The present disclosure generally relates to a refrigeration unit and, more specifically, to a method for assembling a refrigeration unit.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration unit includes a cabinet and a first evaporator assembly operable between an uninstalled condition and an installed condition. In the uninstalled condition of the first evaporator assembly, the first evaporator assembly is not assembled with the cabinet. In the installed condition of the first evaporator assembly, the first evaporator assembly is assembled with the cabinet. The first evaporator assembly includes a first evaporator, a first suction line connected to the first evaporator at a first suction line joint, a first capillary tube connected to the first evaporator at a first capillary tube joint, and an insulating sleeve disposed about the first suction line and the first capillary tube. The first suction line joint and the first capillary tube joint of the first evaporator assembly are leak testable in the uninstalled condition of the first evaporator assembly.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a refrigeration unit includes connecting a suction line to an evaporator at a suction line joint, connecting a capillary tube to the evaporator at a capillary tube joint, testing the suction line joint and capillary tube joint for leaks via a gas leak test, inserting the suction line and capillary tube into an insulating sleeve, and installing the evaporator within a cabinet and feeding the sleeved suction line and capillary tube through a pass-through opening defined by the cabinet after testing the suction line joint and capillary tube joint for leaks.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a refrigeration unit includes inserting a machine compartment assembly, including a base plate and a compressor coupled to the base plate, into a machine compartment of the refrigeration unit, mounting a control box of the refrigeration unit to a side panel, and coupling the side panel to the refrigeration unit, such that the side panel conceals a lateral side of the machine compartment and the control box is laterally-inboard of the side panel.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a refrigeration unit. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
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In various embodiments, the evaporator assembly 60 may be leak-testable in the uninstalled condition. For example, in the uninstalled condition, the capillary tube joint 70 that connects the capillary tube 68 to the evaporator 62 and/or the suction line joint 66 that connects the suction line 64 to the evaporator 62 can be leak tested to determine whether the suction line and capillary tube joints 66, 70 are sealed in a manner sufficient for operation of the refrigeration unit 10. It is contemplated that the capillary tube and suction line joints 70, 66 can be tested via a variety of leak testing methods. In various implementations, the suction line and capillary tube joints 66, 70 may undergo a gas leak test in the uninstalled condition of the evaporator assembly 60, such as a helium leak test. Leak testing the evaporator assembly 60 in the uninstalled condition is advantageous in that defects in the evaporator assembly 60, such as an insufficiently sealed joint, can be identified before the evaporator assembly 60 is installed into the refrigeration unit 10. The capillary tube 68 and suction line 64 extending through the pass-through opening 38 of the cabinet 12 in the installed condition and being insulated by the insulating sleeve 72, rather than extending between the inner liner 54 and the outer wrapper 52 of the cabinet 12 and being insulated by insulation material 58 within the internal cavity 56 of the cabinet 12 directly, is also advantageous, as the evaporator assembly 60 may be repaired or replaced if a leak is detected without ruining the cabinet 12.
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In some implementations, the control box 110 is mounted to the side panel 108 at an elevated position within the machine compartment 44. For example, in some implementations, the control box 110 is mounted to the side panel 108, such that the control box 110 is wholly upward of the base plate 86 of the machine compartment assembly 46 when the side panel 108 is coupled to the cabinet 12. In some implementations, the control box 110 is mounted to the side panel 108, such that the control box 110 is wholly above an upper rim 112 of the water tray 96 that defines an upper opening to the water tray 96 when the side panel 108 is coupled to the cabinet 12. The elevated position of the control box 110 within the machine compartment 44 may advantageously prevent water overflows from reaching the control box 110. Additionally, the control box 110 being coupled to the inboard side of the removable side panel 108 may advantageously allow the control box 110 to be concealed within the machine compartment 44 when the side panel 108 is coupled to the cabinet 12 and yet conveniently serviceable via removal of the side panel 108 from the cabinet 12.
