the bottom wall 36 and the opposing

side walls

38, 40 in a quadrilateral annular configuration. In assembly, the front edge 30 of the refrigerated liner 16 and the front edge 46 of the frozen liner 32 define a first opening 31 and a second opening 47 configured to couple with coupling portions disposed about the upper opening 12A and the lower opening 12B of the thermal bridge 10, as described further below.

As further shown in fig. 2, the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 further comprises an outer enclosure 8 which, in the embodiment of fig. 2, comprises a top wall 50, a bottom wall 52, opposed

side walls

54, 56 and a rear wall 58 which cooperate to define a cavity 59. The housing 8 also includes a front edge 60 disposed along an opening 61 of the cavity 59, which opening is further disposed along the top wall 50, the bottom wall 52 and the opposing

side walls

54, 56 so as to be a peripheral foremost edge 60 of the outer housing 8 that is presented in a quadrilateral, annular configuration. In assembly, front edge 60 of outer housing 8 couples with the coupling portion of thermal bridge 10 surrounding

bladders

16, 32. In this manner, when assembled, the thermal bridge 10 interconnects the outer enclosure 8 with the refrigeration and

freezer bladders

16, 32. Further, when assembled, the refrigerating and freezing

bladders

16, 32 are housed within the cavity 59 of the outer casing 8 such that there is a spacing VC (fig. 3) between the outer surfaces of the refrigerating and freezing

bladders

16, 32 relative to the inner surface of the outer casing 8. In this manner, the spacing may be used to create a vacuum insulation cavity, as described further below.

The housing 8 may be made of sheet metal, polymer material, or other suitable material. For purposes of the present concept, it is contemplated that the housing 8 is made of sheet metal material formed using known steel forming tools and processes. Preferably, the refrigeration and

freezer bladders

16, 32 are also made of sheet metal material using known steel forming tools and processes.

The thermal bridge 10 may be formed of a material having a low thermal conductivity. For example, the thermal bridge 10 may be fabricated by thermoforming a sheet of thermoplastic polymer material. Thermal bridge 10 may be constructed of a substantially impermeable material such that oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and/or other atmospheric gases are sealed off from a vacuum cavity VC (fig. 3) defined in a space or gap formed between outer shell 8 and

inner bladders

16, 32 as discussed in more detail below. The thermal bridge 10 may comprise a plurality of layers, wherein the layers of polymer material are selected to provide impermeability to gases such that the thermal bridge 10 provides a gas-tight connection between the housing 8 and the

liner

16, 32, thereby allowing a vacuum to be maintained between the thermal bridge 10, the housing 8 and the

liner

16, 32 in the vacuum chamber VC (fig. 3). The thermal bridge 10 may also be formed of any suitable material that is substantially impermeable to gas to maintain the vacuum in the vacuum chamber VC. It is also contemplated that the material used to construct the thermal bridge 10 has a low thermal conductivity to reduce or prevent heat transfer between the metal can 8 and the

metal liner

16, 32, which have a high thermal conductivity. For use with the present concept, the thermal bridge 10 is preferably formed using a molding process, and in particular, may include a Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) process as described further below. In the RIM process, the thermal bridge 10 is likely to be formed in a mold using a polyurethane material. Other materials suitable for RIM processes may include, but are not limited to, polyurea, polyisocyanurate, polyester, polyphenol, polyepoxide, thermoplastic elastomer, polycarbonate, and nylon materials. Using the RIM process of the present concept, the thermal bridge 10 may be overmolded at its respective front edges 30, 46, 60 to the refrigeration liner 16, the freezing liner 32 and the outer shell 8. In this manner, the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 may be a unitary component after the thermal bridge 10 is cast onto the

front edges

30, 46, 60 of the

inner bladders

16, 32 and the outer shell 8. Thus, the thermal bridge 10 may be constructed entirely of a material having a low thermal conductivity (such as a glass, ceramic, or polymeric material), or may be constructed in part of such a material.

