REFRIGERATION SYSTEM. PREFERABLY A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM HAVING A FAN FOR CIRCULATING AIR FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance equipped with a refrigeration system, more specifically to a refrigeration appliance equipped with a refrigeration system having a fan 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.

According to the known systems, the evaporator is arranged along a channel where the air passing through the evaporator is conveyed towards the compartment/s. The lower part of the channel is preferably provided with a collecting tray to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator.

It is an aim for manufacturers and scope of the invention to find solutions that optimize the functioning of the refrigeration system, in particular solutions that optimize the air flow from the evaporator to the fan, solutions leading to reduction of noise created by the flowing air and/or by the fan rotation, solutions leading to the reduction of encumbrance and solutions leading to a more efficient moisture collection.

Another scope of the invention relates the reduction/limitation of frosting in refrigeration appliances of known type. Frosting is a common problem affecting refrigeration appliances caused by frost that builds up at the evaporator due to water formed by condensation which is rapidly cooled on the same evaporator before reaching the collecting tray. Periodical defrosting cycles are then required to maintain the operating efficiency.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The applicant has found that by providing a refrigeration appliance having an evaporator of a refrigeration system and by providing a proper inclination for the evaporator, it is possible to reach the above-mentioned scopes.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a refrigeration appliance comprising:

- an outer cabinet comprising a base suitable to lay on the ground, a roof and lateral side walls connecting said base and said roof in a vertical direction; - at least one compartment, internal to said outer cabinet, with an opening for receiving food items;

- a door apt to open and close said opening of said at least one compartment;

- a refrigeration system comprising:

- an evaporator to cool down air for said at least one compartment, said evaporator comprising a first lateral surface extending longitudinally along a main axis and a second lateral surface facing said first lateral surface;

- an air channel receiving said evaporator;

- a fan associated to said evaporator for creating an air stream which is channelled towards said evaporator inside said air channel and then inside said at least one compartment, said fan and said air channel being configured so that said air stream vertically flows inside said air channel; wherein that said evaporator is positioned inside said air channel so that said main axis of said first lateral surface is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. For air stream vertically flowing inside the air channel it is meant that the air stream flows from the bottom to the upper side of the channel or vice versa. Advantageously, by providing such an inclination for the first lateral surface of the evaporator, and hence such an inclination for the evaporator, an adequate space/room is created at the upper zone of the evaporator. Said space is advantageously available and utilized for mounting or arranging one or more operating components, for example the fan.

Said space further allows to optimize the air stream from the evaporator to the fan, in particular the air stream leaving the upper surface of the evaporator reaching the fan, and/or allows to optimize the realization of ducts for the air expelled by the fan towards the compartments.

Still advantageously, more space may be created between the evaporator and the fan, in particular between the upper surface of the evaporator and the fan, so that turbulence and/or noise caused by air flow may be reduced.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, by providing such an inclination for the first lateral surface of the evaporator, the condensed water generated during operation drops, without freezing, to the closed first lateral surface and reaches a collecting tray by slipping over the first lateral surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the first lateral surface of the evaporator is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower part of the first lateral surface is closer to the internal volume of the at least one compartment than the upper part of the first lateral surface of the evaporator.

Preferably, the evaporator further comprises an upper surface defined between the lateral surfaces and a lower surface defined between the lateral surfaces According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel in a direction from the lower surface to the upper surface of the evaporator or from the upper surface to the lower surface of the evaporator.

In a preferred embodiment, the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface of the evaporator are parallel one to the other.

Preferably the first lateral surface, the second lateral surface, the upper surface and the lower surface of the evaporator are arranged to define a parallelepiped. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the evaporator comprises a bent tube having multiple sections one above the other and a plurality of stacked fins provided with holes receiving the bent tube. Preferably, the main axis of the first lateral surface of the evaporator is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of an angle comprised between 1° and 10°, preferably of an angle comprised between 2° and 5°, more preferably of an angle equal to 3°.

