RU2498169C2 - Refrigerating device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: heating.

SUBSTANCE: refrigerating device includes a product storage chamber divided into several compartments and a distributing channel that is connected in the flow direction to compartments for supply to them of cold air. The distributing channel includes at least one flow control that has the possibility of shutting off the cold air flow and its supply to one or more compartments. The distributing channel is divided with flow controls into several parts as per the number of compartments.

EFFECT: use of this invention allows reducing power consumption at variation of a load mode and provides effective operation with and without retractable drawers.

21 cl, 14 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration device comprising a food storage chamber divided into several compartments and a distribution channel communicated in flow with these compartments to supply a stream of cold air to them. More specifically, the invention relates to freezers and refrigerators with freezers, in particular, to vertical freezers with automatic defrosting, which are used for the preservation of food products and / or their storage.

As used herein, the term “freezer” (as well as “refrigerator with a freezer”) refers to refrigeration appliances operating at temperatures below 0 ° C, preferably between -5 ° C and -30 ° C; the term “with automatic defrosting” refers to refrigeration devices in which the products are cooled by cold air supplied to the cooling chamber by a forced ventilation system; while the circulating air is cooled by an evaporative heat exchanger or in the evaporator by heat exchange with a cooler refrigerant. In a vertical freezer or refrigerator with a freezer, the chamber door is located vertically.

An important aspect of the operation of these devices is the variability of the workload: the number of products stored in the freezer can vary significantly over one or several weeks. Typically, the freezer is completely filled with products immediately after purchase and gradually becomes empty within 1-2 weeks, so the operating conditions of the device at the beginning and end of this time period can change significantly.

Of course, the freezer and the refrigeration cycle are designed for the most difficult operating conditions, that is, for the presence of a large number of products in the refrigerator compartment.

When products occupy only a limited portion of the freezer, the refrigeration system works as if the freezer were completely filled with food. As a result, much more energy is consumed than is theoretically necessary for the proper storage of products.

The solution to this problem is described in document EP 320574 in the name of LIEBHERR-HAUSGERATE GmbH, which describes a refrigeration device comprising a compartment, in the upper part of which there is a cold air inlet channel, and a removable insulating wall separating the compartment into two different chambers. Moreover, each chamber contains drawers located at a distance from each other and from the rear wall of the compartment, creating gaps for the circulation of cold air coming from above. The insulating wall blocks the air flow through the compartment, as a result of which only the upper chamber is cooled.

The disadvantage of this solution is that if there are no drawers in the device, it is impossible to ensure proper air circulation in the chambers: if the chambers are empty, air will not enter the spaces between the drawers and will move in the chamber along a random path without uniform cooling of the products.

The objective of the present invention is to partially eliminate this drawback by creating a refrigeration device in the form of a freezer or a refrigerator with a freezer, which will reduce energy consumption when changing the load mode of the device and works equally efficiently with and without drawers.

This problem is solved in a refrigeration device comprising a food storage chamber divided into several compartments and a distribution channel in communication with the compartments for supplying cold air to them, while according to the invention, the distribution channel comprises at least one flow regulator configured to shut off a stream of cold air and supplying it to one or more compartments.

The features of the present invention are indicated in the attached claims, and these features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which the following is presented.

Figure 1 shows a freezer according to the present invention in a first mode of operation, when the entire interior is cooled, a side view in section;

figure 2 - the same in the second mode of operation, when the internal space is cooled only partially;

figure 3 - trellised flow regulator in the closed state, a side view in section;

figure 4 is the same in the open state;

figure 5 is a retractable flow regulator, a side view in section;

figure 6 - shutter flow control, side view in section;

7 is a freezer according to the present invention, containing more than two compartments, a side view in section;

on Fig - schematically shows the refrigeration device of figure 1 without drawers and with an additional evaporator, corresponding to one embodiment of the invention;

figure 9 - distribution channel corresponding to one of the options for its implementation, made in the form of a cavity in the rear wall;

figure 10 - distribution channel corresponding to another variant of its execution, made in the form of a tube of circular cross section, which is located behind the rear wall of the freezer compartment;

11 is a distribution channel in the form of a tube with a section in the form of a trapezoid, located behind the rear wall of the freezer compartment;

on Fig - distribution channel in the form of a tube of circular cross section located in front of the rear wall of the freezer compartment;

13 is an insulating wall provided with a flow regulator;

on Fig - insulating wall, equipped with a flow regulator, which is inserted into the distribution channel, a side view in section.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the inner space of the vertical freezer 1 consists of two compartments 2 and 3, separated by an insulating wall 4 of insulating material, for example, polystyrene, polyurethane foam, etc.

