CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish Patent Application TR 2022/018592, filed Dec. 5, 2022; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cooling device according to the preamble of the independent claim.
In cooling devices, foodstuffs are placed into the different storage compartments in the cabinet, such as a vegetable compartment, a meat compartment, a beverage compartment. These storage compartments need to be cooled independently from each other since different kinds of foodstuffs need to be kept at different conditions from each other. Moreover, in some cases, different kinds of vegetables have to be kept at different conditions in order to remain fresh for a long time in the cooling devices.
European patent application EP 3 680 591 A1, corresponding to U.S. patent publication No. 2020/0224954, discloses a refrigerator which includes a cabinet that forms a chamber, a partition wall configured to partition the chamber into a storage space and an air flow path, a partition shelf configured to partition the storage space into a first space and a second space, a heat exchanger provided in the air flow path, and a first damper provided in the air flow path to adjust air supplied to the first space. The top of the heat exchanger is lower than the bottom surface of the partition shelf. The first damper is provided at a height overlapping the partition shelf in a horizontal direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device having a plurality of storage spaces which are cooled independently from each other.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage compartment which is cooled from different sides of the storage compartment independently in order to be cooled in an efficient manner.
The present invention proposes a cooling device containing a cabinet having a storage compartment. At least one partition member is configured to divide the storage compartment into at least two of a first space, a second space and a third space. At least one inner guide is provided with an air flow path containing a first air supply duct configured to introduce the air into the first space and a second air supply duct configured to introduce the air into the second space. At least one fan is configured to generate air flow in the air flow path. A first air flow control means is provided on the first air supply duct to adjust an amount of air supplied to the first space. A second air flow control means is provided on the second air supply duct to adjust an amount of air supplied to the second space. The cooling device further contains a third air supply duct configured to introduce the air into the third space. A third air flow control means is provided on the third air supply duct to adjust an amount of air supplied to the third space and in that at least two of the first air flow control means. The second air flow control means and third air flow control means are arranged to be controlled independently of each other. Therefore, the first space, the second space and the third space are cooled independently from each other. In other words, temperatures of the different spaces are controlled independently from each other. Thus, different kinds of foodstuffs which are kept in certain temperature conditions are kept fresh for a longer time in the cooling device. Besides, user convenience is enhanced since the temperature of the spaces is controlled by the user according to the user's needs. For instance, the first space may be used as a fresh-food compartment and the second space may be used as a freezer compartment. When the user needs more than one freezer compartment, the first space may be used as a freezer compartment by changing the temperature of the first space by the user. In large cooling devices, there are more than one inner guide. In this embodiment, each inner guide has at least one fan.
The cooling device further contains a fourth air supply duct configured to introduce the air into the first space provided on the inner guide in such a way that the fourth air supply duct is spaced apart from the first air supply duct. Therefore, the cold air is introduced into the first space by using two different air supply ducts. Thus, the temperature of the first space is decreased rapidly since the quantity of the cold air which is introduced into the first space is increased. Since the first space is cooled by using two different air supply ducts, the first space may be larger than the second space and the third space.
A fourth air flow control means is provided on the fourth air supply duct to adjust an amount of air supplied to the first space. Therefore, the amount of air supplied from the fourth air supply duct to the first space is controlled according to the temperature of the first space.
The first air supply duct has a first air outlet which opens to the first space. The fourth air supply duct has a fourth air outlet which opens to the first space, and wherein the first air outlet and the fourth air outlet are spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the first space is cooled in an efficient manner since the first space is cooled from different sides of the first space.
The first air flow control means and the fourth air flow control means are arranged to be controlled independently of each other. Therefore, the first space is cooled in an efficient manner and rapidly.
At least two of the air flow control means are embodied as a single unit such as a double damper. Therefore, the space is saved in the inner guide. Besides, manufacturing cost is reduced when more than one air flow control means are embodied as a single unit. Likewise, three or four air flow control means may be embodied as a single unit. The manufacturing cost is reduced as increasing the number of air flow control means to be embodied as a single unit.
The first air flow control means and the second air flow control means are embodied as a first double damper. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is reduced. Besides, the space is saved in the inner guide.
The third air flow control means and the fourth air flow control means are embodied as a second double damper. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is reduced since the structural design is simplified. Besides, the space is saved in the inner guide.
