Patent ID: 12259173

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS.1and2a refrigeration appliance in the form of a domestic refrigerator is shown, indicated generally as1. Although the detailed description that follows concerns a domestic stand-alone refrigerator1, 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 appliance1illustrated in the figures, hereinafter indicated also as refrigerator1, comprises an outer cabinet2and an inner liner22, internally received in the outer cabinet2. The outer cabinet2and the inner liner22are separated by a spacing filled with thermal insulation13, preferably a foam insulation.

The outer cabinet2preferably extends in a vertical direction V and preferably comprises a base2A suitable to lay on the ground, a roof2B and lateral side walls2C,2D,2E connecting the base2A and the roof2B, preferably two lateral side walls2C,2D and a rear side wall2E.

In its installed position, lateral side walls2C,2D and the rear side wall2E are preferably aligned to the vertical direction V.

The refrigerator1according to the embodiment shown in the figures preferably represents a bottom mount type refrigerator. At this purpose, a divider portion5, or partition element5, is provided which divides the inner liner22into a lower space that is used as a freezer compartment10, and an upper space that is used as a fresh food compartment12.

In a preferred embodiment, the partition element5is constituted by a separate element which is fixedly mounted to the inner liner22during manufacturing of the refrigerator1. 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 compartment10substantially preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening14. A door15is preferably pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet2and is movable between an open position and a closed position to cover the front opening14.

The freezer compartment10preferably shows a rear wall24(FIG.3) which is defined by a portion of the inner liner22, more preferably a rear shaped wall24.

Analogously, the fresh food compartment12substantially and preferably has the form of a cuboid defining a rectangularly shaped front opening16. A door17is preferably pivotally mounted to the outer cabinet2and is movable between an open position and a closed position to cover the front opening16.

The fresh food compartment12preferably shows a rear wall26which is defined by a portion of the inner liner22, more preferably a vertical rear shaped wall26.

In an alternative embodiment, a single door can be provided to open and close both the front openings14,16of the freezer and the fresh food compartments10,12.

The compartments10,12preferably comprise shelves S and/or drawers D for receiving food items.

A refrigeration system30is preferably provided to cool the compartments10,12.

According to the present invention, the refrigeration system30is apt to cool down an air stream which is circulated inside both compartments10,12.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration system30preferably comprises a closed recirculating system filled with a suitable refrigerant, for example R12 or R134a or R660a. The refrigeration system30preferably comprises an electric motor-driven compressor32, a condenser heat exchanger34, a pressure device such as a capillary tube or a thermostatic valve (not shown) and an evaporator38.

The compressor32is preferably mounted external to the freezer compartment10and more preferably arranged in a working chamber21at the bottom of the refrigerator1.

The condenser heat exchanger34can be a condenser tubing that preferably has a serpentine configuration and is preferably externally secured to the rear side wall2E of the outer cabinet2so as to form what is commonly known as a “hot wall”.

The evaporator38is the component of the refrigeration system30apt to cool down the air stream for the compartments10,12.

A fan72is preferably associated to the evaporator38for creating the air stream. The function of the fan72is to generate the cooling air stream that is forced and recirculated inside the compartments, preferably the freezer compartment10and the fresh food compartment12. The fan72is preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator38and to expel it into the freezer compartment10and into the fresh food compartment12.

An air channel40, or air chamber40, preferably receives the evaporator38and has the function to confine the air stream, preferably to confine the air stream in correspondence of the evaporator38. Preferably, the fan72creates the air stream which is channelled towards the evaporator38inside the air channel40and then inside the compartments10,12, as better described later. The lower part of the air channel40is preferably configured to define a water collecting zone44to collect water formed by condensation on the evaporator38. A collecting tray55is preferably fluidly connected to the water collecting zone44.

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the figures, the fan72is preferably arranged inside the air channel40. 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 fan72is arranged downstream the evaporator38.

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 refrigerator1, i.e. saying that the fan72is arranged downstream the evaporator38means that in the standard functioning of the refrigerator1the air firstly circulates over or through the evaporator38and then passes through the fan72.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the fan72is arranged above the evaporator38, more preferably just above the evaporator38.

The fan72preferably comprises a rotor82, or impeller, with a rotation axis X.

The fan72preferably comprises a centrifugal fan, preferably a radial fan. The air flows from a suction side72A of the fan72facing the evaporator38, as depicted inFIG.14, and the air is then displaced radially, changing its direction (typically by 90°). The rotor82preferably consists of a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades, rotating around said axis X, which act on the air.

