Refrigerator with system for controlling drawer temperatures
A refrigerator is provided with a refrigerated compartment comprising one or more zones in thermal communication with each other and with each zone independently controlled and operated at a particular temperature. Each zone temperature is controlled by a separate evaporator or heat exchanger. A method for maintaining different temperatures in one or more zones in thermal communication with one another in a refrigerator is also provided.
This invention relates generally to refrigerators, including refrigerators with separate temperature zones controlled by separate heat exchangers.
BACKGROUNDMany modern refrigerators operate by sharing air flow from a single heat exchanger between a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment to maintain each compartment at desired temperatures. In such refrigerators, colder air typically is borrowed or forced from the freezer compartment to mix with warmer air in the fresh food compartment. This colder air can be forced into the entire fresh food compartment for expedited cooling thereof, or, can be directed to certain areas of the fresh food compartment to chill certain areas more quickly. Generally, the refrigerator and freezer compartments are separated by an insulated wall, with the two compartments not being in thermal communication with each other.
Some conventional refrigerators create dual temperature zones by utilizing adjustable dampers between the two compartments and a thermostat that controls the temperature required to switch off the compressor and evaporator fan. Other refrigerators employ a separate thermostat to electronically control dampers within the freezer compartment. In these refrigerators, temperature settings typically are adjusted in one compartment relative to the other compartment.
SUMMARYThe refrigerator, as detailed herein, provides one or more temperature zones, a system for maintaining the different zones at different temperatures, a first evaporator or heat exchanger for cooling the first zone, a second evaporator or heat exchanger for cooling a separate second zone, and a system for controlling drawer temperatures within the first zone.
In accordance with one embodiment, a refrigerator is provided having a cabinet with a refrigerated compartment. The refrigerated compartment comprises one or more zones in thermal communication with each other and with each zone operated at a particular temperature. In another aspect, a method for controlling the temperatures of one or more zones in a refrigerator is provided.
A refrigerator as detailed herein, comprises one or more temperature zones and a system for controlling the zones at different temperatures. For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures. Although the figures illustrate a refrigerator having two separate zones, the refrigerator may comprise several zones, which can be maintained at various temperatures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
The first zone 10 is cooled by the circulation of air that has been passed over the first evaporator or heat exchanger 20. A first evaporator fan 30 draws air across the first evaporator 20, with the cooled air passing through a first duct 40. The first evaporator fan 30 generates a first air flow 80 within the first zone 10. Although the first duct 40 and first evaporator 20 are located behind the first zone rear wall 50 in
As provided in
Although the first zone 10 is situated generally below the second zone 100, near the bottom of the refrigerator in
The elements of the refrigeration system are connected in series in a closed loop in a refrigerant flow relationship. In one aspect, the refrigerant flows in a continuous cycle through the expansion valve 300, through the first evaporator 20, through the second evaporator 110, through the compressor 280, through the condenser 290, and returns to the expansion valve 300. In this configuration, air in the first zone 10 passes over the first evaporator 20 and reduces the refrigerant cooling capacity before the refrigerant passes through the second evaporator 110. Accordingly, the first zone 10 is maintained at a lower temperature than the second zone 100, as the refrigerant continuously flows through the refrigeration system.
Although one type of evaporator is shown in the Figures provided herewith, this invention is not limited to a particular type of evaporator or heat exchanger. Rather, the present invention encompasses any type of evaporator or heat exchanger known in the art. For example, an evaporator with tubes or coils in any configuration, and an evaporator with fins, plates, or similar devices attached thereto for improved heat exchange performance, and similar devices, are all encompassed by this invention. In addition, this invention also encompasses any type of compressor, condenser, and expansion device known in the art.
