U.S. patent application number 15/573073 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-26 for refrigerator wherein ice is obtained quickly.
The applicant listed for this patent is ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI. Invention is credited to Kadir Ridvan CELIK, Mehmet Ercan KAYMAK, Fahri KIRLI, Faik Emre OZYUKSEL.
Application Number | 20180112903 15/573073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55971014 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180112903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CELIK; Kadir Ridvan ; et
al. |
April 26, 2018 |
REFRIGERATOR WHEREIN ICE IS OBTAINED QUICKLY
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a
freezing compartment wherein the foodstuffs to be frozen are
placed, an ice making unit disposed inside the freezing
compartment, an ice compartment disposed on the ice making unit, an
ice pallet that is disposed on the ice compartment and that
provides the making of ice by freezing the water filled therein, an
air channel that is disposed on the ice making unit and that
provides the delivery of the air into the freezing compartment, a
fan that is disposed on the ice making unit and that blows air into
the air channel, and at least one opening that is arranged on the
ice making unit and that provides the delivery of the air blown
from the air channel over the ice pallet.
Inventors: |
CELIK; Kadir Ridvan;
(Istanbul, TR) ; OZYUKSEL; Faik Emre; (Istanbul,
TR) ; KAYMAK; Mehmet Ercan; (Istanbul, TR) ;
KIRLI; Fahri; (Istanbul, TR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI |
Istanbul |
|
TR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55971014 |
Appl. No.: |
15/573073 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
May 17, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/060974 |
371 Date: |
November 9, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2317/0665 20130101;
F25D 17/065 20130101; F25D 2317/0671 20130101; F25D 2317/0672
20130101; F25D 17/045 20130101; F25D 2317/061 20130101; F25C 1/24
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/24 20060101
F25C001/24; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04; F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 2, 2015 |
TR |
A 2015/06729 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising a freezing compartment wherein the
foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, an ice making unit disposed
inside the freezing compartment, an ice compartment disposed on the
ice making unit, an ice pallet that is disposed on the ice
compartment and that provides the making of ice by freezing the
water filled therein, an air channel that is disposed on the ice
making unit and that provides the delivery of the air into the
freezing compartment, a fan that is disposed on the ice making unit
and that blows air into the air channel, and at least one opening
that is arranged on the ice making unit and that provides the
delivery of the air blown from the air channel over the ice pallet,
characterized by a movement mechanism comprising at least one valve
that is disposed on the air channel and that has an open position
wherein the air blown by the fan is enabled to be delivered to the
opening by means of the air channel and a closed position wherein
the air blown by the fan is enabled to be dispersed inside the
freezing compartment without reaching the opening.
2. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the movement
mechanism that is disposed on the ice making unit and that has a
drive rod, one end of which extends outside for the user to move
the valves and the other end disposed on the valves.
3. A refrigerator as in claim 2, characterized by the movement
mechanism having a thermocouple that enables the valves to
automatically open and close by actuating the drive rod depending
on the temperature inside the ice compartment.
4. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the movement
mechanism having an electronic thermocouple that operates with the
energy supplied from outside.
5. A refrigerator as in claim 4, characterized by a control unit
having a control button that enables the user to control the energy
delivered to the thermocouple and that prevents the valves from
opening/closing automatically when the energy delivered to the
thermocouple is cut off.
6. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the fan that is
disposed inside the air channel.
7. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the fan that is
disposed inside the air channel, opposite the valves.
8. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the opening
disposed on the air channel, opposite to the part of the ice pallet
where ice is formed.
9. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by an ice
compartment having an ice cube tray disposed under the ice pallet
and wherein the ice cubes fall, the ice pallet and walls that
surround the ice pallet and the ice cube tray.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising
an ice making unit that is used in making ice.
[0002] In refrigerators, generally ice cube trays are used to make
ice. The ice making process is performed by placing the ice cube
trays that are filled with water by the user into the freezing or
fresh food compartment. Obtaining ice cubes in a short time is
significantly important for the user since the ice cubes are
consumed frequently for cold beverages especially in the summer
months. However, the time water becomes ice by freezing takes a
longer time than cooling. Therefore, water placed into the freezing
or fresh food compartment does not change into ice immediately. A
fan is used in freezing compartments for dispersing the cold air.
