[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention preferably relates to a household refrigerator
for both freezing and short-term preserving perishable foodstuff, to which the following
description will make explicit reference without however losing in generality.
[0003] As is known, a household refrigerator for both freezing and short-term preserving
perishable foodstuff, commonly known as combo refrigerator, generally comprises: a
substantially parallelepiped-shaped, self-supporting cabinet which is structured for
stably resting on the floor/ground and is internally provided with a pair of vertically-aligned
and substantially parallelepiped-shaped, separate large storage cavities each of which
is adapted to accommodate perishable foodstuff and communicates with the outside through
a corresponding large access opening located on front of the cabinet; a pair of independent
sealing doors each of which has a thermal-insulating structure and is flag hinged
to the front of the self-supporting cabinet, at the height of a respective storage
cavity, so as to be manually rotatable about a vertical axis to and from a closing
position in which the door abuts on front of the cabinet, so as to airtight close
the access opening of the same storage cavity; and finally an electrically-operated,
heat-pump cooling system which is accommodated inside the cabinet and is structured
to keep the inside of the upper storage cavity at a given first temperature suitable
for short-term preservation of perishable foodstuffs and generally ranging between
+2°C and +8°C, and the inside of the lower storage cavity at a given second temperature
suitable for freezing perishable foodstuffs and generally ranging between -30°C and
-10°C,
[0004] In some refrigerators currently on the market, the heat-pump cooling system of the
refrigerator is additionally structured to circulate a flow of cold air in closed
loop inside the/each storage cavity of the self-supporting cabinet so as to prevent
air stratification inside the same cavity.
[0005] More specifically, in some refrigerators currently on the market, the low-pressure
heat exchanger of the heat-pump cooling system, commonly known as evaporator, is accommodated
inside a vertical air channel which is incorporated into the rear wall of the storage
cavity.
[0006] The heat-pump cooling system additionally includes an electric fan which is accommodated
inside the air channel and is adapted to produce an air flow that enters into the
air channel through a corresponding air inlet mouth located close to the ceiling of
the storage cavity, flows downwards inside the air channel across the evaporator,
and then comes out of the air channel through an air outlet mouth located close to
the bottom of the storage cavity. When returned into the storage cavity, the cooled
air flows upwards grazing the inner face of the sealing door so as to reach again
the air inlet mouth of the air channel.
[0007] Unfortunately the horizontal partitioning shelves that are usually placed inside
the storage cavity of the refrigerator hinder the flow of cold air in vertical direction,
thus reducing the ventilation efficiency.
[0008] Aim of the present invention is to improve air circulation inside the storage cavity
of today's refrigerators, so as to minimize the temperature variations inside the
same storage cavity.
[0009] In compliance with the above aims, according to the present invention there is provided
a refrigerator comprising: a self-supporting cabinet which has a thermal-insulating
structure and is internally provided with at least one, thermal-insulated storage
cavity adapted to accommodate perishable foodstuff; and an electrically-operated cooling
system which is at least partially accommodated inside the self-supporting cabinet
and is adapted to cool down the inside of said at least one storage cavity; the refrigerator
being characterized in that the electrically-operated cooling system comprises: a
plate-like air-guide member which is rigidly attached to a rear wall of said storage
cavity and is provided with a first and a second opposite main edges each facing a
respective adjacent lateral wall of the storage cavity; an air channel extending inside
the air-guide member from the first main edge of the air-guide member up to the opposite
second main edge of the same air-guide member; and an electrically-operated air-blowing
device which is accommodated inside the air-guide member within a first intermediate
portion of the air channel, and which is adapted to generate/produce, on command,
an airflow that enters into the air-guide member through one or more air inlet mouths
located on the first main edge of the air-guide member, flows along the air channel,
and comes out of the air-guide member through one or more air outlet mouths located
on the second main edge of the same air-guide member.
[0010] The electrically-operated cooling system is therefore specifically structured to
force the cold air to flow/circulate inside the storage cavity of the refrigerator
in a nearly horizontal direction, thus to remain locally substantially parallel to
any possible partitioning shelf placed within the storage cavity of the refrigerator.
This solution highly improves air circulation inside the storage cavity and thus minimizes
the temperature variation inside the same storage cavity.
[0011] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the electrically-operated cooling system comprises a heat-pump assembly which
is provided with at least one low-pressure heat exchanger that cools down the air
flowing along the air channel.
[0012] Preferably, though not necessarily, the heat-pump assembly also comprises a compressor,
a high-pressure heat exchanger, placed downstream the compressor, and a refrigerant
expansion device placed downstream the high-pressure heat exchanger and upstream the
low-pressure heat exchanger.
[0013] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that said low-pressure heat exchanger is accommodated into the air-guide member,
within a second intermediate portion of the air channel.
