FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, more specifically to a refrigeration appliance equipped with a fan system for circulating air within a compartment of the refrigeration appliance.

BACKGROUND ART

Refrigeration appliances of known types generally include an inner liner disposed within an outer cabinet. The inner liner typically defines one or more compartments, for example a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. Each compartment has an open front closed by a door pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet. Compartments are preferably provided with shelves and/or storage drawers to receive items therein.

A refrigeration system is provided to cool the compartments. The refrigeration system typically includes an evaporator, which is preferably mounted inside one of the compartments, and a fan for creating a cooling air stream for the compartment/s. The cooling air stream is preferably circulated in a closed loop, or recirculated, inside the compartment/s.

The air passes over, or through, the evaporator which cools the air and then the air is conveyed inside the compartment/s. The fan is typically arranged downstream of the evaporator and conveys the cooled air, coming from the evaporator, inside the compartment/s. Hence the fan typically sucks cooled air coming from the evaporator and expels it towards the compartment/s. A collecting tray is preferably arranged below the evaporator to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator.

According to the known systems, the fan is received in a casing and mounted thereto. The casing is typically spirally shaped to form a volute encircling the fan that optimize the air flow coming from the evaporator and then conveyed to the compartment/s.

The casing with the fan mounted thereto is preferably fixed to a support having a seat opportunely shaped to receive the casing. The support, which is typically made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), is further configured to define one or more ducts for channelling the air expelled by the fan towards the compartment/s.

The support is also further preferably configured to receive the evaporator. Preferably, an air chamber is realized in the support to receive the evaporator and the air stream generated by the fan flows inside the air chamber.

According to the known systems, the casing with the fan is fixed to the support through mechanical fasteners, such as bolts and/or screws and/or rivets.

However, such fixing method present some limitations.

A first drawback of using said mechanical fasteners is the nonflexible design of system which requires the precise arrangement of holes/seats both on the support and on the casing to receive the bolts and/or screws and/or rivets during assembling.

Another drawback of using said mechanical fasteners is the assembling complexity during manufacturing. This negatively affects size and/or weight and/or manufacturing time and costs and hence manufacturing productivity.

A further drawback of the known systems may be the loss in retention during the time of the fasteners and therefore a negative impact on reliability.

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks posed by the known technique.

It is therefore an object of the invention to implement a system apt to optimize the manufacturing method of the appliance.

It is another object of the invention to implement a system providing a reliable fixation of the casing with the fan to the support.

It is a further object of the invention to implement a system apt to reduce manufacturing time and/or costs compared to known systems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The applicant has found that by providing a refrigeration appliance equipped with a refrigeration system having a fan assembly for channelling the cooled air to a compartment wherein the fan assembly comprises a fan, a casing encircling the fan and a support for the casing and by providing that the connection of the casing to the support is by mechanical interference, it is possible to reach the above-mentioned objects.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a refrigeration appliance comprising: - an outer cabinet and at least one compartment for receiving food items;

- a refrigeration system for cooling down air and a fan assembly for channelling the cooled air to said least one compartment; wherein said fan assembly comprises a fan, a casing encircling said fan and a support for said casing and said fan, said support comprising at least one duct for channelling the air expelled by said fan towards said at least one compartment, wherein said casing is connected to said support by mechanical interference. Advantageously, the connection of the casing to the central support part does not advantageously require any kind of additional fasteners.

Therefore, being not necessary any kind of additional fasteners the manufacturing steps complexity is reduced, and optimization of assembling is achieved.

Improvement on reliability of fixation of the casing in the support is also achieved, due to an easy positioning and press fitting insertion of the casing in the support.

By reducing the number of components, such as fasteners, used for assembling of the casing to the support and/or by simplification of assembling operations/steps, manufacturing time and/or costs are reduced compared to known system.

Also, advantageously, size and/or weight of the fan assembly is reduced compared to known system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical interference is obtained through interference fit between an interference surface of the casing and a corresponding interference surface of the support.

Advantageously, a correct positioning of the casing to the support is achieved thanks to interaction of corresponding interference surfaces.