It has been surprisingly discovered that by inclining the evaporator with an angle within these ranges, the condensed water generated during operation drops, without freezing, to the closed first lateral surface to reach then the collecting tray but, at the same time, due to its inclination the evaporator does not strongly affect the encumbrance of the refrigeration system.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan is arranged inside the air channel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan is arranged downstream said evaporator.

In a preferred embodiment, the fan is arranged above the evaporator.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the fan is arranged outside the air channel. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan comprises a rotor with a rotation axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the main axis of the first lateral surface of the evaporator and the rotation axis of the rotor form an angle therebetween comprised between 70° and 110°, preferably an angle comprised between 90° and 105°, more preferably an angle equal to 100°.

Advantageously, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface of the evaporator and the rotor, it is possible to further optimize the air stream from the evaporator to the fan, in particular the air stream leaving the upper surface of the evaporator and reaching the fan.

Advantageously, it is possible to further reduce the noise of the air stream, in particular the noise of the air stream leaving the upper surface of the evaporator and reaching the fan.

Still advantageously, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface of the evaporator and the rotor, it is possible to reduce the encumbrance of the system and to optimize the size of the same.

Preferably, the air channel is defined inside the at least one compartment, preferably at a first wall of the at least one compartment, more preferably at a rear wall of the at least one compartment.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the air channel is positioned outside said at least one compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, said refrigeration system further comprises a water collecting zone arranged below said evaporator to collect water formed by condensation on said evaporator. Preferably, said refrigeration system further comprises a collecting tray associated to the water collecting zone.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air channel comprises a first lateral surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the first lateral surface of the evaporator is supported by the first lateral surface of the air channel.

Advantageously, the condensed water generated during operation drops to the first lateral surface of the air channel and reaches the collecting tray by slipping over the said first lateral surface of the air channel

Preferably, the first lateral surface of the air channel is defined by the first wall of the at least one compartment.

Preferably, the at least one compartment is defined by an inner liner, internal to the outer cabinet.

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 a preferred embodiment 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 the appliance of Figure 1 with some elements removed therefrom;

- Figure 3 shows a vertical plan sectional view of the appliance of Figure 2;

- Figure 3 A shows an enlarged view of a particular of figure 3;

- Figure 3B shows an enlarged view of a particular of figure 3A;

- Figure 3C shows a detail of figure 3B;

- Figure 3D shows a detail of figure 3B;

- Figure 3E shows an enlarged view of a particular of figure 3B;

- Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a fan arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

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

- Figure 6 shows a vertical plan sectional view of the fan arrangement of Figure

5;

- Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of a particular of figure 5;

- Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the fan arrangement of Figure 4;

- Figure 9 shows the exploded view of Figure 8 from another point of view;

- Figure 10 shows the fan arrangement of Figure 4 with an element removed therefrom;

- Figure 11 shows some elements of the fan arrangement of Figure 10 isolated from the rest;

- Figure 12 shows the elements of Figure 11 from another point of view;

- Figure 13 shows a sectional view of a particular of figure 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF

THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 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 a bottom mount refrigerator, i.e. of the type including a freezer compartment disposed vertically below a fresh food compartment. However, the refrigerator according to the invention can have any desired configuration, for example a top mount refrigerator wherein the freezer compartment is disposed vertically above the fresh food compartment or a refrigerator comprising only a fresh food compartment or 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 filled with thermal insulation 13, preferably a foam insulation.

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 bottom mount type refrigerator. At this purpose, a divider portion 5 (Figure 3) is provided which divides inner liner 22 into a lower space that is used as a freezer compartment 10, and an upper space that is used as a fresh food compartment 12.

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

Analogously, the fresh compartment 12 substantially and preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening 16. A door 17 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 16.

In an alternative embodiment, a single door can be provided to open and close both the front openings 14, 16 of the freezer and the fresh compartments 10, 12. The compartments 10, 12 preferably comprise shelves S and/or drawers D for receiving food items.

A refrigeration system 30 is preferably provided to cool the compartments 10,

12.

According to the present invention, the refrigeration system 30 is apt to cool down air which is circulated inside at least one compartment of refrigerator 1, preferably to cool down an air stream which is circulated inside both compartments 10, 12.

