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

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

The air passes over, or through, the evaporator which cools the air and then the air is conveyed inside the compartment/s. The fan is typically arranged downstream of the evaporator and conveys the cooled air, coming from the evaporator, inside the compartment/s. Hence the fan typically sucks cooled air coming from the evaporator and expels it towards the compartment/s.

In order to convey the expelled cooled air by the fan into the compartment/s one or more air ducts are realized from the fan to respective air openings opportunely distributed at rear and/or lateral sides of the compartment/s for a uniform cooling. In systems of know types, the refrigeration appliance has two compartments, for example a fresh food compartment placed above a freezer compartment, and the evaporator and the fan are preferably mounted inside a first one of the two compartments. Appropriate ducts are then opportunely configured to channel the air forced by the fan towards the first and the second compartments.

Furthermore, the evaporator is opportunely arranged in a chamber, or channel, where the cooling air flows, and 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 cooling air flowing from the fan to the compartments, solutions leading to the reduction of encumbrance and solutions leading to reduction of noise caused by the flowing air and/or caused by the fan rotation.

<CIT> discloses a refrigerator with a tilted blower.

<CIT> also discloses a refrigerator with a tilted blower.

The applicant has found that by providing a refrigeration appliance with a refrigeration system comprising an evaporator for cooling down air and a fan configured to force the cooled air to compartments of the appliance and by providing a duct downstream of the fan with a proper inclination, it is possible to reach the above-mentioned scopes.

According to the present invention there is provided a refrigeration appliance according to claim <NUM>.

Advantageously, the air coming from the rotor is smoothly conveyed towards the second ventilation assembly. Air flow is therefore advantageously distributed with low turbulence along the interconnection duct thus optimizing the cooling air flowing from the rotor to the second compartment. Still advantageously, noise during operation is keep low due to low turbulence of the air flows.

Preferably, but not part of the current claims, the interconnection duct extends between a first end and a second end, said main axis being defined as the axis passing through the barycentre of a cross sectional area at said first end and the barycentre of a cross sectional area at said second end.

According to a preferred embodiment not part of the current claims of the invention, the interconnection duct is an interconnection rectilinear duct.

With rectilinear duct it is meant a volume enclosed by at least one side wall allowing an air flow to be channelled along a rectilinear, or substantially rectilinear, flow direction. Preferably said at least one side wall is a rectilinear, or substantially rectilinear, side surface. Preferably said rectilinear, or substantially rectilinear, side surface extends parallelly, or substantially parallelly, to said flow direction.

In other words, with rectilinear duct it is meant an extension of lateral walls of the duct from a cross section provided on a first end to a second end along a rectilinear direction.

Preferably, but not part of the current claims, the interconnection duct is defined by at least one side wall. More preferably said at least one side wall is a rectilinear side wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the vertical direction and the rotation axis of the rotor form an angle therebetween greater than <NUM>° and lower than <NUM>°, preferably an angle greater than <NUM>° and lower than and <NUM>°, more preferably an angle equal to <NUM>°.

Advantageously, by providing such an inclination for the rotor, and hence for the fan, an adequate space/room is created at the suction side of the fan. Said space allows to optimize the air stream from the evaporator to the fan and to improve fluid dynamics to achieve higher performance so that turbulence and/or noise caused by air flow may be reduced.

Still advantageously, the rotor having such an inclination reduces encumbrance of the rotor and the fan in the area where they are mounted.

According to a preferred embodiment not part of the current claims of the invention, the first ventilation assembly and the fan are arranged inside the first compartment.

In a preferred embodiment not part of the current claims of the invention, the second ventilation assembly is associated to the second compartment, more preferably is arranged inside the second compartment.

Preferably, the first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a partition element and the interconnection duct is at least in part defined by a duct portion defined in the partition element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second ventilation assembly comprises one or more outlet openings apt to channel the cooled air forced by the fan and flowing through the interconnection duct inside the second compartment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second ventilation assembly further comprises an inlet duct portion arranged upstream of the outlet openings, wherein the interconnection duct is at least in part defined by the inlet duct portion of the second ventilation assembly.

Preferably, the outlet openings are arranged vertically one above the other, more preferably the size of an outlet opening of said outlet openings is higher than the size of an outlet opening arranged below.

