WO2009065200A1

WO2009065200A1 - Refrigeration unit and refrigeration system

Info

Publication number: WO2009065200A1
Application number: PCT/BR2008/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciana Wasnievski Da Silva; Taciani Meurer Duarte; Jackson Braz Marcinichen
Original assignee: Whirlpool SA; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Current assignee: Whirlpool SA; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Priority date: 2007-11-23
Filing date: 2008-11-21
Publication date: 2009-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-23
Also published as: BRPI0704213A2

Abstract

The present invention discloses a mobile refrigerating unit having a constructive arrangement which, when associated with a refrigeratable cabinet, constitutes a wall of the completely formed refrigerating combination. Said constructive arrangement is provided by a refrigeration unit (100) directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet (200), the refrigeration unit (100) comprising at least a refrigerating circuit externally enclosed by a substantially closed box (109), and the longitudinal extension of the box (109) substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) and the transversal extension of the box (109) substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200). The present invention also discloses a refrigerating system (300) having a refrigeratable cabinet (200) associable to a refrigeration unit (100), the refrigeration unit (100) comprising at least a refrigerating circuit, and the refrigeratable cabinet (200) comprises at least an associable opening (205) adapted to accommodate the refrigeration unit (100).

Description

"REFRIGERATION UNIT AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEM".

The present invention discloses a mobile refrigerating unit which, when associated with a refrige ratable cabinet, constitutes a wall of the formed combination. Said refrigerating unit is capable of refrigerating the internal portion of the refrige ratable cabinet in a uniform and controlled manner and, additionally presents a constructive arrangement that permits the optimization of the total space occupied by the combination without compromising its useful inner space.

The present invention also discloses a refrigerating system that comprises the refrigerating unit mentioned above. Description of the State of the Art

Known refrigerating units (modules) currently present a constructive arrangement such that when they are installed in compatible refrigerating cabinets, they add a significant volume to the formed combination (refrigerator) to the extent of compromising a physical space that could be used for other purposes. In many situations, such a constructive arrangement hampers or even prevents the installation of a refrigerator.

The documents described below, belonging to the state of the art, reveal refrigerating units that present the problem mentioned previously. Document US 3.712.078 discloses a removable refrigerating unit that can be adapted for assembly in various types of refrigerating cabinets. Another North American document, US 5.417.081 describes a modular refrigerating apparatus divided into two portions: a lower and an upper portion, and the storage compartments are positioned in the upper portion and a removable refrigerating unit is housed in the lower portion. Finally, the North American document, US 5.458.407, describes a similar apparatus in which the refrigerating unit is removably fitted to facilitate repair and maintenance thereof. The refrigeration units (modules) revealed in these three North American documents present non-optimized constructive arrangements that compromise a significant space making such space unavailable for other purposes. Additionally, these units are apparently not capable of refrigerating the internal portion of the refrigerating cabinet in a uniform manner, because the refrigeration is more intense in the cabinet regions near the unit.

The North American document US 2007/044498 describes a refrigerating equipment that comprises two evaporators capable of refrigerating a plurality of shelves of the refrigerating equipment cabinet, interconnected by means of air ducts. Said air ducts are directed towards each shelf, and they provide different refrigerating intensities for each shelf of said cabinet. Although this North American document describes an arrangement that occupies a relatively smaller space and carries out refrigeration, the parts responsible for refrigeration do not comprise a refrigeration unit that can be entirely dissociated from the refrigerating cabinet and be transported independently and individually to facilitate mainte- nance/installatapean document EP 1691152 describes a modular refrigeration unit usable in a refrigeration appliance. Said unit comprises a condensing assembly and an evaporating assembly that are operatively interconnected. One of the drawbacks of the object of this European document is that its condensing assembly is open, providing no security during transport of the unit, because the parts and elements are exposed and unprotected from accidental shocks and alien objects. Furthermore, its con- structive form hampers handling, further compromising its transportability. Additionally, these units are also apparently incapable of refrigerating the internal portion of the refrigeration cabinet in a uniform manner, because the refrigeration is more intense in the regions of the cabinet near the unit.

Accordingly, in the refrigerating units disclosed in the documents mentioned above, the total volume occupied by the refrigerator is optimized due to their constructive arrangements.

Additionally, these units are not capable of refrigerating the internal space of the refrigerating cabinet in a uniform manner because they provide different refrigeration intensities in different areas of said internal space. Finally, the transportability of these units is also questionable: besides the apparent lack of practical handling, in some cases, the parts and elements are not duly protected so as to prevent risk of damage to them. Objectives of the Invention

A first objective of the present invention is to propose a mobile cooling unit that is associable to a refrigeratable cabinet, forming a combination that occupies a optimized physical space. Additionally, it is also proposed that said unit be stand-alone and capable of refrigerating the internal space of said refrigeratable cabinet in a uniform or controlled manner.

