A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to the insulation of a cooling device used in furniture.

[0002] The surface of cooling devices dew by high humidity since their surface is colder than the outer environment. For example, when it is desired to give the impression of a kitchen cabinet from the outside by embedding built in cooling devices into furniture, a gap remains between the furniture and the cooling device and since there is no air flow therein, moisture and dust accumulate. In built in cooling devices, the perspiration intensely formed on the outer surface of the cooling device causes the furniture to deform. Furthermore, a large amount of condensation is formed between the cooling devices used as multiple compartment cooling devices disposed side by side or one on the top of the other, causing the paint of the cooling devices to blister and the surfaces to corrode. In the state of the art, as a solution these problems, a hidden condenser embodiment or use of a heater on the outer surface panel is known.

[0003] In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No US4009586, a cooling device is described wherein the perspiration is prevented by transferring the heat of the compressor to the outer surface of its body by means of a fan.

[0004] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No JP2000008502, an electric sheet-like electric heating element is disposed between the furniture and the wall to prevent the moisture from being formed. The moisture sensor located on the sheet-like electric heating element measures the amount of ambient moisture, providing the gap between the furniture and the wall to remain dry by starting the heating element when the moisture increases.

[0005] In both embodiments, energy is consumed to dry the areas wherein dew is formed due to the accumulation of moisture as long as there is ambient moisture. Energy consumption for eliminating the perspiration being formed on the surfaces of the household appliances is not preferred, while the energy consumption required for the operation of household appliances is aimed to be kept at a minimum level.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device wherein the dew formed between the cooling device and the furniture or another cooling device is prevented without causing additional energy consumption and costs.

[0007] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, disposed into a furniture and/or cheek to cheek with another cooling device, comprises a body having a base and upper, rear and side walls.

[0008] The cooling device furthermore comprises a moisture retaining element that covers the gap remaining between the furniture and the body or between two cooling devices almost entirely.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the moisture retaining element positioned between the built in cooling device embedded in the furniture and the furniture prevents the accumulation of moisture and dust therein, thus enabling the use of body and the furniture for a long time without being deformed. The moisture retaining element can be adhered to the surfaces of the body that will remain inside the furniture during the production as well as positioned in the gap remaining between the furniture and the body by being produced separately in different sizes and thicknesses according to the need.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the moisture retaining element is positioned between all of the walls and the base of the body, and the furniture. Cooling devices required to have a minimum heat exchange with the environment are protected from moisture as well as insulated from the ambient heat. Thus, both the body and furniture is protected and the performance of the cooling device increases.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the moisture retaining element is covered on the surface of the cooling device wherein the maximum condensation is observed. Thus, less moisture retaining element is used and the cost does not increase much.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the contacting surfaces of more than one cooling device, between which there are no furniture and/or wall, are covered with moisture retaining element. The moisture retaining element positioned between more than one cooling devices provides that there is no dew therein.

[0013] By means of the moisture retaining element of the present invention, perspiration is not formed between the cooling devices used side by side and on the surfaces of built in cooling devices and furniture. Accordingly, since no blistering and corrosion appear, the cooling device can be used for a longer time and at high performance.

[0014] A cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0015] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device disposed into furniture in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of more than one cooling device disposed cheek to cheek in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The elements shown in the figures are numbered as follows:

[0018] 1. Cooling device

[0019] 2. Body

[0020] 3. Moisture retaining element

[0021] The cooling device (1) disposed into furniture (M) or cheek to cheek with another cooling device (1) comprises a body (2) having an upper wall, a base, two side walls and a rear wall (Figures 1 and 2).

[0022] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises a moisture retaining element (3) being mounted outside the body (2) that it will partially cover the gap between the body (2) and the furniture (M) and/or between the cooling device (1) and another cooling device (1).

[0023] A gap (A) is located between the cooling device (1) and the furniture (M) wherein the cooling device is disposed and almost no airflow and the moisture is condensed. In order to prevent the moisture condensing therein from forming dew on the walls and the base of the body (2), the gap (A) is covered preferably with a sponge-like porous moisture retaining element (3) absorbing the moisture on the surface.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the moisture retaining element (3) is fixed by being adhered to almost the entire surface of the walls and the base. Thus, the ambient moisture is prevented from corroding the surface of the cooling device (1).

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the moisture retaining element (3) is disposed only between the surfaces of the cooling device (1) wherein the maximum condensation is observed and the furniture (M). For example, by covering particularly the rear wall of the body (2), wherein the evaporator is located and which is colder than many other surfaces, with the moisture retaining element (3) the need of absorbing moisture is partially met and thus, cost advantage is provided by using less material.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the moisture retaining element (3) is disposed between at least two cooling devices (1) disposed side by side or one on the top of the other. When preferred to use two cooling devices (1) side by side or one on the top of the other, the moisture retaining element (3) disposed therebetween prevents the gap (A) being much colder and humid than the environment from dew.

[0027] By means of the moisture retaining element (3) used in the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the surfaces of the body (2) and furniture (M) are protected from perspiring and hence from deforming.