U.S. patent application number 13/432761 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for air duct device for refrigerator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian S. Kim. Invention is credited to Brian S. Kim.
Application Number | 20130255305 13/432761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49233044 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130255305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Brian S. |
October 3, 2013 |
AIR DUCT DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
An air duct device for refrigerator includes a first
compartment, a second compartment, and a fan motor. The first
compartment has a front opening and a rear opening. The second
compartment has a front opening, and the second compartment is
disposed by the first compartment and connected with the first
compartment through an intermediate opening. The fan motor provided
at a first location close to the front opening of the first
compartment for taking in air from outside and blowing the air into
the first compartment toward the rear opening of the first
compartment. The condenser is installed at a second location
between the first location and the rear opening of the first
compartment and the compressor is installed at a third location
between the second location and the the rear opening of the first
compartment and the compressor.
Inventors: |
Kim; Brian S.; (Rancho Patos
Verdes, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Brian S. |
Rancho Patos Verdes |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49233044 |
Appl. No.: |
13/432761 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/426 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2323/0026 20130101;
F25D 2323/00263 20130101; F25D 2323/0027 20130101; F25D 2323/00273
20130101; F25D 23/003 20130101; F25D 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/426 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06 |
Claims
1. An air duct device for refrigerator having a condenser and a
compressor, the air duct device comprising: a first compartment
having a front opening and a rear opening; a second compartment
having a front opening, wherein the second compartment is disposed
by the first compartment and connected with the first compartment
through an intermediate opening; and a fan motor provided at a
first location close to the front opening of the first compartment
for taking in air from outside and blowing the air into the first
compartment toward the rear opening of the first compartment,
wherein the condenser is installed at a second location between the
first location and the rear opening of the first compartment and
the compressor is installed at a third location between the second
location and the the rear opening of the first compartment, wherein
the fan motor forces the air to flow from outside into the first
compartment, such that a first part of the air is vented through
the rear opening of the first compartment and a second part of the
air through the intermediate opening into the second compartment
and then through the front opening of the second compartment.
2. The air duct device of claim 1, wherein the air from the outside
flows into and through the first compartment working as an internal
air duct.
3. The air duct device of claim 2, wherein the air from the first
compartment flows into and through the second compartment working
as an external air duct.
4. The air duct device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area
of the second compartment is substantially smaller than the
cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
5. The air duct device of claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional area
of the front opening of the first compartment is approximately
equal to sum of the cross-sectional areas of the rear opening of
the first compartment and the front opening of the second
compartment.
6. The air duct device of claim 1, wherein the absorbing power of
the fan motor is adjusted to be enough for the second part of the
air to be vented through the front opening of the second
compartment.
7. The air duct device of claim 1, wherein the air is directed to
flow through the condenser and the compressor.
8. The air duct device of claim 1, further comprising a dividing
flange provided between the front openings of the first and second
compartments, wherein the dividing flange is slanted toward the
first compartment such that the vented air from the second
compartment is directed away from the front opening of the first
compartment.
9. The air duct device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of first columns of directing plates provided in front of the front
opening of the first compartment, wherein the first directing
plates are controllable to direct the air flow from the front
opening of the first compartment.
10. The air duct device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first
columns of directing plates are detachable.
11. The air duct device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of second columns of directing plates provided in front of the
front opening of the second compartment, wherein the second
directing plates are controllable to direct the air flow from the
front opening of the second compartment.
12. The air duct device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of first
columns of directing plates are detachable.
13. The air duct device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate
opening between the first and second compartments is disposed
obliquely by an angle with respect to a dividing wall between the
first and second compartments.
14. The air duct device of claim 13, wherein the angle is
determined by the ratio of a width of the second opening to a width
of the first opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air duct device for
refrigerator.
[0002] Considering that refrigerators are machine for cooling, it
is an irony for them to have chronic overheat problems.
[0003] There are ways to solve the problems. The present invention
is about one of the ways, getting rid of hot air from inside of the
refrigerators.