A second objective of the present invention is to propose a refrigerating system that comprises the above-mentioned refrigerating unit and that is easy to assemble on a production line. Brief Description of the Invention

A first means of achieving the first objective of the present invention is by providing a refrigeration unit directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet, the refrigeration unit comprising at least one refrigerating circuit externally enclosed by a substantially closed box, and the longitudinal extension of the box substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet and the transversal extension of the box substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratablA GEaEhDOBtJ means of achieving the first objective of the present invention is by providing a refrigeration unit directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet, the refrigeration unit comprising at least one refrigerating circuit and an air distribution means operatively connected to each other and externally enclosed by a substantially closed box, and the air distribution means comprises internal ducts and nozzles integrated to the refrigeration unit, and also said internal ducts and nozzles are capable of exchanging the air between the refrigerating circuit and the refrigeratable cabinet.

A third means of achieving the first objective of the present invention is by providing a refrigeration unit directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet, the refrigeration unit comprising at least a refrigerating circuit and an air distribution means operatively connected to each other and externally enclosed by a substantially closed box, and the longitudinal extension of the box corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet and the transversal extension of the box corresponds substantially to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet, and furthermore the refrigeration unit is stand-alone.

The second objective of the present invention is achieved by a refrigerating system having a refrigeratable cabinet associable to a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit comprising at least a refrigerating circuit, and the refrigeratable cabinet comprises at least an associable opening adapted to accommodate the refrigeration unit, and also the longitudinal extension of the associable opening substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet and the transversal extension of the associable opening substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet. Summarized Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described in further detail, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: figure 1 - represents a refrigeration unit that is the object of the present invention, before it is assembled in a refrigeratable cabinet. figure 2 - represents a rear perspective view of a refrigerating system, that is also the object of the present invention, represented by the refrigeration unit illustrated in figure 1 mounted on the refrigeratable cabinet; figure 3 - represents a side view of the refrigerating system illustrated in figure 2; figure 4 - represents a rear view of the refrigerating system illustrated in figure 2, showing the internal parts of the refrigeration unit, in a possible constructive variation; figure 5 - represents a rear perspective view of the refrigerating system illustrated in figure 2, showing the internal parts of the refrigeration unit; figure 6 - represents a rear perspective view of the refrigerating system, showing the internal parts of the refrigeration unit, in a possible constructive variation; figure 7 - represents a rear view of the refrigerating system illustrated in figure 6; figure 8 - represents a front view of the refrigeration unit illustrated in figure 6; and figure 9 - represents a side view of the refrigerating system illustrated in figure 6. Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a refrigeration unit

100, that is an object of the present invention, directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet 200. The combination formed by the refrigeration unit

100 and the refrigeratable cabinet 200 constitutes a refrigerating system 300, that is also an object of the present invention.

The refrigerating system 300 is preferably a refrigerator and/or a household freezer having a refrigeratable cabinet 200 capable of accommodating refrigerable items such as foods, dishes, utensils, among others. The refrigerating system 300 may have a plurality of internal compartmerffiptionally, the refrigeratable cabinet 200 may be represented by various types and models of commercial/industrial/transport refrigeratable cabinets, cupboards, shelves, ledges, boxes, racks, computer cabinets, electronic equipment cabinets, among others, provided that the refrigeratable cabinet 200 is suitably adapted to accommodate the refrigeration unit 100, according to the precepts of this invention, which shall be described ahead.

Preferably, the refrigeratable cabinet 200 comprises three walls arranged in a "U" shape, that is, there are two parallel walls and a third transversal wall that joins them, as can be seen in figure 1. In this preferred constructive arrangement, the refrigeratable cabinet 200 comprises the first, second, third and fourth end portions 201 , 202, 203, 204 represented in figure 1. The distance between the first and the second end portions 201 , 202 defines the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 and the distance between the third and fourth end portions 203, 204 defines the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet 200. Obviously, the refrigeratable cabinet 200 can have other different geometric formats, considering the conditions set forth previously.

The refrigeratable cabinet 200 comprises at least an associable opening 205 adapted to accommodate the refrigeration unit 100. The longitudinal extension of the associable opening 205 substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 and the transversal extension of the associable opening 205 substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet 200.