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. The refrigeration system preferably comprises an electric motor-driven compressor 32, a condenser heat exchanger 34, a pressure device such as a capillary tube or a thermostatic valve (not shown) and an evaporator 38.

The compressor 32 is preferably mounted external to the freezer 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 compartments 10, 12. A fan 72 is preferably associated to the evaporator 38 for creating the air stream. The function of the fan 72 is to generate the cooling air stream that is conveyed and recirculated inside a compartment, preferably the freezer compartment 10 and, in the preferred embodiment here illustrated, also inside the fresh food compartment 12. The fan 72 is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator 38 and to expel it into the freezer compartment 10 and into the fresh food compartment 12.

An air channel 40 preferably receives the evaporator 38 and has the function to confine the air stream, preferably to confine the air stream in correspondence of the evaporator 38. Preferably, the fan 72 creates the air stream which is channelled towards the evaporator 38 inside the air channel 40 and then inside the compartments 10, 12, as better described later.

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the figures, the fan 72 is preferably arranged inside the air channel 40. In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan may be arranged in any points of the refrigerator allowing the creation of an air stream which is channelled towards the evaporator inside the air channel.

Preferably, the fan 72 is arranged downstream the evaporator 38.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the fan 72 is arranged above the evaporator 38, more preferably just above the evaporator 38.

The fan 72 preferably comprises a rotor 82, or impeller, with a rotation axis X. The fan 72 preferably comprises a centrifugal fan, preferably a radial fan. The air flows from a suction side 72A of the fan 72 facing the evaporator 38, and the air is then displaced radially, 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.

The air expelled by the fan 72 is then conveyed into the compartments 10, 12, as better described later.

Generally, the evaporator 38 according to the invention shows a first lateral surface 38 A extending longitudinally along a main axis XI and a second lateral surface 38B facing said first lateral surface 38 A.

Preferably, the first lateral surface 38 A and the second lateral surface 38B are parallel one to the other.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evaporator 38 further comprises an upper surface 38C and a lower surface 38D defined between the lateral surfaces 38 A, 38B.

Lateral surfaces 38 A, 38B with upper and lower surfaces 38C, 38D are preferably arranged to define a parallelepiped.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evaporator 38 is a finned tube evaporator comprising a tube 39A having multiple sections one above the other and a plurality of stacked fins 39B (also known as “evaporator battery”).

Such evaporator 38 typically comprises a continuous bent tube 39 A having straight portions connected by U-bend sections, along which straight portions fins 39B are transversally mounted. The fins 39B are provided with holes, or apertures, having proper shape and size to allow to be assembled transversally along the continuous bent tube 39A. Air advantageously flows through gaps formed between stacked fins 39B and hits the tube 39A.

In different preferred embodiments, the evaporator can be differently shaped, for example flat-shaped evaporators of known type.

In case of a flat type evaporator, the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface are substantially joined at their peripherical edges to define a small border.

According to the present invention, the fan 72 and the air channel 40 are configured so that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel 40 to affect the evaporator 38.

By saying that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel 40 it is meant that the air stream flows from the bottom to the upper side of the channel 40, or in a further preferred embodiment the air stream may flow from the upper to the bottom side of the channel.

It is clear that in case of a finned tube evaporator, as shown in the figures, the air stream channelled towards the evaporator 38 passes through the same, particularly through the clearances provided between the stacked fins, preferably the air stream vertically flows vertically inside the evaporator 38 in a direction from the lower surface 38D to the upper surface 38C and is thus subjected to the cooling effect of the evaporator 38.

In case of a flat type evaporator, the air stream channelled towards the evaporator preferably laps the first lateral surface and/or the second lateral surface of the same. It is clear that in this case the air channel is opportunely shaped to define a gap in front of the first lateral surface and/or the second lateral surface where the air stream may flow to be subjected to the cooling effect of the evaporator.

While in the preferred embodiment illustrated and described herein the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel 40 in a direction from the lower surface 38D to the upper surface 38C of the evaporator 38, in different preferred embodiments, not illustrated, the fan and the air channel may be configured so that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel from the upper surface to the lower surface of the evaporator.

