EP0899526A2 - Refrigerator with cool air distributing means - Google Patents
Refrigerator with cool air distributing means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0899526A2 EP0899526A2 EP98306907A EP98306907A EP0899526A2 EP 0899526 A2 EP0899526 A2 EP 0899526A2 EP 98306907 A EP98306907 A EP 98306907A EP 98306907 A EP98306907 A EP 98306907A EP 0899526 A2 EP0899526 A2 EP 0899526A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cool air
- refrigerator
- blades
- link member
- vertical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/045—Air flow control arrangements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
- F25D17/08—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation using ducts
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
- F24F13/06—Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
- F24F13/075—Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser having parallel rods or lamellae directing the outflow, e.g. the rods or lamellae being individually adjustable
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
- F24F13/14—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre
- F24F13/1426—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre characterised by actuating means
- F24F2013/1473—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre characterised by actuating means with cams or levers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
- F24F2221/48—HVAC for a wine cellar
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
- F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
- F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/065—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air return
- F25D2317/0653—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air return through the mullion
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/067—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by air ducts
- F25D2317/0672—Outlet ducts
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/068—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the fans
- F25D2317/0682—Two or more fans
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/04—Refrigerators with a horizontal mullion
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a cooling compartment, an aperture opening into the compartment, a heat pump and cool air distributing means for supplying cool air generated by the heat pump to the compartment through the aperture.
- a refrigerator has a cabinet in which there are a freezing compartment and a fresh food compartment.
- a partition wall separates these compartments. Doors are provided at the front of the freezing and cooling compartments.
- a cooling system supplies the freezing compartment and the fresh food compartment with cool air and comprises a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The cool air generated by the evaporator flows along a supply duct formed at the back of each compartment, and is then supplied into each cooling compartment through cool air discharge ports opening thereinto by a fan.
- Figures 1 through 3 are a side view, a partial enlarged sectional view, and an exploded perspective view of the main elements of a refrigerator having a device for dispersing cool air as disclosed in WO-A-95/27278.
- a refrigerator comprises freezing and fresh food compartments 2, 3 in a cabinet 1, which are separated from each other by a partition 5. Respective doors 6, 7 are provided for closing the compartments 2, 3.
- a cooling system comprising a compressor 11, a condenser (not shown), a freezing compartment evaporator 12a, and a fresh food compartment evaporator 12b, is installed in the cabinet 1. Cool air generated by the evaporators 12a, 12b is supplied to the corresponding compartments 2, 3 by a freezing compartment fan 13a and a fresh food compartment fan 13b respectively.
- a partially cylindrical duct plate 9 is attached to an inner wall plate 23 forming the rear inner wall surface of the fresh food compartment 3.
- the duct plate 9 has cool air discharge ports 16, opening into the fresh food compartment 3, formed in it.
- a supply duct 15 and a return duct 17, separated from each other by a seal plate 25, are provided between the duct plate 9 and the rear wall 4 of the cabinet 1.
- a duct member 21, for guiding downwards cool air blown by the fresh food compartment fan 13b, is installed in the supply duct 15. Cool air generated by the fresh food compartment evaporator 12b is blown by the fresh food compartment fan 13b and then supplied to the fresh food compartment 3 via the supply duct 15 and the cool air discharge ports 16.
- a cool air dispersing device 130 is installed in the supply duct 15.
- the cool air dispersing device 130 comprises a rotational shaft 131 having a vertical axis, cool air dispersing blades 132 assembled with the rotational shaft 131 in correspondence with respective cool air discharge ports 16, and a driving motor 135 for rotating the rotational shaft 131.
- Each of the cool air dispersing blades 132 comprises three discs 136, 137, 138 disposed in parallel with each other along the shaft 131, and first and second blade parts 133, 134 disposed between pairs of the discs 136, 137, 138.
- Each of the blade parts 133, 134 is curved so that its cross-section is loosely S-shaped.
- the blade parts 133, 134 are bent in opposite directions to each other.