The refrigeratable cabinet 200 is capable of accommodating the refrigeration unit 100 in a removable or fixed manner. In the removable solution, the adaptation preferably corresponds to a fitting rail arranged at the end portions 201 , 202, 203, 204 of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 where the refrigeration unit 100 is housed. In the fixed solution, the association between the refrigeration unit 100 and the refrigeratable cabinet 200 can be performed by welding, rivets, screws, nuts or any other suitable mechanicals means. The refrigeration unit 100 comprises at least a refrigerating circuit which, in turn, comprises preferably at least an evaporator 101 , a condenser 102, a compressor 104 and an expansion device 105 operatively associated to each other. The configuration and workings of this refrigerating circuit are already well known in the state of the art and will not be described in detail here. The refrigerating circuit may comprise more than one evaporator 101 , each designed to provide refrigeration to its respective compartment, or else the refrigerating circuit may comprise just one evaporator 101 capable of providing refrigerated air to more than one compartment simultaneously, in an independent manner. Optionally, the compressor 104 can be housed outside the refrigeration unit 100, inside the refrigeratable cabinet 200, as shown in figures 2 to 5. Accordingly, the refrigeration unit 100 is capable of refrigerating various compartments separately, keeping them at uniform or different temperatures, allowing the reversal or exchange of temperature between them by way of a suitable control of the refrigerating circuit.

Alternatively, another configuration can be used for the refrigerating circuit (arrangement of compartments, parts and elements), provided that the resulting combination is capable of providing air- conditioning which, in turn, is distributed to the compartments of the refrige ratable cabinet 200 through an air distribution means operatively connected to the refrigerating circuit and externally enclosed by the box 109. Said distribution means is capable of providing a natural convection of air or a forced convention of air, or even a combination of both methods. The method of natural convection of air dispenses with the implementation of any kind of mechanism for distributing air, such as ducts or ventilators, because due to the difference in density, the cold air inside the refrigeratable cabinet 200 tends to descend whereas hot air tends to rise, forming convection currents needed to refrigerate the internal space of the cabinet.

However, if the method of forced convention of air is adopted, the air distribution means will preferably be constituted of internal ducts and nozzles capable of exchanging the air between the refrigerating circuit and the refrigeratable cabinet 200. The ducts and nozzles are integrated to the refrigeration unit 100, and the nozzles are arranged on the surface of said unit. Thus, the air distribution means comprises preferably at least an internal duct in which refrigerated or returned air circulates. There are two types of duct: insufflating duct 103 and return duct 106. The insufflating duct 103 is capable of conducting cooled air from the refrigerating circuit (more precisely the evaporator 101 ) to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200. The return duct 106 is capable of conducting returned air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 to the refrigerating circuit (more precisely to the evaporator 101 ).

The insufflating duct 103 has at least an intake nozzle 107 capable of directing air from the refrigerating circuit (more precisely the evaporator 101 ) to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200. The return duct 106 has at least a return nozzle 108 capable of directing air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 to the refrigerating circuit (more precisely to the evaporator 101 ). Preferably, the refrigeration unit 100 comprises a plurality of internal intake/return ducts and intake/outtake nozzles.

Optionally, the air distribution means may comprise ventilators capable of directing air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200. Said ventilators are associated to insufflating ducts 103 and can be activated dependently or independently of the refrigerating circuit. For example, in a situation where the refrigerating circuit is switched off, it is possible to turn on only the ventilators to provide air circulation to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200.

The refrigerating circuit and the air distribution means are externally enclosed by a substantially closed box 109, and the longitudinal extension of the box 109 substantially corresponds to the longitudinal ex- tension of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 and the transversal extension of the box 109 substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet 200.

Thus, in the preferred situation wherein the refrigeratable cabinet 200 comprises three walls arranged in "U" shape (figure 1 ), the refrigeration unit 100 constitutes a fourth wall that complements the other walls of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 such that a closed structure is formed, constituting a combination (refrigerating system 300). The refrigeration unit 100 is arranged in a rear portion of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 substantially parallel to the front door of the refrigeratable cabinet 200, in other words, the refrigeration unit 100 constitutes a rear wall of the refrigerating system 300.

Preferably, the refrigeration unit 100 has a slim width (thickness) in relation to the width of the refrigeratable cabinet 200 to the extent that it optimizes the volume occupied and provides a greater useful physical space for the refrigeratable cabinet 200 in order to house a greater volume of refrigerable items. This constructive arrangement also reduces storage and transport costs, as a greater quantity of refrigeration units 100 can be stored and transported in a same space.

