REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE, IN PARTICULAR FOR HOUSEHOLD USE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

 A refrigeration appliance (1), in particular for household use, comprising:
- at least one cabinet (2) adapted to define at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C);
- a tray (10) for collecting a liquid coming from said at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C), said tray (10) being connected to said at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) by means of at least one duct (20) that allows conveying the liquid from the refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) to the tray (10). The peculiar characteristic of the present invention is that said at least one duct (20) comprises a siphon (21) that holds a portion of the liquid coming from the refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) and constitutes an obstacle, in particular of the hydraulic type, to the passage of air from the environment outside the refrigeration appliance (1) to the inside of said refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said refrigeration appliance.

[0003] The invention is applicable to the field of refrigeration appliances, in particular for household use, comprising at least one internal compartment for preserving foodstuffs.

[0004] A refrigeration appliance of the type known in the art typically comprises two internal refrigeration compartments kept at different temperatures, thus providing at least two different food preservation states, in particular a refrigerator compartment suitable for preserving fresh food at a temperature between 0°C and 10°C and a freezer compartment suitable for preserving frozen food at a temperature between -15°C and -30°C. Such a refrigeration appliance is commonly referred to by those skilled in the art of household refrigeration as a "double-door" or "combined" refrigerator, depending on the relative position of the two refrigeration compartments; in a "double-door" refrigeration appliance, the freezer compartment is arranged above the refrigerator compartment, whereas in a "combined" refrigeration appliance the freezer compartment is located at the bottom.

[0005] It is also known in the art that refrigeration appliances can be either of the no-frost type or of the static type.

[0006] It is also known that refrigeration appliances (whether static or no-frost) are equipped with a refrigerating circuit that comprises a compressor for compressing a refrigerating fluid and at least one evaporator for putting the refrigerating fluid in thermal contact with said at least one refrigeration compartment.

[0007] In fact, the operation of a refrigeration appliance is based on the refrigeration cycle principle, which can essentially be schematized into the following steps:

• the refrigerating fluid, which is initially in the gaseous state, is compressed by the compressor, so that, because of this compression (pressure increase), the temperature of the refrigerating fluid will increase;
• the temperature of the refrigerating fluid is then lowered through the action of a condenser, which typically consists of a cooling coil (or "external grid") arranged in the back of the refrigerating appliance, and which brings the refrigerating fluid back into the liquid state, extracting at least a part of the heat thereof via thermal contact with the environment;
• the refrigerating fluid is then circulated through an expansion element (a capillary or throttling valve), which reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerating fluid coming from the low-pressure side of the refrigerating circuit, so as to transform it from the liquid state into a biphasic mixture (i.e. gas-liquid form) and deliver it into the high-pressure side of said refrigerating circuit;
• the refrigerating fluid then flows through at least one evaporator, thus absorbing heat and yielding cold for cooling the at least one refrigerating compartment;
• upon absorbing heat, the refrigerating fluid evaporates, returning into the gaseous state, and is sucked in by the compressor, so that it can begin a new refrigeration cycle.

[0008] The refrigeration cycle is repeated multiple times and is typically interrupted by a control unit (usually connected to a thermostat), which turns off the compressor, in particular when the preset temperature is reached inside the refrigeration compartment of the appliance.

[0009] In no-frost refrigeration appliances, the cold produced by the evaporator is yielded to an air flow lapping the evaporator, which, under the action of a fan, is circulated through the at least one refrigeration compartment. Since the surface of the evaporator has temperatures much lower than 0 °C, the moisture contained in the air in contact with said surface will turn into ice, which will accumulate on the evaporator. In no-frost refrigeration appliances, defrosting is controlled electronically and consists, during appropriate operating steps referred to as defrost steps, in activating suitable heating means that will cause the accumulated ice to thaw.