The air channel 40 preferably comprises a first lateral surface 24 and the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 is preferably supported by the first lateral surface 24 of the air channel 40 and hence rests on it.

In different embodiment, nevertheless, the first lateral surface of the evaporator may be arranged at a predetermined distance from the first lateral surface of the air channel rather than resting on it.

The lower part of the air channel 40 is preferably configured to define a water collecting zone 44 to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator 38. 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 an aspect of the present invention, the evaporator 38 is positioned inside the air channel 40 so that said main axis XI of the first lateral surface 38 A is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V.

In other words, the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V so that the lower part of the first lateral surface 38 A is closer to the internal volume of the compartment 10 than the upper part of the first lateral surface 38 A.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the main axis XI of the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V of an angle W1 equal to 3°, as shown in Figure 3C. More generally, the main axis XI of the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 is preferably inclined with respect to the vertical direction V of an angle W1 comprised between 1° and 10°, more preferably comprised between 2° and 5°.

Preferably, the first lateral surface 24 is also inclined with respect to the vertical direction V. More preferably, the first lateral surface 24 has the same inclination of the evaporator 38.

According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, by providing such an inclination for said first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator 38, and hence such an inclination for the evaporator 38, an adequate space/room is created at the upper zone of the evaporator 38. Said space is advantageously available and utilized for mounting or arranging one or more operating components, for example the fan 72.

Said space further allows to optimize the air stream from the evaporator 38 to the fan 72, in particular the air stream leaving the upper surface 38C of the evaporator 38 reaching the fan 72, and/or allows to optimize the realization of ducts for the air expelled by the fan 72 towards the compartments 10, 12.

Still advantageously, more space may be created between the evaporator 38 and the fan 72, in particular between the upper surface 38C of the evaporator 38 and the fan 72, so that turbulence and/or noise caused by air flow may be reduced. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, by providing such an inclination for said first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator 38, and hence such an inclination for the evaporator 38, the condensed water generated during operation drops to the closed first lateral surface 24.

The condensed water generated inside the evaporator 38 preferably flows throughout its thickness and exits the first lateral surface 38 A reaching the first lateral surface 24. The condensed water therefore runs across the evaporator 38 for a short path corresponding at most with its thickness. Advantageously, water does not freeze before reaching the first lateral surface 24 and may reach the water collecting zone 44 and the collecting tray 55 by slipping over the first lateral surface 24. Advantageously, negative frosting effect at the evaporator 38 is reduced and defrosting cycles may also be reduced. The operating efficiency of the refrigerator 1 is therefore increased compared to known system.

Conversely, in vertical evaporator of the known type, the condensed water before reaching the collecting tray runs across the evaporator throughout its height with high probability of frost formation.

It has been surprisingly discovered that by inclining the evaporator 38 with an angle within the ranges above mentioned, i.e. preferably a range of 1°-10° and more preferably a range of 2°-5°, the condensed water generated during operation does not freeze before reaching the first lateral surface 24 and may reach the water collecting zone 44 and the collecting tray 55 but, at the same time, due to its inclination the evaporator 38 does not strongly affect the encumbrance of the refrigeration system 30.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the evaporator 38 and the fan 72 are opportunely arranged so that the main axis XI of the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 and the rotation axis X of the rotor 82 form an angle W2 therebetween.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the main axis XI and the rotation axis X of the rotor 82 form an angle W2 therebetween equal to 100°. More generally, the main axis XI of the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator 38 and the rotation axis X of the rotor 82 form an angle therebetween comprised between 70° and 110°, more preferably comprised between 90° and 105°.

Applicant has recognized that by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 and the rotor 82, it is possible to further optimize the air stream from the evaporator 38 to the fan 72, in particular the air stream leaving the upper surface 38C of the evaporator 38 and reaching the fan 72.

Furthermore, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 and the rotor 82, applicant has recognized that it is possible to further reduce the noise of the air stream, in particular the noise of the air stream leaving the upper surface 38C of the evaporator 38 and reaching the fan 72.

Still advantageously, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface 38 A of the evaporator 38 and the rotor 82, it is possible to reduce the encumbrance of the system and to optimize the size of the same.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated and described herein, the evaporator 38 is preferably mounted inside the freezer compartment 10.