Studies have shown that appropriate thermal insulation is achieved with an insulating wall thickness of 40 mm to 60 mm, in particular 50 mm.

The insulating wall 4 can be integrated into the freezer 1 or removable, which simplifies its cleaning.

A conventional condensate collector (not shown) can be located on the underside of the insulating wall to allow condensate to drain from the insulating wall, connected via a drain pipe to the bowl located above the compressor.

Access to the two compartments 2 and 3 is through a single-leaf door 20 or two different doors.

In this example, each compartment 2 and 3 comprises drawers 5 of usual sizes and shapes adapted to accommodate products; however, compartments 2 and 3 may not contain drawers and, for example, be provided with shelves for supporting products without affecting the operation of the refrigeration device of the present invention, as will be discussed below.

The refrigerator provides automatic thawing of frost-free surfaces. As noted above, it contains an evaporator 6, which is part of the refrigeration unit, which cools the air flow created by the fan 8.

Figure 1 and 2 shows the distribution channel 7, made in the form of a system of tubes on the rear wall of the chamber.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8, the distribution channel is a cavity that is delimited by the rear wall 16 of the chamber and is in fluid communication with the compartments 2 and 3 through openings 11 and 11A.

The distribution channel 7 contains a flow regulator 9, shown in figures 1 and 2 in callouts on an enlarged scale.

To block the channel, the flow controller 9 is equipped with a valve 10, which in the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is made in the form of a partition that rotates around an axis perpendicular to the distribution channel 7. In this case, the flow of cold air can be delayed or it can pass from the upper part 71 to the lower part 72 of the distribution channel 7. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the flow controller 9 comprises an electromechanical valve (a so-called “shutter"), that is, a baffle that can rotate in district axis, as shown in figures 1 and 2, and is known in the field of household refrigeration. Such a “shutter” may be part of the insulating wall 4, which is connected to the distribution channel 7 so that the shutter can interact with the distribution channel 7, opening or closing its passage section. The damper is the preferred embodiment of the actuator, which can be very easily controlled electronically.

The baffle 4, shown in detail in FIG. 13, may comprise at least one section also provided with a flow regulator 90, similar to, for example, regulator 9. This regulator 90 allows cold air to pass along the return path 50 to the evaporator. The mentioned section is described in detail below.

The stream of cold air created by the fan 8 enters the distribution channel 7, from where it is evenly distributed in compartments 2 and 3 through the openings 11 and 11A, respectively.

The upper part 71 of the channel 71 communicates with the upper compartment 2, and the lower part 72 of the channel 7 with the lower compartment 3. Thus, in the first mode of operation shown in FIG. 1, the flow controller 9 is open, and both compartments 2 and 3 are cooled, and in the second mode of operation, shown in figure 2, the flow controller 9 is closed, and only the first compartment 2 is cooled.

It should be noted that the flow regulator 9 can be moved so that it covers the cross section of the channel 7 only partially: the flow rate of cold air supplied to compartment 3, and therefore the temperature in this compartment, depends on the degree of opening of regulator 9.

Thus, in the refrigeration device according to the present invention, there is a compartment (in the illustrated example, the upper compartment 2), which is always cooled by cold air coming from the evaporator 6, while the remaining compartments may not be cooled or cooled to other temperatures.

The flow regulator 90 located on the wall 4 is controlled in the same way as the flow regulator 9 in the distribution channel 7: when the second regulator closes the channel 7, the regulator 90 also closes the return air channel 50 for thermal insulation of two adjacent compartments. In addition, the flow controller 90 may partially open or close the passage section of the channel.

To understand the operation of the flow controllers, they are shown in a simplified form, but in reality the controllers are equipped with all the controls and drives for moving them from the closed position to the open. These controls and actuators can be made combined when, for example, the flow regulator is manually operated, or separate, when, for example, the shutter is moved by an actuator, such as an electric motor controlled by a user with a control element, for example, a button or lever.

The air circulation is shown by arrows: through the channel 7 of the freezer, directed downward, and along the door 20 - directed upward (air flows through the return channel 50, in which the flow regulator 90 mounted on the insulating wall is located). The air cooled by the evaporator 6 is supplied by the fan 8 to the upper part 71 of the channel 7, from where it enters the compartment 2 through the openings 11. If the flow regulator 9 is open, the remaining flow of cold air flows down to the second part 72 of the channel 7, and then to the lower compartment 3 through the corresponding holes 11A.