As shown in fig. 2, the front edge 30 of the refrigeration liner 16 includes linear portions disposed about the top wall 18, bottom wall 20, and opposing

side walls

22, 24 at the front thereof such that the front edge 30 of the refrigeration liner 16 is generally quadrilateral. As further shown in fig. 2, the front edge 46 of the freezing liner 32 includes a linear portion disposed about the top wall 34, the bottom wall 36 and the opposing

side walls

38, 40 at the front thereof such that the front edge 46 of the freezing liner 32 is also generally quadrilateral. As depicted in fig. 2, and as further shown in fig. 3, the combined profile of

bladders

16, 32 is preferably slightly less than the profile of outer shell 8. In this manner, when

bladders

16, 32 are disposed within cavity 59 of housing 8, a vacuum chamber VC (fig. 3) is formed within the space defined between

bladders

16, 32 and housing 8. The vacuum chamber VC is configured to contain an insulating material (not shown) that can be described as a vacuum core material. The vacuum core material may comprise a plurality of preformed individual core plates that are preformed and disposed between the skin 8 and the

bladders

16, 32 during assembly prior to installation of the thermal bridge 10. Alternatively, after the skin 8, the

bladders

16, 32, and the thermal bridge 10 are formed into a unitary composite structure, the vacuum core material may comprise silica powder or other suitable loose fill material inserted (e.g., blown) into the vacuum cavity VC.

As configured in assembly, the

front edges

30, 46 of the

liners

16, 32 are spaced from one another at their linear portions disposed along the bottom wall 20 of the refrigeration liner 16 and at their linear portions disposed along the top wall 34 of the freezing liner 32. Further, in assembly, the

front edges

30, 46 of the

liners

16, 32 disposed along the opposing

side walls

22, 24 and 38, 40 of the

liners

16, 32 and the top wall 18 of the refrigerated liner 16 and the bottom wall 36 of the frozen liner 32 are spaced from the linear portion defining the front edge 60 of the housing 8.

Referring now to fig. 3, when the vacuum insulated cabinet structure 2 is assembled, the thermal bridge 10 is connected to the front edge 60 of the outer shell 8 and further to the front edge 30 of the refrigerated liner 16 and the front edge 46 of the frozen liner 32, thereby interconnecting the components. In this manner, thermal bridge 10 interconnects outer shell 8 and

inner bladders

16, 32. When the refrigerator 1 (fig. 1) is in use, the outer shell 8 is typically exposed to ambient room temperature air, while the

inner shells

16, 32 are typically exposed to cooling air in the fresh food compartment 28 or freezer compartment 44. Since thermal bridge 10 is made of a substantially non-thermally conductive material, thermal bridge 10 reduces the transfer of heat from enclosure 8 to

bladders

16, 32.

The thermal bridge 10 may include linear portions interconnected to form an annular structure having a quadrilateral perimeter or outer coupling portion 62 and quadrilateral

inner coupling portions

64, 66. The

interior coupling portions

64, 66 define an upper opening 12A and a lower opening 12B defined by the

front edges

30, 46 of the refrigerated and

frozen liners

16, 32 of the cabinet structure 2 that generally correspond to the

openings

31, 47. In assembly, the external coupling portion 62 is coupled to the front edge 60 of the housing 8. Further, the

inner coupling portions

64, 66 are disposed inside the outer coupling portion 62 and are retracted therefrom, as further described below. In assembly, the

inner coupling portions

64, 66 are coupled to the

front edges

30, 46 of the refrigerated and

frozen liners

16, 32, respectively. It is to be understood that the thermal bridge 10 can have a variety of shapes and configurations as may be desired for a particular application, and further it is contemplated that the thermal bridge 10 can be used in a refrigerator having multiple liners (as shown in fig. 2 with a refrigerated liner 16 and a freezer liner 32) or in a refrigerator having a single liner that is used only as a cooler or freezer.