[0010] Known refrigeration appliances also include a tray for collecting a liquid coming from a refrigeration compartment of the refrigeration appliance, said tray being connected to the refrigeration compartment by means of a duct that allows the liquid to be conveyed from the refrigeration compartment to the tray.

[0011] Usually said collection tray is positioned in proximity to the compressor, in particular on top of the compressor. Such an arrangement of the collection tray allows exploiting the heat generated by the compressor in order to cause at least a part of the liquid collected in the tray to evaporate into the surrounding environment. In fact, in no-frost refrigeration appliances the ice accumulated on the evaporator will thaw during the defrost step and will be conveyed towards said collection tray; a similar tray is included in static refrigeration appliances for collecting the condensed water that forms on a wall (typically a rear wall) of the refrigeration appliance, through which heat is exchanged with the evaporator.

[0012] However, it has been observed that known refrigeration appliances suffer from a few drawbacks, since in such known appliances the duct that connects the refrigeration compartment to the collection tray puts the refrigeration compartment in connection with the outside environment; as a consequence, environmental air, with its moisture content, will come through said duct in contact with the inner walls of the refrigeration compartment and/or with the components of the refrigeration appliance, resulting in undesired icing.

[0013] In particular, this problem is particularly felt and important in no-frost appliances, because air is sucked in from the outside environment through the duct that connects the refrigeration compartment to the collecting tray upon activation of a fan used for circulating the cold air in the refrigeration appliance; as a consequence, environmental air, with its moisture content, will come in contact with the fan and the evaporator, thus forming ice. It must be pointed out that such icing inevitably implies increased noisiness of the fan; moreover, said icing may even lead to fan seizure.

[0014] In this frame, it is the main object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, which is adapted to overcome the above-described drawbacks, thus being particularly efficient and economical.

[0015] In particular, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, which is so realized as to prevent the refrigeration compartment of a refrigeration appliance from being connected to the outside environment, in particular through the duct that connects the refrigeration compartment to the collection tray.

[0016] Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, which is so realized as to prevent environmental air, with its typical moisture content, from coming in contact, through said duct, with the inner walls of the refrigeration compartment and with the components of the refrigeration appliance, thus leading to undesired icing.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, which is so realized as to avoid an increase in the noise produced by the components included therein as well as a possible seizure thereof.

[0018] Said objects are achieved by the present invention through a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, and a manufacturing method thereof, incorporating the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended to be an integral part of the present description.

[0019] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according to the present invention;
• Figures 2a and 2b are, respectively, a sectional view and a rear view of a refrigeration appliance according to the present invention.

[0020] Referring now to Figure 1, reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, according to the present invention.

[0021] Said refrigeration appliance 1 comprises at least one cabinet 2 adapted to define at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0022] In particular, said at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C may comprise a refrigerator compartment 2A for preserving fresh food (typically at a temperature between 0°C and 10°C) and a freezer compartment 2B for preserving frozen food (typically at a temperature between -15°C and -30°C); besides, in no-frost refrigeration appliances 1 said at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C may comprise an additional refrigeration compartment 2C (shown in particular in Fig. 2a) within the cabinet 2, adapted to contain at least one evaporator 31 and a fan 8. It is however clear that the refrigeration appliance 1 may be so realized as to comprise just one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C or a larger number of internal refrigeration compartments 2A, 2B, 2C, in particular comprising a plurality of refrigerator compartments 2A and/or freezer compartments 2B kept at different temperatures, thus allowing different food preservation states.

[0023] In the representation of the refrigeration appliance 1 shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerator compartment 2A is located above the freezer compartment 2B; therefore, the refrigeration appliance 1 shown in Fig. 1 is of the "combined" type. It is however clear that, in accordance with the present invention, the relative positions of the refrigerator compartment 2A and freezer compartment 2B may be different; for example, the refrigeration appliance 1 may be of the "double-door" type (with the freezer compartment 2B on top of the refrigerator compartment 2A).

