KIRMACI, Mustafa, Baybars (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
CAM, Ozgur (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
TASKAN, Erkan (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
DEDE, Emrah (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
ARSLANTAS, Zeynep (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
DEGER, Mahir Erdem (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
KIRMACI, Mustafa, Baybars (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
CAM, Ozgur (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
TASKAN, Erkan (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
DEDE, Emrah (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
ARSLANTAS, Zeynep (Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Manisa, 45030, TR)
| CLAIMS 1. A cooler device for food products comprising at least one freezing compartment; at least one control unit which regulates operation of cooling system therein; at least one air flow mechanism (A) which is provided in the freezing compartment and which regulates passage of cold air coming from cooling component in the cooling system towards the freezing compartment, characterized in that; air flow mechanism (A) comprises at least one flap of mechanism (1 ); at least one vent (2) adjusted for air passage on the said flap (1 ); at least one vent cover component (7) adjusting width of the vent (2) by sliding on the flap (1 ); at least one control component (4) for adjusting the position of vent cover component (7); at least one regulating channel (3) in which control component (4) can move; at least one selection channel (5, 6) in form of extension of regulating channel (3) in which control component (4) is positioned according to cooling function; at least one selection switch (8, 9) which regulates operating of cooling system according to the position of control component (4). 2. A cooler device according to Claim 1 characterized in that the control component (4) is provided on the vent cover component (7). 3. A cooler device according to Claim 2 characterized in that the channels (3,5,6) in which the control component (4) is positioned are provided on flap (1 ). 4. A cooler device according to Claim 1 characterized in that the control component (4) is provided on the flap (1 ). 5. A cooler device according to Claim 2 characterized in that the channels (3,5,6) in which the control component is positioned (4) are provided on the vent cover component (7). 6. A cooler device according to Claim 1 characterized in that the vent cover component (7) can be moved manually. 1 7. A cooler device according to Claim 1 characterized in that the vent cover component (7) can be moved by a motor-assisted mechanism, the operating of which is regulated by the control unit. 8. A cooler device according to Claim 1 characterized in that each selection switch (8, 9) is an electrical switch functioning for turning on/off. 9. A cooler device according to Claim 8 characterized in that at least one selection switch (8, 9) is magnetic sensor. 10. A cooler device according to Claim 8 characterized in that at least one selection switch (8, 9) is optical sensor. 11. A cooler device according to Claim 8 characterized in that at least one selection switch (8, 9) is motion sensor. 2 |
AIR FLOW MECHANISM FOR COOLER DEVICES Technical Field
The present invention relates to cooler devices, which comprises a freezing compartment on which there is an air duct flap having air vents, the width of which can be adjusted. Prior Art
One of the important problems related to cooler devices, which the users experience, is that volumes of compartments in these devices designated for intended use are not sufficient. Moreover, the users do not generally need for some of these compartments designated for intended use. In the result of this, there are provided a cooler device compartment which is needed but the volume of which is not sufficient and an idle cooler device compartment which is not generally needed but which occupies extra volume.
For example, cooling compartments of the cooler devices are much more needed and their capacity is not generally sufficient. However, freezing compartments of the cooler devices are generally idle compartments which users infrequently use.
A refrigerator is disclosed in the patent application No KR20010090935(A), in state of art, developed for solving the above disclosed problem. In said patent document, it is intended to reduce flow resistance of cool air by improving the structure of a damper placed in the barrier unit provided between the cooling compartment and a freezing compartment. Thus, space in the cooling compartment can be utilized in a more efficient way. The damper provided between the cooling compartment and the freezing compartment has such a structure that it slides in a linear reciprocating manner. There are provided a driving motor, a pinion coupled to a shaft of the driving motor and a driving unit comprising a rack arranged to the sliding damper in order to ensure the damper to slide. In this application, since disclosed structure is multi-part, it causes production and montage difficulty and also cost increase. Brief Disclosure of the Invention
The cooler device developed by the present invention comprises a system for adjusting width of cooling air vents in the air flow mechanism provided in the freezing compartment. The amount of cool air flowing from the cooling air vents into the freezing compartment is adjusted by at least one vent cover component placed on the flap in said air flow mechanism and at least one control component adjusting position of said vent cover component. Thus, the freezing compartment can be used as 0 ° C (chilling) compartment or normal cooling compartment. While the user adjusts the width of the cooling air vents by means of a vent cover component for cooling function meeting his/her need, he/she also regulates the operation of the cooling system of the device in accordance with the function desired.