Referring now to fig. 4, the refrigerator 1 is shown in cross-section with the refrigeration and freezing

liners

16, 32 coupled to the thermal bridge 10 at the upper and

lower openings

12A, 12B, respectively. Furthermore, the housing 8 is also coupled to a thermal bridge 10, such that the thermal bridge 10 interconnects the housing 8 with the refrigeration liner 16 and the freezing liner 32. In particular, thermal bridge 10 of the present concept is coupled to

inner bladders

16, 32 and outer casing 8 so as to hermetically seal the assembly as a whole together, as shown in FIG. 3. In the cross-sectional view of fig. 4, the thermal bridge 10 is shown as defining a front 28A of the refrigeration compartment 28, while the refrigeration liner 16 defines a rear 28B of the refrigeration compartment 28. The mating joint between the refrigeration liner 16 and the thermal bridge 10 is identified at 29. Further, in the cross-sectional view of fig. 4, the thermal bridge 10 is shown as defining a front portion 44A of the freezer compartment 44, while the freezer liner 32 defines a rear portion 44B of the freezer compartment 44. The mating joint between the freezing liner 32 and the thermal bridge 10 is identified at 45. With the thermal bridges 10 providing the

front portions

28A, 44A of the refrigerating compartment 28 and the freezing compartment 44, respectively, the metallic material of the

cooling liners

16, 32 is inserted from the surfaces of the refrigerator exposed to the ambient room temperature, such as the sealing surfaces of the metal casing 8 and the thermal bridges 10. In this manner, the configuration of thermal bridge 10 isolates the highly conductive metallic material of

inner containers

16, 32 from the areas most susceptible to conductive heat. The overall construction of the thermal bridge 10 is further described below.

Referring now to fig. 5, there is shown an upper portion 10A of the heat bridge 10 having a main body portion 70 with a forwardly facing front sealing surface 72 and inwardly projecting extensions 74, the front sealing surface 72 being a generally vertical forwardly facing sealing surface that provides a substantially flat surface for the sealing member of the door, such as doors 5 and 6 shown in fig. 1 above, to seal when closed, the inwardly projecting extensions 74 of the main body portion 70 of the heat bridge 10 projecting in a substantially horizontal manner at the upper portion 10A of the heat bridge 10 and providing a substantially flat surface defining the front 28A of the refrigerated compartment 28, as shown in fig. 3 in this manner, the main body portion 70 of the heat bridge 10 includes a first portion (outwardly facing upright sealing surface 72) and a second portion (inwardly projecting extensions 74 extending normal to the upright sealing surface 72) to provide an integral L-shaped main body portion 70, the inwardly projecting extensions 74 are disposed around the entire upper opening 12A of the heat bridge 10 to extend from the side of the refrigerated compartment 28, the entire upper opening 3572A of the heat bridge extends around the entire upper opening 12A of the refrigerated compartment 28, thus defining the entire heat bridge 10, the entire upper opening 12, the upper opening of the heat bridge 10 defining the interior opening, and the upper opening 28, the entire L, the upper opening defining the upper portion 72, the upper portion, and the upper.

The body portion 70 of the thermal bridge 10 is configured such that the outer coupling portion 62 is disposed outside of the inner coupling portion 64. Along the upper portion 10A of the thermal bridge 10, the outer coupling 62 is specifically disposed above the inner coupling 64. The external coupling portion 62 is disposed on the rear side 72B of the sealing surface 72 and includes a first channel 67 that opens inwardly. As shown in fig. 5, the front edge 60 of the housing 8 is received in the first channel 67. In the embodiment of fig. 5, the outwardly opening channel 68 is shown disposed on the front side 72A of the sealing surface 72. The outwardly opening channel 68 is configured to receive a conduit for a thermal circuit, as further described below with particular reference to fig. 8.

As further shown in fig. 5, the inner coupling portion 64 includes a second channel 69, which is very similar to the first channel 67, is provided on the rear side 72A and opens inwardly. As shown in fig. 5, the front edge 30 of the refrigeration container 16 is received in the second channel 69 of the thermal bridge 10. Thus, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 5, thermal bridge 10 extends through the gap or vacuum cavity VC between enclosure 8 and refrigeration liner 16 to interconnect enclosure 8 and refrigeration liner 16. The body portion 70 of the thermal bridge 10 includes a first channel 67 and a second channel 69 that open inwardly in a first direction, and further includes a third channel, an outwardly opening channel 68 that opens outwardly in a second direction opposite or opposite the first direction. The front edges 60, 30 of the outer shell 8 and the refrigeration liner 16 are disposed in the first and

second channels

67, 69, respectively.