[0024] The refrigeration appliance 1 according to the present invention preferably comprises a first door 3A and a second door 3B for closing the refrigerator compartment 2A and the freezer compartment 2B, respectively; moreover, each door 3A, 3B is connected to the refrigeration appliance 1 by means of one or more hinges (not shown) that allow for constrained outward rotation of the door 3A, 3B for opening and closing the same (as shown in Fig. 1). Preferably, the refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises at least one gasket (not shown in Fig. 1) ensuring optimal coupling between said at least one door 3A, 3B and said at least one cabinet 2.

[0025] The representation of the refrigeration appliance 1 of Fig. 1 also shows some of the elements with which a refrigeration appliance 1 is commonly equipped, such as, for example, a plurality of shelves 4 and a plurality of containers 5 arranged at different heights in said refrigerator compartment 2A, and a plurality of drawers 6 and/or a plurality of shelves (not shown), which can be closed with a hinged front panel that can be rotated to allow the user to gain access to the shelf, arranged at different levels in said freezer compartment 2B. Figure 1 also shows a number of door storage compartments 7 associated with said first door 3A of the refrigerator compartment 2A, said door storage compartments 7 being adapted to accommodate containers, bottles and foodstuffs.

[0026] Figures 2a and 2b schematically represent, respectively, a sectional view and a rear view of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to the present invention; in substance, Fig. 2b is a view of a portion of the refrigeration appliance 1 opposite to that where the doors 3A, 3B are connected to the refrigeration appliance 1.

[0027] In these drawings one can notice that the refrigeration appliance 1 according to the present invention comprises a tray 10 for collecting a liquid coming from said at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C, said tray 10 being connected to said at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C by means of at least one duct 20 that allows the liquid to be conveyed from the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C to the tray 10.

[0028] The representation shown in Figures 2a and 2b shows a portion of a refrigeration appliance 1 of the no-frost type, since the refrigeration appliance 1 comprises an additional refrigeration compartment 2C adapted to contain at least one evaporator 31 and a fan 8 for circulating a cold air flow for cooling the refrigerator compartment 2A and/or the freezer compartment 2B. In this representation, said at least one duct 20 is associated with the additional refrigeration compartment 2C inside the cabinet 2; it is however clear that said at least one duct 20 may also be associated with a refrigerator compartment 2A (shown in Fig. 1) and/or with a freezer compartment 2B for conveying the liquid from one of said refrigeration compartments 2A, 2B, 2C to the tray 10.

[0029] It must be pointed out that said at least one duct 20 may be made of plastic material, in particular of the corrugated type; it is however clear that the duct 20 may also be made differently.

[0030] In particular, the tray 10 is positioned in proximity to a compressor 30 belonging to a refrigerating circuit (not shown in the annexed drawings) of the refrigeration appliance 1; such an arrangement of the collection tray 10 allows exploiting the heat generated by the compressor 30 for causing the evaporation into the surrounding environment of at least a part of the liquid collected in the tray 10 and coming from the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said tray 10 is positioned above the compressor 30, in particular with reference to the installed condition of the refrigeration appliance 1. It is however clear that the tray 10 may also be positioned otherwise; nevertheless, it shall be so arranged as to be able to exploit the heat generated by said compressor 30 for the purpose of causing the evaporation of at least a part of the liquid coming from the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0031] In accordance with the present invention, said at least one duct 20 comprises a siphon 21 that holds a portion of the liquid coming from the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C and constitutes an obstacle, in particular of the hydraulic type, to the passage of air from the environment outside the refrigeration appliance 1 to the inside of said refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0032] As can be noticed especially in said Fig. 2b, the siphon 21 of the duct 20 has a substantially circular shape. It is however clear that said siphon 21 may also have a different shape, e.g. a "U" or "S" shape.

[0033] The peculiar design of said at least one duct 20, which comprises a siphon 21, according to the present invention, allows providing a refrigeration appliance 1, in particular for household use, which is particularly efficient and economical.