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The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 156 that includes coupling the water tray 96 to the base plate 86. The water tray 96 may be coupled to the base plate 86 such that the water tray 96 is further than the compressor 88 from the first guide rail 84A. In some embodiments of the method 150, the step 156 is performed after step 152 and/or step 154. In an exemplary embodiment, step 154 is performed after step 152 and step 156 is performed after step 154.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 158 that includes coupling the bracket 100 to the base plate 86. In some implementations, the step 158 of coupling the bracket 100 to the base plate 86 comprises coupling the bracket 100 to the water tray 96 coupled to the base plate 86. In some embodiments of the method 150, the step 158 is performed after step 152, 154, and/or step 156. In an exemplary embodiment, step 154 is performed after step 152, step 156 is performed after step 154, and step 158 is performed after step 156.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 160 that includes coupling the condenser 92 to the base plate 86. In some implementations, the step 160 of coupling the condenser 92 to the base plate 86 comprises coupling the condenser 92 to the bracket 100 that is coupled to the water tray 96, as illustrated in
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 162 that includes connecting the pre-condenser tube 98 to the compressor 88 and the condenser 92. The pre-condenser tube 98 may be connected to the compressor 88 at the compressor joint 99 and may be connected to the condenser 92 at the condenser joint 101. The step 162 may be performed after step 152, 154, 156, 158 and/or step 160. In an exemplary embodiment, step 154 is performed after step 152, step 156 is performed after step 154, step 158 is performed after step 156, step 160 is performed after step 158, and step 162 is performed after step 160.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 164 that includes leak testing the compressor joint 99 and the condenser joint 101. In some implementations, the step 164 of leak testing the compressor joint 99 and the condenser joint 101 may precede a step 168 that includes inserting the machine compartment assembly 46 into the machine compartment 44, as described further herein. The compressor joint 99 and the condenser joint 101 may be leak tested via a variety of leak testing methods, such as a helium leak test or other gas leak test.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 166 that includes coupling the condenser fan assembly 94 to the base plate 86. In some implementations, the step 166 of coupling the condenser fan assembly 94 to the base plate 86 may comprise coupling the condenser fan assembly 94 to the bracket 100 coupled to the water tray 96 that is coupled to the base plate 86. The step 166 may be performed after step 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, and/or step 162. In an exemplary embodiment, step 154 is performed after step 152, step 156 is performed after step 154, step 158 is performed after step 156, step 160 is performed after step 158, step 162 is performed after step 160, and step 166 is performed after step 162.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include the step 168 that includes inserting the machine compartment assembly 46 into the machine compartment 44. In some implementations, the machine compartment assembly 46 may be slid into the machine compartment 44 via the first and second guide rails 84A, 84B of the machine compartment assembly 46. In some implementations, the step 168 of inserting the machine compartment assembly 46 into the machine compartment 44 may be performed after the step 164 of leak testing the compressor joint 99 and the condenser joint 101. As such, any leaks from the compressor and/or condenser joints 99, 101 may be remedied before the machine compartment assembly 46 is positioned within the machine compartment 44 of the refrigeration unit 10. In some implementations of the method 150, the step 168 may be performed after step 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, and/or 166. In an exemplary embodiment, step 154 is performed after step 152, step 156 is performed after step 154, step 158 is performed after step 156, step 160 is performed after step 158, step 162 is performed after step 160, step 164 is performed after step 162, step 166 is performed after step 164, and step 168 is performed after step 166.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 170 that includes mounting the control box 110 to the side panel 108. As described herein, the control box 110 may be mounted at a relatively elevated position on the side panel 108, in various implementations. The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 172 that includes coupling the side panel 108 to the refrigeration unit 10. In some embodiments, the side panel 108 may be coupled to the refrigeration unit 10 in step 172, such that the side panel 108 conceals the lateral side of the machine compartment 44 and the control box 110 is positioned within the machine compartment 44, laterally-inboard of the side panel 108. In some implementations, the step 170 comprises mounting the control box 110 to a portion of the side panel 108, such that the control box 110 is positioned wholly upward of the base plate 86 of the machine compartment assembly 46 when the side panel 108 is coupled to the refrigeration unit 10 and the machine compartment assembly 46 is inserted within the machine compartment 44. In some implementations, the step 170 comprises mounting the control box 110 to a portion of the side panel 108, such that the control box 110 is positioned wholly upward of the upper rim 112 of the water tray 96 when the side panel 108 is coupled to the refrigeration unit 10 and the machine compartment assembly 46 is inserted within the machine compartment 44.