[0001] This invention relates generally to a domestic refrigerator comprising at least one
preservation compartment cooled by evaporator means. More particularly, the invention
relates to a domestic refrigerator with automatic defrosting.
[0002] Refrigerators are known in the most varied constructions, all tending to improve
their power consumption and hence their efficiency, and to reduce the thermal load
of the evaporator. However a margin always exists for possible improvements to known
constructions aimed at achieving further benefits.
[0003] An object of the invention is to improve refrigerators of the indicated type such
as to appreciably lower their power consumption.
[0004] This and further objects which will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description
are attained by a refrigerator of the indicated type, the inventive aspects of which
are defined in the accompanying claims.
[0005] The invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments
thereof given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example and illustrated on the accompanying
drawings, on which:
Figure 1 is a schematic vertical section through a refrigerator according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic section through the roof of the refrigerator of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of that shown in Figure 2.
[0006] In the figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates overall a refrigerator shown without
its door and other members such as the compressor and condenser as these are conventional
and do not concern the invention.
[0007] A conventional evaporator 4 extends in contact with the vertical rear wall 2 and
possibly with the side walls which bound the preservation compartment 3 of the refrigerator.
[0008] According to the invention a further evaporator 5 is provided in correspondence with
the roof 6 which upperly bounds the preservation compartment. This further evaporator
can be a section of the other evaporator or be an evaporator connected to the preceding
by a trottling means such as a conventional capillary 7.
[0009] The evaporator 5, whether forming a part or section of the evaporator 4 or whether
connected to it via the capillary 7, is positioned upstream of the evaporator 4 with
reference to the direction of flow of the refrigerant fluid through the evaporators.
[0010] According to the invention, the evaporator 5 is not in direct contact with the roof
of the preservation compartment 3, but is spaced from it in that it rests either directly,
or indirectly via a sheet for example of polyethylene or another similar plastic material,
on a panel or cushion 9. This latter is preferably divided into communicating or non-communicating
compartments and comprises a flexible or substantially rigid eutectic-containing enclosure
of plastic material such as polyethylene, or metal such as aluminium, or aluminized
plastic, or plastic filled with a heat conducting material.
[0011] In the case of a substantially rigid enclosure, it can be of a shape such as to compensate
any deformation due to the changes of state of the eutectic so as not to deform the
roof 6, in addition to the provision of expansion volumes for the eutectic within
the enclosure.
[0012] The eutectic is chosen such as to change its state at a temperature of not less than
-10°C, preferably 0°C, the layer formed by the eutectic (minus the thickness of the
enclosure), ie the quantity of eutectic contained, and the type of eutectic being
such that under the refrigerator operating conditions the roof temperature never falls
below a value such as to result in formation of condensate or frost on the underside
of the roof. A possible electrical resistance element of suitable power, for example
positioned on that surface of the eutectic facing the compartment 3, can prevent condensate
or frost appearing on said surface. Alternatively the resistance element can be advantageously
replaced by a part of the usual capillary tube connecting the usual condenser (not
shown) of the refrigeration circuit to said evaporator, and positioned in correspondence
with said surfaces of the eutectic. This has the advantage of recovering the energy
dispensed by the eutectic in addition to preventing the formation of the condensate
or frost. Examples of such eutectics are KNO
3/H
2O and KCl/H
2O, or simply H
2O.
[0013] The evaporator 5 upstream of the evaporator 4 can also be bonded to the eutectic
cushion 9 by adhesives instead of resting thereon directly or indirectly.
[0014] In the refrigerator example shown on the drawings, the evaporators and the eutectic
cushion are conventionally embedded in a mass of expanded polyurethane material 10.
Arrangements are however possible, all falling within the scope of the invention,
in which the evaporator 4 (ie that on the rear) and any evaporators or sections present
on the side walls of the compartment are visible, ie not embedded and hence actually
lying within the preservation compartment 3. The roof evaporator 5 can also be provided
in an exposed position, but in this case it will be substantially clad by the eutectic
cushion.
[0015] The concept on which the invention is based consists of appreciably reducing (as
much as by 20-30%) the refrigerator power consumption by virtue of the increase in
the evaporating surface, the greater efficiency of the refrigeration cycle in that
evaporation can take place at a higher temperature because of the greater evaporating
surface, and a lower thermal load on the evaporator.
[0016] The arrangement of the invention is applicable not only to single-compartment refrigerators
(such as that shown), but also to multi-compartment refrigerators (combination type),
including those with two compressors.
1. A refrigerator with at least one preservation compartment (3) cooled by evaporator
means (4, 5), characterised in that the evaporator means (4, 5) comprise a part (5)
positioned in correspondence with the roof (6) of the preservation compartment (3)
and transmitting its cold to the compartment (3) via a eutectic layer (9).
2. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eutectic is chosen such as to have
a solidification temperature of not less than -10°C, preferably 0°C, so that under
operating conditions the roof temperature does not fall below a value such as to cause
condensate or frost to form on the underside of the roof (6) of the preservation compartment
(3).
3. A refrigerator as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the eutectic layer (9)
is enclosed in an enclosure defining a cushion on which that part (5) of the evaporator
means relative to the roof (6) lies either directly or indirectly.
4. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the enclosure is flexible.
5. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the enclosure is rigid.
6. A refrigerator as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in addition
to the part (5) involving the roof (6) of the compartment (3), the evaporator means
(4, 5) comprise an evaporator part (4) involving at least one of the vertical walls
of the preservation compartment (3), that evaporator part involving the vertical wall
or walls being positioned downstream of the other part in the direction of flow of
the refrigerant fluid.
7. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the evaporator parts (4, 5) are connected
together via a capillary (7).