US2496492A - Refrigerator having a door with a cooling unit mounted therein - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1950 J. R. PRosEK 2,496,492

REFRIGERATOR HAVING A DOOR WITH COOLING UNT MOUNTED THEREIN Filed June 20, 1947 v INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 7, 1950 REFRIGERATOR HAVING A DOOR WITH A COOLING UNIT MOUNTED THEREIN John R. Prosek, Riverside, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 20, 1947, Serial No. 755,904

1o claims. l

This invention relates to a refrigerator and more particularly to a closure clement for the access opening in a refrigerator cabinet having a food-storage compartment.

Refrigerators of the household type generally assume two forms: one, the upright-type which has itsfood-storage compartment opening at its front and closed by a hinged door; the other, a chest-type provided with a. hinged cover at its top, usually used in the storage of food and similar articles at sub-freezing temperatures. In both boxes it has been heretofore common practice to provide a separate compartment for the refrigerant-circulating machinery and to utilize the door or cover merely as a closure member. At the same time conventional design involved construction in which the refrigerating apparatus; including the evaporator, condenser and compressor, is readily removable as a unit.

According to the present invention the foregoing elements of construction are embodied in a closure member that serves the dual function of closing the food-storage compartment and of carrying the refrigerating apparatus as a removable unit. With a construction of the type disclosed herein the cover or door, together with the refrigeration apparatus, may be removed for repair or adjustment and may be replaced by another similar unit or element while such repair or adjustment is being accomplished. It is therefore the principal object of theinvention to provide an improved refrigerator including a closure member of the type embodying the advantages just described. It is a further object of the invention to provide a refrigeration unit embodied as the closure member of a simple and inexpensive cabinet or box, whereby the cabinet may be inexpensively constructed and tted with the removable closure. Other objects of the invention are: to provide a closure comprising inner outer sheets secured together at their marginal edges to provide ahousing space for containing refrigeration apparatus; to provide for the mounting of an evaporator in proximity to the inner sheet and a condenser in proximity to the outer sheet, both the condenser and evaporator preferablv being contained within the housing space between the sheets; to connect the evaporator and condenser in heat-transfer relationship with the inner and outer sheets respectively; to provide the evaporator and condenser relatively coextensive in area with the inner and outer sheets respectively; to provide an intermediate sheet between the inner and outer sheets on which a refrigerant compressor may be mounted; and to provide the closure of louvered `construction whereby to facilitate the circulation of air over the condenser and compressor.

The foregoing and other objects and desirable features of the invention will appear as a disclosure of a preferred embodiment is more fully made in the following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings, in which the single gure represents a transverse sectional view through a refrigerator equipped with a closure element constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

For the purposes of clarity and brevity in the following description, reference will be made to upper and lower and interior and exterior parts. These expressions, like others to be used, refer to only one of many forms that the invention may assume; hence, the disclosure should be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The refrigerator chosen for the purposes of illustration is of the so-called freezer-chest type used for the storage of food and other articles at subfreezing temperatures. This refrigerator includes a cabinet or chest having walls deflning a food storage compartment I0 which is provided with an opening I I through which access may be had to the food-storage compartment, 'Ihe foodstorage compartment is delineated by an inner shell or tank I2 associated in spaced relation to and insulated from an outer tank or shell I3. The tanks are preferably formed of sheet metal construction and each has an upper inwardly y turned ange cross-connected by a breaker strip I4 of insulating material. The construction just described is generally conventional and may embody other details of construction not important to the present invention.

The cabinet is preferably square or rectangular in cross-section, although it may be circular, and the breaker strip I4 is preferably continuous about the access opening II. The breaker strip serves to support thereon a superimposed cover or closure element generally indicated by the numeral I 5. This element includes an intermediate sheet I6. an inner sheet or liner I1, and an outer sheet or liner I8. The intermediate sheet I6 is relatively larger in area than the opening II, so that marginal edge portions thereof may extend laterally of or overlie a peripheral gasket I9 superimnosed on the breaker strip I4. The outer sheet or liner I8 is preferably domed at its center and is preferably provided with an integral peripheral wall 2U, the lower portions of which terminate in an integral inturned flange 2I. The flange 2| lies substantially in the same plane as the intermediate sheet I8 and is spaced peripherally therefrom. The space between the ilange 2| on the outer sheet I8 and the marginal edge portions of the intermediate sheet I5 is closed by abreaker strip 22. The intermediate sheet I6 may be rigidly supported by or connected to the outer sheet Il by means of a plurality of corner brackets 23 (only one of which is shown). This bracket is shown as being rigidly secured to the outer sheet I8 as by spot welding, and the bracket` is further rigidly connected to the intermediate sheet It by securing means including insulating material 24.