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 174 that includes connecting the suction line 64 of the evaporator assembly 60 to the evaporator 62 at the suction line joint 66. It is contemplated that the step 174 of connecting the suction line 64 of the evaporator assembly 60 to the evaporator 62 at the suction line joint 66 may be executed in a variety of fashions (e.g., brazing, press-fitting, Lokring®, etc.). The method 150 may further include a step 176 that includes connecting the capillary tube 68 to the evaporator 62 at the capillary tube joint 70. The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 178 that includes testing the suction line joint 66 and the capillary tube joint 70 for leaks via a gas leak test. The step 178 of testing the suction line joint 66 and the capillary tube joint 70 may occur before installation of the evaporator assembly 60 into the refrigeration unit 10, as described further herein.
The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 may further include a step 180 that includes inserting the suction line 64 and capillary tube 68 into the insulating sleeve 72. The insulating sleeve 72 may be formed of a variety of materials, such as foam. The method 150 of assembling the refrigeration unit 10 further includes a step 182 that includes moving the evaporator assembly 60 from the uninstalled condition to the installed condition. In some implementations, the step 182 may include installing the evaporator 62 within the cabinet 12 and feeding the sleeved suction line 64 and capillary tube 68 through the pass-through opening 38 defined by the cabinet 12. In some implementations, the step 182 may include feeding the sleeved suction line 64 and capillary tube 68 through the pass-through opening 38 that extends through the inner liner 54 and the outer wrapper 52 of the cabinet 12 that cooperate to define the internal cavity 56 for receiving insulation material 58 therein. The step 182 may include positioning the evaporator 62 proximate to the freezer compartment 16 of the refrigeration unit 10, such that the evaporator 62 is configured to cool the freezer compartment 16. In some embodiments, the step 182 may include positioning the evaporator 62 proximate to the refrigerator compartment 18 of the refrigeration unit 10, such that the evaporator 62 is configured to cool the refrigerator compartment 18. In various embodiments, the step 182 of moving the evaporator assembly 60 from the uninstalled condition to the installed condition is performed after the step 178 of testing the suction line joint 66 and the capillary tube joint 70 for leaks.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration unit includes a cabinet and a first evaporator assembly operable between an uninstalled condition and an installed condition. In the uninstalled condition of the first evaporator assembly, the first evaporator assembly is not assembled with the cabinet. In the installed condition of the first evaporator assembly, the first evaporator assembly is assembled with the cabinet. The first evaporator assembly includes a first evaporator, a first suction line connected to the first evaporator at a first suction line joint, a first capillary tube connected to the first evaporator at a first capillary tube joint, and an insulating sleeve disposed about the first suction line and the first capillary tube. The first suction line joint and the first capillary tube joint of the first evaporator assembly are leak testable in the uninstalled condition of the first evaporator assembly.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the cabinet includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper, and a pass-through opening that extends through the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The inner liner and outer wrapper cooperate to define an internal cavity for receiving insulation material therein. Further, the insulating sleeve, and the first capillary tube and first suction line disposed within the insulating sleeve, extend through the pass-through opening in the assembled condition of the first evaporator assembly.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first evaporator is positioned proximate to and is configured to cool a refrigerator compartment of the refrigeration unit in the installed condition of the first evaporator assembly.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a second evaporator assembly operable between an uninstalled condition and an installed condition. In the uninstalled condition of the second evaporator assembly, the second evaporator assembly is not assembled with the cabinet. In the installed condition of the second evaporator assembly, the second evaporator assembly is assembled with the cabinet. The second evaporator assembly includes a second evaporator, a second suction line connected to the second evaporator at a second suction line joint, a second capillary tube connected to the second evaporator at a second capillary tube joint, and an insulating sleeve disposed about the second suction line and the second capillary tube. The second suction line joint and the second capillary tube joint of the second evaporator assembly are leak testable in the uninstalled condition of the second evaporator assembly.