Refrigerator with separately formed cooling system and thermally insulated cabinet

Abstract

A refrigerator has an insulated cabinet, a cooling system formed separately from the insulated cabinet, and a clamping device including first and second clamping elements that seal a refrigerating compartment of the cabinet from the cooling system. The cooling system is functionally attached to the insulated cabinet after manufacturing the insulated cabinet and the cooling system.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 397,434, filed on August 12, 2022, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to refrigerators, and more particularly to a refrigerator including a cooling system formed separately from an insulated cabinet and functionally mountable to the insulated cabinet. Background Art

[0004] This section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] Vehicles, including but not limited to recreational vehicles (RVs in the U.S. and Caravans in Europe), tractor trailers, aircraft, ships, trains, etc., are often equipped with refrigerators for the comfort and convenience of passengers. For example, recreational vehicle campers often find it convenient or even necessary to keep food, drinks, and medicines refrigerated while traveling and at campsites. While many prepared campsites in parks and commercial campgrounds offer electrical outlets, many campgrounds do not. In addition, there are many highly desirable camping locations outside of these prepared campsites. Therefore, a popular solution is to equip recreational vehicles with built-in refrigerators.

[0006] As is known, both compressor refrigerators and absorption refrigerators can be used for mobile applications. Compressor refrigerators and absorption refrigerators usually include a cooling system that is integrally formed with an insulated cabinet or foam cabinet. The cooling system cannot be separated from the foam cabinet except for maintenance.

[0007] Known refrigerators for mobile applications and the like have proven to be generally suitable for their intended purpose. However, refrigerators with an integrally formed cooling system can lead to manufacturing limitations. For example, it is not practical to have a first company manufacture the cooling system and a second company manufacture the cabinet to be subsequently assembled with the cooling system. Summary of the invention

[0008] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0009] The present teachings provide a refrigerator having a heat-insulated cabinet formed separately from and functionally mountable to the heat-insulated cabinet.

[0010] According to a particular aspect of the present teachings, a refrigerator is provided, comprising: an insulated cabinet; a cooling system formed separately from the insulated cabinet; and a clamping device comprising first and second clamping elements that seal a refrigeration chamber of the cabinet from the cooling system. After manufacture of the insulated cabinet and the cooling system, the cooling system is functionally attached to the insulated cabinet.

[0011] According to another specific aspect of the present teachings, a method of manufacturing a refrigerator is provided, the method comprising forming an insulated cabinet and separately forming a cooling system. The method also comprises clamping the cooling system to the insulated cabinet with a clamping device comprising first and second clamping elements to seal the refrigerator compartment of the cabinet with the cooling system, thereby functionally attaching the cooling system to the insulated cabinet and insulating the refrigerator compartment.

[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present teachings can be obtained from the detailed description, the appended claims and the following drawings. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a first embodiment of a refrigerator having a separately formed cooling system and an insulated cabinet constructed in accordance with the present teachings, the refrigerator being shown during a first general step of attaching the separately formed cooling system to the insulated cabinet.

[0015] Figure 1A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a refrigerator of , showing a first general step of attaching a separately formed cooling system of a refrigerator to an insulated cabinet of the refrigerator.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another side view of a refrigerator of the present teachings, showing a second general step of attaching a separately formed cooling system of the refrigerator to the insulated cabinet of the refrigerator of the present teachings.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another side view of a refrigerator of the present teachings, showing a third general step of attaching a separately formed cooling system of the refrigerator to the insulated cabinet of the refrigerator of the present teachings.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of a refrigerator of FIG. 1 , showing a fourth general step of attaching a separately formed cooling system of the refrigerator to the insulated cabinet of the present teachings.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 1Another side view of a refrigerator, showing a fourth general step of attaching a separately formed cooling system of the refrigerator.

[0020] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a second embodiment of a refrigerator having a separately formed cooling system and an insulated cabinet constructed in accordance with the present teachings.

[0021] Figure 7 Shown in partial cross section Figure 6 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of a refrigerator with the cover removed for ease of illustration.

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Another perspective view of a portion of a refrigerator of , the refrigerator being shown with a cover removed for ease of illustration.

[0023] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of a portion of a refrigerator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding parts and features.