More preferably, the evaporator 38 is mounted to the rear wall 24 of the freezer compartment 10 towards the interior volume of the freezer compartment 10. According to this preferred embodiment, the rear wall 24 of the freezer compartment 10 therefore preferably corresponds to the first lateral surface 24 of the air channel 40. The air channel 40 is eventually defined inside the compartment 10, preferably at said rear wall 24. From the above it follows, therefore, that the condensed water generated during operation advantageously drops to the rear wall 24 and reaches the water collecting zone 44 and the collecting tray 55 by slipping over the rear wall 24.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the air channel with the evaporator arranged therein may be positioned outside the compartment. In such a case, the air stream from/to the air channel is opportunely exchanged with the internal volume of the compartment through proper communicating apertures defined in one or more side walls of the compartments.

Hereinafter details of the preferred embodiment of a fan arrangement 50 including the fan 72 according to the invention is described. In particular, the fan arrangement 50 according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures is a pre-assembled fan arrangement 50, as better described later. In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the fan arrangement may not be necessarily pre-assembled.

According to this preferred embodiment, the pre-assembled fan arrangement 50 is arranged closed to the evaporator 38. The fan arrangement 50 is shown isolated from the rest in figures 4 to 6.

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

The fan arrangement 50 is preferably connected to the rear wall 24 of the freezer compartment 10 through connecting means 60.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the connecting means 60 preferably comprise two lower protruding tabs 61 A, 6 IB with holes for receiving fixing screws (not shown). The fan arrangement 50 is assembled to the freezer compartment 10 by inserting its upper part in position inside the freezer compartment 10, rotating its lower part to bring the fan arrangement 50 in its final position and finally fixing the fan arrangement 50 to the inner liner 22 with screws inserted in the tabs 61 A, 6 IB.

In different preferred embodiments, the connecting means may comprise other type of fasteners, such as mechanical (e.g. rivets, nuts and bolts, etc.), chemical (e.g. adhesive, epoxy, etc.), or other type of fasteners.

The fan arrangement 50 preferably comprises a first layer 70 of expanded polystyrene, the fan 72, a second layer 74 of expanded polystyrene and a cover plate 76.

The first layer 70, the fan 72, the second layer 74 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. In other words, each component 70, 72, 74, 76 is at least partially stacked/in contact to the laterally adjacent component.

Preferably, expanded polystyrene used for the layers 70, 74, i.e. EPS, is a lightweight, rigid plastic foam insulation material made of solid polystyrene particles.

The use of EPS enhances thermal isolation of the fan arrangement 50, being EPS a high-quality thermal insulator material.

In addition, the use of EPS enhances acoustic isolation of the fan arrangement 50, in particular of noise caused by rotation of the fan 72 and of the air expelled from it.

Furthermore, using of EPS simplifies the fan arrangement 50 construction as EPS is an easily handled material. Still advantageously, EPS is a cheap material.

In a further preferred embodiment, not shown, the second layer of expanded polystyrene may be omitted.

The fan 72, as described above, preferably comprises a rotor 82 with a rotation axis X. The rotor 82 is preferably mounted on a supporting frame 80.

The supporting frame 80 preferably has a spider shaped structure with arms 80A- 80F supporting the rotor 52, as visible in Figure 11.

Preferably, a fan mouth 122 is arranged at the suction side 72A of the fan 72 to convey the air from the evaporator 38 to the rotor 82. The fan mouth 122 preferably faces the evaporator 38 and is preferably placed between the first layer 70 and the fan 72.

In different preferred embodiments, the fan mouth may be omitted. A suction chamber 68 is created between the fan 72, preferably the fan mouth 122, and the upper surface 38C of the evaporator 38, as shown in Figures 3B and 3E. The fan 72 draws air from the evaporator 38 through the suction chamber 68 and expels it outside the fan arrangement 50, towards the freezer compartment 10 and the fresh food compartment 12, as better described later.