As further shown in fig. 5, the external coupling portion 62 is disposed at the upper portion 10A of the thermal bridge 10 along an upper portion of the sealing surface 72 of the body portion 70 of the thermal bridge 10. Thus, the outer coupling part 62 and its channel 67 are outside the inner coupling part 64 and its channel 69. Further, the inner coupling portion 64 is staggered or offset relative to the outer coupling portion 62. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, when the inner coupling portion 64 is disposed on the end of the inwardly projecting extension 74 of the body portion 70 of the thermal bridge 10, the inner coupling portion 64 and its channel 69 are disposed inside and below the outer coupling portion 62 and its channel 67.

As further shown in fig. 5, the front edge 60 of the housing 8 may include an angled transverse wall 76 and an end flange portion 78 that is received in the first channel 67 of the external coupling portion 62 of the thermal bridge 10. The angle of the transverse portion 76 of the housing 8 allows the top wall 50 of the housing 8 to be flush with the outer surface 80 of the thermal bridge 10 when the end flange portion 78 is received in the first channel 67 of the external coupling portion 62 of the thermal bridge 10. It is contemplated that the end flange portion 78 is a portion of the front edge 60 of the housing 8 that is received in the first channel 67 to provide a surface for attaching the external coupling portion 62. This interconnection may include an adhesive or sealant medium disposed in the first channel 67 to bond the components together in an airtight manner to maintain a vacuum between the thermal bridge 10 and the outer shell 8 and inner bladder 16 in the vacuum insulation cavity VC. Similarly, the refrigeration bladder 16 includes an angled transverse portion 82 that extends out of the top wall 18 thereof and opens into an end flange portion 84 that is received in the second channel 69 of the inner coupling portion 64. The angle of transverse portion 82 of refrigeration bladder 16 allows the inner surface of top wall 18 to align with inwardly projecting extensions 74 of thermal bridge 10. With the front edge 30 of the refrigeration bladder 16 received in the second channel 69 of the inner coupling portion 64, the end flange portion 84 provides a surface for the thermal bridge 10 to adhere to the refrigeration bladder 16. This interconnection may include an adhesive or sealant medium disposed in the second channel 69 to adhere the components together in an airtight manner to maintain a vacuum between the thermal bridge 10 and the outer shell 8 and inner bladder 16 in the vacuum insulation chamber VC.

Thus, in the configuration of the thermal bridge 10 shown in fig. 5, the front edge 60 of the outer shell 8 is not only spaced from the front edge 30 of the refrigeration liner 16 so as to be outside or outboard of the front edge 30 of the refrigeration liner 16 (as indicated by arrow D3), but is also laterally offset from the front edge 30 of the refrigeration liner 16 (as indicated by arrow D2). This is generally due to the thermal bridge 10 having a staggered configuration of the external coupling portion 62 (and its first channel 67) with respect to the internal coupling portion 64 (and its second channel 69) for respectively receiving the front edge 60 of the outer enclosure 8 and the front edge 30 of the refrigeration liner 16. The first channel 67 is inset a distance D1 from the sealing surface and a distance D3 outboard of the second channel 69. The second channel 69 is inset from the sealing surface by a distance D2, which distance D2 is greater than the distance D1 defined between the sealing surface 72 and the first channel 67, as described above. This offset configuration also exists between the outer shell 8 and the freezing liner 32, as described further below. Thus, the thermal bridge 10 includes a first portion defined by the sealing surface 72 on which the first channel 67 is disposed. The thermal bridge 10 further includes a second portion defined by an inwardly projecting extension 74 that extends inwardly from the sealing surface 72 and includes a second channel 69 disposed at a distal end thereof. The first and

second channels

67, 69 are vertically and horizontally offset from each other such that the staggered configuration of the

channels

67, 69 is disposed around the entire upper opening 12A of the thermal bridge 10.

The distances shown in fig. 5 may include certain parameters within the ranges indicated below. However, the scope of the present concept is not limited to these ranges. For example, the outer surface 72A of the sealing surface 72 may be about 20mm to provide a substantial surface against which the door seals. The distance D3 measuring the offset between the first channel 67 and the second channel 69 may be about 12 mm. Distance D2 may be about 70mm such that inwardly projecting extensions 74 provide a substantial amount of polymer front 28A for refrigerated compartment 28. Further, the first channel 67 and the second channel 69 may be spaced about 57mm from each other on a direct path measured therebetween.