[0014] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that said low-pressure heat exchanger is dimensioned so as to locally take up substantially
the whole section of the air channel, thus to cool down substantially the whole air
flowing along the air channel.
[0015] Therefore the temperature of the cold air communing out from the second main edge
of the plate-like air-guide member is the same in each of the one or more air outlet
mouths of the air-guide member.
[0016] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air channel has a substantially straight, central segment and two adjacent
curved segments that are located at opposite ends of the central segment.
[0017] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the low-pressure heat exchanger is located within said central segment of
the air channel.
[0018] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air-blowing device is located within said central segment of the air channel
or within one of said adjacent curved segments.
[0019] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the adjacent curved segments of the air-blowing device are substantially U-bent.
[0020] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air channel is nearly S-shaped.
[0021] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the central segment of the air channel extends astride of the midplane of
the air-guide member.
[0022] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the central segment of the air channel is substantially parallel to said first
and second opposite main edges of the air-guide member.
[0023] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air channel communicates with the inside of the storage cavity via a series
of air inlet mouths that are spaced one next to the other along the first main edge
of the air-guide member, and/or via a series of air outlet mouths that are spaced
one next to the other along the second main edge of the air-guide member.
[0024] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the portion or portions of the air channel adjoining the/each air inlet mouth
has/have a substantially converging profile, and/or the portion or portions of the
air channel adjoining the/each air outlet mouth has/have a substantially converging
profile.
[0025] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air channel is at least partly delimited by the rear wall of the storage
cavity.
[0026] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the plate-like air-guide member has, on its rear face, a deep groove which
extends from the first main edge of the air-guide member up to the opposite second
main edge of the air-guide member and which is closed by the rear wall of the storage
cavity; the air channel being delimited by the rear wall of the storage cavity and
by the deep grove formed on the rear face of the air-guide member.
[0027] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air-guide member comprises: a plate-like block of thermal-insulating material;
and a protective cover which is placed over the front face of said block of thermal-insulating
material, and is dimensioned to partly or completely cover said block of thermal-insulating
material.
[0028] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the block of thermal-insulating material is made of a polymeric material foam,
and/or the protective cover is made of a solid plastic material.
[0029] Preferably, though not necessarily, the block of thermal-insulating material is made
of EPS (expanded polystyrene), and more conveniently of compressed EPS.
[0030] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the plate-like air-guide member is substantially rectangular in shape.
[0031] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the suction mouth of the air-blowing device is located substantially flush
with the rear face of the air-guide member, and a portion of the air channel located
upstream of said air-blowing device is shaped so as to channel the airflow outside
of the air-guide member.
[0032] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the air-blowing device is a centrifugal fan.
[0033] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the first intermediate portion of the air channel is at least partly cylindrical
in shaped, so as to form at least part of the outer volute or ducted housing of the
centrifugal fan.
[0034] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that said air-blowing device comprises: a centrifugal impeller that is arranged
within the first intermediate portion of the air channel, with the rotation axis coincident
with the central axis of the cylindrical part of the same first intermediate portion;
and an electric motor which is located within the first intermediate portion of the
air channel, and is adapted to support and drive into rotation the centrifugal impeller.
[0035] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the rotation axis of the impeller is substantially perpendicular to the laying
plane of the plate-like air-guide member.
[0036] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the impeller is fitted in angularly rigid manner onto the drive shaft of the
electric motor.
[0037] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the electric motor is provided with an outer supporting structure designed
to rigidly fit inside the first intermediate portion of the air channel.
[0038] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the supporting structure includes a number of rigid projecting spokes or legs
that protrude outwards of the electric motor in a nearly radial direction, are angularly
spaced around the electric motor, and are rigidly fastened/secured, at their the distal
end, to the body of plate-like air-guide member.
[0039] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the distal end of at least one of said projecting spokes or legs is rigidly
fastened/ secured to the body of the air-guide member with the interposition of a
vibration damper.
[0040] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that said first intermediate portion of the air channel is a hollow recess which
is formed on the rear face of the air-guide member and which is at least partly cylindrical
in shape so as to accommodate an impeller of the air-blowing device, and wherein the
air-blowing device additionally includes a plate-like lid which is arranged to close
said hollow recess so as to complete the outer volute or ducted housing of the air-blowing
device; the plate-like lid being centrally provided with a through opening defining
the suction mouth of said air-blowing device.
[0041] Preferably, though not necessarily, the refrigerator is furthermore characterized
in that the first intermediate portion of said air channel is a nearly cylindrical,
enlarged hollow part of the deep groove formed/extending on the rear face of the plate-like
air-guide member, and in that the air-blowing device additionally includes a plate-like
lid which is arranged to close said enlarged hollow part of the deep groove, substantially
flush with the rear face of the air-guide member, so as to close the said enlarged
hollow part to complete the outer volute or ducted housing of the fan; the plate-like
lid being centrally provided with a large through opening that is located above the
impeller so as to form the suction mouth of said air-blowing device.