At least a portion of the fan is positioned between the first double damper and the second double damper. Therefore, air flow performance in the inner guide is improved in a cost-efficient manner. Besides, the space in the inner guide is saved since only one fan is used for generating an air flow.
The first double damper and the second double damper are positioned in the inner guide in an angled manner with respect to each other. Therefore, the space in the inner guide is saved while improving the air flow performance in the inner guide.
The first double damper is provided with a first control unit configured to control the first air flow control means and the second air flow control means. Therefore, the first air flow control means and the second air flow control means are controlled by using only one control unit. Thus, space is saved in the inner guide. Moreover, the air flow efficiency in the inner guide is enhanced.
The second double damper is provided with a second control unit configured to control the third air flow control means and the fourth air flow control means. Therefore, the third air flow control means and the fourth air flow control means are controlled by using only one control unit. Thus, space is saved in the inner guide. Moreover, the air flow efficiency in the inner guide is enhanced.
In this document, “X-direction” corresponds to a center axis which extends parallel to a height direction of the cooling device and the cabinet.
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 a cooling device having an air flow control device, 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a cooling device according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the cooling device according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the cooling device provided with the air flow control means according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the cooling device provided with the air flow control means according to the invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inner guide according to the invention; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inner guide according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown the present invention having a cooling device 10 containing a cabinet 20 having a storage compartment 21 where the items to be cooled can be located. The cabinet 20 contains a front access opening 22 at a front side of the cooling device 1 for accessing the storage compartment 21 from outside. At least one door (not shown) hinged to the cabinet 20 is provided for selectively covering the front access opening 22. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, at least one partition member 40 divides the storage compartment 21 into at least two of a first space 211, a second space 212 and a third space 213. The partition member 40 extends at least horizontally which is perpendicular to a center axis X extending in a height direction of the cabinet 20. The first space 211 is provided over the partition member 40. The second space 212 and the third space 213 are provided below the partition member 40. The first space 211 is sealed from both of the second space 212 and the third space 213. The second space 212 is a pull-out drawer. The third space 213 is also a pull-out drawer. The first space 211, the second space 212 and the third space 213 may be divided from each other by the partition member 40 in an air-sealed manner. As seen in FIG. 5, an inner guide 30 provided at a rear side of the cooling device 1 which is the side opposite to the front side of the cooling device 1, comprises an air flow path P. The inner guide 30 can be covered by at least one front panel so that the inner guide 30 cannot be seen from inside the storage compartment 21. As seen in FIG. 3, the inner guide 30 is provided behind a rear wall of the cooling device 10. In FIG. 5, the air flow path P includes a first air supply duct 31 configured to introduce the air into the first space 211 and a second air supply duct 32 configured to introduce the air into the second space 212. The first air supply duct 31 and the second air supply duct 32 are formed on the inner guide 30. The cooling device 10 further includes a fan 70 configured to generate an air flow in the air flow path P. The cold air generated in a heat exchanger unit not shown is transferred to the spaces 211, 212, 213 by using the fan 70. When the fan 70 is operated, the cold air flows to the air supply ducts 31, 32, 33. Referring to FIG. 5, at least one fan 7 is provided center of the inner guide 30. As seen in FIG. 6, the center axis X of the inner guide 30 passes over the fan 70. The center axis X divides the inner guide 30 into a first half side and a second half side. The first air supply duct 31 and the second air supply duct 32 are formed on the first half side of the inner guide 30. Since the first air supply duct 31 configured to introduce the air into the first space 211, the first air supply duct 31 is formed over the second air supply duct 32 with respect to the height direction of the cooling device 10. The first ends of the first air supply duct 31 and the second air supply duct 32 are the ends facing the fan 70. The second ends of the and first air supply duct 31 and the second air supply duct 32 are the ends facing the respective air outlets 310, 320. The distance between the first air supply duct 31 and the second air supply duct 32 increases from the first ends to the second ends. A first air flow control means 51 is provided on the first air supply duct 31 to adjust an amount of air supplied to the first space 211; a