Advantageously, the cooling air is uniformly distributed inside the second compartment. The temperature inside the second compartment is more uniformly maintained going from the upper to the lower part of the second compartment. Advantageously, different temperatures, or air stratification, inside the second compartment are prevented/avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second ventilation assembly further comprises one or more inlet openings apt to withdraw air from the second compartment towards the first compartment and/or back to the evaporator.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet openings are arranged vertically one above the other.

Preferably, the size of each inlet opening is opportunely dimensioned so that the flow rate of the air leaving the second compartment through the inlet openings is the same, or substantially the same, for each inlet opening.

Advantageously, the air leaves the second compartment through the inlet openings in an equally distributed manner going from the upper to the lower part of the second compartment.

Again, advantageously, the cooling air is uniformly distributed inside the second compartment. The temperature inside the second compartment is more uniformly maintained going from the upper to the lower part of the second compartment. Advantageously, different temperatures, or air stratification, inside the second compartment are prevented/avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second ventilation assembly further comprises a septum element arranged in correspondence of one or more of the inlet openings to at least partially obstruct the air passing therethrough. Preferably, the septum element is arranged in correspondence of one or more lowermost inlet openings of said inlet openings.

Advantageously, in correspondence of one or more lowermost inlet openings the effective flow rate decreases with respect to uppermost inlet openings thus enhancing an equal distribution of air leaving the second compartment going from the upper to the lower part of the same second compartment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said outlet openings are arranged at one lateral side of said second ventilation assembly and/or said inlet openings are arranged at a second lateral side of said second ventilation assembly.

In a preferred embodiment not part of the current claims of the invention, said one lateral side and said second lateral side are opposite sides of said second ventilation assembly.

The evaporator comprises a first lateral surface extending longitudinally along a first axis and a second lateral surface facing the first lateral surface, said evaporator being positioned so that said first axis of the first lateral surface is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

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 of the invention, an air channel is provided for receiving the evaporator. The fan is preferably associated to the evaporator for creating an air stream which is channelled towards the evaporator inside said air channel and then inside said compartments, the fan and the air channel being configured so that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel.

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.

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 first or second compartment than the upper part of the first lateral 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 first axis of the first lateral surface of the evaporator is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of an angle comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably of an angle comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, more preferably of an angle equal to <NUM>°.

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. In a preferred embodiment, the first axis of the first lateral surface of the evaporator and the rotation axis of the rotor form an angle therebetween comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably an angle comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, more preferably an angle equal to <NUM>°.

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 first compartment, preferably at a first wall of the first compartment, more preferably at a rear wall of the first compartment.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the air channel is positioned outside the first 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 first compartment.

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:.

Referring to <FIG> a refrigeration appliance in the form of a domestic refrigerator is shown, indicated generally as <NUM>. Although the detailed description that follows concerns a domestic stand-alone refrigerator <NUM>, 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 comprising at least two compartments, for example a top mount refrigerator wherein the freezer compartment is disposed vertically above the fresh food 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 <NUM> illustrated in the figures, hereinafter indicated also as refrigerator <NUM>, comprises an outer cabinet <NUM> and an inner liner <NUM>, internally received in the outer cabinet <NUM>. The outer cabinet <NUM> and the inner liner <NUM> are separated by a spacing filled with thermal insulation <NUM>, preferably a foam insulation.

The outer cabinet <NUM> 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 <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in the figures preferably represents a bottom mount type refrigerator. At this purpose, a divider portion <NUM>, or partition element <NUM>, is provided which divides the inner liner <NUM> into a lower space that is used as a freezer compartment <NUM>, and an upper space that is used as a fresh food compartment <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition element <NUM> is constituted by a separate element which is fixedly mounted to the inner liner <NUM> during manufacturing of the refrigerator <NUM>. In further preferred embodiments, the partition element may be constituted by a shaped portion of the inner liner so that the partition element is integrally made with, and is integral part of, the inner liner itself.

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

The freezer compartment <NUM> preferably shows a rear wall <NUM> (<FIG>) which is defined by a portion of the inner liner <NUM>, more preferably a rear shaped wall <NUM>.