[0042] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a household refrigerator realized in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity's sake;
- Figure 2 is a side view of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1, sectioned along the
midplane of the appliance and with parts removed for clarity's sake;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the air circulation assembly incorporated into the
refrigerator shown in Figures 1 and 2, with parts removed for clarity's sake;
- Figures 4 and 5 are partly exploded perspective views of the air-circulation assembly
shown in Figure 3, with parts removed for clarity's sake;
- Figure 6 is a front view of the air-circulation assembly shown in Figures 3, 4 and
5, with parts removed for clarity's sake; whereas
- Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the refrigerator shown in Figure 2, with parts removed
for clarity's sake.
[0043] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, reference number 1 denotes as a whole a refrigerator
adapted for preserving perishable foodstuff and preferably suitable for domestic use,
i.e. a household refrigerator.
[0044] Refrigerator 1 basically comprises: a preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped,
self-supporting cabinet 2 which has a thermal-insulating structure and is internally
provided with at least one, preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, thermal-insulated
storage cavity which is adapted to accommodate perishable foodstuff and communicates
with the outside via a large, preferably roughly rectangular-shaped, access opening
which is located on a main face/wall of the same cabinet 2; at least one sealing door
that has a thermal-insulating structure and is flag hinged to the cabinet 2, so as
to be manually rotatable to and from a closing position in which the door abuts on
said main face/wall of the cabinet 2 to substantially airtight close the access opening
of said storage cavity; and an electrically-operated cooling system which is at least
partially accommodated inside the cabinet 2, and is structured/adapted to cool down
the inside of said at least one, inner storage cavity.
[0045] In the example shown, in particular, the self-supporting cabinet 2 is preferably
structured for stably resting on the floor/ground. Moreover the self-supporting cabinet
2 is preferably internally provided with two, substantially vertically-aligned, separate
and adjacent storage cavities 3 and 4 that are thermal-insulated to one another and
to the outside, are both adapted to accommodate perishable foodstuff, and finally
communicate with the outside each via a respective large access opening preferably
located on the main face/wall of the cabinet 2.
[0046] Preferably the refrigerator 1 furthermore comprises, for each inner storage cavity
3, 4, a respective sealing door 5, 6 which is preferably substantially rectangular
in shape, and is preferably flag hinged to the front of the self-supporting cabinet
2 so as to be manually rotatable about a preferably substantially vertically-oriented,
reference axis, to and from a closing position in which the door 5, 6 rests/abuts
on the front face/ wall of cabinet 2 so as to cover and substantially airtight seal
the access opening of the corresponding storage cavity 3 or 4.
[0047] The electrically-operated cooling system 7, in turn, is preferably structured/ adapted
to separately cool down the inside of storage cavity 3 and the inside of storage cavity
4 of the self-supporting cabinet 2.
[0048] More in detail, the electrically-operated cooling system 7 is preferably adapted
to cool down the inside of storage cavity 3 so as to keep the inside of storage cavity
3 at a first target temperature which is preferably suitable for short-term preservation
of perishable foodstuff, and to cool down the inside of storage cavity 4 so as to
keep the inside of storage cavity 4 at a second target temperature which is preferably
lower than the first target temperature and is preferably suitable for long-term preservation
of perishable foodstuff.
[0049] Additionally, the electrically-operated cooling system 7 is adapted to circulate
the cold air in closed loop inside the storage cavity 3, and preferably also to circulate
the cold air in closed loop inside the storage cavity 4.
[0050] In the example shown, in particular, the storage cavity 3 is arranged above the storage
cavity 4. Clearly in an alternative embodiment the storage cavity 3 could be arranged
underneath the storage cavity 4.
[0051] Furthermore the first target temperature is preferably greater than or equal to +0°C,
whereas the second target temperature is lower than +0°C. More specifically, the first
target temperature preferably ranges between +2°C and +8°C, whereas the second target
temperature preferably ranges between -30°C and -10°C.
[0052] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, preferably the refrigerator 1 additionally comprises,
inside the storage cavity 3: at least one and preferably a number of nearly horizontally-extending
and preferably manually removable, partitioning shelves 8 that are adapted to support
perishable foodstuff, and are arranged inside the storage cavity 3 vertically spaced
to one another; and additionally or alternatively also one or more drawer containers
9 which are fitted in manually extractable manner into the storage cavity 3, preferably
beneath the partitioning shelve or shelves 8, and are each adapted to accommodate
vegetables and similar perishable foodstuff.
[0053] Preferably the refrigerator 1 moreover comprises at least one and preferably a number
of second drawer containers 10 that are fitted in manually extractable manner into
the storage cavity 4, preferably vertically-stacked to one another, and are each adapted
to accommodate frozen perishable foodstuff.
