REDUCED SIZE REFRIGERATION UNIT WITH INCREASED STORAGE AREA
A refrigeration unit including an exterior lining that includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a bottom planar-like interior surface and a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base.
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This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/591,864, filed Nov. 29, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a refrigeration unit, in particular, refrigeration units that are sized to be used in smaller areas and/or can be supported on table tops and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWhile refrigeration units are in general well known, they can have a wide variety of storage plans within the interior. It is a preferable attribute of most, if not all, refrigeration units that the storage volume is increased so as to contain as many products, such as food, as needed by a user.
In the case of refrigeration units that are of a smaller size that can be supported on a table top and the like, size constraints have forced the elements of the refrigeration unit that enable cooling, such as the condenser coils and the compressor, to be housed in a compartment that takes up space within the interior of the refrigerator. Thus, the volume within the interior of the refrigerator is not optimized.
An example of this is shown in the schematic drawings in
With the above description and
The above concepts are shown in
Upon the base 114, a number of refrigeration components are positioned. For example, a compressor 118 is attached to the base 114 by four tabs 120 with retaining pins (two shown) that extend through openings of corresponding support pads 122 integrally formed with the compressor 118. A possible process for attachment of a support pad 122 of the compressor 118 to the base 114 is shown in
Next, a washer 129 is placed on the top surface of the grommet 123 so that the vertical portion 125 extends through the opening of the washer 129 as shown in
The tank 124 of the compressor 118 receives/stores a pressurized refrigerant. The refrigerant is pressurized to such an extent that it turns into a hot gas. The hot gas is expelled from the tank 124 and sent via a conduit 142, 143 to a condenser in the form of a condenser coil 130 (arrows in
Prior to reaching the condenser coil 130, the hot gas travels through conduit 142 to heat transfer coils (not shown) positioned between the interior lining 108 and the exterior lining 110 of the main storage housing 106. Preferably, the heat transfer coils are placed against the wall of the interior lining 108 so that they receive heat from the interior of the refrigeration unit 100 that is adjacent to the interior lining 108. Note that the portion of the conduit within the refrigeration unit 100 is partially surrounded by insulation.
During its trip from the tank 124 to the heat transfer coils, the gas cools to such an extent that the gas has a temperature that is less than the temperature within the interior of the refrigeration unit 100. Accordingly, heat will flow from the interior of the refrigeration unit 100 to the gas within the heat transfer coils. Such heated gas then flows through conduit 143 and on to condenser coil 130, as shown in
Note that the maximum height of the compressor 118, as measured in a vertical direction, V, from the bottom base 114 to a top portion of the refrigeration unit 100 is 7.0 inches. The compressor 118 is positioned at the right side and rear portion of the bottom base 114.
As shown in
Note that the maximum height of the condenser coil 130, as measured in the vertical direction V is 7.25 inches. The condenser coil 130 forms a rectangular-like footprint on the bottom base 114 that has a width of approximately 20.5 inches and a depth of approximately 18.0 inches. As shown in
Positioned between the compressor 118 and the condenser coil 130 is a metal wall 138 that is attached to the bottom base 114 and rises vertically from the bottom base 114. The wall 138 has a vertical height, as measured in the vertical direction V, of approximately 7.5 inches. Not shown is that the wall 138 has an opening with a fan positioned within the opening and approximately centered on the condenser coil 130.
As shown in
In operation, the gas received from conduit 142 travels within the interior passage formed along the entire path of the condenser coil 130. Having the gas travel the serpentine path of the condenser coil 130 allows for heat from the gas to be fed to the ambient atmosphere. The use of the previously mentioned fan that is adjacent to the coil 130 aids in the expulsion of heat from the condenser coil 130. With the expulsion of heat, the gas cools down sufficiently within the condenser coil 130 so that a portion of it becomes a liquid. The liquid and gas are sent from the coil 130 via a conduit 149 to a drier 140 which condenses the remaining gas into a liquid in a well-known manner. In particular, the drier 140 uses a desiccant to remove moisture from the system if present. The liquid is then fed to the compressor 118 which pressurizes the liquid to turn it into a gas so that it can repeat the cycle via conduits 142 and 143 as explained previously.
The end effect is that heat is absorbed by the refrigerant within the refrigeration unit 100 and carried away to the compressor 108. Thus, the interior of the refrigeration unit 100 becomes colder due to the loss of heat.
