Multi-compartment refrigerating apparatus for storing fresh food at different temperatures

Abstract

A refrigerating apparatus ( 100 ), particularly for home use, is proposed. The refrigerating apparatus comprises a first fresh-food sub-compartment ( 120 ) for storing fresh foods at a first range of temperatures, at least a second fresh-food sub-compartment ( 125 ) for storing fresh foods at a second range of temperatures lower than the first range of temperatures, a panel ( 130 ) separating the first and second fresh-food sub-compartments, an evaporator ( 145 ) for commonly refrigerating both the first and second fresh-food sub-compartments—the evaporator is mounted at the rear of the refrigerating apparatus and separated from the fresh-food sub-compartments by a rear panel ( 160 )—, a main fan ( 135 ), provided in a rear wall ( 140 ) and passing through the rear panel, for sucking air from the first fresh-food sub-compartment and to blow the same in an interspace ( 165 ) and through the evaporator to be cooled down; said air returns into the first fresh-food sub-compartment and reaches the second fresh-food sub-compartment through apertures ( 170, 175 ) formed by the rear panel. The refrigerating apparatus further comprises a secondary fan ( 155 ) adapted to suck air from the first fresh-food sub-compartment and to blow it into the second fresh-food sub-compartment in order to raise the temperature thereof.

1 . A refrigerating apparatus ( 100 ), particularly for home use, comprising a first fresh-food sub-compartment ( 120 ) for storing fresh foods at a first range of temperatures, at least a second fresh-food sub-compartment ( 125 ) for storing fresh foods at a second range of temperatures lower than the first range of temperatures, a separation panel ( 130 ) separating the first and second fresh-food sub-compartments, a rear panel ( 160 ) parallel to a rear wall ( 140 ) of the refrigerating apparatus and defining with the rear wall an interspace ( 165 ), an evaporator ( 145 ) positioned in the interspace for refrigerating both the first and second fresh-food sub-compartments, and a main fan ( 135 ) for sucking air from the first fresh-food sub-compartment and blowing it into the interspace so that it can flow through the evaporator, wherein the rear panel has apertures ( 170 , 175 ) allowing the air blown into the interspace to flow partly back into the first fresh-food sub-compartment and partly into the second fresh-food sub-compartment,
 characterized in that,   the refrigerating apparatus further comprises a secondary fan ( 155 ) for sucking air from the first fresh-food sub-compartment and blowing it into the second fresh-food sub-compartment in order to raise the temperature thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the separation panel has a substantially step-like shape, comprising a first horizontal portion ( 130   a ), a second horizontal portion ( 130   b ) at a higher level compared to the first horizontal portion ( 130   a ), and an upright portion ( 130   c ) joining the first and second horizontal portions, the secondary fan being mounted on the separation panel in correspondence of the upright portion thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the separation panel comprises or is made of a thermal insulating material for thermally insulating the first fresh-food sub-compartment from the second fresh-food sub-compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel has lateral apertures ( 170 ) into the first and second fresh-food sub-compartment and a bottom aperture ( 175 ) into the second fresh-food sub-compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the panel is formed so as to leave at least a frontal gap ( 177 ) and/or a rear gap ( 179 ) between the separation panel and a refrigerating compartment door ( 178 ), and between the separation panel and the rear panel, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit ( 180 ) for activating the main fan on a regular basis, with a first frequency depending on a prescribed maximum temperature selectable by a user. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first temperature sensor ( 185 ) for detecting a temperature in the first fresh-food sub-compartment, a control unit being configured for activating the main fan upon the detection, by the first temperature sensor, of a temperature higher than a prescribed maximum temperature, selectable by a user. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a second temperature sensor ( 190 ) for detecting a temperature in the second fresh-food sub-compartment, the control unit being configured for activating the secondary fan upon the detection, by the second temperature sensor, of a temperature lower than a minimum temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 7 , in which the control unit is configured for activating the secondary fan on a regular basis, with a second frequency depending on the minimum temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 7  in which the control unit is configured for activating the secondary fan when a difference, sensed by the first temperature sensor between the prescribed maximum temperature and a predetermined temperature difference is equal to, or lower than the minimum temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary fan is so oriented that the air blown by the secondary fan at least partly stops the air blown by the main fan and out-coming from the apertures of the rear panel into the second fresh-food compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the prescribed maximum temperature in the first fresh-food sub-compartment ranges from +3° C. to +7° C. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerating apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the minimum temperature in the second fresh-food sub-compartment ranges from 0° C. to +3° C. 
     
     
         14 . A method of storing fresh foods, comprising the steps of:
 providing a refrigerator compartment, comprising a first and a second fresh-food sub-compartments;   providing a panel for separating the first and the second fresh-food sub-compartments;   providing an evaporator;   providing a rear panel for separating the evaporator from the first and the second fresh-food sub-compartments;   providing apertures in the rear panel for allowing fluid communication between the evaporator and the first and the second fresh-food sub-compartments;   providing a main fan communicating with the evaporator and the first fresh-food sub-compartment;   providing a secondary fan communicating with the first fresh-food sub-compartment and the second fresh-food sub-compartments;   activating the main fan for keeping the temperature of the first fresh-food sub-compartment beneath a maximum temperature; and   activating the secondary fan for keeping the temperature of the second fresh-food sub-compartment above a minimum temperature.