Refrigerator with a two refrigeration ciruits

Abstract

A refrigerator comprises a structure (1) with a fridge compartment (A) and a freezer compartment (F). The refrigerator includes a first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) and a second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B), in which the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) includes a first plug (6) to connect the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) to the mains power supply and in which the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) includes a second plug (6B) to connect the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) to the mains power supply. In addition, there are provided an inner storage battery (L), a first temperature control probe (0) in the fridge compartment (A) and a second temperature control probe (P) in the freezer compartment (F). Finally, an electronic control circuit is provided which, depending on the measurements received from the control probes (0, P), alternatively activates the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) or the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B), and, in the event of a power failure from the mains, it activates the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) taking power from said inner storage battery (L).

Description

[0001] REFRIGERATOR WITH A TWO REFRIGERATION CIRUITS

[0002] * * * * *

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of household appliances and in particular refrigerators.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to a refrigerator with a second safety refrigeration circuit.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] Different types of refrigerators, among which the most used are ventilated refrigerators, static refrigerators, and no-frost refrigerators, are known in the prior art.

[0008] In static refrigerators, the cold is emitted evenly inside the refrigerators from the top to the bottom, as shown in Figure 2.

[0009] Ventilated refrigerators work like static refrigerators with the addition of a fan which allows for better food preservation, as shown in Figure 3.

[0010] Finally, no-frost refrigerators prevent the formation of ice in the freezer by virtue of a resistor placed on the evaporator battery, as shown in Figure 4.

[0011] The fan, in addition to distributing the cold in the freezer, brings cold air from the freezer into the refrigerator, by means of special inner ductings.

[0012] Refrigerators with two separate refrigeration circuits, one for the fridge compartment and one for the freezer compartment, are known in the art, as described in document JP2003161567. In this case, the two refrigeration circuits may work simultaneously and each one supplies and manages a compartment of the refrigerator, independently of the other.

[0013] Of course, in the event of a refrigeration circuit failure, the corresponding compartment will not be operational.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The object of the invention has been achieved by a refrigerator as defined in claim 1.

[0016] In one embodiment, the refrigerator comprises a structure with a fridge compartment and a freezer compartment and provides a first refrigeration circuit and a second refrigeration circuit independent from the first refrigeration circuit and activatable as an alternative to the first refrigeration circuit. The first refrigeration circuit is provided with a first plug for connecting the first refrigeration circuit to the mains power supply and is adapted to simultaneously refrigerate the fridge compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0017] A second plug is also present for connecting the second refrigeration circuit to the mains power supply. The second refrigeration circuit is capable of simultaneously refrigerating the fridge compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0018] The refrigerator further comprises an inner storage battery, a first temperature control probe in the fridge compartment and a second temperature control probe in the freezer compartment.

[0019] The refrigerator is provided with an additional electronic control circuit which, depending on the measurements received from the temperature control probes, alternatively activates the first refrigeration circuit or the second refrigeration circuit, and in the event of a power failure from the mains, it activates the second circuit taking power from said inner storage battery.

[0020] The first refrigeration circuit includes a first compressor, a first condenser circuit, a first evaporator circuit and a first expansion valve, and the second refrigeration circuit includes a second compressor, a second condenser circuit, a second evaporator circuit and a second expansion valve.

[0021] In the fridge compartment there are two first cold walls: one is cold by virtue of an evaporator and the other is cold by virtue of the air brought by the freezer fan, and in the freezer compartment there are two second cold walls and some fans.

[0022] In the freezer compartment, a heat exchange coil of the second evaporator is provided which includes pipes connecting the heat exchange coil of the second evaporator with the condenser and the compressor, as well as an inner ducting connecting the fridge compartment with the freezer compartment to bring the cold air from the freezer into the fridge.

[0023] Preferably, in the fridge compartment, a seat is provided for housing the storage battery.

[0024] The inner storage battery is recharged by means of a charger through the mains power supply and intervenes in absence of mains power supply.

[0025] In the fridge compartment, a seat is provided to accommodate the first temperature control probe and in the freezer compartment, a seat is provided to accommodate the second temperature control probe. In the fridge compartment a seat is provided to accommodate the storage battery charger.

[0026] Upon a command sent by the control circuit, the first refrigeration circuit is disabled and the second refrigeration circuit is enabled.

[0027] Again, upon command of the control circuit in the absence of mains power supply, the second refrigeration circuit, powered by means of the inner storage battery, is enabled.