It is an objective of the present invention to reduce the size of the space containing refrigeration components so that the amount of overall space for holding items for refrigeration is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention regards a refrigeration unit including an exterior lining that includes a first exterior side surface, a second exterior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, a rear exterior surface attached to the first exterior side surface and the second exterior surface. The exterior lining further includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface, wherein the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface are each attached to the first exterior side surface, the second exterior side surface and the rear exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a first interior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, a second interior side surface facing the first interior side surface and the first exterior side surface and a rear interior surface facing the rear exterior surface and attached to the first interior side surface and the second interior surface. The interior lining further including a bottom planar-like interior surface, a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface, wherein the top interior surface and the bottom interior surface are each attached to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration unit further includes a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the bottom planar-like surface extends to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface, and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base.
A second aspect of present invention regards a refrigeration unit system that includes a refrigeration unit that includes an exterior lining that includes a first exterior side surface, a second exterior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, and a rear exterior surface attached to the first exterior side surface and the second exterior surface. The exterior lining further includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface, wherein the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface are each attached to the first exterior side surface, the second exterior side surface and the rear exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a first interior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, a second interior side surface facing the first interior side surface and the first exterior side surface and a rear interior surface facing the rear exterior surface and attached to the first interior side surface and the second interior surface. The interior lining further including a bottom planar-like interior surface, a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface, wherein the top interior surface and the bottom interior surface are each attached to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a condenser positioned between the bottom exterior surface and the bottom base. The bottom planar-like surface extends to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface, and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration system further includes a support surface upon which the bottom base lies and the support surface is subjected to an entire weight of the refrigeration unit.
A third aspect of the present invention regards a refrigeration unit including an exterior lining that includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a bottom planar-like interior surface and a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base.
A fourth aspect of the present invention regards a refrigeration unit system that includes a refrigeration unit that includes an exterior lining that includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a bottom planar-like interior surface and a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base. The refrigeration system further includes a support surface upon which the bottom base lies and the support surface is subjected to an entire weight of the refrigeration unit.
One or more aspects of the present invention provide the advantage of providing increased storage within the interior of refrigeration units of smaller sizes.
The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:
As shown in the exemplary drawing figures, a refrigeration unit is shown, wherein like elements are denoted by like numerals.
The refrigeration unit 200 has a door 201 that is attached via a hinge 203 to a main storage housing 205 as shown in
The exterior lining 202 is made of a durable material, such as stainless steel, vinyl coated carbon steel or galvanized steel. As shown in
As shown in
The bottom and top exterior surfaces 218, 220 are preferably arranged parallel to one another and separated from one another by a distance equal to the vertical height H of the first and second exterior side surfaces 204, 206.
Side edges 222, 224 of the bottom exterior surface 218 are integrally attached with bottom edges 226, 228 of the first and second exterior side surfaces 204, 206, respectively. A rear edge 230 of the bottom exterior surface 218 is integrally attached with a bottom edge 232 of the rear exterior surface 208. The bottom exterior surface 218 is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second exterior side surfaces 204, 206 and the rear exterior surface 208.
Side edges 234, 236 of the top exterior surface 220 are integrally attached with top edges 238, 240 of the first and second exterior side surfaces 204, 206, respectively. A rear edge 242 of the top exterior surface 220 is integrally attached with a top edge 244 of the rear exterior surface 208. The top exterior surface 220 is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second exterior side surfaces 204, 206 and the rear exterior surface 208.
As shown in
As shown in
The side edges 298, 300 of the bottom interior surface 294 are integrally attached with the bottom edges 302, 304 of the first and second interior side surfaces 280, 282, respectively. The rear edge 306 of the bottom interior surface 294 is integrally attached with the bottom edge 308 of the rear interior surface 284. The bottom interior surface 294 is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second interior side surfaces 280, 282 and the rear interior surface 284. As shown in
The side edges 310, 312 of the top interior surface 296 are integrally attached with the top edges 314, 316 of the first and second interior side surfaces 280, 282, respectively. The rear edge 318 of the top interior surface 296 is integrally attached with the top edge 320 of the rear interior surface 284. The top interior surface 296 is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second interior side surfaces 280, 282 and the rear interior surface 284.
