Pressure Equalizing Device for Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator comprises an enclosure that is cooled below a predetermined temperature, a refrigeration circuit that keeps the temperature of the enclosure below the predetermined temperature, a door that provides access into the enclosure and a pressure equalizing device that equalizes the pressure inside the enclosure with the pressure outside the enclosure. The pressure equalizing device comprises a communication path that fluid-communicates the inside of the enclosure with the outside of the enclosure, and a valve device that opens or closes the communication path. The valve device opens the communication path when the air pressure outside the enclosure is greater than the air pressure inside the enclosure by a predetermined value. The valve device comprises a pivoting plate that is pivoted around a horizontal axis, and an opening that is open to air outside the enclosure. The pivoting plate covers the opening.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a) an enclosure that is cooled below a predetermined temperature;   b) a refrigeration circuit that keeps the temperature of the enclosure below the predetermined temperature;   c) a door that provides access into the enclosure; and   d) a pressure equalizing device that equalizes the pressure inside the enclosure with the pressure outside the enclosure;   wherein the pressure equalizing device comprises a communication path that fluid-communicates the inside of the enclosure with the outside of the enclosure, and a valve device that opens or closes the communication path, wherein the valve device opens the communication path when the air pressure outside the enclosure is greater than the air pressure inside the enclosure by a predetermined value, wherein the valve device closes the communication path when the air pressure outside the enclosure is not greater than the air pressure inside the enclosure by the predetermined value.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the valve device comprises a pivoting plate that is pivoted around a horizontal axis, and an opening that is open to air outside the enclosure, wherein the pivoting plate covers the opening when the air pressure outside the enclosure is not greater than the air pressure inside the enclosure by the predetermined value. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the valve device further comprises a slanted plate on which the pivoting plate abuts, wherein the opening is provided on the slanted plate. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the valve device further comprises a housing that receives the slanted plate and the pivoting plate, wherein the housing is attached on the enclosure, wherein the housing comprises one or more vent holes that communicate the opening with the outside air. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises an access opening, wherein the valve device further comprises a cap that closes the access opening. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises a hollow cylindrical body, wherein the access opening is provided at one end of the cylindrical body, wherein the access opening comprises a male thread that engages with a female thread that is provided on the cap. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , wherein the communication path is connected to the slanted plate. 
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein the pivoting plate comprises a slot, wherein the slanted plate comprises a hook that in inserted into the slot. 
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the communication path is connected to the slanted plate. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the pivoting plate comprises a slot, wherein the slanted plate comprises a hook that in inserted into the slot. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the communication path is connected to the slanted plate. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the pivoting plate comprises a slot, wherein the slanted plate comprises a hook that is inserted into the slot.