[0034] In fact, such a provision allows the refrigeration appliance 1 of the present invention to be so realized as to prevent the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C from being connected to the outside environment through the duct 20 that connects said refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C to the collection tray 10.

[0035] As a result, the provision of the siphon 21 according to the present invention prevents environmental air, with its typical moisture content, from coming in contact with the inner walls of the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C and with the internal components of the refrigeration appliance 1 through the duct 20, which would lead to undesired icing.

[0036] Thus, it is apparent that the siphon 21 avoids an increase in the noise produced by the components included in the refrigeration appliance 1, while also preventing them from seizing.

[0037] In particular, such a provision turns out to be especially advantageous when the refrigeration appliance 1 is of the no-frost type (as shown in Figures 2a and 2b) and comprises an additional refrigeration compartment 2C inside the cabinet 2, adapted to contain a fan 8 possibly associated with at least one evaporator 31 belonging to the refrigerating circuit of the refrigeration appliance 1. In fact, in such a circumstance the provision of the siphon 21 prevents air from being sucked in from the outside environment through the duct 20 upon activation of said fan 8; as a consequence, the provision of the siphon 21 prevents increased noise and a possible seizure of the fan 8 caused by excessive icing.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, said tray 10 comprises fixing means 11, 12 that allow said at least one duct 20 to be positioned correctly.

[0039] In particular, said fixing means may comprise:

• a seat 11 acting as a guide into which the duct 20 can be inserted, and/or
• a rod 12 which is inserted into the duct 20 in order to hold it in position.

[0040] Preferably, said seat 11 is associated with a side wall 10L of the tray 10, whereas said rod 12 is associated with a bottom wall 10I of said tray 10.

[0041] Figures 2a and 2b show both the seat 11 and the rod 12; it is however clear that the tray 10 may comprise just one of said fixing means.

[0042] A method for manufacturing a refrigeration appliance 1, in particular for household use, will now be described, said refrigeration appliance 1 comprising:

• at least one cabinet 2 adapted to define at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C;
• a tray 10 for collecting a liquid coming from said at least one refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C, said tray 10 being connected to said at least one refrigeration compartment 2A; 2B by means of at least one duct 20 that allows conveying the liquid from the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C to the tray 10.

[0043] In accordance with the present invention, said method comprises a step of realizing said at least one duct 20 in such a way that it comprises a siphon 21 that holds a portion of the liquid coming from the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C and constitutes an obstacle, in particular of the hydraulic type, to the passage of air from the environment outside the refrigeration appliance 1 to the inside of said refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0044] Preferably, said step is obtained by realizing said siphon 21 in such a way that it has a substantially circular shape.

[0045] Preferably, the method according to the present invention envisages that said tray 10 be realized in such a way as to comprise fixing means 11, 12 that will allow said at least one duct 20 to be positioned correctly.

[0046] In particular, the method according to the present invention envisages that said tray 10 be so realized as to comprise:

• a seat 11 acting as a guide into which the duct 20 can be inserted, and/or
• a rod 12 to be inserted into the duct 20 in order to hold it in position.

[0047] Preferably, the method according to the present invention envisages that said tray 10 be positioned in proximity to a compressor 30 belonging to a refrigerating circuit of the refrigeration appliance 1, in particular said tray 10 being positioned on top of the compressor 30.

[0048] The features and advantages of the refrigeration appliance and manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention are apparent from the above description.

[0049] In particular, it is clear that the particular provision of said siphon 21 of said at least one duct 20 allows providing a refrigeration appliance 1, in particular for household use, which is particularly efficient and economical.

[0050] In fact, such a provision allows the refrigeration appliance 1 of the present invention to be so realized as to prevent the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C from being connected to the outside environment through the duct 20 that connects said refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C to the collection tray 10.