The cooler device of the invention mentioned herein comprises at least one freezing compartment; at least one control unit regulating operation of the cooling system therein; at least one air flow mechanism which is provided in the freezing compartment and which regulates the air passage of cool air from the cooling element in the cooling system into the freezing compartment. Air flow mechanism herein comprises at least one flap of mechanism; at least one vent which is on this flap and designated for the air passage; at least one vent cover component adjusting width of the vent by sliding on the flap; at least on control component adjusting position of vent cover component; one regulating channel in which the control component moves; at least one selection channel in form of extension of the regulating channel in which the control component is positioned according to desired cooling function; at least one selection switch regulating operation of cooling system according to the position of control component.
Objective of the Invention
The aim of the invention is to create a cooler device which ensures the freezing compartment provided therein to be used as cooling compartment or chilling compartment in accordance with necessities.
Another aim of the invention is to create an air flow mechanism which is provided in the freezing compartment in said cooler device and can adjust width of air vents and ensures the freezing compartment to be used as cooling compartment or chilling compartment. A further aim of the invention is to create a cheap to produce, easy to practice, safety air flow mechanism having above features. Description of the Drawings
An exemplary air flow mechanism of the invention is illustrated in the annexed figures and in these figures; Figure 1 is front view of the mechanism for the freezing function.
Figure 2 is back view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is front view of the mechanism for the chilling function.
Figure 4 is back view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is front view of the mechanism for the normal cooling function.
Figure 6 is the back view of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.
All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below. Air flow mechanism (A)
Flap of mechanism (1 )
Vent (2)
Regulating Channel (3)
Control Component (4)
Selection Channel (5)
Selection Channel (6)
Vent Cover Component (7)
Selection Switch (8)
Selection Switch (9)
Disclosure of the Invention
Storage compartments have stable volumes in cooler devices in which food products are kept and which are divided into various compartments according to intended use. Cooling and freezing compartments setting example for compartments and provided in cooler device are separated from each other by means of a non-conductor wall. The cooling compartments are created for food which can be kept in temperatures above 0°C; the freezing compartments are created for food which should be kept in temperatures below 0°C. In case the user does not need for the freezing compartment and the cooling compartment is not sufficient, it is advantageous for the users that the cooling compartment can be used as freezing compartment. For that reason, it is aimed to create a cooler which has air flow mechanism and above mentioned features.
As shown in Figures 1 -6, the cooler device disclosed within the scope of present invention comprises at least one air flow mechanism (A) provided in at least one freezing compartment (the cooler device and the freezing compartments are not shown in the figures); at least one flap of mechanism (1 ); at least one vent (2) on this flap (1 ) designated for air passage; at least one vent cover component (7) with the aim of adjusting width of vent (2); at least one control component (4) on said cover component (7) ensuring said vent cover component (7) to adjust width of said vents (2); one regulating channel (3) in which control component (4) can move and which is provided on said flap (1 ); at least one selection channel (5, 6) which is in form of extension of the regulating channel (3) and on which the control component (4) is positioned according to desired cooling function (Chilling and normal cooling functions) (one selection channel (5) is used for the chilling function) and another selection channel (6) is used for normal cooling function); at least one selection switch (8, 9) (used as chilling function switch (8) and normal cooling function switch (9)) which regulates operation of cooling unit (not shown in the figures) of the cooler device. Said vent cover component (7) makes sliding movement on the flap (1 ) (by using control component (4)). Thanks to said air flow mechanism (A), freezing compartment can be used, depending on the width of closed parts of the cool air vents (2) on the flap (1 ), either as a chilling compartment or a normal cooling compartment according to user's preference.
