Patent Application
20240183600
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. ยง 119, of Turkish Patent Application TR 2022/018591, filed Dec. 5, 2022; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates generally to refrigeration systems and, more particularly (although not necessarily exclusively), to an airflow system for temperature control in a refrigeration appliance.
Refrigeration systems can include an evaporator and a compressor. The compressor can pump refrigerant through the refrigeration system. For example, a signal from a sensor can indicate that a temperature of the refrigeration system is above a set temperature. In response, the compressor can turn on to pump the refrigerant to facilitate cooling of the refrigeration system. Additionally, the refrigerant pumped by the compressor can pass through the evaporator to cool a surface of the evaporator. Thus, the evaporator can facilitate cooling of air within the refrigeration system. In some examples, the refrigeration system can include one or more compartments and the air cooled by the evaporator can be distributed to the one or more compartments to cool the one or more compartments. A user may set temperatures of the one or more compartments and the evaporator, compressor, and other suitable components can be used to generate the temperatures. Different temperature for different compartments can be desirable to optimize preservation of particular fruits, vegetables, or other perishables.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an airflow system for temperature control in a refrigeration appliance, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to an airflow system for temperature control in a refrigeration appliance. The airflow system may be included in a refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator, freezer, or other suitable refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance may include one or more compartments in a body of the refrigeration appliance for storing food or other perishables. The compartments can be drawers, shelfs, or other suitable compartments. Additionally, the refrigeration appliance can include an evaporator, which can be a device with a cool surface for cooling air in the refrigeration appliance. The airflow system can include multiple fans and dampers to distribute and control airflow in the refrigeration appliance. By generating and controlling the airflow in the refrigeration appliance, the airflow system can control the temperature of the refrigeration appliance. Additionally, the airflow system can distribute air evenly to provide a uniform temperature throughout a full volume of the one or more compartments, the body of the refrigeration appliance, or a combination thereof.
Conventional refrigeration systems may not generate sufficient airflow to control the temperature of a large refrigeration appliance. Additionally, in conventional refrigeration systems, a single fan may be used to generate airflow. It may be necessary for the single fan to continually operate at a maximum power to provide the sufficient airflow, which can increase energy consumption and noise level associated with cooling the refrigeration appliance. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system with multiple fans that can provide the sufficient airflow to the one or more compartments without to the fans continually operating at the maximum power. Therefore, the system can decrease the energy consumption and the noise level associated with cooling the refrigeration appliance. Additionally, in some examples, different temperatures can be desirable for one or more compartments of the refrigeration appliance, or temperatures of the one or more compartments can change different rates. The airflow system or refrigeration appliance can include sensors for measuring the temperatures of the one or more compartments. Therefore, in some examples, the airflow system may selectively direct airflow, block airflow, or create stronger airflow to the one or more compartments of the refrigeration appliance based on the temperatures.
In a particular example, the airflow system can include a first housing and a second housing, a first fan and a second fan, and a first damper and a second damper. The first fan and the second fan can be devices for distributing airflow. The first damper and the second damper can be devices for balancing or directing airflow from the first fan and the second fan. Additionally, the first fan and the first damper can be positioned within the first housing. The second fan and the second damper can be positioned within the second housing. The refrigeration appliance can further include one or more compartments, such as a refrigeration compartment, a left drawer, and a right drawer. The first damper can include a first flap and a second flap, and the second damper can include a third flap and a fourth flap. The first flap and the third flap can be directed toward the refrigeration compartment, thereby creating two conduits for airflow into the refrigeration compartment. The second flap can be directed toward the left drawer and the fourth flap can be directed toward the right drawer. The first flap, the second flap, the third flap, and the fourth flap can open and close independently of one another to selectively direct airflow from the first fan and the second fan depending on a cooling specification of the refrigeration compartment, the left drawer, the right drawer, or a combination thereof.
Illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
The airflow system can control temperature in the first compartment 102a, the second compartment 102b, the third compartment 102c, the one or more freezer compartments 110, or a combination thereof. The airflow system can be placed in an interior of the refrigeration appliance 100 and can be placed proximate to an evaporator. In some examples, the airflow system can be positioned horizontally in a bottom portion of the first compartment 102a. The airflow system may further be positioned behind the second compartment 102b and the third compartment 102c. In other examples, the airflow system can be positioned at other locations in the refrigeration appliance 100 or positioned vertically or at a different angle relative to an axis of the refrigeration appliance 100.