The refrigeration unit 100 is preferably removably associable to the refrigeratable cabinet 200 to facilitate maintenance, cleaning and repairs. The removal capacity of the refrigeration unit 100 provides a repair and/or preventive maintenance facility, as it is suffice that the user withdraw the refrigeration unit 100 from the refrigerating compartment and take it to a technical assistance servicing agency. Accordingly, there is no need for a technician to go to the location where the refrigerating system 300 (e.g.: refrigerator) is installed. Furthermore, during the time needed for repair/maintenance, the damaged refrigeration unit 100 can be temporarily substituted by a working model, and said working model can be provided by the technical assistance agency itself. Additionally, in the event of breakdown of the refrigeration unit 100 or of the refrigeratable cabinet 200, it will not be necessary to substitute both, resulting in savings for the user.

Optionally, the refrigeration unit 100 can also be fixably associable to refrigeratable cabinet 200. In this case, the user or technician should have a suitable tool to disjoin the refrigeration unit 100 from the refrigeratable cabinet 200. Nevertheless, in the event of maintenance or irreparable damage, it will only be necessary to substitute the refrigeration unit 100 or the refrigeratable cabinet 200, resulting in less disruption for the user, besides less expense, because there will be no need to substitute the entire refrigerating system 300.

The box 109 is preferably parallelepipedon-shaped (hollow), but it can take on other regular or irregular three-dimensional geometric shapes, according to preference and application suitability. In any case, refrigeration units 100 with varying refrigeration capacities can be provided, keeping the outer dimensions of the box 109 and changing the internal components only.

The refrigeration unit 100 also comprises a control system capable of controlling the refrigerating circuit in order to monitor, detect and diagnose failures or performance losses and correct them. Said control system comprises preferably at least a sensor, an actuator and a microprocessor electrically associated to each other, and the microprocessor is capable of receiving data measured by the sensor to control the action of the actuator. The microprocessor has a software containing an algorithm for open-loop or closed-loop control.

Preferably, the sensor used is capable of reading the internal temperature of the refrigeratable cabinet 200. Obviously, other types of sensors can be used to measure different magnitudes, said magnitudes being directly related to the control method/technique adopted.

The electricity or power supply of the refrigeration unit 100, not shown in the figures, is preferably put in place by way of a conventional electric cable to be connected into an alternating current (AC) plug. However, it is possible to use batteries, a CC power source or any other type of electric power supply, provided that it is compatible with the working of the refrigeration unit 100.

Lighting inside the refrige ratable cabinet 200 is provided by a lighting system, not shown in the figures, comprising lamps and/or LEDs.

The refrigeration unit 100 also preferably comprises an ice production and distribution system, a filter, cooling and distribution of a system of filtering, cooling and distribution of cooled water and/or a system of filtering and deodorization of air. Therefore, the refrigeration unit 100 comprises all the components, parts and elements necessary to perform refrigeration independently on stand-alone basis, that is, it is not necessary that the refrigeration unit 100 be associated to another device to enable it to work.

The stand-alone character of the refrigeration unit 100 also facilitates the assembly process of the refrigerating system 300 (for example: refrigerator or freezer) on a production line, because since the refrigeration unit 100 and the refrige ratable cabinet 200 can be manufactured separately, there is no production dependency relationship between the two, and these parts can be manufactured at separate sites. Therefore, if so required, the refrigeration unit 100 can be produced by a different manufacturer to the one in charge of production of the refrigeratable cabinet 200.

Having described examples of preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other potential variations, and is only limited by the content of the appended claims, which include possible equivalents.

Claims

1. Refrigeration unit (100) associable directly to a refrigeratable cabinet (200), the refrigeration unit (100) comprising at least one refrigerating circuit externally enclosed by a substantially closed box (109), characterized in that the longitudinal extension of the box (109) corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) and the transversal extension of the box (109) corresponds substantially to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

2. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is stand-alone.

3. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is removably associable to the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

4. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is fixably associable to the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

5. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the box (109) is shaped liked a parallelepipedon.

6. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is arranged in a rear portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

7. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the box (109) comprises at least an air distribution means operatively connected to the refrigerating circuit.

8. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least an insufflating duct (103) capable of conducting air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200), and the insufflating duct (103) has at least an intake nozzle (107) capable of directing the air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

9. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least an return duct (106) capable of conducting air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit, and the return duct (106) has at least an outtake nozzle (108) capable of directing air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit.

10. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least a ventilator capable of providing refrigerated air to the inside of the refrige ratable cabinet (200).

11. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the refrigerating circuit comprises at least an evaporator (101 ), a condenser (102), a compressor (104) and an expansion device (105) opera- tively associated to each other.

12. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising a control system capable of controlling the refrigerating circuit.

13. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the control system comprises at least a sensor, an actuator and a microprocessor electrically associated to each other, and the microprocessor is capable of receiving data measured by the sensor to control the action of the actuator.

14. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the sensor is capable of reading the internal temperature of the refrige ratable cabinet (200).

15. Refrigeration system (300) having a refrige ratable cabinet (200) associable to a refrigeration unit (100), the refrigeration unit (100) comprising at least a refrigerating circuit, characterized in that the refrige ratable cabinet (200) comprises at least an associable opening (205) adapted to receive the refrigeration unit (100), and the longitudinal extension of the associable opening (205) substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) and the transversal extension of the associable opening (205) substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

16. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that an associable opening (205) of the refrigeratable cabi- net (200) removably receives the refrigeration unit (100).

17. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that an associable opening (205) of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) fixedly receives the refrigeration unit (100).

18. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that the refrigeration unit (100) comprises at least a box (109) which externally encloses the refrigerating circuit.

19. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim according to claim 15, characterized in that the refrigeration unit (100) constitutes a wall of the refrigerating system (300).

20. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that the refrigeration unit (100) is arranged in a rear portion of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

21. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that the refrigeration unit (100) constitutes a rear wall of the refrigerating system (300).

22. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 18, characterized in that the box (109) is shaped like a parallelepipedon.

23. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 18, characterized in that the refrigeration unit (100) comprises at least an air distribution means operatively connected to the refrigerating circuit.

24. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 23, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least an insufflating duct (103) capable of conducting air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet 200, and the insufflating duct (103) has at least an intake nozzle (107) capable of directing air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

25. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 23, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least an return duct (106) capable of conducting air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit, and the return duct (106) has at least an outtake nozzle (108) capable of directing air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit.

26. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 23, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least a ventilator capable of providing refrigerated air to the inside of the refrige ratable cabinet (200).

27. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that the refrigerating circuit comprises at least an evaporator (101 ), a condenser (102), a compressor (104) and an expansion device (105) operatively associated to each other.

28. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 15, characterized in that the refrigeration unit (100) comprises a control system capable of controlling the refrigerating circuit.

29. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 28, characterized in that the control system comprises at least a sensor, an actuator and a microprocessor electrically associated to each other, and the microprocessor is capable of receiving data measured by the sensor to control the action of the actuator.

30. Refrigeration system (300) according to claim 29, characterized in that the sensor is capable of reading the internal temperature of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

31. Refrigeration unit (100) directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet (200), the refrigeration unit (100) comprising at least a refrigerating circuit and an air distribution means operatively connected to each other and internally enclosed by a substantially closed box (109), characterized in that the air distribution means comprises internal ducts and nozzles integrated to the refrigeration unit (100), and said internal ducts and nozzles capable of exchanging the air between the refrigerating circuit and the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

32. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 31 , characterized by being stand-alone.

33. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 31 , characterized in that the internal ducts comprise at least an insufflating duct (103) capable of conducting air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200), and the insufflating duct (103) has at least an intake nozzle (107) capable of directing the air from the refrigerating circuit to 1 O

the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

34. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 31 , characterized in that the internal ducts comprise at least an return duct (106) capable of conducting air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit, and the return duct (106) has at least an outtake nozzle (108) capable of directing air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit.

35. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 31 , characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least a ventilator capable of providing refrigerated air to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

36. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 31 , characterized in that the refrigerating circuit comprises at least an evaporator (101 ), a condenser (102), a compressor (104) and an expansion device (105) opera- tively associated to each other.

37. Refrigeration unit (100) directly associable to a refrigeratable cabinet (200), the refrigeration unit (100) comprising at least a refrigerating circuit and an air distribution means operatively connected to each other and externally enclosed by a substantially closed box (109), characterized in that a longitudinal extension of the box (109) substantially corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) and the transversal extension of the box (109) substantially corresponds to the transversal extension of the refrigeratable cabinet (200), and the refrigeration unit (100) is stand-alone.

38. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 37, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least an insufflating duct (103) capable of conducting air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200), and the insufflating duct (103) has at least an intake nozzle (107) capable of directing the air from the refrigerating circuit to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

39. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 37, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least an return duct (106) capable of conducting air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to I D

the refrigerating circuit, and the return duct (106) has at least an outtake nozzle (108) capable of directing air from the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200) to the refrigerating circuit.

40. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 37, characterized in that the air distribution means comprises at least a ventilator capable of providing refrigerated air to the inside of the refrigeratable cabinet (200).

41. Refrigeration unit (100) according to claim 37, characterized in that the refrigerating circuit comprises at least an evaporator (101 ), a condenser (102), a compressor (104) and expansion device (105) operatively associated to each other.