Analogously, the fresh food compartment <NUM> substantially and preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening <NUM>. A door <NUM> is preferably pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet <NUM> and is movable between an open position and a closed position to cover the front opening <NUM>.

The fresh food compartment <NUM> preferably shows a rear wall <NUM> which is defined by a portion of the inner liner <NUM>, more preferably a vertical rear shaped wall <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, a single door can be provided to open and close both the front openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the freezer and the fresh food compartments <NUM>, <NUM>.

The compartments <NUM>, <NUM> preferably comprise shelves S and/or drawers D for receiving food items.

A refrigeration system <NUM> is preferably provided to cool the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the refrigeration system <NUM> is apt to cool down an air stream which is circulated inside both compartments <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration system <NUM> preferably comprises a closed recirculating system filled with a suitable refrigerant, for example R12 or R134a or R660a. The refrigeration system <NUM> preferably comprises an electric motor-driven compressor <NUM>, a condenser heat exchanger <NUM>, a pressure device such as a capillary tube or a thermostatic valve (not shown) and an evaporator <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> is preferably mounted external to the freezer compartment <NUM> and more preferably arranged in a working chamber <NUM> at the bottom of the refrigerator <NUM>.

The condenser heat exchanger <NUM> 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 <NUM> so as to form what is commonly known as a "hot wall". The evaporator <NUM> is the component of the refrigeration system <NUM> apt to cool down the air stream for the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>.

A fan <NUM> is preferably associated to the evaporator <NUM> for creating the air stream. The function of the fan <NUM> is to generate the cooling air stream that is forced and recirculated inside the compartments, preferably the freezer compartment <NUM> and the fresh food compartment <NUM>. The fan <NUM> is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator <NUM> and to expel it into the freezer compartment <NUM> and into the fresh food compartment <NUM>.

An air channel <NUM>, or air chamber <NUM>, preferably receives the evaporator <NUM> and has the function to confine the air stream, preferably to confine the air stream in correspondence of the evaporator <NUM>. Preferably, the fan <NUM> creates the air stream which is channelled towards the evaporator <NUM> inside the air channel <NUM> and then inside the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, as better described later. The lower part of the air channel <NUM> is preferably configured to define a water collecting zone <NUM> to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator <NUM>. A collecting tray <NUM> is preferably fluidly connected to the water collecting zone <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the figures, the fan <NUM> is preferably arranged inside the air channel <NUM>. 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 <NUM> is arranged downstream the evaporator <NUM>.

It is underlined that in the present application the term "downstream" is referred to the flowing direction of the air during the standard functioning of the refrigerator <NUM>, i.e. saying that the fan <NUM> is arranged downstream the evaporator <NUM> means that in the standard functioning of the refrigerator <NUM> the air firstly circulates over or through the evaporator <NUM> and then passes through the fan <NUM>. Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the fan <NUM> is arranged above the evaporator <NUM>, more preferably just above the evaporator <NUM>.

The fan <NUM> preferably comprises a rotor <NUM>, or impeller, with a rotation axis X.

The fan <NUM> preferably comprises a centrifugal fan, preferably a radial fan. The air flows from a suction side 72A of the fan <NUM> facing the evaporator <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>, and the air is then displaced radially, changing its direction (typically by <NUM>°). The rotor <NUM> preferably consists of a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades, rotating around said axis X, which act on the air.

A suction chamber <NUM> is preferably created at the suction side 72A between the fan <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The air expelled by the fan <NUM> is then conveyed into the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, as better described later.

According to an aspect of the invention, the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V.

The vertical direction V and the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> form an angle W1 therebetween preferably greater than <NUM>° and lower than <NUM>°, more preferably an angle greater than <NUM>° and lower than and <NUM>°, even more preferably an angle equal to <NUM>°, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Advantageously, by providing such an inclination for the rotor <NUM>, and hence for the fan <NUM>, an adequate space/room is created for the suction chamber <NUM>. Said space allows to optimize the air stream from the evaporator <NUM> to the fan <NUM> and to improve fluid dynamics to achieve higher performance so that turbulence and/or noise caused by air flow may be reduced.