After the process of heat exchange between air and products, the air temperature increases slightly and it enters through the return channel 50 to the evaporator 6 for a new cycle; while the air moves due to forced circulation created by the fan 8. In a simple embodiment of the present invention, the return channel 50 is made in the form of a gap between the insulating wall 4 and the inner wall of the door. In another example, this gap is minimized and the return channel 50 is made in the form of a system of tubes in the dividing wall 4 connecting the compartment 3 with the compartment 2, which increases energy efficiency.

When both compartments 2 and 3 are cooled, the flow regulator 90 located on the insulating wall is open, and air from the lower compartment 3 rises above the insulating wall 4, returning to the evaporator.

If it is necessary to cool only the upper compartment 2, then the flow regulator 9 is closed to stop the downward flow of cold air, while the flow regulator 90 is also closed to prevent heat dissipation from the compartment 3.

It should be noted that to increase the compactness of the freezer 1, the channel 7, which is located independently of the compartments 2 and 3, is preferably located behind the rear wall 16 of the compartments opposite the door 20.

Obviously, the choice of the type of flow regulator 9, 90 does not greatly affect the reliability of the device in accordance with the present invention, since this element can be made in various ways, each of which has its own specific advantages.

Figure 3-6 shows some flow controllers, most preferred for placement in channel 7.

In particular, FIGS. 3 and 4 show in two modes of operation (closed and open) a regulator of the first type — a lattice flow regulator 9 ′, which is lightweight, cheap and easy to install.

This regulator is made of two overlapping grilles 10'A, 10'B, which can be moved parallel to each other, opening or closing the air channel (for simplicity, the air flow is indicated in arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4). In this case, the flow regulator can be easily actuated by hand.

Figure 5 shows a regulator 9 '' of a different type. In this case, the flow regulator consists of a conventional shutter 10 '', which moves perpendicular to the axis of the channel 7, blocking it. Such a flow regulator can be manufactured just as easily and at low cost.

Fig. 6 shows another type of flow regulator 9 ″ ″: this regulator is a throttle valve that includes a 10 ″ ″ valve of the same size as the channel 7 into which it is inserted. This flap can be rotated around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the channel 7, and in the above example is equipped with a drive 15, for example, a DC motor, which can be controlled using a button or similar devices. The actuator 15 rotates the shutter 10 ″, which opens or closes the passage section of the channel 7.

Flow regulators of this type, in particular, lattice regulators 9 ', can also be mounted on the wall 4 in the return air duct 50 leading to the evaporator 6. It is preferable to place these flow regulators in the front of the wall 4 near the door, as shown in Fig. 8 and 13.

Of course, instead of flow controllers of the above types, other equivalent solutions can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show a freezer 1 with only two compartments 2 and 3, the present invention can also be used in a refrigeration device with three or more compartments, which are cooled by cold air supplied to them through a distribution channel in communication with them flow. This channel contains at least one flow regulator to block the flow of cold air, which allows cooling one or more compartments.

7 shows a refrigeration device 1 'with automatic defrosting, containing three compartments 21, 22 and 23. From the distribution channel 7 of this device, cold air enters the compartments 21, 22 and 23, which is cooled by a heat exchanger and moved by a fan. The compartments have different volumes, while the compartments 21 and 23 are equipped with drawers 5, and in the compartment 22 there is no drawer. This does not adversely affect the operation of the device, since cold air actually enters the compartments 21, 22 and 23 through the openings 11, 11A and 11B, respectively, and the compartments 21, 22 and 23 are separated by insulating walls 4 and 40, similar to the insulating wall 4 described above .

In this embodiment, the distribution channel 7 is divided into three parts 71, 72, and 73, which communicate with the compartments 21, 22, and 23 through openings 11, 11A, and 11B, respectively. Between the various parts 71, 72 and 73 of the channel 7 are two of the above flow controllers 9 and 99. In this case, the refrigeration device 1 'also works with the only difference that with the help of the flow controllers 9 and 99, the user can choose to cool all the compartments or only two of them, i.e. the middle compartment 22 and the upper compartment 21, or only the upper compartment 21, depending on the number of stored products.

In addition, if the partitions are equipped with flow controllers 90, the latter will also be closed for thermal isolation of the refrigerated compartment (or compartments) from the uncooled compartment (or compartments), or compartments cooled differently, as will be described below.

It should be noted that with a sufficiently small distance between the insulating wall and the inner wall of the door 20, the flow regulator 90 can be excluded. Moreover, the only drawback is a slight loss of thermal insulation, when one of the two compartments 2, 3 is not cooled, and the advantage is the reduction in the cost of the refrigeration device.