- a refrigerator according to the present invention is characterised in that the cool air distributing means includes a plurality of blades associated with said aperture and mounted for rotational movement about respective horizontal axes and drive means for reciprocating the blades about said respective axes such that the blades remain plane parallel to each other.
- the drive means includes an elongate vertical member, drivingly engaging each of the blades. More preferably, the vertical member passes through each blade and is provided with a plurality of pairs of bulges, respective members of each pair of bulges being located immediately above and immediately below a respective blade. Still more preferably, each blade has a substantially keyhole-shaped hole through which the vertical member extends, the larger portion of each hole being large enough for the bulges to pass therethrough and the smaller portion of each hole being too small for the bulges to pass therethrough.
- the drive means comprises a motor drivingly coupled to a cylindrical member, the cylindrical member having a groove, forming an inclined loop about its circumferential surface, which receives a finger projecting from an end of the vertical member.
- a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a freezing compartment 2 and a cooling compartment 3 in a cabinet 1.
- the compartments 2, 3 are separated by a horizontal partition. Doors 6, 7 are provided respectively for the compartments 2, 3.
- Shelves 8 for supporting food are provided in the fresh food compartment 3 and divide it into three areas one above another.
- a special fresh chamber 18 for storing food that requires a specific temperature range is formed at the top of the fresh food compartment 3 and a vegetable chamber 19 for storing vegetables is formed at the bottom of the fresh food compartment 3.
- a heat pump comprising a compressor 11, a condenser (not shown), a freezing compartment evaporator 12a, and a fresh food compartment evaporator 12b, is installed in the cabinet 1.
- Cool air generated by the evaporators 12a, 12b is supplied into the corresponding cooling compartments 2, 3 by the freezing compartment fan 13a and the fresh food compartment fan 13b.
- a supply duct 15 and a return duct 17 are provided at the back of the fresh food compartment 3.
- the cool air generated by the fresh food compartment evaporator 12b is driven by the fresh food compartment fan 13b into the fresh food compartment 3 via the supply duct 15 and the cool air discharge ports 16.
- a device 30 for dispersing the cool air vertically is installed in the supply duct 15.
- the vertically dispersing device 30 comprises a plurality of planar vertically dispersing blades 51, and a rotary device 61 for vertically reciprocating the vertical dispersing blades 51 through a predetermined angle.
- the vertical dispersing blades 51 are installed in the supply duct 15. Three vertical dispersing blades 51 are provided for each of upper and lower cool air discharge ports 16a, 16b.
- the duct plate 9 is bent so as to protrude into the fresh food compartment 3, and the vertically dispersing blades 51 are generally arcuate so as to be accommodated within the duct plate 9.
- Each of the vertically dispersing blades 51 has a horizontal stub shaft 58 formed on either side.
- a hole 57 is formed in each of the vertically dispersing blades 51.
- a link member 41 which will be described below passes through the hole 57.
- the holes 57 are formed at positions spaced from the stub shafts 58.
- the rotation device 61 comprises a driving motor 63, a cam 65 rotated by the driving motor 63, and a link member 41 which is raised and lowered by the cam 65.
- the driving motor 63 is fixed onto a fixing part 49 provided at the top of the duct plate 9.
- the cam 65 comprises of a cylindrical cam body 66 coupled coaxially with a shaft 64 of the driving motor 63, and a cam groove 67 formed on the circumferential surface of the cam body 66.
- the cam groove 67 is in the form of an inclined closed loop.
- the link member 41 comprises a vertical rod and passes through the vertically dispersing blades 51 via the holes 57.
- the lower end of the link member 41 is inserted into a supporting hole 29 provided on a lower flange 28 of the duct plate 9.
- the link member 41 is supported by the supporting hole 29 so as to be capable of rising and falling.
- the link member 41 has a plurality of pairs of bulges 43 which serve to engage the vertically dispersing blades 51. Each vertically dispersing blade 51 is held between the members of one of the pairs of bulges 43.
- the cam groove 67 receives the free end of a finger 42 which protrudes from the top of the link member 41.
- the link member 41 is caused to rise and fall as the cam 65 rotates.