The cold air cannot be used efficiently by the ice cube trays since
it is dispersed inside the freezing compartment. It is a known
method to use an extra fan over the ice cube trays for the water to
freeze in a short time period and become ice. Thus, the cold air is
delivered directly to the ice cube tray without dispersing in the
freezing compartment and ice can be obtained in a short period of
time. However, this situation increases energy losses and results
in extra costs. In the state of the art European Patent Document
No. EP1821051, a refrigerator is disclosed that comprises an ice
making unit wherein an extra fan and extra evaporator are used for
making ice quickly.
[0003] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a
refrigerator wherein the ice is obtained quickly.
[0004] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the
present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective
claims thereof, comprises a freezing compartment wherein foodstuffs
to be frozen are placed and an ice making unit inside the freezing
compartment that provides the making of ice in a short period of
time. The ice making unit comprises an air channel and an ice
compartment.
[0005] The refrigerator of the present invention comprises the air
channel that enables the cold air to be directed in the freezing
compartment by means of the valves situated thereon. If the valves
on the air channel are in the open position, the cold air is
dispersed inside the freezing compartment and if the valves are in
the closed position, the cold air is directly delivered to the ice
compartment.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of
the valves is provided by the user by means of a drive rod disposed
inside the freezing compartment and extending outwards from the
valves.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of
the valves is provided automatically by a thermocouple that can
change size depending on the temperature inside the ice
compartment.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of
the valves is provided by an electronic thermocouple that is
supplied energy from outside.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user enables
the valves to be actuated by means of a control button disposed on
the control unit.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan is
disposed inside the air channel.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan is
disposed inside the air channel so as to be opposite to the
valves.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening
arranged on the air channel is opposite to the ice making portion
of the ice pallet.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the walls
surrounding the ice pallet, the ice cube tray and the ice cube tray
form the ice compartment.
[0014] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the
present invention is illustrated in the attached figures,
where:
[0015] FIG. 1--is the schematic view of a refrigerator.
[0016] FIG. 2--is the cross-sectional view of the freezing
compartment when the valves are open.
[0017] FIG. 3--is the cross-sectional view of the freezing
compartment when the valves are closed.
[0018] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as
follows: [0019] 1. Refrigerator [0020] 2. Freezing compartment
[0021] 3. Ice making unit [0022] 4. Ice compartment [0023] 5. Ice
pallet [0024] 6. Air channel [0025] 7. Fan [0026] 8. Opening [0027]
9. Valve [0028] 10. Movement mechanism [0029] 11. Drive rod [0030]
12. Thermocouple [0031] 13. Control button [0032] 14. Control unit
[0033] 15. Ice cube tray [0034] 16. Wall
[0035] The refrigerator (1) comprises a freezing compartment (2)
wherein the foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, an ice making unit
(3) disposed inside the freezing compartment (2), an ice
compartment (4) disposed on the ice making unit (3), an ice pallet
(5) that is disposed on the ice compartment (4) and that provides
the making of ice by freezing the water filled therein, an air
channel (6) that is disposed on the ice making unit (3) and that
provides the delivery of the air into the freezing compartment (2),
a fan (7) that is disposed on the ice making unit (3) and that
blows air into the air channel (6), and at least one opening (8)
that is arranged on the ice making unit (3) and that provides the
delivery of the air blown from the air channel (6) over the ice
pallet (5). The air blown by means of the fan (7) is delivered into
the air channel (6). Delivery of the air that moves inside the air
channel (6) onto the ice pallet (5) provides fast production of
ice.
[0036] The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a
movement mechanism (10) comprising at least one valve (9) that is
disposed on the air channel (6) and that has an open position (O)
wherein the air blown by the fan (7) is enabled to be delivered to
the opening (8) by means of the air channel (6) and a closed
position (C) wherein the air blown by the fan (7) is enabled to be
dispersed inside the freezing compartment (2) without reaching the
opening (8).