[0054] In the example shown, in particular, the one or more partitioning shelves 8 are preferably
made of glass, whereas the one or more drawer containers 9 and/or the one or more
drawer containers 10 are preferably made of plastic material.
[0055] With reference to figures 1-7, the electrically-operated cooling system 7, in turn,
comprises a heat-pump assembly 12 which includes at least one low-pressure heat exchanger,
traditionally called evaporator, adapted to cool down the inside of the at least one,
thermal-insulated storage cavity 3, 4 of the self-supporting cabinet 2.
[0056] In the example shown, in particular, the heat-pump assembly 12 is preferably provided
with a low-pressure heat exchanger or evaporator for each storage cavity 3, 4 of the
self-supporting cabinet 2.
[0057] In other words, the heat-pump assembly 12 is preferably provided with two evaporators
discrete and distinct to one another. The first evaporator 13 is adapted to solely
cool down the inside of storage cavity 3. The second evaporator 14, in turn, is adapted
to solely cool down the inside of the storage cavity 4.
[0058] Moreover the electrically-operated cooling system 7 is specifically structured to
force the cold air to flow/circulate inside the storage cavity 3 in a nearly horizontal
direction, thus to remain locally substantially parallel to the partitioning shelf
or shelves 8, if present, and the evaporator 13 of heat-pump assembly 12 is arranged
so as to cool down the air circulating inside the storage cavity 3.
[0059] More in detail, the electrically-operated cooling system 7 of refrigerator 1 comprises:
a substantially rigid, oblong and thick, plate-like air-guide member 20 which is rigidly
attached to the nearly vertical, rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3 so as to hug/rest
on the rear wall 21 and arrange its opposite main edges 20a and 20b each closely facing
a respective adjacent and nearly vertical, lateral wall of storage cavity 3; and an
electrically-operated air-blowing device 22 which is at least partly housed/ accommodated
inside the air-guide member 20, within an intermediate portion of an air channel 23
that extends inside the air-guide member 20, from the first main edge 20a of air-guide
member 20 up to the opposite second main edge 20b of the same air-guide member 20.
The air-blowing device 22 thus defines, on the air channel 23, a first channel section
that extends from the first main edge 20a of air-guide member 20 up to the air-blowing
device 22, and a second channel section that extends from the air-blowing device 22
up to the opposite second main edge 20b of the same air-guide member 20.
[0060] The air-blowing device 22 is adapted to generate/produce, on command, an airflow
f that enters into the plate-like air-guide member 20 through one or more air inlet
mouths 24 located on the first main edge 20a of air-guide member 20, flows along the
whole air channel 23, and comes out of the air-guide member 20 through one or more
air outlet mouths 25 located on the second main edge 20b of the same air-guide member
20.
[0061] In addition, with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the evaporator 13 of heat-pump
assembly 12 is preferably accommodated/recessed inside the plate-like air-guide member
20, within a second intermediate portion 23a of the air channel 23, so as to be crossed/skimmed
by the airflow f flowing along the air channel 23, and is preferably also dimensioned
so as to locally take up substantially the whole cross section of air channel 23,
thus to cool down substantially the whole air flowing along the air channel 23.
[0062] Preferably the intermediate portion 23a of the air channel 23 accommodating/ containing
the evaporator 13 is moreover located upstream of the intermediate portion 23b of
the air channel 23 accommodating/containing the air-blowing device 22.
[0063] With reference to Figures 3-6, in the example show, in particular, the plate-like
air-guide member 20 is preferably shape/dimensioned so that its opposite main edges
20a and 20b are substantially rectilinear and parallel to one another. More in detail,
the air-guide member 20 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape.
[0064] Additionally, the plate-like air-guide member 20 is preferably partially fitted/
recessed into a corresponding seat formed on the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3,
and/or is preferably firmly fixed to the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3 in a rigid
and stable, though easy detachable manner.
[0065] Furthermore the air-guide member 20 is preferably attached to the vertical rear wall
21 of storage cavity 3 astride of the vertical midplane of the same storage cavity
3, so as to arrange the opposite main edges 20a and 20b each at short distance from,
and optionally locally substantially parallel to, the corresponding adjacent lateral
wall of the storage cavity 3.
[0066] In the example shown, in particular, the plate-like air-guide member 20 is dimensioned
so that the distance between each main edge 20a, 20b of the same air-guide member
20 and the corresponding adjacent lateral wall of storage cavity 3 is preferably lower
than 20 mm (millimeters) and optionally ranges between 5 and 15 mm (millimeters).
Preferably the opposite main edges 20a and 20b of air-guide member 20 are moreover
substantially equidistant from the corresponding lateral walls of the storage cavity
3.
[0067] With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the air channel 23 of air-guide member 20,
in turn, communicates with the inside of the storage cavity 3 via a series of air
inlet mouths 24 that are suitably spaced one next to the other, along the first main
edge 20a of air-guide member 20, and/or via a series of air outlet mouths 25 that
are suitably spaced one next to the other, along the second main edge 20b of air-guide
member 20.