- the cam 65 is rotated by the driving motor 63 continuously.
- the vertically dispersing blades 51 are tilted downward as shown in Figure 8
- cool air in the supply duct 15 is discharged downwards by the vertically dispersing blades 51.
- the vertically dispersing blades 51 are tilted upward as shown in Figure 9, cool air is discharged upwards. Accordingly, as the cam 65 is rotating continuously, the vertically dispersing blades 51 reciprocate through a predetermined angle while remaining plane parallel to each other.
- the discharge direction of the cool air is continuously changed as the angular position of the vertically dispersing blades 51 is changed, so the cool air is dispersed into the fresh food compartment 3 uniformly.
- the vertically dispersing blades 51 are planar, vortices are not formed in the cool air stream by the rotation of the vertically dispersing blades 51.
- the concentrated cooling can be realized by stopping the driving motor 63 when the vertically dispersing blades 51 are directed to the corresponding area.
- temperature sensors placed at a plurality of positions in the fresh food compartment 3, as well as a control part for controlling the driving motor 63 on the basis of the sensing signal from the temperature sensors have to be provided.
- Each of the vertically dispersing blades 51 has a generally keyhole-shaped hole comprising a large portion 67 and a small portion 68.
- the large portion 67 is large enough to allow the bulges 43 to pass through. That is, the diameter of the large portions 67 is larger than that of the small portions 43.
- the diameter of the small portions 68 is greater than that of the link member 41 and smaller than that of the bulges 43.
- the link member 41 is passed through the large portions 67. Thereafter, the link member 41 is moved sideways so as to be received in the small portions 68.
- Each blade 51 is then located between the members of a respective pair of bulges 43 as in the first embodiment.
- the link member 41 can be passed through the vertically dispersing blades 51 easily. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the link member 41 and the vertically dispersing blades 51 can be assembled easily.
- the operation of the vertically dispersing device 40 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, while the cam 65 is rotating continuously, the vertically dispersing blades 51 reciprocate between a position rotated downward as shown in Figure 12 and a position rotated upward as shown in Figure 13. Therefore, the cool air is dispersed vertically.
- a stable cool air flow and a uniform distribution of cool air in vertical direction can be achieved without vortices being formed in the cool air stream near the cool air discharge ports.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a cooling compartment, an aperture opening into the compartment, a heat pump and cool air distributing means for supplying cool air generated by the heat pump to the compartment through the aperture.
- Generally, a refrigerator has a cabinet in which there are a freezing compartment and a fresh food compartment. A partition wall separates these compartments. Doors are provided at the front of the freezing and cooling compartments. A cooling system supplies the freezing compartment and the fresh food compartment with cool air and comprises a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The cool air generated by the evaporator flows along a supply duct formed at the back of each compartment, and is then supplied into each cooling compartment through cool air discharge ports opening thereinto by a fan.
- In such a conventional refrigerator, however, cool air tends to be supplied into a particular area of the cooling compartment and other areas tend to be less well served. Consequently, a uniform temperature is not maintained throughout the cooling compartment.
- This problem has been addressed by providing cool air discharge ports in the side walls of the cooling compartment as well as in its rear wall. However, there may be still a dead-zone at an edge area which is not supplied with the cool air sufficiently. Furthermore, the ducting required to supply cool air from the sides of the cooling compartment reduces the space available for food and increases the cost of manufacture.
- The problem of adequately distributing cool air in a refrigerator is worse for larger refrigerators.
- Figures 1 through 3 are a side view, a partial enlarged sectional view, and an exploded perspective view of the main elements of a refrigerator having a device for dispersing cool air as disclosed in WO-A-95/27278.
- Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a refrigerator comprises freezing and
fresh food compartments cabinet 1, which are separated from each other by apartition 5.Respective doors compartments compressor 11, a condenser (not shown), afreezing compartment evaporator 12a, and a freshfood compartment evaporator 12b, is installed in thecabinet 1. Cool air generated by theevaporators corresponding compartments freezing compartment fan 13a and a freshfood compartment fan 13b respectively. - A partially
cylindrical duct plate 9 is attached to aninner wall plate 23 forming the rear inner wall surface of thefresh food compartment 3. Theduct plate 9 has coolair discharge ports 16, opening into thefresh food compartment 3, formed in it. Asupply duct 15 and areturn duct 17, separated from each other by aseal plate 25, are provided between theduct plate 9 and therear wall 4 of thecabinet 1. Aduct member 21, for guiding downwards cool air blown by the freshfood compartment fan 13b, is installed in thesupply duct 15. Cool air generated by the freshfood compartment evaporator 12b is blown by the freshfood compartment fan 13b and then supplied to thefresh food compartment 3 via thesupply duct 15 and the coolair discharge ports 16. - A cool
air dispersing device 130 is installed in thesupply duct 15. The coolair dispersing device 130 comprises arotational shaft 131 having a vertical axis, coolair dispersing blades 132 assembled with therotational shaft 131 in correspondence with respective coolair discharge ports 16, and adriving motor 135 for rotating therotational shaft 131. Each of the coolair dispersing blades 132 comprises threediscs shaft 131, and first andsecond blade parts discs blade parts blade parts - In a refrigerator having the above-described constitution, when the driving
motor 131 rotates therotational shaft 131 at a low speed, cool air flowing along thesupply duct 15 changes its direction along the curved surfaces of the coolair dispersing blades 132, and is directed into thefresh food compartment 3 so as to disperse horizontally. When concentrated cooling in a specific area is needed, the drivingmotor 135 stops therotational shaft 131 so that the coolair dispersing blades 132 direct cool air to the specific area. However, since theblade parts air dispersing device 130 are S-shaped, the left or right sides of thefresh food compartment 3 may not be supplied with the cool air sufficiently and the smooth flow of cool air may be impeded by a vortices in the cool air formed about the coolair discharge ports 16. - A refrigerator according to the present invention is characterised in that the cool air distributing means includes a plurality of blades associated with said aperture and mounted for rotational movement about respective horizontal axes and drive means for reciprocating the blades about said respective axes such that the blades remain plane parallel to each other.
- Preferably, the drive means includes an elongate vertical member, drivingly engaging each of the blades. More preferably, the vertical member passes through each blade and is provided with a plurality of pairs of bulges, respective members of each pair of bulges being located immediately above and immediately below a respective blade. Still more preferably, each blade has a substantially keyhole-shaped hole through which the vertical member extends, the larger portion of each hole being large enough for the bulges to pass therethrough and the smaller portion of each hole being too small for the bulges to pass therethrough.
- Preferably, the drive means comprises a motor drivingly coupled to a cylindrical member, the cylindrical member having a groove, forming an inclined loop about its circumferential surface, which receives a finger projecting from an end of the vertical member.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to Figures 4 to 13 of the accompanying drawings, in which:-
- Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a known refrigerator having cool air dispersing blades;
- Figure 2 is a partial enlarged sectional view of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the main elements of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a front view of a first refrigerator according to the present invention;
- Figure 5 is a side sectional view of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the cool air dispersing device shown in Figures 4 and 5;
- Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the elements of Figure 6 in their assembled state;
- Figures 8 and 9 are side sectional views of the elements of Figure 6 in their assembled state;
- Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a cool air dispersing device of a second refrigerator according to the present invention;
- Figure 11 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the elements of Figure 10 in their assembled state; and
- Figures 12 and 13 are side sectional views of the elements of Figure 10 in their assembled state.
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- Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Parts that are the same as or similar to parts shown in Figures 1 through 3 will be identified with the same reference numerals. The description of the parts, which are substantially the same as those of the prior art, will be omitted.
- Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a
freezing compartment 2 and acooling compartment 3 in acabinet 1. Thecompartments Doors compartments fresh food compartment 3 and divide it into three areas one above another. A specialfresh chamber 18 for storing food that requires a specific temperature range is formed at the top of thefresh food compartment 3 and avegetable chamber 19 for storing vegetables is formed at the bottom of thefresh food compartment 3. A heat pump, comprising acompressor 11, a condenser (not shown), afreezing compartment evaporator 12a, and a freshfood compartment evaporator 12b, is installed in thecabinet 1. Cool air generated by theevaporators corresponding cooling compartments freezing compartment fan 13a and the freshfood compartment fan 13b. Asupply duct 15 and areturn duct 17 are provided at the back of thefresh food compartment 3. The cool air generated by the freshfood compartment evaporator 12b is driven by the freshfood compartment fan 13b into thefresh food compartment 3 via thesupply duct 15 and the coolair discharge ports 16. Adevice 30 for dispersing the cool air vertically is installed in thesupply duct 15. - Referring to Figures 6 to 9, the vertically dispersing
device 30 comprises a plurality of planar vertically dispersingblades 51, and arotary device 61 for vertically reciprocating thevertical dispersing blades 51 through a predetermined angle. - The
vertical dispersing blades 51 are installed in thesupply duct 15. Threevertical dispersing blades 51 are provided for each of upper and lower coolair discharge ports duct plate 9 is bent so as to protrude into thefresh food compartment 3, and the vertically dispersingblades 51 are generally arcuate so as to be accommodated within theduct plate 9. - Each of the vertically dispersing
blades 51 has ahorizontal stub shaft 58 formed on either side. Onflanges 45, provided at both vertical edges of theduct plate 9, are formed a plurality of shaft holes 47 into which thestub shafts 58 are inserted. As thehorizontal shafts 58 are inserted into the shaft holes 47, the vertically dispersingblades 51 are supported and can be rotated. Ahole 57 is formed in each of the vertically dispersingblades 51. Alink member 41 which will be described below passes through thehole 57. Theholes 57 are formed at positions spaced from thestub shafts 58. Therotation device 61 comprises a drivingmotor 63, acam 65 rotated by the drivingmotor 63, and alink member 41 which is raised and lowered by thecam 65. The drivingmotor 63 is fixed onto a fixingpart 49 provided at the top of theduct plate 9. - The
cam 65 comprises of acylindrical cam body 66 coupled coaxially with ashaft 64 of the drivingmotor 63, and acam groove 67 formed on the circumferential surface of thecam body 66. Thecam groove 67 is in the form of an inclined closed loop. Thelink member 41 comprises a vertical rod and passes through the vertically dispersingblades 51 via theholes 57. - The lower end of the
link member 41 is inserted into a supportinghole 29 provided on alower flange 28 of theduct plate 9. Thelink member 41 is supported by the supportinghole 29 so as to be capable of rising and falling. Thelink member 41 has a plurality of pairs ofbulges 43 which serve to engage the vertically dispersingblades 51. Each vertically dispersingblade 51 is held between the members of one of the pairs ofbulges 43. - The
cam groove 67 receives the free end of afinger 42 which protrudes from the top of thelink member 41. Thus, thelink member 41 is caused to rise and fall as thecam 65 rotates. - The operation of the first refrigerator according to the present invention will now be described.
- Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the
cam 65 is rotated by the drivingmotor 63 continuously. When the vertically dispersingblades 51 are tilted downward as shown in Figure 8, cool air in thesupply duct 15 is discharged downwards by the vertically dispersingblades 51. When the vertically dispersingblades 51 are tilted upward as shown in Figure 9, cool air is discharged upwards. Accordingly, as thecam 65 is rotating continuously, the vertically dispersingblades 51 reciprocate through a predetermined angle while remaining plane parallel to each other. - As described, the discharge direction of the cool air is continuously changed as the angular position of the vertically dispersing
blades 51 is changed, so the cool air is dispersed into thefresh food compartment 3 uniformly. Moreover, since the vertically dispersingblades 51 are planar, vortices are not formed in the cool air stream by the rotation of the vertically dispersingblades 51. - Furthermore, if the concentrated supply of the cool air to a specific area, such as an upper area or a lower area, is required, the concentrated cooling can be realized by stopping the driving
motor 63 when the vertically dispersingblades 51 are directed to the corresponding area. In such a situation, temperature sensors placed at a plurality of positions in thefresh food compartment 3, as well as a control part for controlling the drivingmotor 63 on the basis of the sensing signal from the temperature sensors have to be provided. - Referring to Figures 10 to 13, the parts of a vertically dispersing
device 40 of a second embodiment of the present invention that are identical to those in the above-described first embodiment are referred to with the same reference numerals. in the present embodiment, the constructions of the drivingmotor 63, thecam 65, and thelink member 41 are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment. - Each of the vertically dispersing
blades 51 has a generally keyhole-shaped hole comprising alarge portion 67 and asmall portion 68. Thelarge portion 67 is large enough to allow thebulges 43 to pass through. That is, the diameter of thelarge portions 67 is larger than that of thesmall portions 43. The diameter of thesmall portions 68 is greater than that of thelink member 41 and smaller than that of thebulges 43. During assembly, thelink member 41 is passed through thelarge portions 67. Thereafter, thelink member 41 is moved sideways so as to be received in thesmall portions 68. Eachblade 51 is then located between the members of a respective pair ofbulges 43 as in the first embodiment. - Since the
small hole 68 is smaller than thebulges 43, thebulges 43 support the vertically dispersingblades 51. Furthermore, since the size of thelarge portions 67 is greater than that of thesmall potions 43, thelink member 41 can be passed through the vertically dispersingblades 51 easily. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, thelink member 41 and the vertically dispersingblades 51 can be assembled easily. - The operation of the vertically dispersing
device 40 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, while thecam 65 is rotating continuously, the vertically dispersingblades 51 reciprocate between a position rotated downward as shown in Figure 12 and a position rotated upward as shown in Figure 13. Therefore, the cool air is dispersed vertically. - As described above, according to the present invention, a stable cool air flow and a uniform distribution of cool air in vertical direction can be achieved without vortices being formed in the cool air stream near the cool air discharge ports.
- Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation.
Claims (12)
- A refrigerator comprising a cooling compartment (3), an aperture (16) opening into the compartment (3), a heat pump (11, 12b) and cool air distributing means (13b, 30) for supplying cool air generated by the heat pump (11, 12b) to the compartment (3) through the aperture (16), characterised in that the cool air distributing means (13b, 30) includes a plurality of blades (51) associated with said aperture (16) and mounted for rotational movement about respective horizontal axes and drive means (61) for reciprocating the blades (51) about said respective axes such that the blades (51) remain plane parallel to each other.
- A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the drive means (61) includes an elongate vertical member (41), drivingly engaging each of the blades (51).
- A refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the vertical member (41) passes through each blade (51) and is provided with a plurality of pairs of bulges (43), respective members of each pair of bulges (43) being located immediately above and immediately below a respective blade (51).
- A refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein each blade (51) has a substantially keyhole-shaped hole through which the vertical member (41) extends, the larger portion (67) of each hole being large enough for the bulges (43) to pass therethrough and the smaller portion (68) of each hole being too small for the bulges (43) to pass therethrough.
- A refrigerator according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the drive means (61) comprises a motor (63) drivingly coupled to a cylindrical member (66), the cylindrical member (66) having a groove (67), forming an inclined loop about its circumferential surface, which receives a finger (42) projecting from an end of the vertical member (41).
- A refrigerator comprising: a duct plate being installed on a side wall of a cooling compartment, said duct plate for forming a cool air duct in said side wall, said duct plate having at least one cool air discharge port opened into said cooling compartment; a plurality of vertical dispersing blades of planar plate shape being installed in said cool air duct to be capable of rotating with respect to a horizontal axis, said vertical dispersing blades being disposed in parallel with each other; and a means for rotating said vertical dispersing blades reciprocally within a predetermined angular range with respect to said horizontal axis while said vertical dispersing blades are maintained parallel with each other.
- The refrigerator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rotating means comprises: a link member having a plurality of assembly parts respectively assembled with said vertical dispersing blades at positions distanced from said horizontal axis, said link member being capable of moving up and down vertically; and a means for elevating/de-elevating said link member.