[0025] Referring to the attached drawings Figures 1 to 5 , shows a first embodiment of a refrigerator 10 constructed in accordance with the present teachings. The refrigerator 10 generally includes a cooling system 12 formed separately from an insulated cabinet 14, and the cooling system 12 is configured to be functionally mounted to the insulated cabinet 14. In a particular embodiment, the cooling system 12 is a compressor cooling system, and the refrigerator 10 is a mobile refrigerator for a recreational vehicle, a tractor trailer, an aircraft, a ship, a train, etc. However, the present teachings are not limited to any particular type of refrigerator.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling system 12 is specifically designed to be positioned below the insulated cabinet 14, and the evaporator 16 of the refrigerator 10 protrudes into the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator 10 through a hole below the cabinet. Figure 1 , Figure 1A and Figure 2 Specifically, the evaporator 16 is inserted into the refrigerating chamber in a rotating or rotating manner, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown by arrow A in the figure, it will be discussed further below.

[0027] The cooling system 12 can be clamped to the insulated housing 14 using a clamping device 18. As shown, the clamping device 18 can include first and second clamping elements 18A and 18B. According to a specific embodiment, the cooling system 12 can be mounted relative to the lower wall 20 of the refrigerated compartment. However, it is understood that the present teachings are not limited in this regard and can be used in conjunction with mounting relative to other walls. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first clamping element may be defined by a bracket 18A disposed on a first side of the lower wall 20 of the refrigeration compartment. The second clamping element may be defined by a cap 18B carried by the cooling system 12 and located on an opposite second side of the lower wall 20 of the refrigeration compartment.

[0028] The second clamping element 18B is carried by the cooling system 12. As shown throughout the drawings, the second clamping element 18B can be configured to receive a portion of the cooling system 12. In the particular embodiment shown, the cooling system 12 has an upper portion that is rectangular in shape. The second clamping element 18B, which can be constructed of plastic or other suitable materials, can be rectangular in shape to receive the upper rectangular portion of the cooling system 12. The second clamping element 18B has an opening 22 through which the evaporator 16 of the cooling system 12 extends. The second clamping element 18B defines a flat surface or flange that surrounds the evaporator 16 at the periphery and abuts against the underside 26 of the lower wall 20 of the refrigerator 10 when the cooling system 12 is installed. The second clamping element 18B can be fixed to the cooling system 12 with fasteners, adhesives, or any other means known in the art.

[0029] The first clamping element 18A, which may be similarly made of plastic or other suitable materials, may define a flange 28 for abutting the lower wall 20 of the refrigerator compartment and an opening for receiving the evaporator 16 of the cooling system 12. After the evaporator 16 of the cooling system 12 is inserted through the opening 30 of the lower wall 20 of the refrigerator compartment, the first clamping element 18A may be fixed to the second clamping element 18B. For example, the first clamping element 18A may be attached to the second clamping element 18B using a plurality of fasteners. In this way, the wall 20 of the refrigerator compartment (e.g., the lower wall 20 in the illustrated embodiment) is captured or clamped between the flange 28 of the first clamping element 18A and the flange 24 of the second clamping element 18B. The first and second clamping elements 18A and 18B cooperate with each other to clamp the cooling system 12 in place relative to the refrigerator 10 and effectively seal the refrigerator compartment at the cooling system 12, and the evaporator 16 of the cooling system 12 extends into the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator 10.

[0030] The refrigerator 10 may further include a support 32 for supporting the cooling system 12 upward.

[0031] Continuing with reference to the accompanying drawings, the method of the present teaching will be described. According to the first general step (such as Figure 1 and Figure 1A ), the evaporator 16 of the cooling system 12 is inserted into the opening 30 of the lower wall 20 of the refrigerating chamber, and the second clamping element 18B is mounted on the cooling system 12 and carried by the cooling system 12. In order to reduce the clearance required on the lower side of the refrigerator 10, the evaporator 16 can be introduced into the opening of the lower wall 20 at a certain angle to the cooling device 12.

[0032] According to a second general step of the present teachings, the cooling system 12 may then be rotated or spun in the direction of arrow A (eg, Figure 2 During such rotation, the cooling system 12 may be supported by the bracket 32 ​​(as shown in FIG. Figure 2 ), and the flange 24 defined by the second clamping element 18B abuts against the underside of the lower wall of the refrigerating chamber.

[0033] According to the third general step of the present teachings, the first clamping element 18A is installed in the direction of arrow B (see Figure 3 ). The first clamping element 18A is lowered until the flange 28 is adjacent to the upper side of the lower wall 20 of the refrigerating chamber and the evaporator 16 extends through the opening of the first clamping element 18A.

[0034] According to a fourth general step of the present invention, the first clamping element 18A is secured to the second clamping element 18B. The first clamping element 18A may be secured to the second clamping element 18B using a fastener.