A suction chamber68is preferably created at the suction side72A between the fan72and the evaporator38, as shown inFIG.14.

The air expelled by the fan72is then conveyed into the compartments10,12, as better described later.

According to an aspect of the invention, the rotation axis X of the rotor82is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V.

The vertical direction V and the rotation axis X of the rotor82form an angle W1therebetween preferably greater than 90° and lower than 180°, more preferably an angle greater than 92° and lower than and 115°, even more preferably an angle equal to 105°, as illustrated inFIG.14A.

Advantageously, by providing such an inclination for the rotor82, and hence for the fan72, an adequate space/room is created for the suction chamber68. Said space allows to optimize the air stream from the evaporator38to the fan72and to improve fluid dynamics to achieve higher performance so that turbulence and/or noise caused by air flow may be reduced.

Still advantageously, the rotor82having such an inclination reduces encumbrance of the rotor82and the fan72in the area where they are mounted.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator1preferably comprises a first ventilation assembly50aapt to channel the cooled air forced by the fan72inside the first compartment10, preferably the freezer compartment10, and a second ventilation assembly50bapt to channel the cooled air forced by the fan72inside the second compartment12, preferably the fresh food compartment12.

The first ventilation assembly50aand the fan72are preferably associated to the freezer compartment10, more preferably arranged inside the freezer compartment10, as better illustrated inFIG.14.

The second ventilation assembly50bis preferably associated to the fresh food compartment12, more preferably is arranged inside the fresh food compartment12, as better illustrated inFIG.4.

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 assembly50ais preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator38and to expel it into the freezer compartment10through lower air outlet openings102a(some of them visible inFIG.2) opportunely distributed inside the freezer compartment10. Air from the freezer compartment10flows back to the evaporator38, preferably back to the air chamber40receiving the evaporator38, through an air inlet57preferably defined between an air conveyor56applied at the lower part of the freezer compartment10and the rear wall24, as indicated inFIG.3.

The second ventilation assembly50bis preferably configured to draw air from the evaporator38and to expel it into the fresh food compartment12through a plurality of upper outlet openings102b. The upper outlet openings102bare preferably arranged along a first row of vertical upper outlet openings102b(on the left side of the fresh food compartment12in the frontal view ofFIG.2).

Air from the fresh food compartment12is preferably conveyed to the freezer compartment10and from there the air flows back to the evaporator38through the air inlet57as explained above.

A plurality of upper inlet openings102care preferably arranged along a second row of vertical upper inlet openings102c(on the right side of the fresh food compartment12in the frontal view ofFIG.2) for the conveyance of the air from the fresh food compartment12to the freezer compartment10and/or back to the evaporator38.

Therefore, preferably, the upper outlet openings102band the upper inlet openings102care arranged, respectively, at one lateral side (left side) of the second ventilation assembly50band at a second lateral side (right side) of the second ventilation assembly50b. More preferably, therefore, the upper outlet openings102band the upper inlet openings102care arranged at opposite sides of the second ventilation assembly50b.

The air flow generated by the fan72is preferably channelled towards the freezer compartment10by providing air ducts, not shown, in the first ventilation assembly50aand extending downwardly from the fan72with the function of channelling the cooled air expelled by the fan72towards the air openings102a.

Analogously, the air flow generated by the fan72is preferably channelled towards the fresh food compartment12by providing a first air duct100ain the second ventilation assembly50bwith the function of channelling the cooled air expelled by the fan72towards the upper outlet openings102b.

The first ventilation assembly50apreferably comprises a first layer70of expanded polystyrene, the fan72, a second layer74of expanded polystyrene and a cover plate76, as illustrated inFIG.14.

The first layer70, the fan72, the second layer74and the cover plate76are 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 component70,72,74,76is at least partially stacked/in contact to the laterally adjacent component.

Preferably, expanded polystyrene used for the layers70,74, i.e. EPS, is a lightweight, rigid plastic foam insulation material made of solid polystyrene particles.

The use of EPS enhances thermal isolation of the first ventilation assembly50a, being EPS a high-quality thermal insulator material.

In addition, the use of EPS enhances acoustic isolation of the first ventilation assembly50a, in particular of noise caused by rotation of the fan72and of the air expelled from it.

Furthermore, using of EPS simplifies the first ventilation assembly50aconstruction 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 fan72, as described above, preferably comprises a rotor82with a rotation axis X.

