Appliance machine compartment airflow system

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided herein that includes a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment. A compressor is disposed within the machine compartment and adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line. A heat exchanger is positioned in communication with the compressor and is adapted to reject heat from a refrigerant into the machine compartment. A fan is disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and through the heat exchanger. A funnel is disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan and directs air toward the fan. A tunnel is disposed between the fan and the compressor and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment;   a compressor disposed within the machine compartment and adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line;   a heat exchanger positioned in communication with the compressor and adapted to reject heat from a refrigerant into the machine compartment;   a fan disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor, the fan adapted to draw air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and through the heat exchanger;   a funnel disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan and directs air toward the fan; and   a tunnel disposed between the fan and the compressor and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is positioned at an angle with respect to a front wall of the machine compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured as a micro-channel condenser. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is disposed within a portion of the funnel. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the tunnel is removably attached to an exterior surface of the funnel through an attachment feature. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the tunnel is offset from an airflow path that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the fan to redirect air from the fan toward the compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein an exit portion of the tunnel has a height that is greater than the height of the compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein tunnel directs air towards a control unit that is disposed within the machine compartment. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet defining a machine compartment;   a heat exchanger and a compressor each disposed within the machine compartment;   a fan positioned between the heat exchanger and compressor, the fan adapted to draw air through the heat exchanger;   a funnel having a first end portion disposed proximate an interior side of the heat exchanger and a second end portion encompassing the fan; and   a tunnel operably coupled with the fan and configured to direct the air toward the compressor from an exit portion thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a tray disposed below the heat exchanger and the tunnel.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a cover partially concealing the machine compartment and having air inlets and air outlets, the air inlets configured to guide outside air into the machine compartment on a first side of the cover and the air outlets configured to guide air outwardly from the machine compartment on a second side of the cover.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the air inlets include a first set of guiding features that are angled in an opposing direction to a second set of guiding features that are operably coupled with the air outlets. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the tunnel includes a baffle proximate the exit portion thereof to direct air toward the compressor. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator  claim 9 , wherein the tunnel has a varied thickness therealong and a height that is greater than a height of the compressor at the exit portion. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a control unit disposed within the machine compartment and configured to receive unimpeded air from the exit portion of the tunnel.   
     
     
         16 . The machine compartment of  claim 9 , wherein the funnel includes a protrusion and the tunnel defines a void that is disposed around the protrusion for attaching the tunnel to the funnel. 
     
     
         17 . A machine compartment comprising:
 a compressor and a condenser;   a fan positioned within the machine compartment between the condenser and compressor and adapted to draw air through the condenser, wherein the fan has an airflow path that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the fan, the airflow path offset from the compressor; and   a tunnel coupled to the fan and configured to redirect the air toward the compressor.   
     
     
         18 . The machine compartment of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a funnel configured to direct air from the condenser into the fan, wherein the tunnel is removably attached to an exterior surface of the funnel.   
     
     
         19 . The machine compartment of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a cover partially concealing the machine compartment and having air inlets and air outlets, the air inlets configured to guide air outside of a refrigeration cabinet through the condenser on a first side of the cover and the air outlets configured to guide air outwardly from the cabinet on a second side of the cover.   
     
     
         20 . The machine compartment of  claim 19 , wherein the air inlets include a first set of guiding features that are angled in an opposing direction to a second set of guiding features that are operably coupled with the air outlets.