The airflow system 201 can include components such as a first housing 204a and a second housing 204b, a first fan 206a and a second fan 206b, and a first damper 216a and a second damper 216b. The airflow system 201 can, via the components, direct air to provide air to a volume of a first compartment 102a, a second compartment 102b, a third compartment 102c, additional compartments, or a combination thereof. By directing air, the airflow system 201 can control a first temperature of the first compartment 102a, a second temperature of the second compartment 102b, a third temperature of the third compartment 102c, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the airflow system 201 can evenly distribute air to the compartments to provide uniform temperature distribution in the compartments.
In some examples, temperatures of the compartments 102a-c can be set by a user or otherwise provided for the refrigeration appliance 100. Each of the compartments 102a-c can be different temperatures. The airflow system 201 may produce the different temperatures in the compartments 102a-c by selectively directing air or selectively blocking air to the compartments 102a-c. For example, the user may set the second compartment 102b and the third compartment 102c to be a lower temperature than the first compartment 102a. The lower temperature of the second compartment 102b and the third compartment 102c can be used to store raw meat, poultry, or other perishables. Thus, the airflow system 201 may temporarily direct air to the second compartment 102b and the third compartment 102c and temporarily block air to the first compartment 102a to provide the lower temperature. Additionally, in an example, warm air may rise toward a top portion of the first compartment 102a. Therefore, additional air may be directed toward the first compartment 102a to replace the warm air at the top portion of the first compartment 102a with cool air. To provide the additional air, the airflow system 201 may selectively direct air from more than one fan to the first compartment 102a.
In an example, the first fan 206a and the first damper 216a can be positioned within the first housing 204a. Additionally, the second fan 206b and the second damper 216b can be positioned within the second housing 204b. The first housing 204a and the second housing 204b can receive air from the evaporator 220. The first fan 230a can distribute first air from the air received by the first housing 204a from the evaporator 220. The second fan 230b can distribute second air from the air received by the second housing 204b from the evaporator 220.
Additionally, the first housing 204a can include a first geometry 214a that can define a first opening that can extend into the first compartment 102a. The first housing 204a can further include a second geometry 214b that can define a second opening that can extend into the second compartment 102b. The second housing 204b can include a third geometry 214c that can define a third opening that can also extend into the first compartment 102a. The second housing 204b can also include a fourth geometry 214d that can define a fourth opening that can extend into the third compartment 102c. Therefore, the airflow system 201 can provide two sources of air for the first compartment 102a, which may be the largest of the compartments 102a-c. Additionally, the airflow system 201 may provide one source of air per additional compartments, such as drawers, in the refrigeration appliance 100.
The first damper 216a can include a first flap 218a and a second flap 218b. Additionally, the second damper 216b can include a third flap 218c and a fourth flap 218d. The first damper 216a can be positioned in the first housing 204a such that the first flap 218a can cover the first opening of the first geometry 214a and the second flap 218b can cover the second opening of the second geometry 214b. Similarly, the second damper 216b can be positioned in the second housing 204b such that the third flap 218c can cover the third opening of the third geometry 214c and the fourth flap 218d can cover the fourth opening of the fourth geometry 214d. Flaps 218a-d can have an open position and a closed position. In the open position, flaps 218a-d can allow airflow through corresponding geometries 214a-d. In the closed position, flaps 218a-d can block airflow through the corresponding geometries 214a-d. Additionally, the flaps 218a-d can individually switch between the open position and the closed position to selectively allow or block airflow to compartments 102a-c.
Therefore, in the example, the airflow system 201 of the refrigeration appliance 100 can create four paths of airflow 212a-d for the compartments 102a-c. A first airflow path 212a can include the first air distributed by the first fan 206a. The first air can, when the first flap 218a is in the open position, be directed through the first opening of the first geometry 214a to the first compartment 102a. When the first flap 218a is in the closed position the first air can be prevented from reaching the first compartment 102a. A second airflow path 212b can include the second air distributed by the second fan 206b. The second air can be directed through the third opening of the third geometry 214c to the first compartment 102a. The third flap 218c can enable the second airflow path 212b in the open position or the third flap 218c can block the second airflow path 212b in the closed position. A third airflow path 212c can include third air distributed by the first fan 206a. The third air can be directed through the second opening of the second geometry 214b to the second compartment 102b. The second flap 218b can enable the third airflow path 212c in the open position or the second flap 218b can block the third airflow path 212c in the closed position. A fourth airflow path 212d can include fourth air distributed by the second fan 206b. The fourth air can be directed through the fourth opening of the fourth geometry 214d to the third compartment 102c. The fourth flap 218d can enable the fourth airflow path 212d in the open position or the fourth flap 218d can block the fourth airflow path 212d in the closed position.