[0068] Moreover, the portion or portions of air channel 23 adjoining the/each air inlet
mouth 24 preferably has/have a substantially converging profile. Similarly the portion
or portions of air channel 23 adjoining the/each air outlet mouth 25 preferably has/have
a substantially converging profile.
[0069] Preferably the air channel 23 furthermore has a substantially straight, central segment
and two adjacent intermediate curved segments that are located at opposite ends of
the central segment and are preferably bent backwards with respect to the same central
segment. Moreover the intermediate segments of air channel 23 are preferably substantially
U-bent and are preferably located one close to the ceiling of storage cavity 3, and
the other close to the bottom of storage cavity 3.
[0070] The evaporator 13 of heat-pump assembly 12 is preferably located within the central
segment of air channel 23, whereas the air-blowing device 22 is preferably located
within one of the two intermediate segments of air channel 23.
[0071] Clearly in an alternative embodiment also the air-blowing device 22 could be located
within the central segment of air channel 23.
[0072] More in detail, in the example shown the evaporator 13 of heat-pump assembly 12 is
preferably located nearly in the middle of the aforesaid central segment of air channel
23, whereas the air-blowing device 22 is preferably located within the upper intermediate
segment of air channel 23, i.e. the intermediate segment close to the ceiling of storage
cavity 3.
[0073] Preferably the central segment of air channel 23 moreover extends substantially parallel
to the main edges 20a and 20b of air-guide member 20, optionally while remaining substantially
astride of the midplane M of the same air-guide member 20.
[0074] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, in the example shown, in particular, the air channel
23 is preferably substantially S-shaped.
[0075] Additionally the air channel 23 in air-guide member 20 is preferably at least partly
delimited by the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3.
[0076] With reference to Figures 2-7, in the example shown, in particular, the rear face
of air-guide member 20, i.e. the face of air-guide member 20 directly facing the rear
wall 21 of storage cavity 3, is preferably provided with a superiorly-opened, deep
groove which extends from the main edge 20a of air-guide member 20 up to the opposite
main edge 20b of air-guide member 20, preferably following a substantially S-shaped
path, and which is superiorly closed by the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3.
[0077] The air channel 23 is preferably delimited by the rear wall 21 of storage cavity
3 and by the deep groove formed on the rear face of the air-guide member 20.
[0078] Therefore a first portion of the, preferably substantially S-shaped, deep groove
formed on the rear face of air-guide member 20 is preferably shaped/dimensioned to
accommodate the air-blowing device 22, whereas a second portion of the same deep groove
is preferably shaped/dimensioned to accommodate the low-pressure heat exchanger or
evaporator 13 of heat-pump assembly 12.
[0079] Preferably, the plate-like air-guide member 20 furthermore has a sandwich structure.
[0080] More in detail, with particular reference to Figures 3, 4 end 5, the air-guide member
20 preferably comprises: a substantially rigid and preferably also substantially rectangular-shaped,
plate-like block/piece 28 of thermal-insulating material, i.e. a thick slab of thermal-insulating
material, with a thickness preferably ranging between 5 and 40 mm (millimetres); and
a substantially rigid, plate-like protective cover 29 which is placed over the front
face of block 28, i.e. the face of block 28 opposite to the rear wall 21 of storage
cavity 3, and is dimensioned to at least partially and more conveniently completely
cover the block 28 of thermal-insulating material.
[0081] In other words the protective cover 29 is preferably dimensioned to hide substantially
the whole plate-like block 28 of thermal-insulating material.
[0082] The deep groove delimiting at least part of the air channel 23 is preferably formed
directly on the rear face of block 28, i.e. on the opposite side of the protective
cover 29.
[0083] In the example shown, in particular, the block 28 is preferably made of a polymeric
material foam, such as for example EPS (acronym of expanded polystyrene) and more
conveniently of compressed EPS, whereas the protective cover 29 is preferably made
of a solid/non-foamed plastic material, preferably via an injection moulding process.
[0084] Preferably the protective cover 29 is furthermore rigidly secured directly to the
rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3, so as to press and firmly hold the block 28 in abutment
against the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3.
[0085] In the example shown, in particular, the protective cover 29 is preferably rigidly
secured to the rear wall 21 via a number of protruding snap-on fasteners 30 and/or
one or more anchoring screw/s (not shown in the figures), which preferably engage
in pass-through manner the thick block 28 of thermal-insulating material before reaching
the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3.
[0086] With reference to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the air-blowing device 22, in turn, is preferably
an electrically-operated centrifugal fan, and the intermediate portion 23b of air
channel 23 containing/accommodating the air-blowing device 22 is preferably at least
partly cylindrical in shaped, so as to form at least part of the outer volute or ducted
housing of said centrifugal fan.