The relationship between the intermediate sheet Il, domed outer sheet I8, and peripheral outer wall 2l is such as to provide ahousing space 25 within the sheets. This housing space serves to accommodate refrigerant circulating apparatus including a motor-compressor unit 26 seated on and carried by a depressedintermediate portion 21 of the intermediate sheet I6. The interior surface of the outer sheet Il carries acondenser 28. The condenser is preferably of coil construction and is spread out over the interior surface of the outer sheet so as to be substantially coextensive in area therewith. The outer sheet I8 is preferably of sheet metal or other heat-conducting material, and the condenser is secured thereto in heat-transfer relationship to secure to greatest advantage the heat-dissipating qualities of the outer sheet. The means for connecting the condenser to the interior surface of the outer sheet may take the form of a plurality ofstrips 29 including a pluralityof integral U-shaped portions embracing the coils of the condenser and secured to the outer sheet, as by spot welding, between the coils.

The inner sheet I1 is substantially smaller in area than the intermediate sheet I6 so as to fit within the access opening II of the food storage compartment III. The inner sheet has its marginal edges provided with upwardly extending integral flange portions lII which terminate in laterally extending flanges II rigidly secured to the intermediate sheet IB. The securing means is preferably removable and may include insulating material to insulate the sheet I1 from the sheet I6. The sheets I6 and I1 are spaced apart and carry therebetween an evaporator in the form of acontinuous coil 32. This coil is substantially coextensive in area with the interior surface of thesheet I1 and is secured to the sheet I1 in heattransfer relationship thereto, the sheet I1 being of sheet metal or other heat-conducting material. The means for accomplishing the securing of theevaporator coil 32 to the sheet I1 may include a plurality of strips like the strip 33, having integral inverted U-shaped portions embracing the coils and spot welded between the coils to the sheet I1. This arrangement utilizes to greatest advantage theentire surface of the sheet I1 as part of the evaporator.

The refrigerant circulating system or apparatus includes the compressor 26,condenser 28 andevaporator coil 32, and further includes a lowpressure line Il between the evaporator and compressor, a refrigerant line 35 between the compressor and condenser, and a high-pressure line 36 including acapillary tube 31 Abetween the condenser and evaporator. Insulating material 38 is provided in the space between the evaporator coil $2 and the proximate surface of the intermediate sheet I6. The apparatus may further include a cold control Il of conventional construction responsive to a cold control bulb 40 carried by the exterior surface of the inner sheet I1 s0 as to be within the food compartment jl. This construction may be conventional and forms no part of the present invention.

Theperipheral wall portion 20 of the outer sheet I8 is louvered at 4I and the central upper portion of the outer sheet Il is provided with an opening 42 closed by a louvered cover 43. As shown by the arrows, cooling air may circulate through the louvers Il and the louvers in the cover l! over the condenser coils 2B and further over the motor-compressor 2i. and refrigerant lines within thehousing space 25. The cover Il may be made removable to facilitate access to the compartment 2i.

The cover or closure element I5 may be hinged or otherwise secured to the chest or cabinet so that it may be opened or closed to provide access through the opening II to the food storage compartment I0 and is further constructed so as to be completely removable therefrom in the event of failure of the refrigerating apparatus to function.

in which case the closure element may be replaced by a like element without causing any cessation of refrigeration. In the meantime the removed unit may be taken to any convenient service location for repair or adjustment.