The volume of the first evaporator 20 can be smaller than the volume of the second evaporator 110. The internal volume of the first evaporator 20 can be decreased in several ways, for example, by decreasing the internal diameter of the evaporator coils, shortening the evaporator coils, decreasing the number of evaporator coils, or any combination thereof. Similarly, the internal volume of the second evaporator 110 can be increased in several ways, for example, by increasing the internal diameter of the evaporator coils, lengthening the evaporator coils, increasing the number of evaporator coils, or any combination thereof. For example, the first evaporator 20 can comprise coils with a smaller internal diameter than the internal diameter of the coils of the second evaporator 110. Further, the coils of the first evaporator 20 can have an internal diameter that is about 10% to about 100% of the internal diameter of the coils of the second evaporator 110. For example, the second evaporator 110 can comprise coils with an internal diameter of about ⅜ inch, while the first evaporator 20 can comprise coils with an internal diameter of about 3/16 inch. Here, the refrigerant would expand as it proceeded from the first evaporator 20 to the second evaporator 110. Alternatively, the first and second evaporators can be separated by a second expansion valve through which the refrigerant further expands as it enters the first evaporator 20.
In
If desired, small gaps can be included between the rear or side walls of the refrigerator 5 and the thermally conductive wall 90 to allow air from the first and second zones to mix to a limited extent. Further, when the first zone 10 comprises one or more compartments or drawers, the first air flow 80 and the second air flow 200 generally mix during the time that the user opens the compartments or drawers. Generally, the first air flow 80 remains substantially independent from the second air flow 200. Alternatively, the thermally conductive wall 90 can be sealed to maintain the first air flow 80 independent from the second air flow 200 when the compartments or drawers in the first zone 10 are closed.
Referring now to
As shown in
The drawer 210 optionally has one or more openings (not shown) that correspond to inlets or outlets (not shown) in the receiving ducts or distributing ducts, for allowing air to circulate through the drawer 210. The first zone 10 further can comprise a dial 220 or other operating means to enable a user to open or close the openings in the drawer 210. The dial 220 can also be used in conjunction with blocking features to reduce the size of the openings in the drawer 210. When the openings are closed, air circulates around the drawer 210, but generally not over the thermally conductive wall 90. When the dial is operated to open the openings in the drawer 210, the second zone air circulates through the drawer, directly using the air flow to cool the contents of the drawer. Thus, the user can choose between two modes of operation for cooling the first zone 10. In either mode of operation, the second air flow is maintained substantially independent from the first air flow by the thermally conductive wall 90.
In one aspect, the thermally conductive wall 90 rests on ledge 230, the left duct 140, and the right duct 160. However, the wall 90 can be positioned in the refrigerator in any conventional manner. As illustrated in
Referring now to
The first evaporator fan draws air through duct aperture 250 and into the first evaporator duct 270 through the first zone outlet 70. The air reenters the center duct 150 via the first evaporator outlet 260, then enters the first zone 10 through any number of distributing ducts in air flow communication with the center duct 150 and the first zone 10.
In
In the configuration of
The first zone typically operates at a temperature from about 4° F. to about 7° F. below the average second zone temperature. To achieve this temperature difference, the second evaporator or heat exchanger typically operates at a temperature from about 15° F. to about 20° F., which can create a second zone temperature from about 38° F. to about 43° F. The first evaporator or heat exchanger typically operates at a temperature from about −5° F. to about −10° F., which can create a first zone temperature from about 31° F. to about 34° F.
Both the first and the second evaporator coils are cooled by liquid refrigerant ejected from the high pressure side of a compressor, into the corresponding low pressure evaporator coils. The condenser and condenser fans can be located in a variety of places, for example, under the compartment or on the back of the compartment, for removal of the transferred heat by exhaust or condenser fans.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Further, the various components of the embodiments of the present invention can be interchanged to produce further embodiments and these further embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Various modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only.
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a first zone and a second zone wherein the first zone is disposed within the second zone;
- a refrigeration system comprising a first evaporator and a second evaporator connected in series and a refrigerant, the first evaporator cooling the first zone to a first temperature, the second evaporator cooling the second zone to a second temperature, and the refrigerant proceeding through the first condenser and through the second condenser;
- wherein the first evaporator has a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a second evaporator volume;
- wherein the first evaporator volume is different than the second evaporator volume; and
- wherein the first temperature is different than the second temperature.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan for providing air flow over the first evaporator, and a second fan for providing air flow over the second evaporator.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the refrigerant flows continuously through the first expansion valve, through the first evaporator, through the second evaporator, through the compressor, through the condenser, and returns to the first expansion valve.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a thermostatic controller.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are above-freezing.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 4° F. to 7° F. lower than the second temperature.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer.