The interior lining 278 is attached to the exterior lining 202 by holding the two linings in a nested manner so that the interior lining 278 is nested within the exterior lining 202. By such holding, a volume of space positioned between the two nested linings is formed. Next, a foam is injected into the volume of space, wherein the foam expands into the entire volume of space and cures/hardens resulting in the linings being attached to one another via the foam. Note that conduits and heat transfer coils are positioned within the volume of space prior to injecting the foam into the volume of space.
Once the interior lining 278 is attached to the exterior lining 202, the first interior side surface 280 is parallel to, facing and spaced from the first exterior side surface 204 by approximately 1.75 inches. Similarly, the second interior side surface 282 is parallel to, facing and spaced from the second exterior side surface 206 by approximately 1.75 inches. The rear interior surface 284 is parallel to, facing and spaced from the rear exterior surface 208 by approximately 1.0 inches. In addition, the top interior surface 296 is parallel to, facing and spaced from the top exterior surface 220 by approximately 1.75 inches. The bottom, planar-like interior surface 294 is parallel to, facing and spaced from the bottom exterior surface 218 by approximately 7 inches.
Between the bottom exterior surface 218, a bottom base 217, and a skirt 221 is defined a storage volume of space S as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
A compressor 248 is attached to the bottom base 217 by four tabs 250 with retaining clips (two shown) that extend through openings of corresponding support pads 252 integrally formed with the compressor 248. Adjacent to the compressor 248 is a housing 249 that contains electronics for running the compressor 248. The compressor 248 has a tank 254 for receiving/storing a pressurized refrigerant, such as the substances known by the trade names of R134a and R600a. The refrigerant is pressurized to such an extent that it turns into a hot gas. The hot gas is expelled from the tank 256 and sent via a conduit (not shown) to a heat exchange coil within the volume of space formed between the interior lining 278 and the exterior lining 202, then to a condenser in the form of a condenser coil 260, and then from the condenser coil 260 back to the compressor 248 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the refrigeration unit 100 of
Note that the maximum height of the compressor 248, as measured in the vertical direction, V is 5.0 inches. The compressor 248 is positioned at the right side and rear portion of the bottom surface 218.
As shown in
Note that the maximum height of the condenser coil 260, as measured in the vertical direction V is 5.0 inches. The condenser coil 260 forms a rectangular-like footprint on the bottom base 217 that has a length of approximately 10.0 inches and a width of approximately 6.0 inches. As shown in
When comparing refrigeration units 100 and 200 of
The bottom base 217 is attached to the bottom exterior surface 218 of the exterior lining 202 by vertical walls that are attached to the surface 218 and the bottom base 217, wherein such vertical walls form/define a skirt 221 below the main storage housing 106. The skirt 221 hides the refrigeration components on the bottom base 217 from view and allows for access to the refrigeration components by removal of one or more of the vertical walls that form the skirt.
It is envisioned that the above described refrigeration unit 200 will be positioned so that the bottom base 217 lies directly on a support surface 328, such as a floor or a table top. In an alternative embodiment, each corner of the bottom base 217 includes a foot that extends downward from a bottom surface of the bottom base 217 so that the feet engage the support surface 328. Each foot can be adjustable in how much it extends from the bottom surface so that the refrigeration unit 200 can be leveled on the support surface 328. In the above scenarios, the refrigeration unit 200 and the support surface 328 define a refrigeration system 330.
As schematically shown in
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
Claims
1. A refrigeration unit, comprising:
- an exterior lining, comprising: a first exterior side surface; a second exterior side surface facing said first exterior side surface; a rear exterior surface attached to said first exterior side surface and said second exterior side surface; a bottom exterior surface; a top exterior surface facing said bottom exterior surface, wherein said top exterior surface and said bottom exterior surface are each attached to said first exterior side surface, said second exterior side surface and said rear exterior surface;
- an interior lining, comprising: a first interior side surface facing said first exterior side surface; a second interior side surface facing said first interior side surface and said first exterior side surface; a rear interior surface facing said rear exterior surface and attached to said first interior side surface and said second interior surface; a bottom planar-like interior surface; a top interior surface facing said bottom interior surface, wherein said top interior surface and said bottom interior surface are each attached to said first interior side surface, said second interior side surface and said rear interior surface;
- a bottom base, wherein said bottom exterior surface is positioned between said bottom base and said bottom planar-like interior surface;
- a condenser positioned between said bottom base and said bottom exterior surface; and wherein said bottom planar-like surface extends to said first interior side surface, said second interior side surface, and said rear interior surface; and wherein said refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that said gravitational field flows from said top interior surface to said bottom base.