[0028] By acting on the controls of the control circuit or by means of application, it is possible to switch from one circuit to the other.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Hereafter in this description, reference will be made to the drawings shown in the accompanying figures, in which:

[0031] - Figure 1 shows the rear view of the operating circuit of a refrigerator;

[0032] - Figure 2 shows the inner view of the operation of the static refrigerator,

[0033] - Figure 3 shows the inner view of the operation of the ventilated refrigerator,

[0034] - Figure 4 shows the inner view of the operation of the no-frost refrigerator,

[0035] - Figure 5 shows the rear view of the operating circuit of the refrigerator according to the present invention, and

[0036] - Figure 6 shows the inner view of the operation of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

[0037] The parts according to the present description are represented in the drawings, when suitable, employing conventional symbols, showing only the specific details that lead to understand the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to highlight details that will be immediately apparent to the person skilled in the art, with reference to the description provided below.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The solution according to the present invention will now be described with the help of drawings.

[0040] The only household appliance that is always in operation is the refrigerator. When the refrigerator malfunctions, either a repair is needed or it must be replaced with a new one.

[0041] In this case, a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is created. In recent years, WEEE waste, due to the dangerousness of some of the components thereof, has been subjected to specific European and national regulations that impose constraints on collection and disposal.

[0042] Replacing a refrigerator, or a household appliance subject to being a WEEE, damages the environment, since the refrigerator may contain polluting substances. As already mentioned, different types of refrigerators are on the market: static refrigerators, ventilated refrigerators, and the latest generation is represented by nofrost refrigerators.

[0043] Figure 1 shows the rear view of the refrigeration circuit of a refrigerator.

[0044] In particular, a refrigerator comprises a load-bearing structure 1 , and the refrigeration circuit comprises a compressor 2, a condenser circuit 3, an evaporator circuit 4 and an expansion valve 5.

[0045] The refrigerator further comprises a plug 6 to connect the refrigeration circuit to the mains power supply.

[0046] In particular, Figure 2 shows a static refrigerator, Figure 3 shows a ventilated refrigerator, and Figure 4 shows the latest generation, i.e. , a no-frost refrigerator.

[0047] With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the refrigerator has a fridge compartment indicated in these Figures with reference A and a freezer compartment indicated with reference F.

[0048] The refrigerator, in the basic composition thereof, further comprises, in the fridge compartment A, a drainer indicated with reference E.

[0049] Furthermore, the refrigerator comprises in the fridge compartment A a seat M1 to receive a temperature detection probe which measures the temperature in the fridge compartment, and in the freezer compartment F a seat N1 to receive a temperature detection probe which measures the temperature in the freezer compartment.

[0050] In the more complex types of refrigerators, such as ventilated and no-frost ones, one or more fans may be included, indicated in the Figures with reference C.

[0051] With reference to Figure 4, in the case of a no-frost refrigerator, we see a heat exchange coil of the no-frost evaporator, indicated with reference D, pipes G connecting the heat exchange coil D of the no-frost evaporator with the condenser 3 and the compressor 2, and an inner ducting indicated with reference H connecting the fridge compartment A with the freezer compartment F to bring the cold air from the freezer F into the fridge A. In static refrigerators, as shown in Figure 2, the cold is emitted evenly inside the refrigerators from the top to the bottom.

[0052] The ventilated refrigerator works as the static refrigerator with the addition of a fan C which allows promoting a better food preservation, as shown in Figure 3.

[0053] Finally, no-frost refrigerators prevent the formation of ice in the freezer or ice box by virtue of a resistor placed on the heat exchange coil of the evaporator. The fan C, in addition to distributing the cold in the freezer, brings the cold air from the freezer compartment into the fridge compartment, by means of the appropriate inner ductings H.

[0054] The solution proposed herein, to avoid the disposal of the refrigerator in the event of a malfunction, involves adding a second refrigeration circuit independent of the first one, provided with a second compressor 2B powered by current 6B and / or by a storage battery 7, as shown in Figure 5, in which said second refrigeration circuit is a sort of redundancy circuit of the first circuit and is adapted to refrigerate both compartments.

[0055] More specifically, the refrigerator 1 comprises a first refrigeration circuit and a second safety refrigeration circuit.

[0056] In particular, a fridge according to the present invention comprises a load-bearing structure 1 , a first compressor 2 and a second compressor 2B, a first condenser circuit 3 and a second condenser circuit 3B, a first evaporator circuit 4 and a second evaporator circuit 4B, a first expansion valve 5 and a second expansion valve 5B. Then, the refrigerator comprises a first plug 6 to connect the first circuit of the refrigerator to the power supply.

[0057] Of course, also a second plug 6B to connect the second refrigeration circuit to the power supply is present. It is also possible to connect the second circuit to an inner storage battery.

[0058] The second refrigeration circuit is independent of the first refrigeration circuit and may be activated as an alternative thereto. In particular, at any given moment, only one of the two circuits is in operation, and the two refrigeration circuits are never both active at the same time.