[0004] Accordingly, a need for an air duct device for refrigerator
has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands
in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these
problems and satisfy the long-felt need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages
of the prior art.
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide an air duct device
for refrigerator.
[0007] An air duct device for refrigerator having a condenser and a
compressor comprises a first compartment, a second compartment, and
a fan motor.
[0008] The first compartment has a front opening and a rear
opening.
[0009] The second compartment has a front opening, and the second
compartment is disposed by the first compartment and connected with
the first compartment through an intermediate opening.
[0010] The fan motor provided at a first location close to the
front opening of the first compartment for taking in air from
outside and blowing the air into the first compartment toward the
rear opening of the first compartment.
[0011] The condenser is installed at a second location between the
first location and the rear opening of the first compartment and
the compressor is installed at a third location between the second
location and the the rear opening of the first compartment.
[0012] The fan motor forces the air to flow from outside into the
first compartment, such that a first part of the air is vented
through the rear opening of the first compartment and a second part
of the air through the intermediate opening into the second
compartment and then through the front opening of the second
compartment.
[0013] The air from the outside may flow into and through the first
compartment working as an internal air duct.
[0014] The air from the first compartment may flow into and through
the second compartment working as an external air duct.
[0015] The cross-sectional area of the second compartment may be
substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first
compartment.
[0016] The cross-sectional area of the front opening of the first
compartment may be approximately equal to sum of the
cross-sectional areas of the rear opening of the first compartment
and the front opening of the second compartment.
[0017] The absorbing power of the fan motor may be adjusted to be
enough for the second part of the air to be vented through the
front opening of the second compartment.
[0018] The air may be directed to flow through the condenser and
the compressor.
[0019] The air duct device may further comprise a dividing flange
provided between the front openings of the first and second
compartments, and the dividing flange may be slanted toward the
first compartment such that the vented air from the second
compartment is directed away from the front opening of the first
compartment.
[0020] Alternatively, the air duct device may further comprise a
plurality of first columns of directing plates provided in front of
the front opening of the first compartment, and the first directing
plates may be controllable to direct the air flow from the front
opening of the first compartment. The plurality of first columns of
directing plates may be detachable.
[0021] Also, the air duct device may further comprise a plurality
of second columns of directing plates provided in front of the
front opening of the second compartment, and the second directing
plates may be controllable to direct the air flow from the front
opening of the second compartment. The plurality of second columns
of directing plates may be detachable.
[0022] The intermediate opening between the first and second
compartments may be disposed obliquely by an angle with respect to
a dividing wall between the first and second compartments.
[0023] The angle may be determined by the ratio of a width of the
second opening to a width of the first opening.
[0024] The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the air
duct device facilitates air flow through the refrigerator; and (2)
the air duct device facilitates air flow through the refrigerator
even in a small space.
[0025] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the
fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the
following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a conventional air duct
device;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a another perspective view showing an air duct
device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the air duct device of
FIG. 2;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an air duct according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an air duct for an air duct
device according to still another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0032] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an air duct with a directing
flange for an air duct device according to still another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0033] FIGS. 2-4 show an air duct device 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows an air duct
for an air duct device 100 according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0034] In a conventional air duct device of a refrigerator 90, the
air flows as shown in FIG. 1. Air is taken in from outside, passes
through regions of condenser 92 and compressor 94, and is blown out
of the inside toward the rear (A) and the side (B) of the
refrigerator 90.
[0035] In the above conventional refrigerator, the air heated up by
the condenser 92 and the compressor 94, may be difficult to be
blown away and removed from the inside, especially if the openings
to the rear or to the side are blocked by obstacles such as
wall.
[0036] Once the hot air lingers longer in the refrigerator 90, the
temperature increases and the hot atmosphere may inflict some
damages to some sensitive parts of the refrigerator 90 such as
electronic devices.