9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:
- the second evaporator is in air flow communication with the second zone by a second zone air inlet through which air enters the second zone, and a second zone air outlet through which air exits the second zone; and
- the second zone air inlet is situated above the second zone air outlet.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a first zone air inlet through which air enters the first zone, and a first zone air outlet through which air exits the first zone; and
- the first zone air inlet is situated below the first zone air outlet.
11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:
- the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature;
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a receiving duct through which air exits the first zone, a distributing duct through which air enters the first zone, and a first evaporator fan in air flow communication with the receiving duct and the distributing duct; and
- the first evaporator can be housed in either the receiving duct or the distributing duct.
12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator volume is smaller than the second evaporator volume.
13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils have a second internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have a first internal diameter; and
- wherein the second internal diameter is larger than the first internal diameter.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
15. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
16. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a second expansion valve located between the first evaporator and second evaporator.
17. A refrigerator comprising:
- a first zone and a second zone;
- a refrigeration system comprising a first evaporator and a second evaporator connected in series and a refrigerant, the first evaporator cooling the first zone to a first temperature, the second evaporator cooling the second zone to a second temperature, and the refrigerant proceeding through the first condenser and through the second condenser;
- wherein the first evaporator has a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a second evaporator volume;
- wherein the first evaporator volume is different than the second evaporator volume;
- wherein the first temperature is different than the second temperature; and
- wherein the first and second zone share at least one thermally conductive common wall.
18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan for providing air flow over the first evaporator, and a second fan for providing air flow over the second evaporator.
19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the refrigerant flows continuously through the first expansion valve, through the first evaporator, through the second evaporator, through the compressor, through the condenser, and returns to the first expansion valve.
20. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a thermostatic controller.
21. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are above-freezing.
22. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature.
23. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 4° F. to 7° F. lower than the second temperature.
24. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first zone is located below the second zone.
25. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first zone is located above the second zone.
26. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer.
27. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein:
- the second evaporator is in air flow communication with the second zone by a second zone air inlet through which air enters the second zone, and a second zone air outlet through which air exits the second zone; and
- the second zone air inlet is situated above the second zone air outlet.
28. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein:
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a first zone air inlet through which air enters the first zone, and a first zone air outlet through which air exits the first zone; and
- the first zone air inlet is situated below the first zone air outlet.
29. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein:
- the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature;
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a receiving duct through which air exits the first zone, a distributing duct through which air enters the first zone, and a first evaporator fan in air flow communication with the receiving duct and the distributing duct; and
- the first evaporator can be housed in either the distributing duct or the receiving duct.
30. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first evaporator volume is smaller than the second evaporator volume.
31. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils have a second internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have a first internal diameter; and
- wherein the second internal diameter is larger than the first internal diameter.
32. The refrigerator of claim 31, wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
33. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
34. The refrigerator of claim 17, further comprising a second expansion valve located between the first evaporator and second evaporator.
35. A method for maintaining a first zone and a second zone of a refrigerator at different temperatures, the method comprising:
- cooling the first zone to a first temperature with a first evaporator;
- cooling the second zone to a second temperature with a second evaporator;
- wherein the first zone is disposed within the second zone;
- wherein the first evaporator and second evaporator are connected in series;
- wherein the first evaporator has a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a second evaporator volume;
- wherein the second evaporator volume is different than the first evaporator volume; and
- wherein the first temperature is different than the second temperature.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan for providing air flow over the first evaporator, and a second fan for providing air flow over the second evaporator.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the refrigerant flows continuously through the first expansion valve, through the first evaporator, through the second evaporator, through the compressor, through the condenser, and returns to the first expansion valve.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a thermostatic controller.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are above-freezing.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature.
41. The method of claim 35, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one drawer comprises one or more openings; and
- wherein the first air flow passes through the one or more openings to directly cool the at least one drawer.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the first zone further comprises blocking means for closing the one or more openings; and
- wherein the first air flow does not pass through the at least one drawer when the one or more openings are blocked to indirectly cool the at least one drawer.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein a user can manipulate the blocking means to directly cool or indirectly cool the at least one drawer.
45. The method of claim 35, wherein:
- the second evaporator is in air flow communication with the second zone by a second zone air inlet through which air enters the second zone, and a second zone air outlet through which air exits the second zone; and
- the second zone air inlet is situated above the second zone air outlet.