[0035] Although the present teachings describe the clamping device 18 as including first and second clamping elements 18A and 18B, it is contemplated that alternative structures may include a single clamping element. For example, in some applications, the second clamping element 18B may be eliminated and the first clamping element 18A may be directly secured to the housing of the cooling system 12 using, for example, fasteners.

[0036] Go to Figures 6 to 9 , a portion of a refrigerator 100 constructed according to a second embodiment of the present teachings is shown. The refrigerator 100 will be understood to be structurally identical to the refrigerator 10 of the first embodiment, to the extent not shown or otherwise described. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures to identify similar elements between the refrigerators 10 and 100 of the first and second embodiments.

[0037] As with the refrigerator 10 of the first embodiment, the refrigerator 100 generally includes a cooling system 12 formed separately from the insulated cabinet 14, and the cooling system 12 is configured to be functionally mounted on the insulated cabinet 14. Likewise, the refrigerator includes a clamping device 102 for clamping the cooling system 12 to the insulated housing 14, the clamping device 102 including first and second clamping elements 18A and 18B'. For the purposes of the present teachings, the refrigerator 100 differs from the refrigerator 10 primarily in the inclusion of a different second clamping element 18B' and in the additional inclusion of a cover 104 for the second clamping element.

[0038] The second clamping element 18B' may carry the electronic device of the refrigerator 100 for controlling the refrigerator. The second clamping member 18B' may also include a fan 106 for distributing cooling air. The fan 106 may be tilted at a certain angle to save space in the cabinet.

[0039] The size and coverage of the cover 104 are designed to cover the second clamping element 18B'. In this way, the electronic devices of the second clamping element 18B' are inaccessible to the end user. The cover 104 is further configured to promote the flow of cooling air within the refrigerator 100.

[0040] The cooling unit 12 can be introduced into the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator 100 in the same manner as discussed above for assembling the refrigerator 10. The second clamping element 18B' and the cover 104 can be secured to the first clamping element 18A using any fasteners known in the art. As described above, in some embodiments, the first clamping element 18A can be eliminated and the second clamping element 18B' (and the cover 104) can be secured directly to the cooling unit 12.

[0041] It can now be appreciated that the present teachings provide two embodiments of refrigerators that may include a cooling unit manufactured separately from the insulated cabinet without compromising the integrity of the sealed refrigerated compartment at the cooling system.

[0042] Although one or more specific embodiments have been discussed in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings. For example, although the present teachings have been described in conjunction with a mobile compressor refrigerator, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be extended to other areas of application. In addition, many modifications may be made to the present teachings to adapt to specific circumstances or materials without departing from the basic scope of the present teachings. Therefore, the purpose of the present teachings may not be limited to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings and discussed in the specification, which are the best modes currently contemplated for practicing the present invention, but the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiment in the foregoing description and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: Insulated cabinets; a cooling system formed separately from the thermally insulated cabinet; as well as a clamping device for securing the cooling system to the insulated cabinet and sealing the refrigerated compartment of the cabinet to the cooling system, Therein, after manufacturing the thermally insulated cabinet and the cooling system, the cooling system is functionally attached to the thermally insulated cabinet.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping device comprises a first clamping element which is arranged on the inner side of a wall of the refrigerating chamber, into which a part of the cooling system extends, and to which the first clamping element is fixed.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The clamping device also includes a second clamping element carried by the cooling system.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: The first clamping element is disposed on a first side of the wall of the refrigerating chamber and the second clamping element is disposed on a second side of the wall of the refrigerating chamber.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The wall of the refrigerated compartment defines a first opening and the first clamping element defines a second opening, and wherein an evaporative portion of the cooling system extends into the refrigerated compartment through the first opening and the second opening.

6. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first clamping element extends completely around a first periphery of the cooling system.

7. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The second clamping element extends completely around a second periphery of the cooling system.

8. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first clamping element includes electronics for controlling the refrigerator.

9. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The clamping device further comprises a cover for covering the first clamping element.

10. A refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first clamping element defines a first flange that abuts the first side of the wall of the refrigerated compartment, and the second clamping element defines a second flange that abuts the second side of the wall of the refrigerated compartment.

11. A method for manufacturing a refrigerator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: forming a thermally insulated cabinet; A separate cooling system is formed; as well as The cooling system is clamped to the insulated cabinet using a clamping device including a first clamping element and a second clamping element to seal the refrigerated compartment of the cabinet from the cooling system, thereby functionally attaching the cooling system to the insulated cabinet and insulating the refrigerated compartment.

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