The refrigeration appliance 100 can further include one or more sensors 208 and a mainboard 210. In some examples, the compartments 102a-c may each include a sensor. The one or more sensors 208 may be thermistors or other suitable temperature sensors for detecting changes in the temperatures or measuring temperatures of the compartments 102a-c. In some examples, the one or more sensors 208 can be other suitable sensor types such as a proximity sensor or a reed sensor. Additionally, the mainboard 210 can be a device for receiving temperature data or other suitable data from the one or more sensors 208 and sending requests to the compressor or the evaporator 220 based on the data. The mainboard 210 can further be a device for sending signals to the fans 206a-b and dampers 216a-b. The mainboard 210 and the one or more sensors 208 can be communicatively coupled to the first fan 206a, the second fan 206b, the first damper 216a, the second damper 216b, or a combination thereof. The mainboard may also send requests to control the first fan 206a, the second fan 206b, the first damper 216a, the second damper 216b, or a combination thereof.
In some examples, the one or more sensors 208 can measure the first temperature of the first compartment 102a, the second temperature of the second compartment 102b, the third temperature of the third compartment 102c, or a combination thereof. Additionally, compartments 102a-c can have corresponding set temperatures. The mainboard 210 can, for example, receive a request for cooling the first compartment 102a from the airflow system 201 based on a difference between the first temperature and the set temperature of the first compartment 102a. In response, the compressor can turn on, which can pump refrigerant to the evaporator 220 to facilitate cooling of air for use by the airflow system 201. The mainboard 210 may also receive a request for cooling the second compartment 102b or a request for cooling the third compartment 102c. In some examples, the request for cooling the second compartment 102b and the request for cooling the third compartment 102c can only be made after the request for cooling the first compartment 102a to create an efficient air-cooling cycle.
Additionally or alternatively, the mainboard 210 can communicate with the airflow system 201 to determine or control a first speed of the first fan 206a, a second speed of the second fan 206b, a first position of the first flap 218a, a second position of the second flap 218b, a third position of the third flap 218c, a fourth position of the fourth flap 218d, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first speed can be different from the second speed to generate stronger airflow to a certain compartment or set of compartments. Additionally, the flaps 218a-d can be put into different positions to enable or block airflow to the certain compartment or set of compartments. For example, in response to a temperature increase in the third compartment 102c, the mainboard 210 can cause the second speed of the second fan 206b to increase, the third flap 218c to move to a closed position, and the fourth flap 218d to move to an open position.
In an example, the one or more sensors 208 can determine a current position of the flaps 218a-d and a current speed of the fans 206a-b. The mainboard 210 can receive the current position of the flaps 218a-d and the current speed of the fans 206a-b from the one or more sensors 208. Additionally or alternatively, the mainboard 210 can communicate with the dampers 216a-b and the fans 206a-b to determine the current position of the flaps 218a-d and the current speed of the fans 206a-b. The mainboard 210 may further receive temperatures of the compartments 102a-c from the one or more sensors 208. The mainboard 210 may also receive set temperatures of the compartments 102a-c that can be based on settings provided by the user. The mainboard 210 may send a signal to one or both of the dampers 216a-b to change a position of one or more of the flaps 218a-d. Additionally, the mainboard 210 may send a signal to one or both of the fans 206a-b to change a speed of one or both of the fans 206a-b. The signal sent by the mainboard 210 to the fans 206a-b, the dampers 216a-b, or a combination thereof can be based on a difference between the temperatures measured by the sensor and the set temperatures.
Additionally, in response to the compressor turning on, the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b be can activated. In response to the compressor turning off, the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b can be deactivated. In some examples, the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b may be deactivated for a timeframe that the compressor is turned off to prevent wasted energy. Moreover, when the compressor is turned off and the fans are deactivated, the flaps 218a-d can be in the closed position to prevent a reversal of airflow (e.g., airflow from the compartments 102a-c to the evaporator 220). The reversal of airflow can cause damage to components, such as ducts, in the refrigeration appliance 100.