2. The refrigeration unit of claim 1, further comprising a hinged door attached to said exterior lining that is movable to an open position that provides access to a volume of space defined by said interior lining and to a closed position wherein access to said volume of space is denied.
3. The refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
4. The refrigeration unit of claim 2, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
5. The refrigeration unit of claim 4, wherein said gravitational field is approximately perpendicular to said bottom base.
6. A refrigeration unit system, comprising:
- a refrigeration unit comprising: an exterior lining, comprising: a first exterior side surface; a second exterior side surface facing said first exterior side surface; a rear exterior surface attached to said first exterior side surface and said second exterior surface; a bottom exterior surface; a top exterior surface facing said bottom exterior surface, wherein said top exterior surface and said bottom exterior surface are each attached to said first exterior side surface, said second exterior side surface and said rear exterior surface;
- an interior lining, comprising: a first interior side surface facing said first exterior side surface; a second interior side surface facing said first interior side surface and said first exterior side surface; a rear interior surface facing said rear exterior surface and attached to said first interior side surface and said second interior surface; a bottom planar-like interior surface; a top interior surface facing said bottom interior surface, wherein said top interior surface and said bottom interior surface are each attached to said first interior side surface, said second interior side surface and said rear interior surface;
- a bottom base, wherein said bottom exterior surface is positioned between said bottom base and said bottom planar-like interior surface;
- a condenser positioned between said bottom base and said bottom exterior surface; and wherein said bottom planar-like surface extends to said first interior side surface, said second interior side surface, and said rear interior surface; and a support surface upon which said bottom base lies and said support surface is subjected to an entire weight of said refrigeration unit.
7. The refrigeration unit system of claim 6, further comprising a hinged door attached to said exterior lining that is movable to an open position that provides access to a volume of space defined by said interior lining and to a closed position wherein access to said volume of space is denied.
8. The refrigeration unit system of claim 6, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
9. The refrigeration unit system of claim 7, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
10. A refrigeration unit, comprising:
- an exterior lining, comprising: a bottom exterior surface; and a top exterior surface facing said bottom exterior surface;
- an interior lining, comprising: a bottom planar-like interior surface; and a top interior surface facing said bottom interior surface;
- a bottom base, wherein said bottom exterior surface is positioned between said bottom base and said bottom planar-like interior surface;
- a condenser positioned between said bottom base and said bottom exterior surface; and wherein said refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that said gravitational field flows from said top interior surface to said bottom base.
11. The refrigeration unit of claim 10, further comprising a hinged door attached to said exterior lining that is movable to an open position that provides access to a volume of space defined by said interior lining and to a closed position wherein access to said volume of space is denied.
12. The refrigeration unit of claim 10, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
13. The refrigeration unit of claim 11, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
14. The refrigeration unit of claim 13, wherein said gravitational field is approximately perpendicular to said bottom base.
15. A refrigeration unit system, comprising:
- a refrigeration unit comprising: an exterior lining, comprising: a rear exterior surface attached to said first exterior side surface and said second exterior surface; and a bottom exterior surface; a top exterior surface facing said bottom exterior surface; an interior lining, comprising: a bottom planar-like interior surface; a top interior surface facing said bottom interior surface; a bottom base, wherein said bottom exterior surface is positioned between said bottom base and said bottom planar-like interior surface; a condenser positioned between said bottom base and said bottom exterior surface; and
- a support surface upon which said bottom base lies and said support surface is subjected to an entire weight of said refrigeration unit.
16. The refrigeration unit system of claim 15, further comprising a hinged door attached to said exterior lining that is movable to an open position that provides access to a volume of space defined by said interior lining and to a closed position wherein access to said volume of space is denied.
17. The refrigeration unit system of claim 15, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
18. The refrigeration unit system of claim 16, wherein said bottom base faces said bottom exterior surface and is separated from said bottom exterior surface by approximately 5 inches.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 27, 2018
Publication Date: Jun 6, 2019
Applicant: U-LINE CORPORATION (Milwaukee, WI)
Inventors: Michael David Gilioli (Milwaukee, WI), Andrew J. Doberstein (Slinger, WI), Matthew K. Wenninger (Oak Creek, WI), David Carr (Cedarburg, WI)
Application Number: 16/201,617