Referring now to fig. 6, the middle portion 10B of the thermal bridge 10 is shown having an inner coupling portion 64 disposed above an inner coupling portion 66. As described above, inner coupling portion 64 is configured to receive front edge 30 of refrigerated liner 16 at channel 69 thereof, as shown in fig. 6. As further described above, the inner coupling portion 66 is configured to receive the front edge 46 of the freezer bladder 32 at the channel 69A thereof, as shown in fig. 6. The inner coupling portion 66 is interconnected with the inner coupling portion 64 by a trim component 72C, which may be a removable trim component for the thermal bridge 10, and which serves to seal the lower portion of doors (such as doors 5 and 6 shown in fig. 1) and the upper portion of drawers (such as drawer 7 shown in fig. 1) from the thermal bridge 10. At the middle portion 10B, the thermal bridge 10 includes an upper outwardly open channel 65A and a lower outwardly open channel 65B. The decorative member 72C includes an inwardly curved upper leg 72D and a lower leg 72E that are received in the upper outwardly open channel 65A and the lower outwardly open channel 65B, respectively.

As further shown in fig. 6, the inner coupling portion 64 is disposed above the inner coupling portion 66. Further, the inner coupling portions 64 are not staggered or offset relative to the inner coupling portions 66, but are aligned with one another. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the refrigerated liner 16 includes a transverse portion 82 extending from the bottom wall 20 thereof and leading to an end flange portion 84 that is received in the second channel 69 of the inner coupling portion 64. Thus, the transverse portion 82 of the refrigeration liner 16 is disposed around the entire opening 31 of the refrigeration liner 16 at the top wall 18, the bottom wall 20 and the opposing

side walls

22, 24 at the front thereof. The end flange portion 84 is also disposed completely around the refrigerated interior 16, extends outwardly from the transverse portion 82 and defines a surface for adhesive engagement with the second channel 69 of the inner coupling portion 64 of the thermal bridge 10.

Similarly, the freezing bladder 32 includes a transverse portion 92 that extends out of the top wall 34 thereof and opens into an end flange portion 94 received in the inner coupling portion 66. Similar to the refrigeration liner 16, the transverse portion 92 of the freezing liner 32 is disposed around the entire opening 47 of the freezing liner 32 at the top wall 34, the bottom wall 36 and the opposing

side walls

38, 40 at the front thereof. The end flange portion 94 is also disposed completely around the freezing bladder 32, extends outwardly from the transverse portion 92 and defines a surface for adhesive engagement with the channel 69A of the inner coupling portion 64 of the thermal bridge 10.

Referring now to fig. 7, the lower portion 10C of the thermal bridge 10 is shown having an outer coupling portion 62 disposed below an inner coupling portion 66. The outer coupling portion 62 is interconnected with the inner coupling portion 66 by a body portion 70 having an upright portion 72 and a horizontal portion 74. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner coupling portion 66 is offset or shifted relative to the outer coupling portion 62 by the distances shown by arrows D2 and D3. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the inner coupling portion 66 is disposed inside and above the outer coupling portion 62 when disposed on the end of the inwardly projecting extension 74 of the body portion 70 of the thermal bridge 10. Thus, the staggered configuration of the outer and

inner couplings

62, 66 is similar to the staggered configuration of the outer and

inner couplings

62, 64 shown in fig. 5. In this manner, the front edge 60 of the outer shell 8 is not only spaced from the front edge 46 of the freezing liner 32 so as to be outboard of the front edge 46 of the freezing liner 32, but is also laterally offset outwardly from the front edge 46 of the freezing liner 32. Similarly, the thermal bridge 10 includes a staggered configuration of the outer coupling portion 62 relative to the inner coupling portion 66 to accommodate the front edge 60 of the outer shell 8 and the front edge 46 of the freezing bladder 32.