In figures 1 -2, front and back views of the air flow mechanism (A) of the invention are given. According to exemplary mechanism (A) given in Figure 1 -2, control component (4) is arranged such that it can move in regulating channel (3) and can be placed in selection channels (5, 6). Vent cover component (7) and selection switches (8, 9) are provided on the back surface of the flap (1 ). Figure 3-4 and Figure 5-6 set examples for the views of chilling function and the normal cooling function respectively while there are in selected position. As shown in Figure 1 and mentioned above, said control component (4) is moved in the regulating channel (3) in order to adjust the width of air passage vents (2) on the mechanism (A). In the device, when chilling function is required, the control component (4) is placed in the respective selection channel (5) (as shown in Figure 3-4). Thus, the freezing compartment can be used as the chilling compartment. When normal cooling function is required, said control component (4) is placed in other selection channel (6) (as shown Figure 5-6). Thus, now, the freezing compartment can be used as the cooling compartment. As known, in cooler devices, generally, there is a cooling system which comprises a compressor, a condenser, capillary tube and cooling element units; also air cooled in cooling element is transferred to the air ducts of the device by means of an air blowing unit (for example by a motorized fan mechanism) in this system. Cooled air passing through the ducts is ensured to arrive in necessary compartment (e.g. freezing and cooling compartments). On the flap (1 ) the vents (2) of the mechanism (A) provided in freezing compartment of the device (not shown in figures) are created for cool air passage. Cross-section area (width) of vents (2) on the flap of mechanism (1 ) is a variable affecting cooling directly. The more vent cross-section area expands, the more the cooler gets cooled; the more vent cross-section area reduces, the more cooling effect decreases. For this reason, as shown in Figure 2, said flap of mechanism (1 ) comprises at least one vent cover component (7) mounted on said flap (1 ) with the aim of adjusting width of cross-section areas of vents (2). In Figure 2, vent cover component (7) is provided at back of the flap of mechanism (1 ) as an example. In cooler device of the invention, there is also one control unit (not shown in figures) which regulates activation and deactivation of the cooling system. This unit ensures cooling values which are determined by the user to be gained in internal ambient of the device by activating and deactivating the cooling system (the compressor and/or air blowing unit) according to the temperature values it gets from a sensor which measures internal ambient temperature of the device. When the user prefers chilling function or normal cooling function, operation mode of said cooling system is to be set according to selections. For this reason, on the flap (1 ) there is provided at least one selection switch (8, 9) (they are electrical switches which serve for turning on/off) in connection with the control unit.
The embodiment for chilling function of the invention is shown in Figures 3-4. The control component (4) is moved within the regulating channel (3) for this function and it is placed in selection channel (5) of the chilling function. The position of the vent cover component (7) is changed in accordance with the position of the control component (4) (in preferred embodiment the control component (4) is in form of protrusion and it is provided on the vent cover component (7)). In this case width of the vents (2) is the required width for converting freezing compartment into chilling compartment. Width of vents (2) is adjusted by vent cover compartment (7) provided in the back of flap (1 ) as shown in figure 4. Moreover when the control component (4) is placed in selection channel (5), said vent cover component (7) activates respective selection switch (8) (for chilling function) as shown in figure 4. In that case signal generated by said switch (8) reaches to control unit and the control unit operates the cooling system such that the freezing compartment remains at 0°C.
The embodiment for normal cooling function of the invention is given in figures 5-6. For this function, the control component (4) is moved within the regulating channel (3) and placed in selection channel (6) of the normal cooling function. In that case, thanks to the position of vent cover component (7), the width of vents (2) is the required width for converting freezing compartment into normal cooling compartment. Moreover, when the control component (4) is placed in said selection channel (6), said vent cover component (7) contacts with the selection switch (9) (for normal cooling function) as shown in figure 6. In that case, signal generated by said switch (8) reaches to the control unit and the control unit operates the cooling system such that freezing compartment stays at temperatures above 0°C.
In the scope of the present invention, freezing compartment can be used as chilling compartment or normal cooling compartment upon the user's selection. The adjustment of width of the vents (2) on the air flow mechanism (A) developed for this aim or in other words the movement of the cover component (7), is also regulated by control unit. In that case, vent cover component (7) can be moved not by means of control component (4) but automatically (for example, by a motor-assisted mechanism). Moreover selection switches (8, 9) are in forms of magnetic, optical sensors or motion sensors.
As shown in Figures 1 -6, as structural, control component (4) in the air flow mechanism (A) is shown on vent cover component (7). For this reason, channels (3, 5, 6) are shown on the flap (1 ). Alternatively control component (4) can be formed on the flap (1 ) and ducts (3, 5, 6) can be formed on vent cover component (7).