[0059] Therefore, in the event of a malfunction in the main circuit, the second circuit intervenes, and the first circuit is disabled. The refrigerator according to the present invention therefore comprises two independent refrigeration circuits. The refrigerator in fact comprises two compressors 2 and 2B, two refrigeration circuits that are independent of each other, two drainers E1 and E2 and, in addition to the usual temperature probes, it comprises two additional temperature probes or temperature control probes indicated as 0 and P (Figure 6).

[0060] The two control temperature probes indicated as 0 and P communicate constantly to understand if a malfunction is occurring. The two refrigeration circuits are both powered by electricity, but, in addition, the second refrigeration circuit is provided with a storage battery.

[0061] With reference to Figure 6, the refrigerator according to the invention has a fridge compartment indicated with reference A and a freezer compartment indicated with reference F.

[0062] The first refrigeration circuit is adapted to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F).

[0063] Of course, the second refrigeration circuit is also adapted to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment A and the freezer compartment F.

[0064] This is completely different from having two separate refrigeration circuits, one for the fridge compartment and one for the freezer compartment, as in the prior art. In fact, in the case of the prior art, the two refrigeration circuits work in parallel and may both be simultaneously active.

[0065] The refrigerator is provided with a first additional cold wall B1a for the fridge compartment A and two cold walls D and B2a for the freezer compartment F.

[0066] The refrigerator also comprises a drainer, indicated with reference E1 , in the fridge compartment A, and a drainer, indicated with reference E2, in the freezer compartment F.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the refrigerator comprises three fans indicated in the Figures with reference C.

[0068] The embodiment shown in Figure 6 includes a static refrigeration circuit, Figure 2, and a no-frost circuit, Figure 4, in a single refrigerator.

[0069] Furthermore, the refrigerator comprises in the fridge compartment A a seat M1 to receive a probe 01 for detecting the temperature of the first refrigeration circuit and in the freezer compartment F a seat N1 to receive a probe P1 for detecting the temperature of the first refrigeration circuit.

[0070] The refrigerator further comprises in the fridge compartment A a seat S to receive a probe 02 for detecting the temperature of the second refrigeration circuit and in the freezer compartment F a seat T to receive a probe P2 for detecting the temperature of the second refrigeration circuit.

[0071] Reference D indicates a heat exchange coil of the no-frost evaporator and pipes G and an inner ducting indicated with reference H are present.

[0072] The seat of the storage battery is indicated in Figure 6 by reference I, while reference L indicates the inner battery that recharges by electric current.

[0073] Reference M indicates the seat of the additional temperature control probe 0 of the fridge compartment A, while reference N indicates the seat of the additional temperature control probe P of the freezer compartment F.

[0074] In particular, the temperature control probe 0 is the temperature probe of the fridge compartment A and the temperature control probe P is the temperature probe of the freezer compartment F.

[0075] Finally, in the fridge compartment A there is a seat R to accommodate the charger Q of the storage battery L which is housed in seat I.

[0076] During normal operation, the refrigerator runs on electricity.

[0077] Only in the event of a malfunction of the refrigerator detected by temperature control probes 0 and P, the refrigerator switches to the second refrigeration circuit by means of an electronic control circuit, not shown in the Figures. In particular, in the event of a malfunction, the first refrigeration circuit is disabled and the second refrigeration circuit is enabled.

[0078] The first refrigeration circuit and the second refrigeration circuit are always alternatively activated, i.e. , only one of the two circuits is active at a time.

[0079] As mentioned above, the second refrigeration circuit is also adapted to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment A and the freezer compartment F.

[0080] The malfunction of the refrigerator is detected by the probe 01 for detecting the temperature of the fridge compartment A of the first refrigeration circuit or by the probe P1 for detecting the temperature of the freezer compartment F of the first refrigeration circuit. In any case of malfunction, either the temperature increases or the temperature decreases. In this case, the additional control probes 0 and P communicate with the control circuit, which switches circuit and activates the second refrigeration circuit and disables the first refrigeration circuit.

[0081] Of course, before switching from the first to the second refrigeration circuit, the malfunction must be detected for a certain amount of time (for example, high or low temperature for at least 60 minutes). This is to avoid switching to the second refrigeration circuit in an unnecessary manner, for example, during the continuous opening of the doors during the summer period, which leads to a significant increase in the inner temperature.

[0082] The same concept applies if there is no mains electricity in the household. In this case, the inner storage battery L of the second refrigeration circuit comes into operation when a power failure occurs.

[0083] In the absence of mains power supply (power failure), the storage battery L intervenes by activating the second circuit. When the power returns, the battery switches to electricity operation, always using the second refrigeration circuit.

[0084] Manually or by means of an application, it is then possible to return to operation by means of the first refrigeration circuit, of course only in the case where this circuit has no issues and is capable of operating correctly.