Thus, as shown in fig. 5-7, the

end flange portions

84 and 94 of the refrigeration and freezing

bladders

16 and 32, respectively, are disposed inside the end flange portion 78 of the housing 8, taking into account the inwardly projecting extensions 74 of the thermal bridge 10. All of the

end flange portions

78, 84, and 94 include inner and outer surfaces that may include a plurality of engagement features, such as the engagement feature 90 shown in fig. 7, disposed on the end flange portion 78 of the housing 8. It is contemplated that the engagement features 90 shown in fig. 7 are outwardly extending dimples and can be provided on both sides of a front edge, such as the front edge 84 of the refrigeration liner 16 shown in fig. 9. Dimples may also be located on the inner profile of

channels

67 and 69A. By such undulations on the opposing contact surfaces of

end flange portions

78, 84, and 94, a better engagement between housing 8,

bladders

16, 32, and thermal bridge 10 is provided to ensure that a vacuum can be drawn and maintained in vacuum chamber VC between housing 8,

bladders

16, 32, and thermal bridge 10. The engagement features 90 also provide centering features for the

front edges

78, 84 and 94 of the housing 8, the refrigeration liner 16 and the freezing liner 32 to center the

edges

78, 84 and 94 within the

channels

67, 69 and 69A.

Referring now to fig. 8, the thermal bridge 10 is shown along its upper portion 10A. In the outwardly opening channel 68 provided along the sealing surface 72 of the thermal bridge 10, the conduit 100 is shown positioned therein. The conduit 100 contains a continuous loop of tubing 102 that is routed through the refrigerator 1 (fig. 1), as best shown in fig. 11. The conduit 100 may be referred to as a thermal circuit, a Yoder circuit, or a condenser circuit, but is not limited by the term "circuit" to any one shape or configuration. Conduit 100 circulates or otherwise conveys a heated medium, such as heated refrigerant produced by mechanical apparatus 43 (fig. 4 and 11) as mechanical apparatus 43 cools

compartments

28 and 44. The heated refrigerant contained and delivered through the tubes 102 of the conduit 100 provides an "anti-dewing" feature to help prevent condensation that may occur when the cold surfaces of the

compartments

28 and 44 are exposed to the ambient air in which the refrigerator 1 is disposed. This warm and humid air can cause condensation to form along the sealing surface 72 of the thermal bridge 10. The circulating heated refrigerant of conduit 100 provides a mitigating factor against the build-up of condensation at sealing surface 72.

As shown in particular in fig. 8, the duct 100 is located in an outwardly open channel 68 configured to extend around the entire perimeter of the refrigerator 1, as best shown in fig. 11. The catheter 100 may be held in the outwardly open channel 68 using an adhesive material. The duct 100 is placed in the outwardly opening channel 68 such that the duct 100 can circulate the heated refrigerant into the refrigerated compartment 28 near the opening 12A. It is contemplated that the outwardly opening channel 68 and its conduit 100 are disposed in the refrigerated compartment 28 at about 12mm from the opening 12A. However, the scope of the present concept is not limited to such an embodiment.

Referring now to fig. 9, a conduit 100 is located in the outwardly open channel 68 along the side of the refrigerator 1. The middle portion 104 of the duct 102 of the conduit 100 passes annularly through the mullion portion 14 of the thermal bridge 10 along the trim piece 72C connecting the upper and lower outwardly

open channels

65A, 65B. With the portion 104 of the conduit 100 extending through the mullion portion 14, the

openings

12A, 12B of the thermal bridge 10 are completely surrounded by the conduit 100, as best shown in FIG. 11.

Referring now to fig. 10, the duct 100 is located in the outwardly opening channel 68 configured to extend around the entire perimeter of the refrigerator 1 as described above, as best shown in fig. 11. Conduit 100 is also shown having a return portion 107 located in a channel 108 formed in the lower portion 10C of thermal bridge 10. The return portion 107 is envisaged to extend the conduit 100 back into the compartment S of the refrigerator 1 in which the cooling device 43 is housed, as best shown in figure 11.

