Condesing unit with removably water tray

Abstract

The present invention discloses a condensing unit for commercial applications, comprising: a support structure supporting a condenser, a condenser fan motor, a compressor, a liquid receiver, a suction valve, and an electrical box; wherein the condensing unit further comprises a water tray disposed below the support structure and removably attached to said support structure.

Description

"CONDESING UNIT WITH REMOVABLY WATER TRAY"Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to water trays of condensing units of refrigeration systems for commercial applications in need of refrigeration . More speci fically, the present invention discloses an easily replaceable water tray for collecting defrost water without the means for disposal ( such as a drain or a hose ) and that has no structural function, able to reduce the dimensions of the condensing unit .Background

[0002] The dimensions of condensing units are critical features of refrigeration systems for commercial applications , mainly height and depth .

[0003] Additionally, the amount of collected water in the water tray o f condensing units is also critical . The enhancement in compressors ef ficiency has decreased the amount of heat rej ected to the collected water, thereby creating a problem for the evaporation of said collected water .

[0004] Therefore , there is a need in the field to provide a condensing unit with reduced dimensions and with a water tray that mitigates collected water evaporation problem . Some prior art solutions try to provide said condensing unit and water tray .

[0005] For example , document US2013 / 0276471 , entitled "REFRIGRERATION APPLIANCE HAVING A DRAIN PAIN" , published on October 24 , 2013 , discloses a refrigerator appliance with a drain pan mounted below a condenser of said refrigerator appliance . The drain pan includes featuressuch as a channel for directing air through the drain pan. The channel can increase the efficiency of the condenser and / or promote evaporation of liquid contained within the drain pan.

[0006] However, said document US2013 / 0276471 does not disclose a condensing unit having reduced dimensions. This document tries to solve the problem of the evaporation of the water collected in the drain pan, but its drain pan is not easily replaceable and has structural function.

[0007] For example, document US2019 / 0120541, entitled "DRIP TRAY FOR A COMPACT MACHINE COMPARTMENT AND REFRIGERATOR USING A DRIP TRAY", published on April 25, 2019, discloses a drip tray for the machine compartment of a refrigerator including a fan assembly accommodation space blocked from a defrosted water storage space via an inner wall such that defrosted water does not flow into the fan assembly accommodation space. The fan assembly includes a cut-out, wherein the cut-out overlaps a portion of the defrosted water storage space beyond the inner wall when the fan assembly is provided in the fan assembly accommodation space.

[0008] Although said document US2019 / 0120541 tries to provide a condensing unit with reduced dimensions, its drip tray is not easily replaceable, as it supports several elements (for example, the fan assembly) . As such, it is clear that such drip tray also has structural function.Summary

[0009] An objective of the present invention consists of providing a condensing unit with a water tray that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] This obj ective is achieved by means of a condensing for commercial applications , comprising : a support structure supporting a condenser, a condenser fan motor, a compressor, a liquid receiver, a suction valve , and an electrical box ; wherein the condensing unit further comprises a water tray disposed below the support structure and removably attached to said support structure .

[0011] In the condensing unit according to the present invention a hot loop for heat rej ection is disposed within the water tray .

[0012] In addition, in the condensing unit according to the present invention the water tray has at least one bracket and snap clamps to keep the hot loop firmly positioned .

[0013] Additionally, in the condensing unit according to the present invention the at least one bracket is made of plastic with properties to resist deformation due to higher temperature of the discharge tube .

[0014] Further, in the condensing unit according to the present invention the water tray has click pins and is removably attached to the support structure by means of inserting said cl ick pins into holes present in the support structure by pressure .

[0015] In addition, in the condensing unit according to the present invention the water tray is made of plastic ; and the support structure is made of metal .

[0016] One advantage of the present invention is the fact that the water tray is placed below the support structure described above and has only the function tocollect water. Taking into account that the water tray according to the present invention has no structural function, it allows an easy removal.

[0017] Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that the water tray is firmly attached to the support structure by means of click pins, and the hot loop is firmly positioned within the water tray by means of snap clamps. That avoids the vibration of the components.

[0018] A further advantage of the present invention is the fact that the water tray is of plastic while the prior art water trays are of steel. Taking into account that the plastic transmits heat slower than the steel, the water tray according to the invention provides a faster evaporation of the collected water.

[0019] Furthermore, the plastic water tray has no corrosion problems.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become clearer through the following detailed description of the examples and non-limiting drawings presented at the end of this document:

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates an upper view of a condensing unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates the water tray disposed below the support structure and removably attached to said structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates the water tray according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates an upper view of a condensing unit 10 for commercial applications in need of refrigeration according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to Figure 1, said condensing unit 10 comprises a support structure 20, said support structure 20 made, for example, of metal, and supporting a condenser 30, a condenser fan motor 40, a compressor 50, a liquid receiver 60, a suction valve 70, and an electrical box 80.

[0025] Further according to Figure 1, the condensing unit 10 also comprises a water tray 90, said water tray 90 made, for example, of plastic, disposed below the support structure 20 and removably attached to said structure 20. As such, the water tray 90 can be easily replaced or removed when necessary. Therefore, the water tray 90 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention does not have structural function and it is used only to collect defrost water.

[0026] Figure 2 further illustrates the water tray 90 disposed below the support structure 20 and removable attached to said structure 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to Figure 2, the water tray 90 comprises click pins 100 and is attached to the support structure 20 by means of inserting said click pins 100 into holes 105 present in the support structure 20 by pressure. Alternatively, other fixation elements such as screws, rivets, plastic clips may be used instead of click pins.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates some details of the water tray 90 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention . According to Figure 3 , there is a hot loop 110 for heat rej ection disposed within the water tray 90 , said hot loop 110 improving the evaporation of water collected by the water tray 90 . Additionally, the water tray 90 comprises at least one bracket 120 , said at least one bracket 120 made , for example , of plastic, with properties to resist deformation due to higher temperature of the discharge tube , and snap clamps 130 to keep the hot loop 110 firmly positioned inside the water tray 90 . Figure 3 illustrates two brackets ; however, it is clear for those skilled in the art that one , three or more brackets may be used to hold the hot loop .

[0028] It is important to note that the above descriptions have the sole purpose of describing in particular a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention . Therefore , it is clear that modi fications , variations and constructive combinations of the elements that perform the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results , remain within the scope of protection defined by the attached claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Condensing unit (10) for commercial applications, comprising : a support structure (20) supporting a condenser (30) , a condenser fan motor (40) , a compressor (50) , a liquid receiver (60) , a suction valve (70) , and an electrical box (80) ; wherein the condensing unit (10) further comprises a water tray (90) disposed below the support structure (20) and removably attached to said support structure (20) .

2. Condensing unit (10) , according to claim 1, wherein a hot loop (110) for heat rejection is disposed within the water tray ( 0 ) .

3. Condensing unit (10) , according to claim 1, wherein the water tray (90) has at least one bracket (120) and snap clamps (130) to keep the hot loop (110) firmly positioned.

4. Condensing unit (10) , according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket (120) is made of plastic with properties to resist deformation due to higher temperature of the discharge tube.

5. Condensing unit (10) , according to claim 1, wherein the water tray (90) has click pins (100) and is removably attached to the support structure (20) by means of inserting said click pins (100) into holes (105) present in the support structure (20) by pressure.

6. Condensing unit (10) , according to claim 1, wherein the water tray (90) is made of plastic; and the support structure (20) is made of metal.

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