Still advantageously, the rotor <NUM> having such an inclination reduces encumbrance of the rotor <NUM> and the fan <NUM> in the area where they are mounted.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator <NUM> preferably comprises a first ventilation assembly 50a apt to channel the cooled air forced by the fan <NUM> inside the first compartment <NUM>, preferably the freezer compartment <NUM>, and a second ventilation assembly 50b apt to channel the cooled air forced by the fan <NUM> inside the second compartment <NUM>, preferably the fresh food compartment <NUM>.

The first ventilation assembly 50a and the fan <NUM> are preferably associated to the freezer compartment <NUM>, more preferably arranged inside the freezer compartment <NUM>, as better illustrated in <FIG>.

The second ventilation assembly 50b is preferably associated to the fresh food compartment <NUM>, more preferably is arranged inside the fresh food compartment <NUM>, as better illustrated in <FIG>.

In different embodiments, not illustrated, the first ventilation assembly and/or the second ventilation assembly and/or the fan may be arranged outside the first or the second compartment, respectively, being clear that the two ventilation assemblies are apt to channel the cooled air from the fan to the inside of the compartments.

The first ventilation assembly 50a is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator <NUM> and to expel it into the freezer compartment <NUM> through lower air outlet openings 102a (some of them visible in <FIG>) opportunely distributed inside the freezer compartment <NUM>. Air from the freezer compartment <NUM> flows back to the evaporator <NUM>, preferably back to the air chamber <NUM> receiving the evaporator <NUM>, through an air inlet <NUM> preferably defined between an air conveyor <NUM> applied at the lower part of the freezer compartment <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>.

The second ventilation assembly 50b is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator <NUM> and to expel it into the fresh food compartment <NUM> through a plurality of upper outlet openings 102b. The upper outlet openings 102b are preferably arranged along a first row of vertical upper outlet openings 102b (on the left side of the fresh food compartment <NUM> in the frontal view of <FIG>).

Air from the fresh food compartment <NUM> is preferably conveyed to the freezer compartment <NUM> and from there the air flows back to the evaporator <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM> as explained above.

A plurality of upper inlet openings 102c are preferably arranged along a second row of vertical upper inlet openings 102c (on the right side of the fresh food compartment <NUM> in the frontal view of <FIG>) for the conveyance of the air from the fresh food compartment <NUM> to the freezer compartment <NUM> and/or back to the evaporator <NUM>.

Therefore, preferably, the upper outlet openings 102b and the upper inlet openings 102c are arranged, respectively, at one lateral side (left side) of the second ventilation assembly 50b and at a second lateral side (right side) of the second ventilation assembly 50b. More preferably, therefore, the upper outlet openings 102b and the upper inlet openings 102c are arranged at opposite sides of the second ventilation assembly 50b.

The air flow generated by the fan <NUM> is preferably channelled towards the freezer compartment <NUM> by providing air ducts, not shown, in the first ventilation assembly 50a and extending downwardly from the fan <NUM> with the function of channelling the cooled air expelled by the fan <NUM> towards the air openings 102a.

Analogously, the air flow generated by the fan <NUM> is preferably channelled towards the fresh food compartment <NUM> by providing a first air duct 100a in the second ventilation assembly 50b with the function of channelling the cooled air expelled by the fan <NUM> towards the upper outlet openings 102b.

The first ventilation assembly 50a preferably comprises a first layer <NUM> of expanded polystyrene, the fan <NUM>, a second layer <NUM> of expanded polystyrene and a cover plate <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The first layer <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, the second layer <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM> 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 <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is at least partially stacked/in contact to the laterally adjacent component.

Preferably, expanded polystyrene used for the layers <NUM>, <NUM>, 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 first ventilation assembly 50a, being EPS a high-quality thermal insulator material.

In addition, the use of EPS enhances acoustic isolation of the first ventilation assembly 50a, in particular of noise caused by rotation of the fan <NUM> and of the air expelled from it.

Furthermore, using of EPS simplifies the first ventilation assembly 50a 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 <NUM>, as described above, preferably comprises a rotor <NUM> with a rotation axis X.

Preferably, as illustrated in <FIG>, a fan mouth <NUM> is arranged at the suction side 72A of the fan <NUM> that enhances conveyance of the air from the evaporator <NUM> to the rotor <NUM>. The fan mouth <NUM> preferably faces the evaporator <NUM> and is preferably placed between the first layer <NUM> and the fan <NUM>.