The refrigeration device may also not contain drawers, as shown in FIG. It can be equipped, for example, with shelves, which does not adversely affect its work.

It is also advisable to install in each compartment sensors 30, 31 temperature and / or humidity to measure the operating parameters of each compartment.

If the flow regulator 9 installed in the channel and / or the flow regulator 90 mounted on the wall is equipped with electric drive mechanisms, then they can be controlled using information collected by sensors 30 and 31, in particular, sensor 31 (preferably temperature), which is located in the compartment 3. The cooling of this compartment depends on the opening of the distribution channel 7 by the flow regulator 9 depending on the parameters set by the user (such parameters may include, for example, a logical indicator, confirmation yuschy that the user wants to use the compartment 3, or an arbitrary temperature in the compartment 3 is defined by, for example, a conventional on-off button).

The refrigeration device may include a control panel connected to at least the sensor 31 and the drive mechanisms and having a user interface through which the above parameters can be set. When, depending on these parameters, the sensor 31 detects a certain temperature limit value, the drive mechanisms open or close the distribution channel 7 or increase or decrease its cross-section (as described above) to adjust the flow of cold air, and hence the temperature in the compartment 3. How shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, the distribution channel may be a conventional tube system with any cross section; for example, in FIG. 9, the distribution channel 7 ′ is a gap behind the wall 16 with an opening 11C; 10, the channel 7 ″ is a tube of circular cross section, which is located behind the rear wall 16 and communicates with the branches through holes 11D; 11, the channel 7 ″ ″ is a tube with a section in the form of a trapezoid, which is located behind the rear wall 16 and communicates with the branches through the outputs 11E; 12, the channel 7 ″ ″ is a circular tube that is located in front of the rear wall 16 and communicates with the compartments through the holes 11F (of course, the section of the channel 7 ″ ″ can be in the form of a square, rectangle or trapezoid).

Preferably, the flow controllers 9 and / or 99 are mounted on the side of the insulating walls 4, 40 facing the channel 7 in the assembled state. In this case, a hole is made in the channel 7 into which the flow regulator 9 is inserted, as shown in FIG. This figure shows a flow regulator 9 'of a trellised type, which is combined with an insulating wall 4. Of course, regulators of a different type can be used, but a trellised regulator 9' is preferable because it is very easy to install and can be interfaced best with non-circular channels, for example made in the form of a gap or having any non-circular section (as described above). If the control efficiency is prioritized by the ease of installation, then the lattice flow controller 9 'is preferably replaced by a “flap” of the type described above.

Studies have shown that with the walls 4, 40 of the refrigeration unit with two compartments fixedly mounted, shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferable to provide the following ratio of compartment volumes: the upper compartment should occupy about 60% of the total internal volume, and the lower compartment 40%

If the walls 4, 40 are movable, then they should be provided with sliding guides having, for example, the shape of ordinary ribs protruding from the side walls of the internal compartment of the device. In this case, the insulating wall 4, 40 is based on these ribs and can slide on them. The lateral edges of the insulating wall may be provided with a gasket or similar sealing means for thermal insulation.

Deflecting means can be installed in the openings 11 for supplying a stream of cold air to the compartments in a predetermined direction.

In addition, the evaporator 6 or fan 8, which in the illustrated example are located in the upper part of the refrigeration device 1, can be located in its lower part. In this case, the cold air moved by the fan first rises through the distribution channel, and then drops down to the evaporator and fan for a new cycle. Of course, the cooling of the upper compartment can be stopped while maintaining cooling of the lower compartment.

Preferably, the refrigeration device is a 1 ″ vertical automatic defrosting freezer in which the temperature of the entire interior is kept well below 0 ° C and electrical resistance 60 is located in the lower compartment 3 to warm the compartment to a temperature of 0 ° C to 10 ° C (an approximate arrangement of resistance is shown in Fig. 8). When the flow regulator 9 is open, the lower compartment 3 is cooled by cold air to a temperature of from -5 ° C to -30 ° C (usually to -18 ° C). If it is necessary to turn the lower compartment 3 into a refrigerator (i.e., operating at a higher temperature from 0 ° C to 10 ° C, usually 5 ° C) or an elevated temperature freezer, e.g. -12 ° C (this temperature is especially suitable to store products that are designed to be removed from the chamber after a short period of time, or some products, for example, ice cream, for which the usual freezing temperature is not recommended -18 ° C), it is enough to turn on the electrical resistance, which will generate heat, increasing the compartment temperature to the desired value (i.e., approximately -12 ° C or above 0 ° C, depending on the user's settings).