The portion of the first housing 204a can be various shapes and sizes. The first section 306 and the second section 316 may also be various shapes and sizes. For example, the shape or size of the first section 306 may change for a different fan type or a different fan size. Similarly, the shape or size of the second section 316 can change for a different damper type or a different damper size. In an example, a housing with one geometry may use a single damper with one flap rather than a double damper with two flaps. Therefore, the second section 316 can be altered to fit the single damper.
Additionally, in some examples, the portion of the first housing 204a can include a different number of sections. The portion of the first housing 204a can also include a different number of geometries. For example, a housing can be provided that has four geometries. Additionally, the housing may include a first section for positioning a first fan in the housing. The housing may further include a second section for positioning a second fan in the housing. A third section can be for positioning a first damper in the housing and a fourth section can be for positioning a second damper in the housing. Therefore, in an example, a single housing can be used in an airflow system to distribute air to a number of compartments in a refrigeration appliance. In other examples, two or more housings can be used in the airflow system. Additionally, in some examples, each housing can include a different number of geometries, sections, or a combination thereof based on a number of compartments to which the airflow system is distributing air. The number of geometries, sections, or a combination thereof may also be based on the size of the compartments since, for example, a larger compartment can involve more than one source of airflow.
At first block 502, the airflow system 201 can distribute, by a first fan 206a positioned within at least one housing, first air from an evaporator 220 of a refrigeration appliance 100. The refrigeration appliance 100 can include compartments 102a-c. The evaporator 220 can be a device for converting refrigerant to gas to generate cool air in the refrigeration appliance 100. The evaporator 220 can be positioned proximate to the airflow system 201. The evaporator can further be positioned between a first compartment 102a, a second compartment 102b, and a third compartment 102c. The first fan 206a can distribute the first air by moving the air that can be cooled by a surface of the evaporator 220.
At second block 504, the airflow system 201 can distribute, by a second fan 206b positioned within the at least one housing, second air from the evaporator of the refrigeration appliance 100. The second fan 206b can distribute the second air by moving the air that can be cooled by the surface of the evaporator 220. In an example, the first fan 206a can be positioned in a first housing 204a and the second fan 206b can be positioned in a second housing 204b. In another example, the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b can be positioned in one housing.
In some examples, the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b in the airflow system 201 can distribute airflow in the refrigeration appliance 100 by operating at different speeds. A first speed of the first fan 206a can depend on temperatures of a first set of the compartments 102a-c. A second speed of the second fan 206b can depend on temperatures of a second set of the compartments 102a-c. For example, the first fan 206a can be associated with the second compartment 102b and the second fan 206b can be associated with the third compartment 102c. A sensor can detect an increase in temperature for the second compartment 102b. In response, a mainboard 210 can send a signal to the first fan 206a to increase the first speed. Additionally, as both the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b can provide airflow, the fans 206a-b may not be required to work at a maximum speed, which can save energy and increase the lifespan of the fans 206a-b.
At third block 506, the airflow system 201 can receive, by a first damper 216a positioned within the at least one housing, the first air from the first fan 206a. The first damper 216a can include a first flap 218a and a second flap 218b, which can have an open position and a closed position. The first damper 216a can be a device for controlling airflow from a freezer, fan, compartment, evaporator, etc. to another compartment or suitable portion of the refrigeration appliance 100. The first damper 216a can be positioned in the first housing 204a. The first housing 204a can include a first geometry 214a and a second geometry 214b. The first geometry 214 can extend into the first compartment 102a. The second geometry 214b can extend into the second compartment 102b. The first damper 216a can be positioned in the first housing 204a such that the first flap 218a can extend across the first geometry 214a and the second flap 218b can extend across the second geometry 214b.
At fourth block 508, the airflow system 201 can receive, by a second damper 216b positioned within the at least one housing, the second air from the second fan 206b. The second damper 216b can include a third flap 218c and a fourth flap 218d, which can have an open position and a closed position. The second damper 216b can also be a device for controlling airflow from a freezer, fan, compartment, evaporator, etc. to another compartment or suitable portion of the refrigeration appliance 100. The second damper 216b can be positioned in the second housing 204b. The second housing 204b can include a third geometry 214c and a fourth geometry 214d. The third geometry 214c can extend into the first compartment 102a and the fourth geometry can extend into the third compartment 102c. The second damper 216b can be positioned in the second housing 204b such that the third flap 218c can extend across the third geometry 214c and the fourth flap 218d can extend across the fourth geometry 214d.