Preferably, as illustrated inFIG.14, a fan mouth122is arranged at the suction side72A of the fan72that enhances conveyance of the air from the evaporator38to the rotor82. The fan mouth122preferably faces the evaporator38and is preferably placed between the first layer70and the fan72.

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

The suction chamber68is then preferably created between the fan mouth122, and the evaporator38, as shown inFIG.14. The fan72draws air from the evaporator38through the suction chamber68and expels it towards the freezer compartment10and the fresh food compartment12, as better described later.

The first air duct100aof the second ventilation assembly50bis preferably realized in a first layer170that extends upwardly from the fan72up to the upper outlet openings102b(as visible for example inFIGS.8and9).

The first layer170is preferably made of expanded polystyrene. The first layer170preferably comprises a first lateral side177a, or front side177a, and a second lateral side177b, or rear side177b, opposite to the first lateral side177a.

More preferably, the first air duct100ais realized at the rear side177bof the first layer170and communicates with the first row of vertical upper outlet openings102b.

Preferably, a second air duct100bis realized in the first layer170and communicates with the second row of vertical upper inlet openings102c(as visible inFIGS.8and9). The second air duct100bis preferably configured to convey/withdraw air from the fresh food compartment12towards the freezer compartment10and/or to the evaporator38(details of the air path from the second air duct100band the freezer compartment10and/or to the evaporator38are 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 layer170is preferably sandwiched between a frontal covering plate174and a rear covering plate176.

The frontal covering plate174faces the internal volume of the fresh food compartment12and it is preferably contemplated that is made from plastic to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a user.

The rear covering plate176preferably faces the rear wall26of the fresh food compartment12and preferably rests on the rear wall26.

The two air ducts100a,100bof the first layer170, as illustrated inFIG.8, are opened in the rear direction, i.e. in the direction of the rear covering plate176.

Advantageously, the rear covering plate176opportunely close the two air ducts100a,100ballowing the air conveyance inside said closed air ducts100a,100b.

Alternatively, the first layer170can be sandwiched between the frontal covering plate174and the rear wall26, so that the rear wall26closes/delimits the air ducts100a,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 refrigerator1preferably comprises an interconnection duct110configured to connect the first ventilation assembly50ato the second ventilation assembly50b, as better illustrated inFIGS.10to12.

The interconnection duct110is preferably arranged downstream of the fan72to convey the cooled air forced by the fan72towards the second ventilation assembly50b.

According to an aspect of the invention, the interconnection duct110extends along a main axis Y which is inclined with respect to the rotation axis X of the rotor82of an angle W comprised between 70° and 110°, preferably an angle comprised between 85° and 100°, more preferably an angle equal to 95°.

Preferably, the interconnection duct110extends between a first end120, or proximal end120, and a second end140, or distal end140. The main axis Y is preferably defined as the axis Y passing through the barycentre B1of a cross sectional area S1at said proximal120and the barycentre B2of a cross sectional area S2at said distal end140.

According to an aspect of the invention, the interconnection duct110is an interconnection rectilinear duct110.

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.

With reference toFIGS.11and12, it can be appreciated therefore that the interconnection duct110is an interconnection rectilinear duct110since there are defined side walls112a,112b114a,114ballowing 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 duct110.

Preferably the side walls112a,112b114a,114bare rectilinear, or substantially rectilinear, side surfaces.

More preferably the rectilinear side walls112a,112b114a,114bextends parallelly, or substantially parallelly, to the flow direction F. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rectilinear side walls112a,112b114a,114bare slightly inclined with respect to the flow direction F.

With rectilinear duct it can also be intended that the lateral walls112a,112b114a,114bof the interconnection duct110from the cross section S1provided on the proximal end120to the distal end140extends along a rectilinear direction.

The interconnection duct110is 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 duct110is substantially preferably defined by two adjacent duct portions110a,110b, preferably a lower duct portion110aand an upper duct portion110b.

Preferably, the lower duct portion110aof the interconnection duct110is defined by a duct portion110adefined in the partition element5and the upper duct portion110bof the interconnection duct110is defined by an inlet duct portion110bof the second ventilation assembly50b.

The inlet duct portion110bof the second ventilation assembly50bis preferably arranged upstream of the upper outlet openings102b. The inlet duct portion110bsubstantially corresponds to the first part of the first air duct100aof the second ventilation assembly50band is therefore preferably realized in the first layer170of the second ventilation assembly50b.