[0087] In other words, the air-blowing device 22 preferably comprises: a centrifugal impeller
34 preferably having a drum-like structure, which is arranged within the substantially
cylindrical-shaped, intermediate portion 23b of air channel 23, with the rotation
axis substantially coincident with the central axis of the cylindrical part of the
same intermediate portion 23b; and a small electric motor 35 which is located within
the intermediate portion 23b of the air channel 23, preferably underneath the centrifugal
impeller 34, and is adapted to drive into rotation the centrifugal impeller 34.
[0088] Preferably, the impeller 34 is additionally arranged within the intermediate portion
23b of air channel 23 with its rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the laying
plane of the plate-like air-guide member 20.
[0089] Preferably the electric motor 35 moreover directly support the impeller 34.
[0090] More in detail, the impeller 34 is preferably fitted in angularly rigid manner onto
the distal end of the drive shaft of electric motor 35, whereas the electric motor
35 is located within the intermediate portion 23b of air channel 23 with the rotation
axis of the drive shaft substantially coincident with the central axis of the intermediate
portion 23b.
[0091] Preferably the electric motor 35 is additionally provided with an outer supporting
structure 36 specifically designed to rigidly fit inside the intermediate portion
23b of air channel 23, so as to stably hold in place the electric motor 29 nearly
in the middle of the same intermediate portion 23b.
[0092] With reference to Figure 4, in the example shown, in particular, the outer supporting
structure 36 preferably includes a number (three in the example shown) of rigid projecting
spokes or legs 37 that protrude outwards of the electric motor 35 in a nearly radial
direction, are angularly spaced around the electric motor 35, and are rigidly fastened/secured,
at their the distal end, to the body of air-guide member 20, or rather to the block
28 of thermal-insulating material, preferably by means of anchoring pins or other
fasteners.
[0093] Preferably the distal end of at least one and, more conveniently each projecting
spoke or leg 37 is rigidly fastened/secured to the body of air-guide member 20 with
the interposition of a vibration damper 38.
[0094] Moreover, with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7, in the example shown the deep groove
formed/extending on the rear face of plate-like air-guide member 20 preferably includes
a nearly cylindrical, first enlarged hollow part which is shaped/dimensioned to contain/accommodate
the whole air-blowing device 22 and which, therefore, forms the intermediate portion
23b of air channel 23.
[0095] The electric motor 35, moreover, is preferably arranged inside the aforesaid first
enlarged hollow part with the rotation axis of the drive shaft substantially perpendicular
to the laying plane of the plate-like air-guide member 20.
[0096] With reference to Figures 4-7, preferably the air-blowing device 22, or rather the
centrifugal fan, additionally comprises a substantially rigid, plate-like lid 39 which
is arranged to close the first enlarged hollow part of the groove formed on rear face
of air-guide member 20, so as to complete the outer volute or ducted housing of the
centrifugal fan, and which is preferably centrally provided with a large, preferably
substantially circular in shape, through opening 39a which is located immediately
above, and is preferably also substantially coaxial to, the impeller 34 so as to form
the suction mouth of the air-blowing device 22, or preferably of the centrifugal fan.
[0097] In the example shown, in particular, the plate-like lid 39 is preferably made of
plastic material, and the through opening 39a is preferably located at the end of
a funnel-shaped central portion which is shaped so as to guide/channel the air towards
the center of the impeller 34.
[0098] With particular reference to Figure 7, preferably the plate-like lid 39 is moreover
substantially flush with the rear face of the air-guide member 20 and the deep groove
formed on the rear face of air-guide member 20 preferably includes, immediately upstream
of the enlarged hollow portion closed by the same plate-like lid 39, a ramp portion
that guides the airflow f outside of the air-guide member 20 and towards the rear
wall 21 of storage cavity 3.
[0099] In other words, the intermediate portion 23b of the air channel 23 is preferably
a hollow recess which is formed on the rear face of the air-guide member 20, or rather
of the plate-like block 28 of thermal-insulating material, and which is at least partly
nearly cylindrical in shape so as to accommodate the impeller 34 of the air-blowing
device 22. The air-blowing device 22 preferably additionally includes the plate-like
lid 39 which is arranged to close said hollow recess so as to complete the outer volute
or ducted housing of the air-blowing device 22, and which is preferably centrally
provided with a through opening 39a defining the suction mouth of the air-blowing
device 22.
[0100] Preferably the suction mouth/opening of the air-blowing device 22, or rather of the
centrifugal fan, is therefore located flush with the rear face of the plate-like air-guide
member 20, and an intermediate portion of air channel 23 located upstream of the air-blowing
device 22 is preferably shaped so as to channel the airflow f outside of the air-guide
member 20.
[0101] In other words the intermediate portion of air channel 23 located immediately upstream
of the suction mouth/opening of the air-blowing device 22, or rather of the centrifugal
fan, is mostly delimited by the rear wall 21 of storage cavity 3.