In an example, the first damper 216a and the second damper 216b can be positioned in a single housing. The single housing may also include the first fan 206a and the second fan 206b. Additionally, the single housing can include the first geometry 214a, the second geometry 214b, the third geometry 214c, and the fourth geometry 214d. In other examples, a different number of housings can be used in the airflow system 201. Additionally, the housings may include a different number of fans, dampers, geometries, or a combination thereof.
Additionally, the dampers 216a-b can be electrically or mechanically controlled. The fans 206a-b can also be electrically or mechanically controlled. Controlling the dampers 216a-b can include moving the flaps 218a-d to a closed position or to an open position. In some examples, the mainboard 210 can send a signal to the dampers 216a-b to change a position of the flaps 218a-d.
At fifth block 510, the airflow system 201 can direct, by the first damper 216a, the first air from the first fan 206a to the first set of the compartments 102a-c. For example, the first compartment 102a and the second compartment 102b can be the first set of the compartments 102a-c. The airflow system 201 can direct air, by the first damper 216a, to decrease a temperature of the first set of the compartments 102a-c. The first damper 216a can direct air by opening or closing the flaps 218a-b.
In an example, a first sensor in the second compartment 102b may detect a change in temperature of the second compartment 102b. Additionally, a second sensor in the first compartment 102a may not detect a change in temperature of the first compartment 102a. The mainboard 210 can receive the change in temperature of the second compartment 102b from the first sensor. The mainboard 210 can send a signal to the first damper 216a to change a position of the second flap 218b to the open position to direct air to the second compartment 102b. Additionally, the first flap 218a may be in the closed position or the mainboard 210 may cause the first flap 218a to be in the closed position.
At sixth block 512, the airflow system 201 can direct, by the second damper 216b, the second air from the second fan 206b to the second set of the compartments 102a-c. For example, the first compartment 102a and the third compartment 102c can be the second set of the compartments 102a-c. The airflow system 201 can direct air, by the second damper 216b, to decrease a temperature of the second set of the compartments 102a-c. The second damper 216b can direct air by opening or closing the third and fourth flaps 218c-d.
In an example, a third sensor in the third compartment 102c may detect a change in temperature of the third compartment 102c. The mainboard 210 can receive the change in temperature of the third compartment 102c from the third sensor. The mainboard 210 can send a signal to the second damper 216b to change a position of the third flap 218c to the open position to direct air to the third compartment 102c. Additionally, the fourth flap 218d may be in the closed position or the mainboard 210 may cause the fourth flap 218d to be in the closed position.
Additionally or alternatively, the process 500 can include the airflow system 201 distributing, by the first fan 206a, third air and distributing, by the second fan 206b, fourth air. With the first flap 218a and the second flap 218b in the open position, the airflow system 201 can distribute, by the first fan 206a, the first air to the first compartment 102a through the first geometry 214a. Additionally, the airflow system 201 can distribute, by the first fan 206a, the third air to the second compartment 102b through the second geometry 214b. The third flap 218c and the fourth flap 218d can also be in the open position, so the airflow system 201 can therefore further distribute, by the second fan 206b, the second air to the first compartment 102a through the third geometry 214c. The airflow system 201 can also distribute, by the second fan 206b, the fourth air to the third compartment 102c through the fourth geometry 214d.
Additionally or alternatively, the airflow system 201 can include the mainboard 210 that can communicate with the first fan 206a, the second fan 206b, the first damper 216a, and the second damper 216b. The mainboard 210 can provide an indication of a first speed to the first fan 206a, a second speed to the second fan 206b, a first position for the first flap 218a to the first damper 216a, a second position for the second flap 218b to the first damper 216a, a third position for the third flap 218c to the second damper 216b, and a fourth position for the fourth flap 218d to the second damper 216b. Additionally, the airflow system 201 can include one or more sensors 208 that can communicate with the first fan 206a, the second fan 206b, the first damper 216a, and the second damper 216b. The first speed, the second speed, the first position, the second position, the third position, and the fourth position can based on a difference between a set temperature of the plurality of compartments and a measured temperature of the plurality of compartments measured by the sensor. The set temperature can be set by a user.
The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/018591 | Dec 2022 | TR | national |