[0037] The cold air is enabled to be directed inside the freezing
compartment (2) by means of the valves (9) disposed on the air
channel (6).
[0038] While the valves (9) are in the closed position (C), the air
blown by means of the fan (7) moves forward directly inside the air
channel (6) and is directed onto the ice pallet (5). Accordingly,
ice is made in a short period of time without requiring the use of
additional fan or evaporator for increasing the amount of cold air.
Thus, energy saving is provided and efficiency increases.
[0039] When the valves (9) are in the open position (O), the air
blown by means of the fan (7) is dispersed inside the freezing
compartment (2) by passing through the valves (9).
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) that is disposed on the
ice making unit (3) and that has a drive rod (11), one end of which
extends outside for the user to move the valves (9) and the other
end disposed on the valves (9). When the end of the drive rod (11)
extending outwards is pulled by the user to be actuated, the drive
rod (11) pulls the valve (9) from one end and thus the valves (9)
are enabled to change to the open position (O). When the user
pushes the drive rod (11) from its end extending outwards towards
the ice making unit (3), the drive rod (11) moves inwards and
enables the valves (9) to change to the closed position (C).
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) having a thermocouple
(12) that enables the valves (9) to automatically open and close by
actuating the drive rod (11) depending on the temperature inside
the ice compartment (4). The said thermocouple (12), due to its
configuration, shortens when the temperature drops and gets longer
by expanding when the temperature rises. When the temperature rises
inside the ice compartment (4), the thermocouple (12) gets longer
and pushes the drive rod (11) towards the ice making unit (3).
Thus, the valves (9) change to the closed position (C), the air
blown by means of the fan (7) directly passes through the openings
(8) located on the air channel (6) and is blown towards the ice
pallet (5). When the temperature inside the ice compartment (4)
drops, the thermocouple (12) gets shorter and pulls the drive rod
(11) outwards. In this situation, the cold air is enabled to
disperse inside the freezing compartment (2) by the valves (9)
changing to the open position (O).
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) having an electronic
thermocouple (12) that operates with energy supplied from outside.
The electronic thermocouple (12) can only realize the expansion and
contraction process with electronic power by detecting the
temperature.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises a control unit (14) having a control button (13) that
enables the user to control the energy delivered to the
thermocouple (12) and that prevents the valves (9) from
opening/closing automatically when the energy delivered to the
thermocouple (12) is cut off. The energy delivered to the
thermocouple (12) is cut off when the user actuates the control
button (13). Accordingly, the thermocouple (12) is deactivated and
the movement of the valves (9) is performed by the user
mechanically. When the user actuates the control button (13) again,
energy is delivered to the thermocouple (12) once more and
opening/closing of the valves (9) becomes automatic depending on
the change in temperature.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises the fan (7) that is disposed inside the air channel
(6).
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan (7) is
located inside the air channel (6) opposite to the valves (9). The
fan (7) and the valves (9) being situated oppositely provides
direct delivery of cold air. Thus, when the valves (9) are in the
open position (O), the air is directly dispersed inside the
freezing compartment (2) and when in the closed position (C), the
air impacts the valves (9) and continues to move inside the air
channel (6).
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises the opening (8) that faces the part of the ice pallet
(5) where ice is formed. When the valves (9) are in the closed
position (C), the air that moves inside the air channel (6), passes
through the openings (8) and is directly guided onto the ice pallet
(5). Thus, faster cooling is provided and efficiency increases.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises an ice compartment (4) having an ice cube tray (15)
that is disposed under the ice pallet (5) wherein ice cubes fall,
the ice pallet (5) and walls (16) that surround the ice pallet (5)
and the ice cube tray (15).
[0048] Cold air is delivered to the ice pallet (5) without
dispersing and without change in temperature by means of the walls
(16) that surround the ice compartment (4)
[0049] By means of the refrigerator (1) of the present invention,
the air dispersed inside the freezing compartment (2) is enabled to
be utilized more effectively. By means of directing the air, ice is
obtained in a short period of time. Thus, energy saving is provided
by increasing efficiency.
* * * * *