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 refrigerator1, i.e. saying that the inlet duct portion is arranged upstream of the upper outlet openings102bmeans that in the standard functioning of the refrigerator1the air firstly passes through the inlet duct portion and then flows through the upper outlet openings102b.

Furthermore, a second portion of the first air duct100aarranged downstream of the inlet duct portion110bof the second ventilation assembly50b, indicated with167inFIGS.10to12, preferably widens with respect to inlet duct portion110b. This is obtained through an expansion side wall167which preferably extends from the distal end140of the first air duct110aperpendicularly to the main axis Y.

The wide second portion167of the first air duct100athen preferably comprises an upper inclined side wall168, as shown inFIG.10. The inclined side wall168advantageously smoothly deflects the air flow from the inside of the second portion167to the remaining part of the first air duct110aand then up to the upper outlet openings102b.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, by providing such an interconnection duct110with said inclination with respect to the rotation axis X of the rotor82the air coming from the rotor82is smoothly conveyed towards the first air duct100aand, from there, to the upper outlet openings102band finally inside the fresh food compartment12. Air flow is therefore advantageously distributed with low turbulence along the interconnection duct110and the first air duct100a, thus optimizing the cooling air flowing from the rotor82to the fresh food compartment12. Still advantageously, noise during operation is keep low due to low turbulence of the air flowing into the ducts110,100a.

According to another advantageous aspect, said arrangement of the interconnection duct110and the rotor82with said particular inclination allows to optimize the size of ducts110,100afor the air expelled by the fan72towards the compartments10,12.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper outlet openings102bof the second ventilation assembly50bare arranged vertically one above the other, as better visible inFIGS.8and9.

Preferably, the size of an outlet opening102bis higher than the size of an outlet opening102barranged below. As can be appreciated in the Figures, more preferably, the size of all the outlet openings102bdecreases going from the uppermost outlet opening102bto the lowermost outlet opening102b.

Advantageously, the cooled air from the first air duct100ais expelled inside the fresh food compartment12through the outlet openings102bat decreasing flow rates going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment12. 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 compartment12since cooled air and warm air mix homogenously.

Therefore, the temperature inside fresh food compartment12is more uniformly maintained going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment12. In other words, different temperatures, or air stratification, inside the fresh food compartment12are prevented/avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper inlet openings102cof the second ventilation assembly50bare arranged vertically one above the other, as better visible inFIGS.8and9.

Preferably, the size of each inlet opening102cis opportunely dimensioned so that the flow rate of the air leaving the fresh food compartment12end entering the second air duct100bthrough the inlet openings102cis the same, or substantially the same, for each inlet opening102c.

Advantageously, the air leaves the fresh food compartment12through the inlet openings102cin an equally distributed manner going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment12.

Therefore, again, the temperature inside fresh food compartment12is more uniformly maintained going from the upper to the lower part of the fresh food compartment12. In other words, different temperatures, or air stratification, inside the fresh food compartment12are prevented/avoided.

Preferably, inside the second air duct100band in correspondence of one or more lowermost inlet openings102c, in the preferred embodiment illustrated herein the two lowermost inlet openings102c, a septum element105facing the inlet openings102cis arranged. The septum105partially obstructs the air passing through the respective inlet openings102c.

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 septum105in 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 compartment12going from the upper to the lower part of the same compartment12.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the Figures and here described, the first ventilation assembly50aand the second ventilation assembly50bare preferably realized as two separated assemblies which are assembled, or pre-assembled, separately and mounted inside the respective compartment10,12.

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 inFIG.14, the evaporator38shows a first lateral surface38A extending longitudinally along a first axis X1and a second lateral surface38B facing said first lateral surface38A.

Preferably, the first lateral surface38A and the second lateral surface38B are parallel one to the other.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evaporator38further comprises an upper surface38C and a lower surface38D defined between the lateral surfaces38A,38B.

Lateral surfaces38A,38B with upper and lower surfaces38C,38D are preferably arranged to define a parallelepiped.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evaporator38is a finned tube evaporator comprising a tube39A having multiple sections one above the other and a plurality of stacked fins39B (also known as “evaporator battery”).

Such evaporator38typically comprises a continuous bent tube39A having straight portions connected by U-bend sections, along which straight portions fins39B are transversally mounted. The fins39B are provided with holes, or apertures, having proper shape and size to allow to be assembled transversally along the continuous bent tube39A. Air advantageously flows through gaps formed between stacked fins39B and hits the tube39A.

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 peripheral edges to define a small border.

According to the present invention, the fan72and the air channel40are configured so that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel40to affect the evaporator38.

By saying that the air stream vertically flows inside the air channel40it is meant that the air stream flows from the bottom to the upper side of the channel40, 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 evaporator38passes through the same, particularly through the clearances provided between the stacked fins, preferably the air stream vertically flows vertically inside the evaporator38in a direction from the lower surface38D to the upper surface38C and is thus subjected to the cooling effect of the evaporator38.

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 channel40in a direction from the lower surface38D to the upper surface38C of the evaporator38, 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 channel40preferably comprises a first lateral surface24and the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38is preferably supported by the first lateral surface24of the air channel40and 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 evaporator38is positioned inside the air channel40so that said first axis X1of the first lateral surface38A is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V.

In other words, the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V so that the lower part of the first lateral surface38A is closer to the internal volume of the compartment10than the upper part of the first lateral surface38A.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the first axis X1of the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38is inclined with respect to the vertical direction V of an angle W2equal to 3°, as shown inFIG.14B. More generally, the first axis X1of the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38is preferably inclined with respect to the vertical direction V of an angle W2comprised between 1° and 10°, more preferably comprised between 2° and 5°.

Preferably, the first lateral surface24is also inclined with respect to the vertical direction V. More preferably, the first lateral surface24has the same inclination of the evaporator38.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, by providing such an inclination for said first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38, and hence such an inclination for the evaporator38, an adequate space/room is created at the upper zone of the evaporator38. Said space is advantageously available and utilized for mounting or arranging one or more operating components, for example the fan72.

Said space further allows to optimize the air stream from the evaporator38to the fan72, in particular the air stream leaving the upper surface38C of the evaporator38reaching the fan72, and/or allows to optimize the realization of ducts for the air expelled by the fan72towards the compartments10,12.

Still advantageously, more space may be created between the evaporator38and the fan72, in particular between the upper surface38C of the evaporator38and the fan72, 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 surface38A of the evaporator38, and hence such an inclination for the evaporator38, the condensed water generated during operation drops to the closed first lateral surface24.

The condensed water generated inside the evaporator38preferably flows throughout its thickness and exits the first lateral surface38A reaching the first lateral surface24. The condensed water therefore runs across the evaporator38for a short path corresponding at most with its thickness. Advantageously, water does not freeze before reaching the first lateral surface24and may reach the water collecting zone44and the collecting tray55by slipping over the first lateral surface24. Advantageously, negative frosting effect at the evaporator38is reduced and defrosting cycles may also be reduced. The operating efficiency of the refrigerator1is 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 evaporator38with an angle within the ranges above mentioned, i.e. preferably a range of 1°-10° and more preferably a range of 2°-5°, the condensed water generated during operation does not freeze before reaching the first lateral surface24and may reach the water collecting zone44and the collecting tray55but, at the same time, due to its inclination the evaporator38does not strongly affect the encumbrance of the refrigeration system30.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the evaporator38and the fan72are opportunely arranged so that the first axis X1of the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38and the rotation axis X of the rotor82form an angle W3therebetween.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the first axis X1and the rotation axis X of the rotor82form an angle W3therebetween equal to 102°. More generally, the first axis X1of the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38and the rotation axis X of the rotor82form an angle W3therebetween comprised between 70° and 110°, more preferably comprised between 90° and 105°.

Applicant has recognized that by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38and the rotor82, it is possible to further optimize the air stream from the evaporator38to the fan72, in particular the air stream leaving the upper surface38C of the evaporator38and reaching the fan72.

Furthermore, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38and the rotor82, 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 surface38C of the evaporator38and reaching the fan72.

Still advantageously, by providing said mutual inclination between the first lateral surface38A of the evaporator38and the rotor82, 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 evaporator38is preferably mounted inside the freezer compartment10.

More preferably, the evaporator38is mounted to the rear wall24of the freezer compartment10towards the interior volume of the freezer compartment10.

According to this preferred embodiment, the rear wall24of the freezer compartment10therefore preferably corresponds to the first lateral surface24of the air channel40. The air channel40is eventually defined inside the compartment10, preferably at said rear wall24. From the above it follows, therefore, that the condensed water generated during operation advantageously drops to the rear wall24and reaches the water collecting zone44and the collecting tray55by slipping over the rear wall24.

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.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.