In different preferred embodiments, the fan mouth may be omitted.

The suction chamber <NUM> is then preferably created between the fan mouth <NUM>, and the evaporator <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The fan <NUM> draws air from the evaporator <NUM> through the suction chamber <NUM> and expels it towards the freezer compartment <NUM> and the fresh food compartment <NUM>, as better described later.

The first air duct 100a of the second ventilation assembly 50b is preferably realized in a first layer <NUM> that extends upwardly from the fan <NUM> up to the upper outlet openings 102b (as visible for example in <FIG> and <FIG>).

The first layer <NUM> is preferably made of expanded polystyrene. The first layer <NUM> preferably comprises a first lateral side 177a, or front side 177a, and a second lateral side 177b, or rear side 177b, opposite to the first lateral side 177a. More preferably, the first air duct 100a is realized at the rear side 177b of the first layer <NUM> and communicates with the first row of vertical upper outlet openings 102b.

Preferably, a second air duct 100b is realized in the first layer <NUM> and communicates with the second row of vertical upper inlet openings 102c (as visible in <FIG> and <FIG>). The second air duct 100b is preferably configured to convey/withdraw air from the fresh food compartment <NUM> towards the freezer compartment <NUM> and/or to the evaporator <NUM> (details of the air path from the second air duct 100b and the freezer compartment <NUM> and/or to the evaporator <NUM> are not shown in the Figures). In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, the second air duct may be preferably configured to withdraw air from the fresh food compartment and then conveys it directly back to the evaporator.

The first layer <NUM> is preferably sandwiched between a frontal covering plate <NUM> and a rear covering plate <NUM>.

The frontal covering plate <NUM> faces the internal volume of the fresh food compartment <NUM> and it is preferably contemplated that is made from plastic to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a user.

The rear covering plate <NUM> preferably faces the rear wall <NUM> of the fresh food compartment <NUM> and preferably rests on the rear wall <NUM>.

The two air ducts 100a, 100b of the first layer <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, are opened in the rear direction, i.e. in the direction of the rear covering plate <NUM>. Advantageously, the rear covering plate <NUM> opportunely close the two air ducts 100a, 100b allowing the air conveyance inside said closed air ducts 100a, 100b.

Alternatively, the first layer <NUM> can be sandwiched between the frontal covering plate <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM>, so that the rear wall <NUM> closes/delimits the air ducts 100a, 100b.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the air ducts may be realized as closed air ducts directly on the first layer. In further different embodiments, then, the air ducts may be realized in any different way. For example, the air ducts may be realized as a box-shaped structure formed of metal sheets joined together.

Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the invention not illustrated, the refrigerator may be equipped with a regulation system configured to adjust the temperature inside the compartments. The temperature regulation is preferably obtained by adjusting the air volume flowing inside the first air duct. At this purpose, a knob is typically installed inside one of the compartments to be reachable by the user and a movable damper is preferably located inside the first air duct so that the rotation of the knob causes the displacement of the damper in different positions according to the degree of obstructions needed for the variation of temperature required.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator <NUM> preferably comprises an interconnection duct <NUM> configured to connect the first ventilation assembly 50a to the second ventilation assembly 50b, as better illustrated in <FIG>.

The interconnection duct <NUM> is preferably arranged downstream of the fan <NUM> to convey the cooled air forced by the fan <NUM> towards the second ventilation assembly 50b.

According to an aspect of the invention, the interconnection duct <NUM> extends along a main axis Y which is inclined with respect to the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> of an angle W comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably an angle comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, more preferably an angle equal to <NUM>°.

Preferably, the interconnection duct <NUM> extends between a first end <NUM>, or proximal end <NUM>, and a second end <NUM>, or distal end <NUM>. The main axis Y is preferably defined as the axis Y passing through the barycentre B1 of a cross sectional area S1 at said proximal <NUM> and the barycentre B2 of a cross sectional area S2 at said distal end <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, the interconnection duct <NUM> is an interconnection rectilinear duct <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, it can be appreciated therefore that the interconnection duct <NUM> is an interconnection rectilinear duct <NUM> since there are defined side walls 112a, 112b 114a, 114b allowing an air flow to be channelled along a rectilinear, or substantially rectilinear, flow direction F. The flow direction F is substantially parallel to the main axis Y of the interconnection duct <NUM>.

