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WO2008026137A2 - Cold storage device - Google Patents

Cold storage device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008026137A2
WO2008026137A2 PCT/IB2007/053374 IB2007053374W WO2008026137A2 WO 2008026137 A2 WO2008026137 A2 WO 2008026137A2 IB 2007053374 W IB2007053374 W IB 2007053374W WO 2008026137 A2 WO2008026137 A2 WO 2008026137A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
doorframe
storage device
cold storage
door
led
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2007/053374
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008026137A3 (en
Inventor
Markus C. Vermeulen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Publication of WO2008026137A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008026137A2/en
Publication of WO2008026137A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008026137A3/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/04—Preventing the formation of frost or condensate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/30—Lighting for domestic or personal use
    • F21W2131/305—Lighting for domestic or personal use for refrigerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cold storage device, such as a refrigerator or freezer, comprising a doorframe and a door adapted to rest against the doorframe in its closed position.
  • a cold storage device such as a refrigerator or freezer
  • a cold storage device comprising a doorframe and a door adapted to rest against the doorframe in its closed position, characterized by at least one light emitting diode (LED) mounted to the doorframe such that heat generated by the LED(s) during operation of the LED(s) is conducted to the doorframe to prevent the door from freezing to the doorframe.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the invention is based on the understanding that instead of just being lost or otherwise deflected, heat generated by the LEDs can be used for heating the doorframe to prevent the door from freezing to the doorframe.
  • the LEDs are adapted to illuminate the interior of the refrigerator or freezer.
  • no dedicated heating elements are required, which decreases the power consumption.
  • mounting the LEDs to the doorframe is a simple procedure.
  • the doorframe should be made of a heat conducting material, such as aluminum.
  • Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a freezer according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the freezer of fig. 1.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a cold storage device 10, such as a refrigerator or freezer, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the cold storage device 10 comprises a central doorframe 12 (sometimes referred to as a mullion) and two doors 14. Each door 14 is adapted to rest against the front 16 of the doorframe 12 when the door 14 is closed. In figs. 1 and 2, the door to the left is opened and the door to the right is closed.
  • a gasket (not shown) may be provided between each door 14 and doorframe 12.
  • the cold storage device 10 further comprises a plurality of LEDs 18 mounted to the doorframe 12.
  • the LEDs 18 are adapted to illuminate the interior 20 of the cold storage device 10.
  • reflectors or mirrors 22 may be mounted at the back of the frame 12 to direct the light in desired directions, as indicated by exemplary ray traces 24.
  • the doorframe 12 comprises a heat conducting material, such as aluminum, for efficient heat transfer.
  • the doorframe 12 functions as a cooling surface for the LEDs 16, to keep the LEDs from overheating during operation.
  • the excessive heat transferred from the LEDs 16 to the doorframe 12 further causes the doorframe 12 to be heated, thereby preventing the doors 14 from freezing fast in the doorframe 12.
  • the LEDs 16 not only illuminate the cold storage device 10, but the heat generated by the LEDs 16 during illumination is also used to heat the doorframe 12 so that the doors 14 can be opened without difficulty.
  • the anti-door freeze functionality according to the invention may be used alone, or in combination with for example a known heating wire installed in the doorframe.
  • LEDs could as a complement or an alternative be placed on other parts of a circumferential doorframe of a freezer (i.e. not (only) on the mullion), such that heat generated by the LED(s) during operation of the LED(s) is conducted to these other parts of the doorframe to prevent the door from getting stuck to the doorframe due to freezing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cold storage device (10), such as a refrigerator or freezer. The cold storage device comprises a doorframe (12) and a door (14) adapted to rest against the doorframe in its closed position. The cold storage device is characterized by at least one light emitting diode (LED) (18) mounted to the doorframe such that heat generated by the LED(s) during operation of the LED(s) is conducted to the doorframe to prevent the door from freezing to the doorframe.