[0102] With reference to Figures 4-7, on the other hand, the low-pressure heat exchanger
or evaporator 13 of heat-pump assembly 12 is preferably a finned-pack heat exchanger,
and is preferably housed within a nearly rectangular, second enlarged hollow part
of the groove formed/ extending on the rear face of air-guide member 20. Preferably
this second enlarged hollow part of the groove is moreover located immediately upstream
of the ramp portion of the same groove.
[0103] With reference to Figure 2, similarly to evaporator 13, also the low-pressure heat
exchanger or evaporator 14 of heat-pump assembly 12 is preferably adapted to cool
down the air circulating inside the storage cavity 4.
[0104] More in detail, evaporator 14 is preferably a finned-pack heat exchanger, and is
preferably attached to the nearly vertical, rear wall 40 of storage cavity 4.
[0105] Preferably the electrically-operated cooling system 7 additionally comprises: a substantially
rigid, partitioning panel 41 which is attached to the rear wall 40 of storage cavity
40, over the evaporator 14, so as to hide the evaporator 14 and form, together with
the rear wall 40, a nearly vertical air channel 42 wherein the cold air can freely
circulate; and a second electrically-operated air-blowing device 43 which is attached
on the back of partitioning panel 41 and is adapted to generate/produce, on command,
an ascending airflow that enters into the air channel 42 from an air inlet mouths
located close to the bottom of storage cavity 4, flows upwards across the evaporator
14 and then returns back into the storage cavity 4.
[0106] More in detail, the air-blowing device 43 is preferably located immediately above
the evaporator 14, and is preferably fitted/housed into the air inlet of a plate-like
manifold structure 44, which is preferably made of a thermal-insulating material,
is firmly fixed to the back of partitioning panel 41 so as to lie onto and protect
the evaporator 14, and is provided with a number of air outlets that communicate with
the inside of storage cavity 4 and are arranged at different heights from the bottom
of storage cavity 4.
[0107] Preferably the airflow produced by the air-blowing device 43 therefore returns back
into the storage cavity 4 through the plate-like manifold structure 44 attached to
the back of partitioning panel 41.
[0108] In the example shown, in particular, the plate-like manifold structure 44 is preferably
made of a polymeric material foam, whereas the partitioning panel 41 is preferably
made of plastic material, preferably via an injection moulding process. Preferably
the air-blowing device 43, in turn, is an electrically-operated axial fan.
[0109] With reference to Figure 2, in addition to low-pressure heat exchangers or evaporators
13 and 14, the heat-pump assembly 12 preferably finally comprises: an electrically-operated
compressor 45 that is preferably housed into a specific compressor compartment formed
on the back of the cabinet 2, and is adapted to compress a low-temperature and low-pressure
gaseous-state refrigerant arriving from any one of evaporators 13 and 14 for supplying,
at outlet/delivery, a flow of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant; a high-pressure
heat-exchanger 46, traditionally called condenser, which receives the high-temperature
and high-pressure gaseous-state refrigerant from compressor 45, is located outside
of the cabinet 2, preferably on the rear wall of cabinet 2 (i.e. opposite to the large
access openings of storage cavities 3 and 4), and is structured to allow the high-temperature
and high-pressure refrigerant arriving from compressor 45 to release heat to the outside
environment, thus reducing its temperature; and a refrigerant expansion device, such
as a capillary tube, which is interposed between the condenser 46 and both evaporators
13 and 14, and is adapted to cause the rapid expansion of the high-pressure refrigerant
flowing from condenser 46 to any one of evaporators 13 and 14, so to rapidly highly
reduce both temperature and pressure of the same refrigerant.
[0110] Operation of refrigerator 1 is clearly inferable from the above description and does
not require further explanations.
[0111] The particular structure of the electrically-operated cooling system 7 has several
advantages.
[0112] Firstly the cooling system 7 improves the air circulation inside the storage cavity
3 because the cold air flows/circulates inside the storage cavity 3 in a nearly horizontal
direction, while remaining locally substantially parallel to the partitioning shelf
or shelves 8, if present.
[0113] Moreover, the temperature of the air coming out from the side of platelike member
20 is always the same irrespective of the position/height of the air outlet mouth
25 on the main edge 20b of the air-guide member 20, thus minimizing temperature variation
inside the storage cavity 3.
[0114] Clearly, changes may be made to the refrigerator 1 without, however, departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0115] For example, rather than being a centrifugal fan, the air-blowing device 22 may be
an electrically-operated axial fan. Clearly also in this case the intermediate portion
23b of air channel 23 may be shaped so as to form at least part of the ducted housing
of the fan.
[0116] Moreover, rather than being firmly secured/fastened to the body of air-guide member
20, the distal ends of the projecting spokes or legs 37 of the outer supporting structure
36 may be rigidly fastened/secured to the plate-like lid 39.