[0085] Therefore, the solution proposed herein involves the use of two refrigeration circuits that work in an alternate manner and each one allows both the refrigerator and freezer compartments to be cooled. The second refrigeration circuit serves as a backup or as a reserve or redundancy circuit for the first circuit and intervenes in the event of a malfunction of the first circuit or in the absence of mains power supply.

[0086] Thereby, it is possible to keep the entire refrigerator active (i.e., both the fridge compartment A and the freezer compartment F) even if a component of the first refrigeration circuit breaks down.

[0087] It is therefore possible to have the refrigerator working with the second refrigeration circuit and call for assistance to replace or repair components of the first refrigeration circuit.

[0088] Of course, it is possible to use the refrigerator with the first refrigeration circuit when the second is broken while waiting for the second refrigeration circuit to be repaired. Thereby, it is possible to extend the life of the refrigerator and double it or at least make it longer with respect to a refrigerator with a single refrigeration circuit. Furthermore, it is possible to extend the life of the refrigerator with respect to a refrigerator with a circuit for the fridge compartment and a circuit for the freezer compartment, since, in this case, if one circuit breaks down, the respective compartment is no longer functioning.

[0089] Finally, when one of the two refrigeration circuits definitively breaks down, the refrigerator will start to work as a classic refrigerator with a single refrigeration circuit. The description of specific embodiments provided above shows the invention from a conceptual point of view so that others, using the prior art, will be able to modify and / or adapt in various applications those specific embodiments without further research and without departing from the inventive concept, and, thus, it is understood that such adaptations and modifications will be considered as equivalents of the specific embodiments.

[0090] The means and materials for achieving the various functions described may be of various nature, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0091] It is worth noting that terminology or expressions used are only descriptive and therefore non-limiting.

[0092] Obviously, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the construction details and the embodiments can widely vary with respect to that described and illustrated above by way of example, without however departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0093] Where the constructional features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by references symbols or numerals, such reference symbols were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves, and accordingly such reference symbols have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of mere example by such reference symbols.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A refrigerator comprises a structure (1 ) with a fridge compartment (A) and a freezer compartment (F), wherein the refrigerator includes a first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) and a second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) independent of the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) and activatable alternatively to the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5), wherein the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) includes a first plug (2, 3, 4, 5) to connect the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) to the mains power supply and is adapted to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F), and wherein the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) includes a second plug (6B) to connect the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) to the mains power supply and is adapted to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F) when the first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) is inactive, wherein there is provided an inner storage battery (L), a first temperature control probe (O) in the fridge compartment (A) and a second temperature control probe (P) in the freezer compartment (F), wherein an electronic control circuit is provided which, depending on the measurements received from the control probes (0, P), alternatively activates the first refrigeration circuit (6) or the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F), and, in the event of a power failure from the mains, it activates the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) taking power from said inner storage battery (L) to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the first refrigeration circuit includes a first compressor (2), a first condenser circuit (3), a first evaporator circuit (4) and a first expansion valve (5), wherein said first refrigeration circuit is adapted to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F), and the second refrigeration circuit includes a second compressor (2B), a second condenser circuit (3B), a second evaporator circuit (4B) and a second expansion valve (5B), wherein said second refrigeration circuit is adapted to be activated alternatively to the first refrigeration circuit to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F).

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a first cold wall (B1 a) is included in the fridge compartment (A) and two second cold walls (D, B2a) are included in the freezer compartment (F), and wherein the refrigerator comprises a plurality of fans (C).

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a heat exchange coil (D) of the second evaporator (4B) is provided in the freezer compartment (F) that includes pipes (G) connecting the heat exchange coil (D) of the second evaporator with the condenser (3) and the compressor (2), and an inner ducting (H) connecting the fridge compartment (A) with the freezer compartment (F) to bring the cold air from the freezer (F) into the fridge (A).

5. The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fridge compartment (A) includes a seat (I) for housing the storage battery (L).

6. The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said inner storage battery (L) is recharged by means of a charger (Q) through the mains electric current and intervenes in the absence of mains power supply.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein a seat (R) is provided in the fridge compartment (A) to accommodate said charger (Q) of the storage battery (L).

8. The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a seat (M) is provided in the fridge compartment (A) to accommodate said first temperature control probe (0) and a seat (N) is provided in the freezer compartment (F) to accommodate said second temperature control probe (P).

9. The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, upon a command of said control circuit, said first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) is disabled and the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) is enabled to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F).

10. The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, upon a command of said control circuit, in the absence of mains power supply, said first refrigeration circuit (2, 3, 4, 5) is disabled and the second refrigeration circuit (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) is enabled, powered by said inner storage battery (L) to simultaneously refrigerate both the fridge compartment (A) and the freezer compartment (F).

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