Preferably the side walls 112a, 112b 114a, 114b are rectilinear, or substantially rectilinear, side surfaces.

More preferably the rectilinear side walls 112a, 112b 114a, 114b extends parallelly, or substantially parallelly, to the flow direction F. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rectilinear side walls 112a, 112b 114a, 114b are slightly inclined with respect to the flow direction F.

With rectilinear duct it can also be intended that the lateral walls 112a, 112b 114a, 114b of the interconnection duct <NUM> from the cross section S1 provided on the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> extends along a rectilinear direction.

The interconnection duct <NUM> is preferably realized as a box-shaped structure.

In different preferred embodiments, nevertheless, the interconnection duct may be differently shaped, for example the interconnection duct may be cylindrically shaped.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the interconnection duct <NUM> is substantially preferably defined by two adjacent duct portions 110a, 110b, preferably a lower duct portion 110a and an upper duct portion 110b.

Preferably, the lower duct portion 110a of the interconnection duct <NUM> is defined by a duct portion 110a defined in the partition element <NUM> and the upper duct portion 110b of the interconnection duct <NUM> is defined by an inlet duct portion 110b of the second ventilation assembly 50b.

The inlet duct portion 110b of the second ventilation assembly 50b is preferably arranged upstream of the upper outlet openings 102b. The inlet duct portion 110b substantially corresponds to the first part of the first air duct 100a of the second ventilation assembly 50b and is therefore preferably realized in the first layer <NUM> of the second ventilation assembly 50b.

It is underlined that in the present application the term "upstream" is referred to flowing direction of the air during the standard functioning of the refrigerator <NUM>, i.e. saying that the inlet duct portion is arranged upstream of the upper outlet openings 102b means that in the standard functioning of the refrigerator <NUM> the air firstly passes through the inlet duct portion and then flows through the upper outlet openings 102b.

Furthermore, a second portion of the first air duct 100a arranged downstream of the inlet duct portion 110b of the second ventilation assembly 50b, indicated with <NUM> in <FIG>, preferably widens with respect to inlet duct portion 110b. This is obtained through an expansion side wall <NUM> which preferably extends from the distal end <NUM> of the first air duct 110a perpendicularly to the main axis Y.

The wide second portion <NUM> of the first air duct 100a then preferably comprises an upper inclined side wall <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The inclined side wall <NUM> advantageously smoothly deflects the air flow from the inside of the second portion <NUM> to the remaining part of the first air duct 110a and then up to the upper outlet openings 102b.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, by providing such an interconnection duct <NUM> with said inclination with respect to the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> the air coming from the rotor <NUM> is smoothly conveyed towards the first air duct 100a and, from there, to the upper outlet openings 102b and finally inside the fresh food compartment <NUM>. Air flow is therefore advantageously distributed with low turbulence along the interconnection duct <NUM> and the first air duct 100a, thus optimizing the cooling air flowing from the rotor <NUM> to the fresh food compartment <NUM>. Still advantageously, noise during operation is keep low due to low turbulence of the air flowing into the ducts <NUM>, 100a.

According to another advantageous aspect, said arrangement of the interconnection duct <NUM> and the rotor <NUM> with said particular inclination allows to optimize the size of ducts <NUM>, 100a for the air expelled by the fan <NUM> towards the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper outlet openings 102b of the second ventilation assembly 50b are arranged vertically one above the other, as better visible in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Preferably, the size of an outlet opening 102b is higher than the size of an outlet opening 102b arranged below. As can be appreciated in the Figures, more preferably, the size of all the outlet openings 102b decreases going from the uppermost outlet opening 102b to the lowermost outlet opening 102b.

Advantageously, the cooled air from the first air duct 100a is expelled inside the fresh food compartment <NUM> through the outlet openings 102b at decreasing flow rates going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment <NUM>. In such a way, being known that the cooled air tends to fall down, it is possible to uniformly distribute the cooling air inside the fresh food compartment <NUM> since cooled air and warm air mix homogenously.