Preferably, the interference surface of the casing and/or the interference surface of the support is a tapered surface.

Advantageously, the casing can be centered on the support during almost all entrance of the former on the latter, followed by its blockage due to interference between the components when the casing is pressed in its final position into the support.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, mechanical interference means are provided between the casing and the support.

Preferably, the mechanical interference means comprise at least one tab protruding from the casing and suitable to engage and deforming the support. Advantageously, local areas in correspondence of the tabs may be opportunely dimensioned to assure a more stable interference between the assembled parts. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support comprises a seat for the casing, wherein the shape of the seat matches an outer surface of the casing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the material of the casing is stiffer than the material of the support.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing is preferably made of polystyrene or polypropylene. Preferably said polystyrene or said polypropylene is reinforced with calcium carbonate particles, or talcum or glass fibres.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support is made of a deformable material.

Preferably, the support is made of a deformable material having anti-noise features.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support is made of foamed polymeric material or preferably made of expanded polystyrene.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing is a volute element. Preferably, the fan comprises a rotor rotating around a rotation axis and the casing comprises at least a peripheral wall circumferentially enclosing the fan around the rotation axis.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral wall comprises at least one aperture in correspondence of the at least one duct of the support.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan assembly further comprises a fastening device for connecting the fan to the casing.

Preferably, the fan assembly comprises a frame supporting the fan.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a plurality of arms connected to respective seats integrally made with the casing. Advantageously, the casing and the fan are connected therebetween to form a subassembly that is, in turn, connected to the support by mechanical interference. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, vibration dampening elements are interposed between the fan and the frame.

Preferably, the casing encircling the fan comprises an open side

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan assembly further comprises at least one covering element for the open side of the casing to hermetically close the casing and to allow air to be channelled from the fan towards the to least one duct of the support.

Advantageously, air flows towards air ducts are optimized and sound dampening effect is also achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the covering element is connected by mechanical interference to the support, wherein the mechanical interference is more preferably obtained through interference fit between an interference surface of the covering element and a corresponding interference surface of the support. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan assembly further comprises at least one cover element connected to the support in such a way that said support, the casing, the fan, the covering element and the cover plate are arranged side by side, respectively.

Preferably, the cover element comprises at least one opening that communicates with the at least one duct for channelling the air expelled by the fan towards the at least one compartment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one opening are arranged in frontal and/or lateral position in the cover element to distribute air inside the at least one compartment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support is constituted of two or more parts: a main support part receiving the casing and at least one additional part at least partially defining said at least one duct.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the appliance comprises an inner liner, internal to the outer cabinet, defining the at least one compartment.

In a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates a refrigeration appliance comprising:

- an outer cabinet and an inner liner, internal to said outer cabinet, defining at least one compartment for receiving food items;

- a refrigeration system comprising an evaporator for cooling down air and a fan assembly for channelling the cooled air to said least one compartment; wherein said fan assembly comprises:

- a fan and a support associated to said fan, said support being mounted to a portion of said inner liner of said at least one compartment;

- at least one air chamber configured to channel air moved by said fan, said at least one air chamber being defined by an open side seat of said support and said portion of said inner liner when said support is on its mounting position on said liner, wherein: said support comprises a bulge at least partially surrounding said open side seat and protruding towards said liner and wherein said liner comprises a respective groove receiving said bulge of said support; or said liner comprises a bulge protruding towards said support and wherein said support comprises a respective groove at least partially surrounding said open side seat and receiving said bulge of said liner.

Advantageously, improved sealing of the air chamber is achieved.

Still advantageously, a simple solution to obtain the air chamber is achieved by using the inner liner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bulge is integrally made with the support.

Advantageously, no additional sealing element are required between the support and the inner liner leading to a more reliable sealing solution and avoiding the risk of movement of sealing elements from their position.

Furthermore, advantageously, by providing a bulge at the support side and a respective groove at the liner side it is possible to realize a cheap and effective sealing system between the support and the liner.

Preferably, the at least one air chamber is configured to channel air from the evaporator towards the fan.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one air chamber is further configured to receive the evaporator.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan is directly mounted to the support and the fan communicates with the air chamber.

Preferably, the support is made of polymeric material or preferably made of expanded polystyrene.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liner is made of a polymeric material or preferably made of polystyrene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In said drawings:

- Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a refrigeration appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a vertical plan sectional view of the appliance of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a partial exploded view of the appliance of Figure 1 with some elements removed therefrom;

- Figure 4 shows an exploded view of some elements of Figure 3 isolated from the rest;

- Figure 5 shows the exploded view of Figure 4 from another point of view;

- Figure 6 shows a further exploded view of some elements of Figure 3 isolated from the rest;

- Figure 7 shows a detail of figure 6;

- Figure 8 shows some elements of Figure 7 in an assembled configuration;

- Figure 8A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 8;

- Figure 9 shows a plan view of Figure 8 sectioned along line IX°-IX°;

- Figure 9A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 9;

- Figure 10 shows an element of Figure 8 isolated from the rest;

- Figure 11 shows a frontal plan view of an element of Figure 3;

- Figure 12 shows some elements of Figure 4 from another point of view;

- Figure 13 shows a plan view of Figure 1 sectioned along line XTTT°-XTTT°;

- Figure 14 shows an enlarged view of a particular of figure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF

THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 a refrigeration appliance in the form of a domestic refrigerator is shown, indicated generally as 1. Although the detailed description that follows concerns a domestic stand-alone refrigerator 1, the refrigeration appliance can be embodied by refrigeration appliances other than a domestic refrigerator.

Furthermore, the embodiment described in detail below refers to refrigerator comprising a fresh food compartment. However, the refrigerator according to the invention can have any desired configuration, for example a bottom mount refrigerator, i.e. of the type including a freezer compartment disposed vertically below a fresh food compartment, or a top mount refrigerator wherein the freezer compartment is disposed vertically above the fresh food compartment or a refrigerator comprising only a freezer compartment.

Furthermore, while the present application is described with reference to a stand alone refrigerator it has to be noted that also a built-in solution may be contemplated.

The refrigeration appliance 1 illustrated in the figures, hereinafter indicated as refrigerator 1, comprises an outer cabinet 2 and an inner liner 22, internally received in the outer cabinet 2. The outer cabinet 2 and the inner liner 22 are separated by a spacing preferably filled with thermal insulation 13, more preferably a foam insulation.

The inner liner 22 is preferably made of a polymeric material or preferably made of polystyrene (PS) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The outer cabinet 2 preferably extends in a vertical direction V and preferably comprises a base 2A suitable to lay on the ground, a roof 2B and lateral side walls 2C, 2D, 2E connecting the base 2A and the roof 2B, preferably two lateral side walls 2C, 2D and a rear side wall 2E.

In its installed position, lateral side walls 2C, 2D and the rear side wall 2E are preferably aligned to the vertical direction V.

The refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment shown in the figures preferably represents a single door refrigerator with a single fresh food compartment 10.

In alternative embodiments, two or more doors can be provided to open and close respective compartments, such as freezer and/or fresh compartments.

The compartment 10 substantially preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening 14. A door 15 is preferably pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet 2 and is movable between an open position and a closed position to cover the front opening 14.

The compartment 10 preferably shows a rear wall 24 which is defined by a portion of the inner liner 22, more preferably a vertical rear wall 24.

The compartment 10 preferably comprises shelves S and/or drawers for receiving food items. For sake of simplicity, drawers are not shown in the drawings.

A refrigeration system 30 is preferably provided to cool the compartment 10. According to the present invention, the refrigeration system 30 is apt to cool down air which is circulated inside the compartment 10 of the refrigerator 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration system 30 preferably comprises a closed recirculating system filled with a suitable refrigerant, for example R12 or R134a or R600a. The refrigeration system 30 preferably comprises an electric motor-driven compressor 32, visible in Figure 2, a condenser heat exchanger 34, a pressure device such as a capillary tube or a thermostatic valve (not shown) and an evaporator 38. The evaporator 38 is more preferably mounted to the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10 towards the interior of the compartment 10.

The compressor 32 is preferably mounted external to the compartment 10 and more preferably arranged in a working chamber 21 at the bottom of the refrigerator 1.

The condenser heat exchanger 34 can be a condenser tubing that preferably has a serpentine configuration and is preferably externally secured to the rear side wall 2E of the outer cabinet 2 so as to form what is commonly known as a “hot wall”. The evaporator 38 is the component of the refrigeration system 30 apt to cool down the air stream for the compartment 10.

A fan assembly 50 is preferably associated to the evaporator 38 for creating the air stream. The function of the fan assembly 50 is to generate the cooling air stream that is conveyed and recirculated inside the compartment 10. The fan assembly 50 is more preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator 38 and to expel it into the compartment 10.

An air chamber 40 preferably receives the evaporator 38 and has the function of confining the air stream, preferably to confine the air stream in correspondence of the evaporator 38. Hence, preferably, the fan assembly 50 creates the air stream which is channelled towards the evaporator 38 inside the air chamber 40 and then inside the compartment 10, as better described later.

The lower part of the air chamber 40 is preferably configured to define a water collecting zone 44 to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator 38, as shown in Figure 2. The water collecting zone 44 is preferably defined by a funnel-shaped portion of the air channel 40 below the evaporator 38,

A collecting tray 55 is preferably fluidly connected to the water collecting zone 44 through a drain pipe 46.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the fan assembly 50 is preferably a pre-assembled fan assembly 50 which is arranged/mounted closed to the evaporator 38.

The fan assembly 50 is advantageously pre-assembled during manufacturing of the refrigerator 1 and then it is mounted inside the compartment 10 over the evaporator 38.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan assembly may not be necessarily pre-assembled.

The fan assembly 50 is shown isolated from the rest in figures 4 to 6.

The fan assembly 50 is preferably connected to the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10 through connecting means, not described in detail in the figures but of the known type.

Preferably, said connecting means may comprise mechanical (e.g. rivets, nuts and bolts, etc.), chemical (e.g. adhesive, epoxy, etc.), or other type of fasteners. The function of the fan assembly 50 is channelling and recirculating the air cooled by the evaporator 38 inside the compartment 10. The fan assembly 50 is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator 38 and to expel it into the compartment 10 through air openings 102a-102d opportunely distributed inside the compartment 10, as illustrated for example in Figure 1. Preferably, the fan assembly 50 is provided with two lower openings 102a, 102b (frontal openings), and a plurality parallel upper openings 102c, 102d (lateral openings) through which the cooled air advantageously enters the compartment 10. The cooled air is advantageously uniformly distributed inside the compartment 10.

The fan assembly 50 is also provided downwardly with an air conveyor 56, see Figure 3, through which the air from the compartment 10 flows back to the evaporator 38, preferably back to the air chamber 40 receiving the evaporator 38. The conveyor 56 at a lower edge 56a thereof preferably comprises inlet openings 57 for the back-air stream.

The fan assembly 50 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures preferably comprises three parts, or modules: a central part 50a, an upper part 50b and a lower part 50c. The three parts 50a, 50b, 50c are opportunely assembled, preferably pre-assembled, to form substantially a single unit. In further preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan assembly may comprise a different number of parts/modules.

The fan assembly 50 preferably comprises a fan 72, a casing 60 encircling the fan 72 and a support 70 receiving the casing 60 and the fan 72. The casing 60 preferably comprises an open side 60a allowing the installation of the fan 72 thereto. A covering element 18 is preferably associated to the open side 60a of the casing 60. The support 70 preferably comprises a seat 52 where the casing 60 is assembled, as better described later.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the support 70 preferably comprises three parts: a central support part 70a, an upper support part 70b and a lower support part 70c.

More preferably, the support 70a receiving the casing 60 and the fan 72 is the central support part 70a of the support 70.

The seat 52 is therefore preferably realized in the central support part 70a. According to an aspect of the invention, the support 70 preferably comprises air ducts 100a- 100c with the function of channelling cooled air expelled from the fan 72 towards the air openings 102a-102d inside the compartment 10.

The air ducts 100a- 100c are preferably formed by respective ducts formed in the central support part 70a, in the upper support part 70b and in the lower support part 70c.

Two lower air ducts 100a, 100b among said ducts 100a- 100c are preferably realized in the central support part 70a and in the lower support part 70c and extend downwardly from the fan 72 up to the lower openings 102a, 102b of the fan assembly 50.

An upper duct 100c is preferably realized in the central support part 70a and extends upwardly from the fan 72 and splits in branches lOOd realized rearwardly in the upper support part 70b up to the upper openings 102c, 102d.

The fan assembly 50 then preferably comprises a cover plate 76. It is preferably contemplated that the cover plate 76 is made from plastic to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a user.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the cover plate 76 comprises three parts: a central cover plate part 76a, an upper cover plate part 76b and a lower cover plate part 76c.

The lower cover plate part 76c is preferably provided with said lower openings 102a, 102b that communicate with the two lower air ducts 100a, 100b, of the support 70.

The two lower air ducts 100a, 100b of the support 70, as illustrated in Figure 4, are opened in the front direction, i.e. in the direction facing the interior of the compartment 10 when the fan assembly 50 is in its assembled configuration.

In the assembled configuration, advantageously, the covering element 18 and the cover plate 76 opportunely close the two lower air ducts 100a, 100b allowing the air conveyance inside said closed ducts 100a, 100b.

The covering element 18 hermetically closes the open side 60a of the casing 60 and allows air to be channelled from the fan 72 towards air ducts 100a- 100c. Advantageously, air flows towards air ducts 100a- 100c are optimized and sound dampening effect is preferably achieved.

In further preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the air ducts may be realized as closed air ducts directly on the support.

The support 70, the casing 60, the fan 72, the covering element 18 and the cover plate 76 are preferably arranged side by side, i.e. arranged one laterally of the other and preferably in a lateral order perpendicular to the vertical direction V. The fan assembly 50 then preferably comprises fastening means apt to keep elements of the fan assembly 50 in the pre-assembled configuration. Said fastening means, not described in detail, preferably comprise snap-in elements. The casing 60 of the fan 72 is preferably provided with openings 64a, 64b, 64c that allow the air stream generated by the fan 72 to reach the air ducts 100a- 100c. Said openings 64a, 64b, 64c are preferably realized in a peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60.

The casing 60 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures is preferably spirally shaped to define a component which is also generally known as a volute.

In different embodiments, nevertheless, the casing may be differently shaped.

The casing 60 preferably comprises a lateral side 62 and the peripheral wall 66 extending thereof. The lateral side 62 preferably comprises a suction aperture 62a through which air from the evaporator 38 is sucked by the fan 72, as illustrated in Figure 9.

Accordingly, the seat 52 of the support 70 receiving the casing 60 preferably comprises a lateral side 53 and a peripheral wall 54 extending thereof. The lateral side 53 of the seat 52 preferably comprises a suction aperture 53a through which air from the evaporator 38 is sucked by the fan 72.

The fan 72, better visible in Figures 8 and 8 A, preferably comprises a rotor 82 with a rotation axis X. The fan 72 preferably comprises a centrifugal fan, preferably a radial fan. The air flows from the suction aperture 62a of the casing 60 and the air is then displaced radially towards the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60, changing its direction (typically by 90°). The rotor 82 preferably consists of a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades, rotating around said axis X, which act on the air.

Preferably, a frame 80 supports the fan 72 and the fan 72 is preferably connected to the casing 60 through the frame 80.

More preferably, the frame 80 is connected to the casing 60 in proper connecting points, preferably three connecting points (Figures 8, 8A and 10).

The supporting frame 80 preferably has a spider shaped structure with arms 80A- 80F supporting the rotor 82.

Advantageously, the casing 60 and the fan 72 are connected therebetween to form a subassembly that is, in turn, connected to the support 70 by mechanical interference.

Vibration dampening elements 130 are preferably interposed between the fan 72 and the supporting frame 80. Vibration dampening elements 130 preferably comprise rubber washers 130 interposed between three arms 80 A, 80C, 80E of the supporting frame 80 and corresponding seats 61a, 61b, 61c (Figure 10) of the casing 60 at said three connecting points. Seats 61a, 61b, 61c are preferably integrally made with the casing 60.

Advantageously, the vibration dampening elements 130 absorb vibrations created by the fan rotation.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the casing 60 is connected to the support 70 by mechanical interference.

In particular, the casing 60 is connected by mechanical interference to the central support part 70a of the support 70.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the mechanical interference is obtained through interference fit between an interference surface 66 of the casing 60 and a corresponding interference surface 54 of the support 70a.

Advantageously, a correct positioning of the casing 60 to the support 70a is achieved thanks to interaction of corresponding interference surfaces 66, 54.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the interference surface 66 of the casing 60 coincides with the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60 and the interference surface 54 of the support 70a coincides with the peripheral wall 54 of the seat 52.

More preferably, as better illustrated in Figure 9A, the interference surface 66 of the casing 60 and the interference surface 54 of the seat 52 of the support 70a are both tapered surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the interference surface 66 (peripheral wall 66) of the casing 60 and the interference surface 54 (peripheral wall 54) of the seat 52 have substantially a truncated cone shape.

This is better illustrated in Figure 9A where it is shown that the interference surface 66 (peripheral wall 66) of the casing 60 and the interference surface 54 (peripheral wall 54) of the seat 52 are slightly inclined, for example the peripheral walls 66, 54 have the same inclination XV with respect a reference direction XI of an angle Al. The reference direction XI is preferably parallel to the rotation axis X of the rotor 82. The inclination angle Al is preferably equal to 1°. Preferably, said inclination Al is comprised between 0,1° and 10°. Furthermore, preferably, the size of the interference surface 66 (peripheral wall 66) of the casing 60 is slightly lower than the size of the interference surface 54 (peripheral wall 54) of the seat 52, for example one tenth of a millimetre.

From the above, it follows that shapes and sizes of the interference peripheral walls 66, 54 allow the required mechanical interference when the casing 60 is assembled/inserted into the seat 52. The casing 60 can be preferably centered on the support 70 during almost all entrance of the former on the latter, followed by its blockage due to interference between the components 60, 70 when the casing 60 is pressed in its final position into the support 70.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated and described above, the mechanical interference is preferably distributed all over the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60 and the corresponding peripheral wall 54 of the seat 52.

In different embodiments, the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60 and/or the peripheral wall 54 of the seat 52 may differently shaped in order to obtain the required mechanical interference in at least a portion of the same peripheral walls 66, 54.

Preferably, the shape of the seat 52 of the central support part 70a matches the outer surface of the casing 60, i.e. preferably shows a volute shape, so that the insertion of the casing 60 into the seat 52 is facilitated during the assembling phase.

In a preferred embodiment, the central support part 70a is made of a deformable material. Advantageously, when the casing 60 is assembled/inserted to the central support part 70a the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60 engages and deforms the peripheral wall 54 of the seat 52 thus obtaining the mechanical interference connection between the casing 60 and the central support part 70a. The central support part 70a is preferably made of a polymeric material. In a preferred embodiment, the central support part 70a is made of expanded polystyrene, or EPS. In different preferred embodiments, the support is made of a polymeric material co-injected with a sponge made of foamed polymeric material (PE Foam) or a silicone material.

In a preferred embodiment, the material of the casing 60 is stiffer than the material of the central support 70a.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing 60 is made of polystyrene, or PS. In different preferred embodiments, the casing 60 is made of polypropylene, or PP. Preferably polystyrene PS or the polypropylene PP is reinforced with calcium carbonate particles, or talcum or glass fibres.

It has to be noted that in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper support part 70b and the lower support part 70c is made of the same above described material of the central support part 70a. In different embodiments, nevertheless, the material of the upper support part 70b and/or of the lower support part 70c can be different from the material of the central support part 70a. In general, according to the invention, at least the part of the support which receives the support is preferably made of the material with the characteristics above described.