second air flow control means 52 is provided on the second air supply duct 32 to adjust an amount of air supplied to the second space 212. The cooling device 10 further includes a third air supply duct 33 configured to introduce the air into the third space 213 and a third air flow control means 53 provided on the third air supply duct 33 to adjust an amount of air supplied to the third space 213. The first air flow control means 51, the second air flow control means 52 and the third air flow control means 53 are identical. The first air flow control means 51 includes a first flap 55. The second air flow control means 52 includes a second flap 56. The third air flow control means 53 comprises a third flap 57. The first, second and the third flaps 55, 56, 57 are movable between a closed position wherein the air flow is blocked and an open position enabling air to pass. The first air flow control means 51, the second air flow control means 52 and the third air flow control means 53 also comprise a control unit 611, 621 which controls the opening degree of the respective first, second and the third flaps 55, 56, 57. The control units 611, 621 control the opening degree of the respective first, second and the third flaps 55, 56, 57 according to the data taken from a temperature sensor of the related spaces 211, 212, 213 and according to a desired temperature which is determined by the user using an input unit of the cooling device 10. At least two of the first air flow control means 51, second air flow control means 52 and third air flow control means 53 are arranged to be controlled independently of each other. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all of the first air flow control means 51, second air flow control means 52 and third air flow control means 53 are controlled independently of each other. Therefore, the temperature of the different spaces 211, 212, 213 of the cooling device 10 may be controlled independently from each other. Thus, spaces 211, 212, 213 having different temperatures can be obtained in the cooling device 10.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the cooling device 10 further comprises a fourth air supply duct 34 configured to introduce the air into the first space 211. The fourth air supply duct 34 is provided on the inner guide 30. As seen in FIG. 5, the fourth air supply duct 34 is spaced apart from the first air supply duct 31. A fourth air flow control means 54 is provided on the fourth air supply duct 34 to adjust an amount of air supplied to the first space 211. The fourth air flow control means 54 includes a fourth flap 58 and a control unit 611, 621 controlling the opening degree of the fourth flap 58. All of the flaps 55, 56, 57, 58 are identical to each other. The third air supply duct 33 and the fourth air supply duct 34 are formed on the second half side of the inner guide 30. The first ends of the third air supply duct 33 and the fourth air supply duct 34 are the ends facing the fan 70. The second ends of the and third air supply duct 33 and the fourth air supply duct 34 are the ends facing the respective air outlets 330, 340. The distance between the third air supply duct 33 and the fourth air supply duct 34 increases from the first ends to the second ends. Since the fourth air supply duct 34 configured to introduce the air into the first space 211, the fourth air supply duct 34 is formed over the third air supply duct 33 with respect to the height direction of the cooling device 10. As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first space 211 is larger than the second space 212 and third space 213. The temperature of the first space 211 is controlled by using two different air supply ducts, e.g. the first air supply duct 31 and the fourth air supply duct 34 and two air flow control means, e.g. the first air flow control means 51 and the fourth air flow control means 54. When rapid cooling is needed for the first space 211, both of the first air flow control means 51 and fourth air flow control means 54 are configured to introduce cold air into the first space 211.
Referring to FIG. 2, the first air supply duct 31 has at least one first air outlet 310 which opens to the first space 211. The fourth air supply duct 34 has at least one fourth air outlet 340 which opens to the first space 211. The first air outlet 310 and the fourth air outlet 340 are spaced apart from each other. The center axis X divides the first space 211 into a right half side and a left half side. As seen in FIG. 2, the first air outlet 310 is provided at the right half side of the first space 211 with respect to the center axis X. The fourth air outlet 340 is provided at the left half side of the first space 211 with respect to the center axis X. Therefore, when a hot foodstuff is placed in the first space 211, the cold air may be introduced into the respective half side where the hot foodstuff is placed in the first space 211. Thus, the first space 211 is cooled in an energy-efficient manner. Moreover, the first space 211 is cooled rapidly. Preferably, both of the first air outlet 310 and the fourth air outlet 340 are identical with each other. Thus, the cool air can evenly be distributed to the first space 211. The number of the first air outlet 310 and the number of the fourth air outlet 340 are same. As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, all of the first air outlets 310 and all of the fourth air outlets 340 are provided at the rear wall in such a way that the first air outlet 310 and the fourth air outlet 340 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the center axis X.