The air preferably flows in the compartments 10, 12 to define closed loop circuits and the fan 72 is switched on/off according to operational condition, for example the temperature level inside the compartments 10, 12 and/or opening of the doors, etc.

The fan arrangement 50 then preferably comprises a fastening device 90 apt to fasten the cover plate 76 to the first layer 70 to keep elements of the fan arrangement 50 in the assembled configuration.

Preferably, the fastening device 90 is apt to fasten the cover plate 76 to the first layer 70 to keep staked, preferably in the following order, the first layer 70, the fan 72 and the second layer 74 in their assembled position.

The fastening device 90 keeps the elements of the fan arrangement 50 firmly together. In particular, preferably, the fan 72 is firmly sandwiched between the layers 70, 74 of expanded polystyrene EPS.

In case the second layer of expanded polystyrene is omitted, according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening device is apt to fasten the cover plate to the first layer to keep staked, preferably in the following order, the first layer and the fan in their assembled position.

Preferably, the fastening device 90 comprises snap fit elements. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fastening device 90 comprises elastic tongues 92 protruding from the cover plate 76 which interact with respective recesses 94 in the first layer 70, as better illustrated in Figure 7. Tongues 92 are preferably made in one piece with the cover plate 76 to realize a single body. Advantageously, the fan arrangement 50 with associated fastening device 90 guarantees a compact configuration that avoids/reduces vibrations between them, in particular during activation of the fan.

This results in a further reduction of noise during operation of the refrigerator 1 and/or also an improved reliability of the refrigerator.

Furthermore, advantageously, the fastening device and the cover plate realize a single body so that there is no need of separated fastening means, thus reducing complexity of the fan arrangement and simplifying assembling process steps. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first layer 70 comprises one or more air conveying channels lOOa-lOOg for conveying cooled air expelled from the fan 72 towards the compartments 10, 12.

Conveying channels 100a- lOOg, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 10, are opened in the direction of the cover plate 76. In the assembled configuration, then, the cover plate 76 opportunely closes the conveying channels lOOa-lOOg allowing the air conveyance. The first layer 70 with open channels 100a- lOOg are easily obtained through an injection mould process with EPS.

Nevertheless, in a further preferred embodiment (not shown) air conveying channels may be realized as closed air conveying channels directly on the first layer.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, there are six air conveying channels lOOa-lOOf that are radially arranged around the fan 72 for the air to the freezer compartment 10 and an upper air conveying channel lOOg for the air to the fresh food compartment 12.

The cover plate 76 preferably comprises one or more air opening 102a-102f communicating with the air conveying channels 100a- lOOf of the first layer 70. Cooled air advantageously enters the freezer compartment 10 through said air openings 102a-102f, which preferably are grated openings.

It is preferably contemplated that the cover plate 76 is made from plastic to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a user.

Preferably, an intermediate sheet 105 is interposed between the firs layer 70 and the cover plate 76. The intermediate sheet 105 preferably comprises holes 106a- 106f aligned with the air openings 102a-102f of the cover plate 76.

The intermediate sheet 105 enhances the closure of the conveying channels 100a- lOOg of the first layer 70. The intermediate sheet 105 improves the sealing effect for the conveying channels 100a- lOOg, in particular in case the cover plate 76 is not perfectly planar.

In a further preferred embodiment, the intermediate sheet may be omitted. Preferably, the first layer 70 comprises a seat 120 apt to at least partially receive the fan 72.

A mounting element 124 is preferably used to mount the fan 72 to the first layer 70, preferably to the seat 120. More preferably, the mounting element 124 is preferably used to mount the frame 80 of the fan 72 to the first layer 70.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the mounting element 124 is integrally made with the fan mouth 122. Manufacturing time and/cost are advantageously reduced.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the mounting element and fan mouth can be two independent elements.

The mounting element 124 is arranged in the seat 120 of the first layer 70 and connected thereto. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures the mounting element 124 preferably comprises an annular surface 124A that preferably lays in a plane perpendicular to the axis X of the rotor 82.

The mounting element 124 preferably comprises one more pins 140 apt to be inserted in respective one or more through holes 142 of the first layer 70. The pins 140 preferably protrude from the annular surface 124 A of the mounting element 124.