[0037] In order to solve the above ventilating and overheating
problems, the present invention provides the followings
solutions.
[0038] An air duct device 100 for refrigerator 90 having a
condenser 92 and a compressor 94 comprises a first compartment 10,
a second compartment 20, and a fan motor 30.
[0039] The first compartment 10 has a front opening 12 and a rear
opening 14 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0040] The second compartment 20 has a front opening 22, and the
second compartment 20 is disposed by the first compartment 10 and
connected with the first compartment 10 through an intermediate
opening 24 as shown in FIG. 4.
[0041] The fan motor 30 provided at a first location close to the
front opening 12 of the first compartment 10 for taking in air from
outside and blowing the air into the first compartment 10 toward
the rear opening 14 of the first compartment 10 as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3.
[0042] The condenser is installed at a second location between the
first location and the rear opening 14 of the first compartment 10
and the compressor 94 is installed at a third location between the
second location and the the rear opening 14 of the first
compartment 10.
[0043] The fan motor 30 forces the air (T) to flow from outside
into the first compartment 10, such that a first part (R) of the
air is vented through the rear opening 14 of the first compartment
10 and a second part (F) of the air through the intermediate
opening 24 into the second compartment 20 and then through the
front opening 22 of the second compartment 20 as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3.
[0044] The air from the outside may flow into and through the first
compartment 10 working as an internal air duct.
[0045] The air from the first compartment 10 may flow into and
through the second compartment 20 working as an external air
duct.
[0046] The cross-sectional area of the second compartment 20 may be
substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first
compartment 10.
[0047] The cross-sectional area of the front opening 12 of the
first compartment 10 may be approximately equal to sum of the
cross-sectional areas of the rear opening 14 of the first
compartment 10 and the front opening 22 of the second compartment
20, so that the air input to the inside is substantially equal to
the air output from the inside.
[0048] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the
cross-sectional area of the front opening 12 of the first
compartment 10 may be smaller than sum of the cross-sectional areas
of the rear opening 14 of the first compartment 10 and the front
opening 22 of the second compartment 20, so as to counteract to
some resistance of air flow through the first opening 22 of the
second compartment 20.
[0049] The absorbing power of the fan motor 30 may be adjusted to
be enough for the second part (F) of the air to be vented through
the front opening 22 of the second compartment 20, which is also
for overcoming some resistance of air flow through the first
opening 22 of the second compartment 20.
[0050] The air may be directed to flow through the condenser 92 and
the compressor 94. The cold air from outside is blown over and
through the condenser 92 and the compressor 94, so as to cool them
down. Therefore, the air input (T) is cooler than the air output
(R, F).
[0051] The air duct device 100 may further comprise a dividing
flange 50 provided between the front openings 12, 22 of the first
and second compartments 10, 20, and the dividing flange 50 may be
slanted toward the first compartment 10 such that the vented air
from the second compartment 20 is directed away from the front
opening 12 of the first compartment 10 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0052] Alternatively, the air duct device 100 may further comprise
a plurality of first columns of directing plates 16 provided in
front of the front opening 12 of the first compartment 10, and the
first directing plates 16 may be controllable to direct the air
flow from the front opening 12 of the first compartment 10 as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0053] Also, the air duct device 100 may further comprise a
plurality of second columns of directing plates 26 provided in
front of the front opening 22 of the second compartment 20, and the
second directing plates 26 may be controllable to direct the air
flow from the front opening 22 of the second compartment 20 as
shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of second columns of directing
plates 26 may be detachable.
[0054] The intermediate opening 24 between the first and second
compartments 10, 20 may be disposed obliquely by an angle with
respect to a dividing wall 21 between the first and second
compartments 10, 20. as shown in FIG. 5.
[0055] The angle may be determined by the ratio of a width of the
rear opening 14 to a width of the front opening 12. Such a oblique
intermediate opening 24 may facilitate the air flow from the first
compartment 10 to the second compartment 20.
[0056] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail,
compositions and operation may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *