Air duct for a refrigerator

Abstract

An air duct is provided for a refrigerator having an enclosure and a refrigeration system with a fan for generating a cooling airflow. The air duct includes an air inlet fluidly couplable to and arranged for receiving the cooling airflow from the refrigeration system. An air outlet is downstream of the air inlet, and arranged to direct the cooling airflow from the refrigeration system into the enclosure in a first direction. A diverter is located between the air inlet and the air outlet and configured to divert a portion of the cooling airflow into the enclosure in a second direction different to the first direction.

1 . An air duct for a refrigerator having an enclosure and a refrigeration system with a fan for generating a cooling airflow, the air duct comprising:
 an air inlet fluidly couplable to and arranged for receiving the cooling airflow from the refrigeration system;   an air outlet downstream of the air inlet, arranged to direct the cooling airflow from the refrigeration system into the enclosure in a first direction; and   a diverter located between the air inlet and the air outlet configured to divert a portion of the cooling airflow into the enclosure in a second direction different to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is parallel to an upper surface of the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the air duct and the upper surface of the enclosure define a channel. 
     
     
         4 . An air duct according to  claim 1  wherein the second direction is parallel to an upper surface of the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is sideways relative to the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is downwards relative to the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the diverter comprises a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         8 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the diverter comprises a louvre vent. 
     
     
         9 . An air duct according to  claim 8 , wherein the louvre vent comprises a plurality of blades. 
     
     
         10 . An air duct according to  claim 9 , wherein at least two of the blades point in different directions. 
     
     
         11 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is towards a door of the refrigerator or towards a back surface of the enclosure opposite to the door. 
     
     
         12 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , further comprising a duct body between the air inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         13 . An air duct according to  claim 12 , wherein the duct body comprises an inlet body portion adjacent the air inlet. 
     
     
         14 . An air duct according to  claim 12 , wherein the duct comprises an outlet body portion adjacent the air outlet. 
     
     
         15 . An air duct according to  claim 12 , wherein the duct body comprises an inlet body portion adjacent the air inlet and an outlet body portion adjacent the air outlet. 
     
     
         16 . An air duct according to  claim 15 , wherein the inlet body portion and the outlet body portion are adjoined by a folded portion. 
     
     
         17 . An air duct according to  claim 16 , wherein an obtuse angle is formed between the inlet body portion and the outlet body portion. 
     
     
         18 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the duct body is planar. 
     
     
         19 . An air duct according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fan mounting plate adjacent the air inlet, comprising at least one opening configured for receiving a fan. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 an air duct according to any  claim 1 ;   an enclosure; and   a refrigeration system having a fan for generating a cooling airflow, wherein the refrigeration system is fluidly coupled to and arranged to supply the cooling airflow to the air inlet of the air duct.   
     
     
         21 . A refrigerator according to  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an upper surface, a back surface and at least one door opposite the back surface. 
     
     
         22 . A refrigerator according to  claim 21 , wherein the air duct is arranged on the upper surface of the enclosure, the refrigerator system is arranged on the first side of the enclosure, and the air outlet is directed towards the second side of the enclosure. 
     
     
         23 . A refrigerator according to  claim 22 , wherein the diverter of the air duct diverts a portion of the cooling airflow towards the door. 
     
     
         24 . A refrigerator according to  claim 23 , wherein the door is proximal to the first side. 
     
     
         25 . A refrigerator according to  claim 22 , wherein the diverter of the air duct diverts a portion of the cooling airflow into the enclosure towards the back surface of the enclosure.