U.S. patent application number 09/765613 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-14 for refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine.
Invention is credited to Wei, Ming Shan.
Application Number | 20020017109 09/765613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21671463 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020017109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wei, Ming Shan |
February 14, 2002 |
Refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigeration circulation
apparatus of a playing machine, including a refrigerator and a
baffle. The baffle is mounted in the frame of a playing machine.
The refrigerator includes an evaporator mounted on one end of the
baffle, and extended to the upper side and the lower side of the
baffle. The evaporator of the refrigerator is mounted in a first
passage. A plurality of fans are mounted under the first passage.
When the refrigeration circulation starts operation, the fans
located under the first passage start to draw the air under the
baffle. The heat is absorbed by the evaporator of the refrigerator,
and the air is then blown out through the first passage to be
returned to a position under the baffle through a second passage.
Thus, the air circulates continuously between the upper side and
the lower side of the baffle through the evaporator of the
refrigerator, so that the cold air can be used for refrigerating
food placed on the upper surface of the baffle.
Inventors: |
Wei, Ming Shan; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS
625 Slaters Lane - 4th Floor
Alexandria
VA
22314-1176
US
|
Family ID: |
21671463 |
Appl. No.: |
09/765613 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.2 ;
62/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; F25D 11/00 20130101; G07F 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/259.2 ;
62/331 |
International
Class: |
F25D 023/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 9, 2000 |
TW |
89213882 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine,
comprising: a frame of a playing machine; a baffle, mounted in the
frame of the playing machine, thereby dividing the frame into an
upper side and a lower side, the baffle having a first end defining
a first passage, and a second end defining a second passage; a
refrigerator, including an evaporator, a compressor, and a
condenser, which are connected by a pipe, the evaporator mounted in
the first passage of the baffle; and a plurality of fans, mounted
under the first passage of the baffle; wherein, when the fans
located under the first passage of the baffle start operation, air
under the baffle is drawn, to pass through the evaporator of the
refrigerator to be cooled, cold air is blown from holes of the
first passage, to enter the second passage through an upper surface
of the baffle, whereby the cold air is returned to a position under
the baffle, and the cold air circulates continuously between an
upper portion and a lower portion of the baffle, for refrigerating
food placed on the upper portion of the baffle.
2. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the first passage is provided with a
first cover extending between the upper side and the lower side of
the baffle, the first cover has a portion extending to the upper
side of the baffle and defining a plurality of holes, when the fans
start operation, air under the baffle is drawn to enter the first
cover, the air passes through the evaporator of the refrigerator to
be cooled, and is blown toward the second passage through the holes
of the first cover.
3. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the second passage is provided with a
second cover extending between the upper side and the lower side of
the baffle, the second cover defines a plurality of holes, when the
cold air is blown outward from the holes of the first cover, the
cold air enters the holes of the second cover located above the
baffle, and is drained through the holes of the second cover
located under the baffle.
4. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover has a lower end
provided with a collecting chute, the collecting chute has a lower
portion connected to a flow guide pipe, water condensed by the
evaporator is collected in the collecting chute, and is drained
outward from the playing machine through the flow guide pipe.
5. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is provided with a
temperature control device for adjusting a refrigeration
temperature, and when reaching a preset temperature, the compressor
stops operation for saving energy.
6. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame of the playing machine is
provided with an article falling opening, the article falling
opening is provided with a catch plate, when a user operates the
playing machine, the catch plate is opened for allowing falling of
food, when the user stops operating the playing machine, the catch
plate is closed, thereby preventing the cold air from leaking
through the article falling opening to the ambient environment.
7. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein a heat insulating baffle is mounted
under the baffle, thereby preventing the cold air from absorbing
heat of an environment.
8. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 6, wherein operation of the catch plate is
controlled by a motor and a plurality of linking levers.
9. The refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle is provided with a plurality
of through holes, when the cold air is blown outward through the
holes of the first passage, the cold air flows through the through
holes to a position located under the baffle, thereby enhancing the
refrigeration efficiency.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigeration circulation
apparatus of a playing machine, and more particularly to a
refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine for
maintaining the freshness of food.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Prior Art
[0004] A conventional playing machine lacks refrigeration
equipment, therefore, the conventional playing machine cannot be
used to store food therein. If the food is stored in the playing
machine, the storage period is very short, thereby causing
inconvenience to the operator, and thereby decreasing the variation
and amusement effect of the playing machine. In addition, if the
conventional refrigeration device is installed on the conventional
playing machine, the refrigeration scope is too broad, thereby
increasing consumption of electricity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a playing machine
is provided with a refrigeration circulation which is limited in a
constant scope, thereby refrigerating the food in the playing
machine, and thereby reducing unnecessary consumption of
electricity.
[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine. The
playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation which
uses the principle of natural convection, wherein the hot air
lifts, while the cold air lowers down, so that the cold air
circulates continuously between the upper side and the lower side
of the baffle, thereby increasing the refrigeration efficiency.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine. The
playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation, so
that the playing machine can be used to refrigerate food, thereby
increasing the amusing effect of the present invention.