From the above description it is clear that the assembling of the casing 60 to the central support part 70a is simply obtained by aligning the casing 60 to the seat 52 of the central support part 70a and pushing the casing 60 into the seat 52. Advantageously, the connection of the casing 60 to the central support part 70a does not advantageously require any kind of additional fasteners.

Therefore, being not necessary any kind of additional fasteners the manufacturing steps complexity is reduced, and optimization of assembling is achieved.

Improvement on reliability of fixation of the casing in the support is also achieved, due to an easy positioning and press fitting insertion of the casing in the support.

By reducing the number of components, such as fasteners, used for assembling of the casing to the support and/or by simplification of assembling operations/steps, manufacturing time and/or costs are reduced compared to known system.

Also, advantageously, size and/or weight of the fan assembly is reduced compared to known system.

According to another aspect of the invention, further mechanical interference means 90 are provided between the casing 60 and the central support part 70a. The mechanical interference means 90 preferably comprises one or more tabs 92 protruding from the casing 60 (Figure 10). More preferably, the tabs 92 protrude from the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, there are preferably provided four tabs 92. In different embodiments, nevertheless, the number of tabs may different, even just one, and opportunely arranged at said casing.

Mechanical interference between the peripheral wall 66 and the tabs 92 of the casing and the support 70a guarantees the fixation of the casing 60 to the support 70a.

In a preferred embodiment, as said above, the central support part 70a is made of a deformable material. Advantageously, when the casing 60 is assembled to the central support part 70a the tabs 92 engage and deform the central support part 70a thus obtaining a mechanical interference connection between the casing 60 and the central support part 70a.

Advantageously, local areas in correspondence of the tabs may be opportunely dimensioned to assure a more stable interference between the assembled parts. According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, also the covering element 18 is preferably associated to the to the support 70 by mechanical interference.

In particular, the covering element 18 is connected by mechanical interference to the central support part 70a of the support 70.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the mechanical interference is obtained through interference fit between an interference surface 19 of the covering element 18 and a corresponding interference surface of the support 70a.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the interference surface 19 of the covering element 18 coincides with the peripheral wall 19 of the covering element 18. The interference surface of the support 70a comprises a peripheral wall 55a at the frontal part of the seat 52, peripheral walls 55b, 55c defined at the two lower air ducts 100a, 100b and a peripheral wall 55d at the upper part of the support 70a.

More preferably, said interference surfaces 19, 55a-55d of the covering element 18 and of the seat 52 are both tapered surfaces, more preferably both have substantially a truncated cone shape.

According to the preferred embodiment described above, the fan assembly 50 is preferably constituted of three parts/modules 50a, 50b, 50c opportunely assembled to form substantially a single unit. In different embodiments, nevertheless, the fan assembly may be realized with a different number of modules, even just one single module.

The preferred embodiment for the realization of the fan assembly using a plurality of modules as described above helps the manufacturers during the process of designing and/or producing refrigerators of different size/capacity.

In fact, fan assemblies for different type of refrigerators, namely refrigerators with different size of the compartment/s, can be designed and produced by using the same central module 50a and varying only the size/dimension of the upper and/or the lower parts according to the overall si e/dimension required for the fan assembly.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated and described above, the casing 60 is connected to the support 70 preferably by mechanical interference of the peripheral wall 66 of the casing 60 and the corresponding peripheral wall 54 of the seat 52 and also by mechanical interference due to further mechanical interference means 90 (tabs 32).

In further preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the casing may be connected to the support only by mechanical interference of the peripheral wall of the casing and the corresponding peripheral wall of the seat or only by mechanical interference of further mechanical interference means, such as protruding tabs.

By way of example, a casing according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the casing is connectable to the support only by mechanical interference of the peripheral wall of the casing and the corresponding peripheral wall of the seat may correspond to the casing previously described deprived of the tabs.

In a further preferred embodiment, not shown, the casing may be provided of protruding tabs that engage and deform the support while a loose coupling may be provided between side walls of the casing and the support.

A further advantageous aspect of the invention is described hereinafter with reference to figures 11 to 14.