1. Refrigerator (1) comprising: a self-supporting cabinet (2) which has a thermal-insulating
structure and is internally provided with at least one, thermal-insulated storage
cavity (3, 4) adapted to accommodate perishable foodstuff; and an electrically-operated
cooling system (7) which is at least partially accommodated inside the self-supporting
cabinet (2) and is adapted to cool down the inside of said at least one storage cavity
(3, 4);
the refrigerator (1) being
characterized in that the electrically-operated cooling system (7) comprises:
- a plate-like air-guide member (20) which is rigidly attached to a rear wall (21)
of said storage cavity (3) and is provided with a first (20a) and a second (20b) opposite
main edges each facing a respective adjacent lateral wall of the storage cavity (3);
- an air channel (23) extending inside the air-guide member (20) from the first main
edge (20a) of the air-guide member (20) up to the opposite second main edge (20b)
of the same air-guide member (20); and
- an electrically-operated air-blowing device (22) which is accommodated inside the
air-guide member (20) within a first intermediate portion (23b) of the air channel
(23), and which is adapted to generate/produce, on command, an airflow (f) that enters
into the air-guide member (20) through one or more air inlet mouths (24) located on
the first main edge (20a) of the air-guide member (20), flows along the air channel
(23), and comes out of the air-guide member (20) through one or more air outlet mouths
(25) located on the second main edge (20b) of the same air-guide member (20).
2. Refrigerator according to Claim 1, wherein the electrically-operated cooling system
(7) comprises a heat-pump assembly (12) which is provided with at least one low-pressure
heat exchanger (13) that cools down the air flowing along the air channel (23).
3. Refrigerator according to Claim 2, wherein said low-pressure heat exchanger (13) is
accommodated into the air-guide member (20), within a second intermediate portion
(23a) of the air channel (23).
4. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel
(23) has a central segment and two adjacent curved segments that are located at opposite
ends of the central segment.
5. Refrigerator according to Claim 4, wherein the low-pressure heat exchanger (13) is
located within said central segment of the air channel (23).
6. Refrigerator according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the air-blowing device (22) is located
within said central segment of the air channel (23) or within one of said adjacent
curved segments.
7. Refrigerator according to Claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the central segment of the air
channel (23) is parallel to said first (20a) and second (20b) opposite main edges
of the air-guide member (20).
8. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion or
portions of the air channel (23) adjoining the/each air inlet mouth (24) has/ have
a converging profile, and/or the portion or portions of the air channel (23) adjoining
the/each air outlet mouth (25) has/have a converging profile.
9. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel
(23) is at least partly delimited by the rear wall (21) of the storage cavity (3).
10. Refrigerator according to Claim 9, wherein the plate-like air-guide member (20) has,
on its rear face, a deep groove which extends from the first main edge (20a) of the
air-guide member (20) up to the opposite second main edge (20b) of the air-guide member
(20) and which is closed by the rear wall (21) of the storage cavity (3); the air
channel (23) being delimited by the rear wall (21) of the storage cavity (3) and by
the deep groove formed on the rear face of the air-guide member (20).
11. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air-guide member
(20) comprises: a plate-like block of thermal-insulating material (28); and a protective
cover (29) which is placed over the front face of said block of thermal-insulating
material (28), and is dimensioned to partly or completely cover said block of thermal-insulating
material (28).
12. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction mouth
of the air-blowing device (22) is located substantially flush with the rear face of
the air-guide member (20), and a portion of the air channel (23) located upstream
of said air-blowing device (22) is shaped so as to channel the airflow (f) outside
of the air-guide member (20).
13. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air-blowing
device (22) is a centrifugal fan and wherein the first intermediate portion (23b)
of the air channel (23) is at least partly cylindrical in shaped, so as to form at
least part of the outer volute or ducted housing of the centrifugal fan.
14. Refrigerator according to Claim 13, wherein said air-blowing device (22) comprises:
a centrifugal impeller (34) that is arranged within the first intermediate portion
(23b) of the air channel (23), with the rotation axis coincident with the central
axis of the cylindrical part of the same first intermediate portion (23b); and an
electric motor (35) which is located within the first intermediate portion (23b) of
the air channel (23), and is adapted to support and drive into rotation the centrifugal
impeller (34).
15. Refrigerator according to any one of preceding claims, wherein said first intermediate
portion (23b) of the air channel (23) is a hollow recess which is formed on the rear
face of the air-guide member (20) and which is at least partly cylindrical in shape
so as to accommodate an impeller (34) of the air-blowing device (22), and wherein
the air-blowing device (22) additionally includes a plate-like lid (39) which is arranged
to close said hollow recess so as to complete the outer volute or ducted housing of
the air-blowing device (22); the plate-like lid (39) being centrally provided with
a through opening (39a) defining the suction mouth of said air-blowing device (22).