- The refrigerator as claimed in claim 7, wherein said link member has a shape of a rod passing through said vertical dispersing blades, and said assembly parts are comprised of assembly protrusions formed on said link member.
- The refrigerator as claimed in claim 8, wherein a pair of said assembly protrusions support respectively an upper surface and a lower surface of each of said vertical dispersing blades.
- The refrigerator as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said vertical dispersing blades has a through-going hole through which said link member and said assembly protrusions pass, and an assembly hole having diameter greater than that of said link member and smaller than that of said assembly protrusions; whereby said link member which has passed through said vertical dispersing blades through said through-going holes is assembled with said assembly holes by being received thereinto.
- The refrigerator as claimed in claim 7, wherein said elevating/de-elevating means comprises: a driving motor; and a cam for converting a rotational movement of said driving motor to an elevational/de-elevational movement of said link member.
- The refrigerator as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cam has a cylindrical cam body installed on said rotational shaft coaxially therewith, and a cam groove formed on a circumference of said cam body, which is a closed loop having an elevating/deelevating cam profile; and said link member has an operation protrusion engaged with said cam groove.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR9742262 | 1997-08-28 | ||
KR1019970042262A KR19990018968A (en) | 1997-08-28 | 1997-08-28 | Refrigerator with cold air distributor |
KR1019970042266A KR19990018972A (en) | 1997-08-28 | 1997-08-28 | Refrigerator with cold air distributor |
KR9742266 | 1997-08-28 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0899526A2 true EP0899526A2 (en) | 1999-03-03 |
EP0899526A3 EP0899526A3 (en) | 2000-01-12 |
Family
ID=26633037
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98306907A Withdrawn EP0899526A3 (en) | 1997-08-28 | 1998-08-27 | Refrigerator with cool air distributing means |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0899526A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11118319A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100482003B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1210248A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012062845A2 (en) | 2010-11-11 | 2012-05-18 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A refrigerator the air circulation of which is controlled |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR101520704B1 (en) * | 2009-01-21 | 2015-05-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
JP6165427B2 (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2017-07-19 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | refrigerator |
CN105546917B (en) * | 2016-02-01 | 2018-02-13 | 合肥华凌股份有限公司 | Ducting assembly and refrigerator |
CN107120889A (en) * | 2017-04-01 | 2017-09-01 | 合肥梦飞电器有限公司 | Intelligent circulation wind household electrical appliances refrigerating plant |
CN107726706B (en) * | 2017-09-22 | 2019-12-31 | 合肥华凌股份有限公司 | Air control device and refrigeration equipment |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1995027278A1 (en) | 1994-03-30 | 1995-10-12 | Harrison & Sons Limited | Self-adhesive stamps |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2735351A (en) * | 1956-02-21 | abrahamsen | ||
US2012527A (en) * | 1931-03-16 | 1935-08-27 | Jr Edward H Batchelder | Refrigerator car |
JPH06137666A (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1994-05-20 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Air direction changing device for packaged air conditioner |
BR9404619A (en) * | 1994-11-24 | 1997-03-04 | Multibras S7A Eletrodomesticos | Air flow baffle fins set for air circulator |
KR0162412B1 (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 1999-02-18 | 구자홍 | New regulation loading concentration cooling apparatus of a refrigerator |
-
1998
- 1998-08-19 JP JP10233270A patent/JPH11118319A/en active Pending
- 1998-08-22 KR KR1019980034165A patent/KR100482003B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-08-27 CN CN98118716A patent/CN1210248A/en active Pending
- 1998-08-27 EP EP98306907A patent/EP0899526A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1995027278A1 (en) | 1994-03-30 | 1995-10-12 | Harrison & Sons Limited | Self-adhesive stamps |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012062845A2 (en) | 2010-11-11 | 2012-05-18 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A refrigerator the air circulation of which is controlled |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR100482003B1 (en) | 2005-06-08 |
EP0899526A3 (en) | 2000-01-12 |
KR19990023803A (en) | 1999-03-25 |
CN1210248A (en) | 1999-03-10 |
JPH11118319A (en) | 1999-04-30 |
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