[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a
refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine. The
playing machine is provided with a refrigeration circulation, so
that the playing machine can be used to refrigerate and store
food.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine,
essentially including a refrigerator and a baffle. The baffle is
mounted in the frame of a playing machine, thereby dividing the
frame into an upper side and a lower side. The food needed to be
refrigerated is placed on the upper surface of the baffle. The
refrigerator includes an evaporator mounted in a first passage of
one end of the baffle, and extended to the upper side and the lower
side of the baffle. A first cover is fitted on the evaporator of
the refrigerator, and has a portion extending to the upper side of
the baffle and defining a plurality of holes. A plurality of fans
are mounted under the first passage. The baffle defines a second
passage opposite to the first passage. The second passage is
preferably provided with a second cover which defines a plurality
of holes and extends to the upper side and the lower side of the
baffle. When the refrigeration circulation starts operation, the
fans of the first cover start to draw and blow the air under the
baffle toward the inside of the first cover. The heat of the air in
the first cover is absorbed by the evaporator of the refrigerator
to become cold air which is pressurized by the fans, and is then
blown out through the holes of the first cover, through the upper
surface of the baffle, to flow into the holes of the second cover
extending at the upper side of the baffle. The air flows to the
lower side of the baffle through the holes of the second cover
extending at the lower side of the baffle. Thus, the air circulates
continuously between the upper side and the lower side of the
baffle through the evaporator of the refrigerator, so that the cold
air can be used for refrigerating food placed on the upper surface
of the baffle, thereby retaining the freshness of the food.
[0010] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed
description with appropriate reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigeration
circulation apparatus of a playing machine in accordance with the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the
refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown
in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan assembly view of the refrigeration
circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the refrigeration
circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigeration
circulation apparatus of a playing machine along the line 5-5 as
shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the refrigeration
circulation apparatus of a playing machine as shown in FIG. 5;
and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a refrigeration circulation
apparatus of a playing machine in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a
refrigeration circulation apparatus of a playing machine in
accordance with the present invention comprises a refrigerator 100
and a baffle 200. The baffle 200 is mounted in the frame 400 of an
article capture playing machine, thereby dividing the frame 400
into an upper side and a lower side. The food needed to be
refrigerated is placed on the upper surface of the baffle 200. The
evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100 is mounted in a first
passage 201 defined in one end of the baffle 200, and extends
between the upper side and the lower side of the baffle 200. The
first passage 201 is preferably provided with a first cover 300
which is fitted on the evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100. The
compressor 120 of the refrigerator 100 is mounted on the bottom of
the frame 400 of the playing machine. The condenser 130 is mounted
on the top of the frame 400 of the playing machine. The evaporator
110, the compressor 120, and the condenser 130 are connected by a
pipe 101.
[0019] Again referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first cover 300 has a
portion extending to the upper side of the baffle 200 and defining
a plurality of holes 301. The first cover 300 has a lower end
provided with a collecting chute 303, and the collecting chute 303
has a lower portion connected to a flow guide pipe 304 for allowing
draining water. A plurality of fans 302 are mounted under the first
passage 201 of the baffle 200. The other end of the baffle 200
defines a second passage 202 opposite to the first passage 201. The
second passage 202 is preferably provided with a second cover 310
which extends between the upper side and the lower side of the
baffle 200, and defines a plurality of holes 311. The baffle 200 is
preferably provided with a plurality of through holes 203. A heat
insulating baffle 430 is mounted under the baffle 200, and between
the first cover 300 and the compressor 120. The playing machine is
provided with an inclined face 410 and an article falling opening
420, and the lower portion of the article falling opening 420 is
provided with a catch plate 421 which may open or close the article
falling opening 420. In addition, the refrigerator 100 is provided
with a temperature control device (not shown) for adjusting the
refrigeration temperature of food, and when reaching a preset
temperature, the compressor 120 stops operation for saving
energy.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, when the refrigeration
circulation starts operation, the fans 302 under the first passage
201 start to draw and blow the air under the baffle 200 toward the
inside of the first cover 300. The heat of the air in the first
cover 300 is absorbed by the evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100
to become cold air which is pressurized by the fans 302, and is
then blown out through the holes 301 of the first cover 300,
through the upper surface of the baffle 200, to flow into the holes
311 of the second cover 310 extending at the upper side of the
baffle 200. Part of the cold air enters the lower portion of the
baffle 200 through the through holes 203 of the baffle 200 for
increasing the convection. The air passes through the second
passage 202, and flows to the lower side of the baffle 200 through
the holes 311 of the second cover 310 extending at the lower side
of the baffle 200. Thus, the air may continuously circulate between
the upper side and the lower side of the baffle 200 through the
evaporator 110 of the refrigerator 100, so that the cold air can be
used for refrigerating food placed on the upper surface of the
baffle 200, thereby maintaining the freshness of the food. The
water condensed by the evaporator 110 is collected in the
collecting chute 303 of the first cover 300, and is drained outward
from the playing machine through the flow guide pipe 304. By means
of the effect of natural convection, when the cold air is blown out
through the first cover 300, the hot air lifts, while the cold air
lowers down, so that most of the cold air may enter the second
passage 202. When the cold air flows out through the second passage
202, the cold air will not directly contact the compressor 120 by
means of the heat insulating baffle 430 mounted between the first
cover 300 and the compressor 120, thereby preventing the cold air
from absorbing the heat produced by the compressor 120.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-7, when the article capture
playing machine is not in use, the catch plate 421 of the article
falling opening 420 is closed, thereby preventing the cold air of
the refrigeration circulation from leaking through the article
falling opening 420 to the ambient environment. When the user
operates the article capture playing machine, the food 500 that has
been captured is released on the inclined surface 410 to slide down
along the inclined surface 410 toward the article falling opening
420. At the same time, operation of the catch plate 421 of the
article falling opening 420 is controlled by a motor 422 and a
plurality of linking levers 423 to open, so that the food 500 can
pass through the article falling opening 420 for the user to take
it.
[0022] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood
that many other possible modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is,
therefore, contemplated that the appended claim(s) will cover such
modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the
invention.
* * * * *