We will focus, in particular, on the contact area of the fan assembly 50 to the inner liner 22 of the compartment 10.

In particular, we will refer to the contact area of the fan assembly 50 to the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10. More in particular, we will refer to the contact area of the central part 50a and the lower part 50c of the fan assembly 50 to the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10. In Figure 11 the refrigerator 1 is shown so that the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10 is visible and Figure 12 shows the contact area 55 of the central part 50a and the lower part 50c of the fan assembly 50. The contact area 55 corresponds to the rear surface of the central support part 70a and the lower support part 70c facing the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10.

As said above, the evaporator 38 is preferably received in an air chamber 40 that has the function of confining the air stream, preferably to confine the air stream generated by the fan 72 in correspondence of the evaporator 38.

The air chamber 40 is preferably defined by an open side seat 42 of the support 70, as visible in Figure 12, and a portion of the inner liner 22, or rear wall 24, to which the fan assembly 50 is mounted. More preferably, the open side seat 42 is constituted by a first open side seat 42a defined in the central support part 70a and a second open side seat 42b defined in the lower support part 70c.

The second open side seat 42b of the lower support part 70c preferably receives the evaporator 38 and the first open side seat 42a of the central support part 70a communicates with the suction aperture 62a of the casing 60 through which the air is sucked by the fan 72. The evaporator 38 is also preferably supported by the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10 and rests on it.

According to an aspect of the invention, the support 70 comprises a bulge 74 surrounding the open side seat 42 and protruding towards the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10, as better illustrated in Figures 13 and 14.

The rear wall 24 preferably comprises a respective groove 75 apt to receive the bulge 74 of the support 70 when the fan assembly is assembled.

In different preferred embodiments, not illustrated, the liner preferably comprises a bulge protruding towards the support and the support preferably comprises a respective groove at least partially surrounding the open side seat. The groove is apt to receive the bulge of the liner.

Advantageously, improved sealing of the air chamber 40 is achieved.

The bulge 74 is preferably constituted by a first bulge 74a protruding from central support part 70a and a second bulge 74b protruding from the lower support part 70c.

The bulge 74 is integrally made with the support 70 and preferably the first bulge 74a is integrally made with the central support part 70a and the second bulge 74b is integrally made with the lower support part 70c. In the assembled configuration, advantageously, the bulge 74 is hermetically received in the groove 75 and acts as a sealing element between the support 70 and the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10.

Advantageously, no additional sealing element are required between the support 70 and the rear wall 24 of the compartment 10 leading to a more reliable sealing solution and avoiding the risk of movement of sealing elements from their position.

Furthermore, advantageously, by providing a bulge at the support side, or at the liner side, and a respective groove at the liner side, or at the support side, it is possible to realize a cheap and effective sealing system between the support and the liner.

In general, by providing a bulge at the support side, or at the liner side, and a respective groove at the liner side, or at the support side, it is possible to realize a cheap and effective sealing system for an air chamber between the support and the liner where air is moved by the fan.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the shape of the bulge and the shape of the respective groove are the same so that the bulge exactly and preferably matches the groove. In different embodiments, nevertheless, the shape of the bulge and the shape of the groove may be different and apt to guarantee the sealing effect.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the bulge 74 and the groove 75 preferably have a trapezoidal cross section with smoothed corner.

The length of the bulge/groove, which substantially corresponds with the base of the trapezoid, is preferably 10mm and the high of the bulge/groove, which substantially corresponds with the high of the trapezoid, is preferably 15mm.

In different embodiments, nevertheless, the bulge and/or the groove may have different cross section, for example the cross section may be a semicircle, or two adjacent semicircles joined therebetween, or any other shape obtained by linear or curvilinear surfaces.

Also, preferably, the overall length of the bulge/groove is preferably comprised between 3mm and 30mm and/or the maximum high of the bulge/groove is preferably comprised between 5mm and 50mm.

Advantageously, from the above description it has been shown that by providing that the casing for the fan is connected to the support by mechanical interference, it is possible to optimize the manufacturing method of the appliance and/or obtaining a reliable fixation of the casing with the fan to the support.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.