46. The method of claim 35, wherein:
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a first zone air inlet through which air enters the first zone, and a first zone air outlet through which air exits the first zone; and
- the first zone air inlet is situated below the first zone air outlet.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer;
- wherein the drawer comprises one or more openings corresponding to the first zone air inlet;
- wherein the first zone air outlet comprises an opening located above the at least one drawer; and
- wherein the first air flow is maintained substantially within the at least one drawer.
48. The method of claim 35, wherein:
- the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature;
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a receiving duct through which air exits the first zone, a distributing duct through which air enters the first zone, and a first evaporator fan in air flow communication with the receiving duct and the distributing duct; and
- the first evaporator can be housed in either the receiving duct or the distributing duct.
49. The method of claim 35, wherein the first evaporator volume is smaller than the second evaporator volume.
50. The method of claim 35, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils have a second internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have a first internal diameter; and
- wherein the second internal diameter is larger than the first internal diameter.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
52. The method of claim 35, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
53. The method of claim 35, further comprising a second expansion valve located between the first evaporator and second evaporator.
54. A method for maintaining a first zone and a second zone of a refrigerator at different temperatures, the method comprising:
- cooling the first zone to a first temperature with a first evaporator;
- cooling the second zone to a second temperature with a second evaporator;
- wherein the first and second zone share at least one thermally conductive common wall;
- wherein the first evaporator and second evaporator are connected in series;
- wherein the first evaporator has a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a second evaporator volume;
- wherein the second evaporator volume is different than the first evaporator volume; and
- wherein the second temperature is different than the first temperature.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan for providing air flow over the first evaporator, and a second fan for providing air flow over the second evaporator.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the refrigerant flows continuously through the first expansion valve, through the first evaporator, through the second evaporator, through the compressor, through the condenser, and returns to the first expansion valve.
57. The method of claim 54, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a thermostatic controller.
58. The method of claim 54, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are above-freezing.
59. The method of claim 54, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature.
60. The method of claim 54, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the at least one drawer comprises one or more openings; and
- wherein the first air flow passes through the one or more openings to directly cool the at least one drawer.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein the first zone further comprises blocking means for closing the one or more openings; and
- wherein the first air flow does not pass through the at least one drawer when the one or more openings are blocked to indirectly cool the at least one drawer.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein a user can manipulate the blocking means to directly cool or indirectly cool the at least one drawer.
64. The method of claim 54, wherein:
- the second evaporator is in air flow communication with the second zone by a second zone air inlet through which air enters the second zone, and a second zone air outlet through which air exits the second zone; and
- the second zone air inlet is situated above the second zone air outlet.
65. The method of claim 54, wherein:
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a first zone air inlet through which air enters the first zone, and a first zone air outlet through which air exits the first zone; and
- the first zone air inlet is situated above the first zone air outlet.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer;
- wherein the drawer comprises one or more openings corresponding to the first zone air inlet;
- wherein the first zone air outlet comprises an opening located above the at least one drawer; and
- wherein the first air flow is maintained substantially within the at least one drawer.
67. The method of claim 54, wherein:
- the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature;
- the first evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a receiving duct through which air exits the first zone, a distributing duct through which air enters the first zone, and a first evaporator fan in air flow communication with the receiving duct and the distributing duct; and
- the first evaporator can be housed in either the receiving duct or the distributing duct.
68. The method of claim 54, wherein the second evaporator volume is larger than the first evaporator volume.
69. The method of claim 54, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils have a second internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have a first internal diameter; and
- wherein the second internal diameter is larger than the first internal diameter.
70. The method of claim 69, wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
71. The method of claim 54, wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporator coils;
- wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
72. The method of claim 54, further comprising a second expansion valve located between the first evaporator and second evaporator.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 23, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2006
Inventors: Daniel Lyvers (Cordova, TN), Joseph Fontecchio (Cordova, TN), Tonya Gamblin (Memphis, TN), Robert Rendel (Cordova, TN), John Sylvester (Haughton, LA)
Application Number: 10/897,640
International Classification: F25D 17/04 (20060101); F25B 41/00 (20060101); F25B 49/00 (20060101);