The pins 140 are axially blocked to the first layer 70 with blocking elements 146, for example internal tooth lock washers, connected at the tip of the pins 140 and abutting a surface 148 of the first layer 70, as better visible in figure 13. The pins 140, allow the constraint of the mounting element 124 to the first layer 70.

More preferably, the frame 80 of the fan 72 is connected to the mounting element

124 through a carrier structure 125 preferably comprising ribs 126 protruding from the annular surface 124A of the mounting element 124.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the ribs 126 define connecting points for the frame 80 of the fan 72, preferably three connecting points (Figure 11).

In an aspect of the invention, vibration dampening elements 130 are interposed between the fan 72 and the mounting element 124. Preferably, the vibration dampening elements 130 are interposed between the frame 80 of the fan 72 and the mounting element 124. More preferably the vibration dampening elements 130 are interposed between the frame 80 of the fan 72 and the carrier structure

125 of the mounting element 124.

Vibration dampening elements 130 preferably comprise rubber washers interposed between three arms 80A, 80C, 80E of the supporting frame 80 and corresponding ribs 126 of the mounting structure 125.

Vibration dampening elements 130 advantageously absorb vibrations created by the fan rotation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second layer 74 comprises a seat/opening 220 apt to at least partially receive the fan 72.

The second layer 74, then, preferably comprises protruding pins 222a apt to be received in respective holes 222b of the first layer 70 when the fan arrangement 50 is assembled.

In the assembled configuration, the second layer 74 of EPS enhances acoustic isolation of the noise caused by rotation of the fan 72 towards the internal volume of the freezer compartment 10.

As said above, the air preferably flows in the compartments 10, 12 to define closed loop circuits. Advantageously, the fan arrangement 50 create an air flow paths inside the fresh food compartment 12 and air flow paths in the freezer compartment 10, schematically indicated with FF, FI, F2, F3 in Figures 3 and 3A.

In particular, air flow path FF is generated by the fan arrangement 50 and conveyed to the fresh food compartment 12 through the upper air conveying channel lOOg of the first layer 70.

Air flow paths FI, F2, F3 are generated by the fan arrangement 50 and conveyed to the freezer compartment 10 through the six air conveying channels lOOa-lOOf of the first layer 70 and air openings 102a-102f of the cover plate 76.

From the inside of the freezer compartment 10, then, the air flows back to the evaporator 38 through a gap 56 preferably defined between the lower part of the cover plate 76 and the lower part of the rear wall 24 of the freezer, as indicated in Figure 3 A.

Main phases for manufacturing the refrigerator 1 preferably comprises the following steps:

- providing the outer cabinet 2;

- assembling the inner liner 22 to define the freezer compartment 10 and the fresh food compartment 12;

- assembling the refrigeration system 30 comprising the evaporator 38, wherein the evaporator 38 is arranged inside the freezer compartment 38 at the real wall 24 thereof;

- assembling the fan arrangement 50 adjacent to the evaporator 38, wherein the fan arrangement 50 is a pre-assembled assembly obtained by fastening together, side by side, the first layer 70, the fan 72, the second layer 74 and the cover plate 76.

Main phases for assembling the fan arrangement 50 comprises the following steps:

- mounting the fan 72 to the mounting element 124 (preferably through the damping elements 130);

- connecting the mounting element 124 with the fan 72 to the first layer 70 (preferably through the pins 140);

- assembling the first layer 70 and the second layer 74 therebetween (preferably through insertion of pins 222a of the second layer 70 into holes 222b of the first layer 70);

- assembling the cover 76 to the first layer 70 (preferably through the fastening device 90).

It is clear that in case the second layer of expanded polystyrene is omitted, according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the above described assembling steps are simplified since the second layer is obviously not used.

Advantageously, from the above description it has been shown that by providing a proper arrangement inside the air channel it is possible to optimize the air flow from evaporator to the fan and/or to reduce the noise created by the flowing air and/or by the fan rotation and/or to reduce the encumbrance and/or a more efficient moisture collection compared to known system.

Although an illustrative embodiment 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 embodiment, 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.