[0051] As a consequence, it is clear that the provision of the siphon 21 of the duct 20 according to the present invention allows providing a refrigeration appliance 1 which is so realized as to prevent environmental air, with its typical moisture content, from coming in contact with the inner walls of the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C and with the components of the refrigeration appliance 1 through the duct 20, which would lead to undesired icing.

[0052] Thus, it is apparent that the siphon 21 avoids an undesired increase in the noise produced by the components included in the refrigeration appliance 1, while also preventing them from seizing.

[0053] In particular, this provision turns out to be particularly advantageous when the refrigeration appliance 1 is of the no-frost type, since the siphon 21 prevents the fan 8, when turned on, from sucking in environmental air through the duct 20, which would otherwise enter the refrigeration compartment 2A, 2B, 2C and cause the above-mentioned icing-related problems.

[0054] It is however clear that many changes may be made to the refrigeration appliance and to the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention, and that in its practical implementation the various components may have different shapes and arrangements or be replaced with other technically equivalent elements without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea.

[0055] In particular, the present description has illustrated in detail a refrigeration appliance which is particularly suitable for use in a household environment; however, the present invention is also conveniently applicable to refrigeration appliances for the nautical or hotel industry.

[0056] It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described refrigeration appliance and manufacturing method thereof, but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the inventive idea, as clearly specified in the following claims.

Claims

1. Refrigeration appliance (1), in particular for household use, comprising:

- at least one cabinet (2) adapted to define at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C);

- a tray (10) for collecting a liquid coming from said at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C), said tray (10) being connected to said at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) by means of at least one duct (20) that allows conveying the liquid from the refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) to the tray (10),

characterized in that
said at least one duct (20) comprises a siphon (21) that holds a portion of the liquid coming from the refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) and constitutes an obstacle, in particular of the hydraulic type, to the passage of air from the environment outside the refrigeration appliance (1) to the inside of said refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C).

2. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said siphon (21) of said at least one duct (20) has a substantially circular shape.

3. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one duct (20) is made of plastic material, in particular of the corrugated type.

4. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tray (10) comprises fixing means (11, 12) that allow said at least one duct (20) to be positioned correctly.

5. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said fixing means comprise a seat (11) acting as a guide into which the duct (20) can be inserted.

6. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said seat (11) is associated with a side wall (10L) of the tray (10).

7. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said fixing means comprise a rod (12) which is inserted into the duct (20) in order to hold it in position.

8. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said rod (12) is associated with a bottom wall (10I) of said tray (10).

9. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tray (10) is positioned in proximity to a compressor (30) belonging to a refrigerating circuit of the refrigeration appliance (1).

10. Method for manufacturing a refrigeration appliance (1), in particular for household use, comprising:

- at least one cabinet (2) adapted to define at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C);

- a tray (10) for collecting a liquid coming from said at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C), said tray (10) being connected to said at least one refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) by means of at least one duct (20) that allows conveying the liquid from the refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) to the tray (10),

characterized in that
said method comprises a step of realizing said at least one duct (20) in such a way that it comprises a siphon (21) that holds a portion of the liquid coming from the refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C) and constitutes an obstacle, in particular of the hydraulic type, to the passage of air from the environment outside the refrigeration appliance (1) to the inside of said refrigeration compartment (2A, 2B, 2C).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that said step is obtained by realizing said siphon (21) in such a way that it has a substantially circular shape.

12. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims 10 and 11, characterized in that it comprises the step of realizing said tray (10) in such a way that it comprises fixing means (11, 12) that allow said at least one duct (20) to be positioned correctly.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that said step is obtained by realizing said tray (10) in such a way that it comprises:

- a seat (11) acting as a guide into which the duct (20) can be inserted, and/or

- a rod (12) to be inserted into the duct (20) in order to hold it in position.

14. Method according to one or more of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said tray (10) is positioned in proximity to a compressor (30) belonging to a refrigerating circuit of the refrigeration appliance (1), in particular said tray (10) being positioned on top of the compressor (30).

Drawing