The first air flow control means 51 and the fourth air flow control means 54 are arranged to be controlled independently of each other. Since the first air flow control means 51 and the fourth air flow control means 54 are controlled independently from each other, the first space 211 has different cooling modes. For instance, in a rapid cooling mode, the both of the first and fourth air flow control means 51, 54 introduce air into the first space 211. Therefore, the first space 211 is cooled rapidly in the rapid cooling mode. For another instance, in a distinct cooling mode, only one of the first and fourth air flow control means 51, 54 introduces air into the first space 211.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, at least two of the air flow control means are embodied as a single unit such as a double damper 61, 62. As seen in FIG. 5, a first double damper 61 includes the first flap 55 and the second flap 56. The second double damper 621 includes the third flap 57 and the fourth flap 58. The respective control units 611, 621 of each double dampers 61, 62 are provided between two respective flaps 55, 56, 57, 58. The respective control unit 611, 621 is provided on the inner guide 30 so as to be between two respective air supply ducts.
Referring to FIG. 5, the first air flow control means 51 and the second air flow control means 52 are embodied as a first double damper 61. One end of the first air supply duct 31 opens to the right half side of the first space 211. The second space 212 is provided at the right half side of the storage compartment 21. The first air supply duct 31 is adjacent to the second air supply duct 32. The first flap 55 of the first double damper 61 is provided on the first air supply duct 31 and the second flap 56 of the first double damper 61 is provided on the second air supply duct 32. A second air outlet 320 which opens to the second space 212 are provided at the rear wall of the cooling device 10.
Referring to FIG. 5, the third air flow control means 53 and the fourth air flow control means 54 are embodied as a second double damper 62. One end of the third air supply duct 33 opens to the left half side of the first space 211. The third space 213 is provided at the left half side of the storage compartment 21. The third air supply duct 33 is adjacent to the fourth air supply duct 34. The third flap 57 of the second double damper 62 is provided on the third air supply duct 33. The fourth flap 58 of the second double damper 62 is provided on the fourth air supply duct 34.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, at least a portion of the fan 70 is positioned between the first double damper 61 and the second double damper 62. Preferably, the fan 70 is positioned in the center of the inner guide 30. Referring to FIG. 5, the fan 70 is at least partly enclosed curved walls in order to increase the efficiency of the air flow. The curved walls direct the air from the fan 70 to the air supply ducts 31, 32, 33, 34. Therefore, the cold air is introduced into the air supply ducts 31, 32, 33, 34 by using only one fan 70.
Referring to FIG. 6, the first double damper 61 and the second double damper 62 are positioned in the inner guide 30 in an angled manner with respect to each other. The first double damper 61 and the second double damper 62 are symmetric to each other with respect to a center axis X extending in a height direction of the cooling device 10. Therefore, air flow performance in the inner guide 30 is enhanced.
Referring to FIG. 5, the first double damper 61 is provided with a first control unit 611 configured to control the first air flow control means 51 and the second air flow control means 52. As seen in FIG. 5, the first control unit 611 is provided between the first flap 55 and the second flap 56 of the first double damper 61. The first control unit 611 is provided between the first air supply duct 31 and the second air supply duct 32. The first control unit 611 controls the first and second air flow control means 51, 52 independently from each other.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second double damper 62 is provided with a second control unit 621 configured to control the third air flow control means 53 and the fourth air flow control means 54. As seen in FIG. 5, the second control unit 621 is provided between the flaps 57, 58 of the second double damper 62. The first control unit 611 is provided between the third air supply duct 33 and the fourth air supply duct 34. The second control unit 621 controls the third and fourth air flow control means 53, 54 independently from each other.
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.
REFERENCE LIST
10. Cooling device
20. Cabinet
21. Storage compartment
211. First space
212. Second space
213. Third space
22. Front access opening
30. Inner guide
31. First air supply duct
310. First air outlet
32. Second air supply duct
320. Second air outlet
33. Third air supply duct
330. Third air outlet
34. Fourth air supply duct
340. Fourth air outlet
40. Partition member
51. First air flow control means
52. Second air flow control means
53. Third air flow control means
54. Fourth air flow control means
55. First flap
56. Second flap
57. Third flap
58. Fourth flap
61. First double damper
611. First control unit
62. Second double damper
621. Second control unit
- P. Air flow path
- X. Center axis
Patent Application
20240180343