This solution allows you to get a refrigeration device that is equipped with one evaporator, adapted for freezers, and contains a compartment, the temperature of which can be maintained at ambient temperature or lowered to the temperature of a conventional freezer (i.e., essentially -18 ° C), high-temperature a freezer (i.e., substantially up to -12 ° C) or a refrigerator compartment (i.e., substantially up to temperatures above 0 ° C). Thus, this refrigeration device can operate in different conditions.

The above describes several advantages of the present invention, which is free from the disadvantages corresponding to known devices. The present invention is a refrigeration device with a wide range of operating modes, since it can be used both with drawers and without them, both at full power and at half power. In a preferred embodiment of this device, part of its internal volume can be converted into an uncooled compartment, a compartment cooled to temperatures from 0 ° C to 10 ° C (i.e. a refrigerator), or a compartment cooled to temperatures from -5 ° C to - 30 ° C (i.e. freezer). It should also be emphasized that the present invention provides modifications that are understandable to specialists in the field of household refrigeration. For example, the lower compartment 3 can be converted into a variable-temperature compartment by supplying it with a flow regulator 9 with several degrees of opening, each of which corresponds to a predetermined level of cooling power supplied to the compartment 3.

Although a vertical refrigerator is described in the above example, the present invention can be used in a horizontal refrigerator without further improvements.

Claims (22)

1. A refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1' ') containing a food storage chamber divided into several compartments (2, 3, 21, 22, 23) and a distribution channel (7) in communication with the compartments (2, 3, 21, 22, 23) for supplying cold air to them, and the distribution channel (7) contains at least one flow regulator (9, 99), configured to block the flow of cold air and supply it to one or more compartments (2, 3, 21, 22, 23), characterized in that the distribution channel (7) is divided by several flow regulators (9, 99) D (71, 72, 73) by the number of branches (2, 3, 21, 22, 23). 2. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1' ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the compartments (2, 3, 21, 22, 23) are separated by heat-insulating walls (4, 40). 3. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating wall (4, 40) contains at least one flow regulator (90) to block the flow of cold air flowing through return air duct (50) to the evaporator (6). 4. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution channel (7, 7', 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) is in communication with the compartments (2, 3, 2 ', 2A', 3 ') through the holes (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F). 5. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 2, characterized in that the flow controllers (9, 99) are located in the distribution channel (7), essentially at the level of the insulating walls (4, 40) . 6. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 5, characterized in that the flow controllers (9, 99) are combined with an insulating wall (4, 40) on the side facing the distribution channel (7), and in the channel (7) near the insulating wall (4, 40) there is at least one hole for installing flow controllers (9, 99) in it. 7. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 3, characterized in that the flow controllers (9, 99) installed in the distribution channel and / or flow controllers (90) mounted on the insulating wall ( 4, 40), made in the form of at least one valve (10, 10'A, 10'B, 10``, 10 ''), which can be installed in the closed position to block the flow of cold air and the open position for the flow of cold air. 8. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow controllers (9, 99, 90) further comprise actuators (15) and valve control means. 9. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuators and controls are integrated into the control handle to manually control the flow regulator. 10. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuators (15) are made in the form of a DC motor, and the controls are in the form of a button or lever. 11. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow regulator (9') is made in the form of a grill, and the valve is made in the form of two grilles (10'A, 10'B) having the ability to move parallel to each other to open or close the passage section of the channel. 12. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow regulator (9' ') comprises a shutter (10' ') that can be moved across the channel to open or close the passage section . 13. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow regulator (9' '') is made in the form of a throttle valve (10 '' ') mounted for rotation around an axis, perpendicular to the channel, for opening or closing the passage section of the channel. 14. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating walls (4, 40) of the chamber are movable to change the volume of the compartments. 15. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating walls (4, 40) are made of polyurethane foam and their thickness is from 40 mm to 60 mm, preferably 50 mm. 16. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1' ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution channel (7') is made in the form of an intermediate space behind the wall of the chamber. 17. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1' ') according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the distribution channel (7``, 7' '') is made in the form of a tube located behind the wall of the chamber. 18. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution channel (7' '' ') is made in the form of a tube located in the chamber. 19. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one temperature and / or humidity sensor (30, 31) for detecting temperature and / or humidity in each department (2, 3, 21, 22, 23). 20. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 19, characterized in that the flow controllers (9, 90, 99) are configured to open or close when at least one sensor has a limit value registered temperature and / or humidity. 21. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an electrical resistance (60) installed in one compartment for heating this compartment. 22. The refrigeration device (1, 1 ', 1``) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vertical freezer with automatic defrosting of frost-free surfaces.

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