Therefore, the temperature inside fresh food compartment <NUM> is more uniformly maintained going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment <NUM>. In other words, different temperatures, or air stratification, inside the fresh food compartment <NUM> are prevented/avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper inlet openings 102c of the second ventilation assembly 50b are arranged vertically one above the other, as better visible in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Preferably, the size of each inlet opening 102c is opportunely dimensioned so that the flow rate of the air leaving the fresh food compartment <NUM> end entering the second air duct 100b through the inlet openings 102c is the same, or substantially the same, for each inlet opening 102c.

Advantageously, the air leaves the fresh food compartment <NUM> through the inlet openings 102c in an equally distributed manner going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment <NUM>.

Therefore, again, the temperature inside fresh food compartment <NUM> is more uniformly maintained going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment <NUM>. In other words, different temperatures, or air stratification, inside the fresh food compartment <NUM> are prevented/avoided.

Preferably, inside the second air duct 100b and in correspondence of one or more lowermost inlet openings 102c, in the preferred embodiment illustrated herein the two lowermost inlet openings 102c, a septum element <NUM> facing the inlet openings 102c is arranged. The septum <NUM> partially obstructs the air passing through the respective inlet openings 102c.

Being known that in a configuration with inlet openings arranged vertically the air tends to exit mainly from the lowermost inlet openings, the presence of the septum <NUM> in correspondence of one or more lowermost inlet openings decreases the effective flow rate of the air passing through the lowermost inlet openings with respect to uppermost inlet openings thus enhancing an equal distribution of air leaving the fresh food compartment <NUM> going from the upper to the lower part of the same compartment <NUM>.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the Figures and here described, the first ventilation assembly 50a and the second ventilation assembly 50b are preferably realized as two separated assemblies which are assembled, or pre-assembled, separately and mounted inside the respective compartment <NUM>, <NUM>.

In different embodiments, not illustrated, the first ventilation assembly and the second ventilation assembly may be monolithically realized as an integral body apt to be arranged inside the inner liner, being clear that a partition element is then mounted to the inner liner to divide the inner liner into the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment.

According to a further aspect of the invention, as better illustrated in <FIG>, the evaporator <NUM> shows a first lateral surface 38A extending longitudinally along a first axis X1 and a second lateral surface 38B facing said first lateral surface 38A.

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

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

Lateral surfaces 38A, 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> typically comprises a continuous bent tube 39A 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 <NUM> and the air channel <NUM> are configured so that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel <NUM> to affect the evaporator <NUM>.

By saying that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel <NUM> it is meant that the air stream flows from the bottom to the upper side of the channel <NUM>, 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 <NUM> passes through the same, particularly through the clearances provided between the stacked fins, preferably the air stream vertically flows vertically inside the evaporator <NUM> in a direction from the lower surface 38D to the upper surface 38C and is thus subjected to the cooling effect of the evaporator <NUM>.

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 <NUM> in a direction from the lower surface 38D to the upper surface 38C of the evaporator <NUM>, 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 <NUM> preferably comprises a first lateral surface <NUM> and the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> is preferably supported by the first lateral surface <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> 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.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the evaporator <NUM> is positioned inside the air channel <NUM> so that said first axis X1 of the first lateral surface 38A is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V.

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

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the first axis X1 of the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V of an angle W2 equal to <NUM>°, as shown in <FIG>. More generally, the first axis X1 of the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> is preferably inclined with respect to the vertical direction V of an angle W2 comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, more preferably comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

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

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

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

Still advantageously, more space may be created between the evaporator <NUM> and the fan <NUM>, in particular between the upper surface 38C of the evaporator <NUM> and the fan <NUM>, 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 <NUM>, and hence such an inclination for the evaporator <NUM>, the condensed water generated during operation drops to the closed first lateral surface <NUM>.

