Cooling device

• US 6,675,590 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grunfos A/S
• Original Assignee: Grunfos A/S
• Inventors: Aarestrup, Jan Caroe
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US09/747,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 621/25, 621/26, 621/27, 621/29, 621/30, 622/592, 622/284, 625/13, 236/51, 236/DIG.12, 236/DIG.19, 236/94
• US Class Current: 62/126
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A refrigerator or freezer includes a compressor with an electrical drive motor. The drive motor is activated by a rotational speed controller. The compressor is connected to a cooling medium circuit which contains a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion means arranged therebetween. The cooling device comprises a cooling space closable with a door as well as a temperature control for the cooling space. The rotational speed controller and the temperature control are grouped together to a constructional unit.

Claims

1. A cooling device, comprising:

a cooling space wall and a door defining a cooling space;

a compressor having an electrical drive motor;

a rotational speed controller operatively connected for controlling said electrical drive motor;

a cooling medium circuit having a condensor, an evaporator and an expansion device arranged between said condenser and said evaporator;

a temperature control for controlling a temperature of said cooling space; and

a constructional unit in which both said rotational speed controller and said temperature control are arranged.

2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit is spatially separated from said compressor.

3. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit further comprises a sensor for acquiring a reference variable for said temperature control.

4. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit is arranged on said cooling space wall.

5. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising a heat conducting connection between said constructional unit and said cooling space wall, wherein at least part of the waste heat generated by said rotational speed controller is dissipated into said cooling space via said heat conducting connection.

6. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said rotational speed controller comprises an electronic frequency converter.

7. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said rotational speed controller comprises one of a pulse cascade control and a phase control.

8. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit comprises further electrical/electronic components including one of a temperature display and an operating condition display.

9. The cooling device of claim 3, wherein said sensor comprises a temperature sensor which projects through a recess in said cooling space wall and into said cooling space.

10. The cooling device of claim 9, wherein said temperature sensor is connected to said cooling space wall via a heat-conducting connection.

11. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising cooling space lighting, wherein said construction unit further comprises a switch for said cooling space lighting.

12. The cooling device of claim 11, wherein said cooling space lighting is arranged on said constructional unit.

13. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit further comprises a fan for circulating air located in said cooling space.

14. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit further comprises a wireless data communication device for allowing remote setting of the temperature of said cooling space.

15. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit further comprises a control for defrosting said evaporator.

16. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit is assembled inside said cooling space.

17. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the constructional unit is assembled on said door.

18. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said constructional unit is assembled near an outer side of said cooling device such that waste heat generated by electronics is dissipated into the surrounding air.

19. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the constructional unit contains several rotational speed controllers and controls.