Refrigerator with Contactlessly Powered Movable Member

• US 20080315735A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Fabbro, Edi, Arrigoni, Giancarlo, Muzzolini, Dario
• Granted Patent: US 8,657,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.6
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/00 General constructional features F25D21/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/40 Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/00 Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/00 Lighting arrangements in general F21
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) having one or more movable member (6) which are contactlessly powered for activating a power consuming device (14). The refrigerator (1) according to the invention comprises a cabinet 92) provided with a primary electrical circuit (7) connected to a main alternate voltage power supply and comprises a movable member (6) associable to said cabinet (2) provided with a secondary electrical circuit (11). The refrigerator (1) is characterized in that said secondary circuit (11) is powered contactlessly by said primary circuit (7) and supplies electrical energy to a power consuming device (14).

Claims

1. A refrigerator (1) comprising a cabinet (2) provided with a primary electrical circuit (7) connected to main alternate voltage power supply (8) and comprising a movable member (60 associable to said cabinet 92) provided with a secondary electrical circuit (11) characterized in that said secondary circuit (11) is powered contactlessly by said primary circuit (7) and supplies electrical energy to a power consuming device (14).

2. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the primary circuit (7) comprises a first inductor (99′

) which is placed between an outer wall (3) defining a portion of the cabinet (2) and an inner wall (4) defining a surface of a compartment (5).

3. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 2 wherein the first inductor (9) comprises a first electric coil (10) wrapped around a first ferromagnetic element.

4. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 2 wherein the main power supply (8) comprises an oscillating circuit (15) able to provide the first inductor (9, 9′

) with an alternate voltage at a pre-set frequency.

5. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 2 wherein said first inductor (9′

) extends vertically within said compartment (5).

6. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 5 wherein the first inductor (9′

) is formed by an elongated-loop winding made of conductive material.

7. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 2 wherein the secondary circuit (11) comprises a second inductor (12, 12′

) associated to the movable member (6).

8. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 7 wherein the second inductor (12, 12′

) comprises an electrical coil (13) wrapped around a second ferromagnetic element.

9. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 7 wherein the second inductor (12′

) has three spaced apart arms (21) protruding from a transversal bar (23).

10. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 7 wherein said first and second inductors (9, 12, 9′

, 12′

) are facing each other.

11. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 9 wherein said arms (21) define two slots (22) adapted to receive a portion of said first inductor (9′

).

12. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the movable member (6) is a food supporting device.

13. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the movable member (6) is a door (16) enclosing a compartment (5).

14. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the power consuming device (14) is a motor means.

15. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the power consuming device (14) is a light emitting unit (18).

16. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the power consuming device (14) is a fan.

17. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the power consuming device (14) is removably associated to the movable member (6).

18. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 1 wherein the power consuming device (14) is incorporated in the movable member (6).