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the second evaporator is positioned proximate to and is configured to cool a freezer compartment of the refrigeration unit in the installed condition of the second evaporator assembly.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a refrigeration unit includes connecting a suction line to an evaporator at a suction line joint, connecting a capillary tube to the evaporator at a capillary tube joint, testing the suction line joint and capillary tube joint for leaks via a gas leak test, inserting the suction line and capillary tube into an insulating sleeve, and installing the evaporator within a cabinet and feeding the sleeved suction line and capillary tube through a pass-through opening defined by the cabinet after testing the suction line joint and capillary tube joint for leaks.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of installing the evaporator within the cabinet and feeding the sleeved suction line and capillary tube through the pass-through opening comprises feeding the sleeved suction line and capillary tube through the pass-through opening that extends through an inner liner and an outer wrapper of the cabinet that cooperate to define an internal cavity for receiving insulation material therein.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of installing the evaporator within the cabinet comprises positioning the evaporator proximate to the freezer compartment of the refrigeration unit, such that the evaporator is configured to cool the freezer compartment.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of installing the evaporator within the cabinet comprises positioning the evaporator proximate to the refrigerator compartment of the refrigeration unit, such that the evaporator is configured to cool the refrigerator compartment.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a refrigeration unit includes inserting a machine compartment assembly, including a base plate and a compressor coupled to the base plate, into a machine compartment of the refrigeration unit, mounting a control box of the refrigeration unit to a side panel, and coupling the side panel to the refrigeration unit, such that the side panel conceals a lateral side of the machine compartment and the control box is laterally-inboard of the side panel.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of mounting the control box comprises mounting the control box to a portion of the side panel, such that the control box is wholly upward of the base plate when the machine compartment assembly is inserted into the machine compartment and the side panel is coupled to the refrigeration unit.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a step of coupling the compressor to the base plate. The step of coupling the compressor to the base plate precedes the step of inserting the machine compartment assembly into the machine compartment of the refrigeration unit.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a step of coupling a water tray to the base plate. The step of coupling the water tray to the base plate precedes the step of inserting the machine compartment assembly into the machine compartment of the refrigeration unit.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of mounting the control box comprises mounting the control box to a portion of the side panel, such that the control box is wholly upward of an upper rim of the water tray when the machine compartment assembly is inserted into the machine compartment and the side panel is coupled to the refrigeration unit.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a step of coupling a condenser to the base plate after the step of coupling the water tray to the base plate and before the step of inserting the machine compartment assembly into the machine compartment of the refrigeration unit.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of coupling the condenser to the base plate comprises coupling the condenser to a bracket that is coupled to the water tray.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a step of connecting a pre-condenser tube to the compressor at a compressor joint and to the condenser at a condenser joint.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a step of leak testing the compressor joint and the condenser joint. The step of leak testing the compressor joint and the condenser joint precedes the step of inserting the machine compartment assembly into the machine compartment.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a step of coupling a condenser fan assembly to the base plate after the step of coupling the water tray to the base plate and before the step of inserting the machine compartment assembly into the machine compartment of the refrigeration unit.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of coupling the condenser fan assembly to the base plate comprises coupling the condenser fan assembly to the bracket that is coupled to the water tray.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.