The condensed water generated inside the evaporator <NUM> preferably flows throughout its thickness and exits the first lateral surface 38A reaching the first lateral surface <NUM>. The condensed water therefore runs across the evaporator <NUM> for a short path corresponding at most with its thickness. Advantageously, water does not freeze before reaching the first lateral surface <NUM> and may reach the water collecting zone <NUM> and the collecting tray <NUM> by slipping over the first lateral surface <NUM>. Advantageously, negative frosting effect at the evaporator <NUM> is reduced and defrosting cycles may also be reduced. The operating efficiency of the refrigerator <NUM> 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 <NUM> with an angle within the ranges above mentioned, i.e. preferably a range of <NUM>°-<NUM>° and more preferably a range of <NUM>°-<NUM>°, the condensed water generated during operation does not freeze before reaching the first lateral surface <NUM> and may reach the water collecting zone <NUM> and the collecting tray <NUM> but, at the same time, due to its inclination the evaporator <NUM> does not strongly affect the encumbrance of the refrigeration system <NUM>.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the evaporator <NUM> and the fan <NUM> are opportunely arranged so that the first axis X1 of the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> and the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> form an angle W3 therebetween.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the first axis X1 and the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> form an angle W3 therebetween equal to <NUM>°. More generally, the first axis X1 of the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> and the rotation axis X of the rotor <NUM> form an angle W3 therebetween comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, more preferably comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

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

Furthermore, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> and the rotor <NUM>, 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 <NUM> and reaching the fan <NUM>.

Still advantageously, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface 38A of the evaporator <NUM> and the rotor <NUM>, 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 <NUM> is preferably mounted inside the freezer compartment <NUM>.

More preferably, the evaporator <NUM> is mounted to the rear wall <NUM> of the freezer compartment <NUM> towards the interior volume of the freezer compartment <NUM>.

According to this preferred embodiment, the rear wall <NUM> of the freezer compartment <NUM> therefore preferably corresponds to the first lateral surface <NUM> of the air channel <NUM>. The air channel <NUM> is eventually defined inside the compartment <NUM>, preferably at said rear wall <NUM>. From the above it follows, therefore, that the condensed water generated during operation advantageously drops to the rear wall <NUM> and reaches the water collecting zone <NUM> and the collecting tray <NUM> by slipping over the rear wall <NUM>.

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.

Advantageously, from the above description it has been shown that by providing an interconnection duct downstream the fan 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.

Claim 1:
A refrigeration appliance (<NUM>) comprising:
- an outer cabinet (<NUM>) comprising a base (2A) suitable to lay on the ground, a roof (2B) and lateral side walls (2C, 2D, 2E) connecting said base (2A) and said roof (2B) in a vertical direction (V);
- a first compartment (<NUM>), internal to said outer cabinet (<NUM>), with an opening (<NUM>) for receiving food items and a second compartment (<NUM>), internal to said outer cabinet (<NUM>), with an opening (<NUM>) for receiving food items, said first compartment (<NUM>) and said second compartment (<NUM>) being separated one to the other;
- a refrigeration system (<NUM>) comprising an evaporator (<NUM>) for cooling down air and a fan (<NUM>) configured to force the cooled air to said compartments (<NUM>, <NUM>), said fan (<NUM>) comprising a rotor (<NUM>) with a rotation axis (X) which is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (V);
- a first ventilation assembly (50a) apt to channel said cooled air forced by said fan (<NUM>) inside said first compartment (<NUM>) and a second ventilation assembly (50b) apt to channel said cooled air forced by said fan (<NUM>) inside said second compartment (<NUM>), said first ventilation assembly (50a) and said fan (<NUM>) being associated to said first compartment (<NUM>);
whereby it comprises an interconnection duct (<NUM>) configured to connect said first ventilation assembly (50a) to said second ventilation assembly (50b), said interconnection duct (<NUM>) being arranged downstream of said fan (<NUM>) to convey the cooled air forced by said fan (<NUM>) towards said second ventilation assembly (50b), wherein said interconnection duct (<NUM>) extends along a main axis (Y) which is inclined with respect to said rotation axis (X) of said rotor (<NUM>) of an angle (W) comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably an angle (W) comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, more preferably an angle (W) equal to <NUM>°.
characterized in that said evaporator (<NUM>) comprises a first lateral surface (38A) extending longitudinally along a first axis (X1) and a second lateral surface (38B) facing said first lateral surface (38A), said evaporator (<NUM>) is positioned so that said first axis (X1) of said first lateral surface (38A) is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (V).