Referring now to fig. 11, a conduit 100 is located in the outwardly opening channel 68 (see fig. 8-10) of the thermal bridge 10 around the entire refrigerator 1. The middle portion 104 of the conduit 102 of the conduit 100 is shown overlying the mullion portion 14 of the thermal bridge 10. Thus, the duct 100 completely surrounds the

openings

12A and 12B of the thermal bridge 10 leading to the refrigerating compartment 28 and the freezing compartment 44, respectively. Furthermore, the return portion 107 is shown as extending the conduit 100 back to the space S of the refrigerator 1 housing the cooling device 43 that generates heated refrigerant for circulation within the conduit 100.

It should be understood that any of the described processes or steps may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present apparatus. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It should also be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present apparatus, and further, it should be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications to the apparatus will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the apparatus. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the apparatus, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a housing having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening;

a liner having a second opening and a second rim extending around the second opening, wherein the liner is disposed inside the housing;

a thermal bridge interconnecting the housing and the inner bladder to form a cavity therebetween, wherein the thermal bridge includes a body portion having first and second channels that open in a first direction and a third channel that opens in a second direction opposite the first direction, and further wherein the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively; and

a conduit housed in the third channel, wherein the conduit is configured to circulate a heated medium.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cavity between the inner bladder and the outer shell is a vacuum insulated cavity.

3. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the third channel and the conduit surround the first opening and the second opening.

4. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thermal bridge comprises a sealing surface, and further wherein the first channel and the third channel are disposed on opposite sides of the sealing surface.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the thermal bridge includes an inwardly projecting extension, and further wherein the second channel is disposed on an end of the inwardly projecting extension.

6. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conduit comprises a conduit configured to circulate heated refrigerant therethrough.

7. A refrigerator, comprising:

a housing having an opening and a front edge extending around the opening of the housing.

A liner having an opening and a front edge extending around the opening of the liner; and

a thermal bridge interconnecting the outer shell and the inner bladder to form a vacuum insulated cavity between the outer shell and the inner bladder, wherein the thermal bridge includes a body portion having an outwardly open channel disposed on a front side of the thermal bridge and first and second inwardly open channels disposed on a rear side of the thermal bridge, wherein the front edge of the outer shell is received in the first inwardly open channel and the front edge of the inner bladder is received in the second inwardly open channel, and further wherein the second inwardly open channel is inset relative to the first inwardly open channel.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the housing is constructed of sheet metal material.

9. The refrigerator of any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the inner container is constructed of sheet metal material.

10. The refrigerator of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the thermal bridge is constructed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the sheet metal material of the outer shell and the inner container.

11. The refrigerator of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the front edge of the outer shell includes a plurality of engagement features disposed thereon.

12. The refrigerator of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the front edge of the inner container includes a plurality of engagement features disposed thereon.

13. The refrigerator of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the front side of the thermal bridge defines a forward facing sealing surface.

14. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 10, comprising:

a conduit housed in the outwardly open channel, wherein the conduit is configured to convey a heated medium.

15. A refrigerator, comprising:

a bladder having a second opening and a second rim extending around the second opening;

a thermal bridge having a first portion with a first channel disposed thereon, the thermal bridge further comprising a second portion extending inwardly from the first portion and having a second channel disposed thereon, wherein the first and second channels are vertically and horizontally offset from one another, and further wherein the first and second edges are received in the first and second channels, respectively; and

a refrigerator compartment having an exterior opening, wherein the refrigerator compartment includes a front defined by the second portion of the thermal bridge and a rear defined by the inner liner, wherein the second edge of the inner liner is inserted from the exterior opening of the refrigerator compartment.

16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the housing is constructed of sheet metal material.

17. The refrigerator of any one of claims 15 and 16, wherein the inner container is constructed of sheet metal material.

18. The refrigerator of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the thermal bridge is comprised of a polymeric material.

19. The refrigerator of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the first portion of the thermal bridge defines an upstanding sealing surface for the refrigerator, and further wherein the second portion of the thermal bridge includes an inwardly projecting extension extending orthogonal to the upstanding sealing surface.

20. The refrigerator of claim 19, comprising:

an outwardly open channel disposed on an opposite side of the upright sealing surface relative to the first inwardly open channel; and

a conduit housed in the outwardly opening channel, wherein the conduit is configured to house a heated medium.