The several advantages and features of the in vention have been pointed out heretofore. Other advantages and features will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in the art, as will numerous modiilcations and alterations in the preferred construction illustrated. It will be understood, of course, that these deviations may be accomplished without sacrificing any of the principles of the in.- vention and without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming a food-storage compartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening, comprising: an inner and an outer liner spaced apart to include a housing space therebetween; means securing the liners together at their marginal edge portions; and refrigerant circulating apparatus housed in the space between the liners and including an evaporator in proximity to and substantially coextensive in area with the inner liner. a condenser in proximity to and substantially coextensive in area with the outer liner, and refrigerant circulating connections between the evaporator and condenser. j

2. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming `a food-storage compartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening, comprising: an inner and an outer liner, both of sheet metal, spaced apart to include a housing space therebetween; means securing the liners together at their marginal edge portions; an evaporator within the housing space and carried by and spread out over the surface of the inner linerand including a heat-transfer connection to said inner liner; a condenser within the housing space and carried by and spread out over the surface of the outer liner and including a heattransfer connection to said outer liner; means insulating the inner liner from the outer liner; and a refrigerant compressor within the housing space between the liners including refrigerantcirculating connections between the evaporator vand compressor, the compressor and condenser.

and the condenser and evaporator.

3. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming a food-storage compartment provided with an access opening. a closure element for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufiicient area to cover said opening and to engage the cabinet walls around the opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting material generally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet and reduced in area to fit within said opening; means securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positioned between the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationship to the inner sheet and being spread out substantially over the area of said inner sheet; insulating material between the evaporator and first sheet; a generally dome-shaped third sheet spaced outwardly from the first sheet and including peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to provide a housing space between the first and third sheets; a condenser in said housing space and spread out substantially over and in heattransfer relationship with the interior surface of the third sheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions and in the domed portion of said third sheet for the circulation of air over the condenser; and a refrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including a compressor carried by the first sheet in the housing space between the first and third sheets.

4. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming a food-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closure element for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufilcient area to close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting material generally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet; means securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positioned between the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationship to the inner sheet and being spread out substantially over the area of said inner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the first sheet and including peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to provide a housing space between the first and third sheets; a condenser in said housing space and spread out substantially over and in heat-transfer relationship with the interior surface of the third sheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions of said third sheet for the circulation of air over the condenser; and a refrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including a compressor carried by the first sheet in the housing space between the first and third sheets.

5. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming a food-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closure element for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufficient area to close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting material generally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet; means. securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positioned between the sheets in proximity to the inner sheetand being spread out substantially over the area of said inner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the first sheet and including peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to provide a housing space between the first and third sheets; a condenser in said housing space and spread out substantially over and in proximity to the interior surface of the third sheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions of said third sheet for the circulation of air over the condenser; and a refrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including a compressor carried by the first .sheet in the housing space between the first and third sheets.

- 6. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming a food-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closure element for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufficient area to close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting material generally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet; means securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positioned between the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationship to the inner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the first sheet and including peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to provide a housing space between the first and lthird sheets; a condenser in said housing space in heat-transfer relationship with the interior` of'the third sheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions of said third sheet for the circulation of air over the condenser; and a refrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including a compressor carried by the first sheet in the housing space between the first and third sheets.

7. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming a food-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closure element for said opening, comprising: a first sheet-of sufficient area to close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting material generally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet;

means securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positioned between the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationship to the inner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the rst sheet and including peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to provide a housing space between the first and third sheets; a condenser in said housing space in heat-transfer relationship with the interior surface of the third sheet; and a refrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including ,a compressor carried by the first sheet in the housing space between the first and third sheets.

8. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming a food-storage compartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening, comprising: an inner and an outer liner spaced apart to include a housing space therebetween, and having said outer liner of generally dome-shape to increase the capacity of said space for the purpose of containing refrigeration apparatus; means securing the liners together at their marginal edge portions; and refrigerant circulating apparatus housed in the space between the liners and including an evaporator in proximity to the inner liner, a condenser in proximity to the outer liner and refrigerant circulating connections between the evaporator and condenser.

9. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming a food-storage compartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening, comprising: an inner and an outer liner spaced apart to include a housing space therebetween; means securing the liners together lat their marginal edge portions; said marginal edge portions securing means including peripheral wall portions; refrigerant circulating apparatus housed in the orator in proximity to the inner liner, a condenser in proximity to the outer liner, and refrigerant circulating connections between the evaporator and condenser; and louve:` means in said peripheral wall portions arranged to direct air over said condenser.

10. The invention set forth in claim 9, in which: additional louvers are provided in the outer liner and arranged to cooperate with the peripheral wall louvers for the circulation of air over the condenser.

JOHN R. PROSEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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