Description

Cold storage device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cold storage device, such as a refrigerator or freezer, comprising a doorframe and a door adapted to rest against the doorframe in its closed position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In cold storage devices such as freezers there is a risk that the door freezes to the doorframe, making it difficult to access the freezer. It can also cause damage to the door and/or doorframe if the door is opened by force. A common solution to this problem is to install a dedicated heating element in the doorframe, such as a heating wire, to avoid the door getting stuck. However, a drawback with this solution is that operating the heating elements requires extra energy.
Another solution is disclosed in the document JP5060459, wherein light from a light source is led via a long light guide into a channel in the doorframe where the light is converted to heat. However, a drawback with this solution is that providing the light guide and the channel in the doorframe is both unwieldy and expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem, and to provide an improved cold storage device with anti-door freezes functionality.
This and other objects that will be apparent from the following description are achieved by means of a cold storage device, such as a refrigerator or freezer, comprising a doorframe and a door adapted to rest against the doorframe in its closed position, characterized by at least one light emitting diode (LED) mounted to the doorframe such that heat generated by the LED(s) during operation of the LED(s) is conducted to the doorframe to prevent the door from freezing to the doorframe.
The invention is based on the understanding that instead of just being lost or otherwise deflected, heat generated by the LEDs can be used for heating the doorframe to prevent the door from freezing to the doorframe. Preferably, the LEDs are adapted to illuminate the interior of the refrigerator or freezer. Thus, no dedicated heating elements are required, which decreases the power consumption. Also, mounting the LEDs to the doorframe is a simple procedure.
Further, for effective heat transfer, the doorframe should be made of a heat conducting material, such as aluminum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This aspect of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a freezer according to an embodiment of the invention, and
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the freezer of fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a cold storage device 10, such as a refrigerator or freezer, according to an embodiment of the invention. The cold storage device 10 comprises a central doorframe 12 (sometimes referred to as a mullion) and two doors 14. Each door 14 is adapted to rest against the front 16 of the doorframe 12 when the door 14 is closed. In figs. 1 and 2, the door to the left is opened and the door to the right is closed. Optionally, a gasket (not shown) may be provided between each door 14 and doorframe 12.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the cold storage device 10 further comprises a plurality of LEDs 18 mounted to the doorframe 12. The LEDs 18 are adapted to illuminate the interior 20 of the cold storage device 10. To this end, reflectors or mirrors 22 may be mounted at the back of the frame 12 to direct the light in desired directions, as indicated by exemplary ray traces 24.
Further, heat generated by the LEDs 16 is conducted to the front of the doorframe or mullion 12, away from the interior 20 of the cold storage device 10, as indicated by arrows 26. To this end, the doorframe 12 comprises a heat conducting material, such as aluminum, for efficient heat transfer. Thus, the doorframe 12 functions as a cooling surface for the LEDs 16, to keep the LEDs from overheating during operation.
The excessive heat transferred from the LEDs 16 to the doorframe 12 further causes the doorframe 12 to be heated, thereby preventing the doors 14 from freezing fast in the doorframe 12. Thus, the LEDs 16 not only illuminate the cold storage device 10, but the heat generated by the LEDs 16 during illumination is also used to heat the doorframe 12 so that the doors 14 can be opened without difficulty.
The anti-door freeze functionality according to the invention may be used alone, or in combination with for example a known heating wire installed in the doorframe.
The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, LEDs could as a complement or an alternative be placed on other parts of a circumferential doorframe of a freezer (i.e. not (only) on the mullion), such that heat generated by the LED(s) during operation of the LED(s) is conducted to these other parts of the doorframe to prevent the door from getting stuck to the doorframe due to freezing.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A cold storage device (10), such as a refrigerator or freezer, comprising: a doorframe (12), and a door (14) adapted to rest against the doorframe in its closed position, characterized by: at least one light emitting diode (LED) (18) mounted to the doorframe such that heat generated by the LED(s) during operation of the LED(s) is conducted to the doorframe to prevent the door from freezing to the doorframe.
2. A cold storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one LED is adapted to illuminate the interior (20) of the cold storage device.
3. A cold storage device according to claim 1, wherein the doorframe is at least partly made of a heat conducting material, such as aluminum.
PCT/IB2007/053374 2006-08-31 2007-08-23 Cold storage device Ceased WO2008026137A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06119869.3 2006-08-31
EP06119869 2006-08-31

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008026137A2 true WO2008026137A2 (en) 2008-03-06
WO2008026137A3 WO2008026137A3 (en) 2008-06-26

Family

ID=39136344

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2007/053374 Ceased WO2008026137A2 (en) 2006-08-31 2007-08-23 Cold storage device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
TW (1) TW200821521A (en)
WO (1) WO2008026137A2 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009135243A1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2009-11-12 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co Kg Freezer
EP2159524A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-03 Panasonic Corporation Refrigerator
EP2111137A4 (en) * 2007-02-12 2013-03-06 Ge Lighting Solutions Llc Led lighting systems for product display cases
EP3532785A4 (en) * 2016-10-26 2020-07-01 Whirlpool Corporation REFRIGERATOR WITH ALL-ROUND LIGHTING
US11525617B2 (en) * 2019-10-15 2022-12-13 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Systems and methods for defrost lighting in refrigerated cases

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0560459A (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-03-09 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd refrigerator
WO2006067777A2 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-06-29 Nualight Limited Display cabinet illumination

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2111137A4 (en) * 2007-02-12 2013-03-06 Ge Lighting Solutions Llc Led lighting systems for product display cases
WO2009135243A1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2009-11-12 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co Kg Freezer
EP2159524A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-03 Panasonic Corporation Refrigerator
WO2010023926A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-04 Panasonic Corporation Refrigerator
US7905614B2 (en) 2008-08-27 2011-03-15 Panasonic Corporation Refrigerator
EP3532785A4 (en) * 2016-10-26 2020-07-01 Whirlpool Corporation REFRIGERATOR WITH ALL-ROUND LIGHTING
US11079171B2 (en) 2016-10-26 2021-08-03 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator with surround illumination feature
US11525617B2 (en) * 2019-10-15 2022-12-13 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Systems and methods for defrost lighting in refrigerated cases

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW200821521A (en) 2008-05-16
WO2008026137A3 (en) 2008-06-26

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