Cold appliance

Abstract

A cold appliance, such as a refrigerator or a freezer, comprising a cabinet ( 101 ) having a cold compartment ( 104 ) and a cooling module ( 102 ). The cooling module comprises an air outlet ( 43 ) delivering cooled air to the cold compartment, an air inlet ( 44 ) receiving air from the cold compartment, an evaporator ( 33 ), and an evaporator fan ( 42 ), which generates an air flow from the air inlet, through the evaporator, and out of the air outlet. The cooling module further comprises a pre-defrost device ( 47 ), which is arranged adjacent to the evaporator, such that the air from the cold compartment is guided by the pre-defrost device before reaching the evaporator such that at least some humidity in the air sticks to the pre-defrost device.

1 . A cold appliance, such as a refrigerator or a freezer, comprising a cabinet ( 101 ) having a cold compartment ( 104 ) and a cooling module ( 102 ), wherein the cooling module comprises an air outlet ( 43 ) delivering cooled air to the cold compartment, an air inlet ( 44 ) receiving air from the cold compartment, an evaporator ( 33 ), and an evaporator fan ( 42 ), which generates an air flow from the air inlet, through the evaporator, and out of the air outlet, characterized in that the cooling module further comprises a pre-defrost device ( 47 ), which is arranged adjacent to the evaporator, such that the air from the cold compartment is guided by the pre-defrost device before reaching the evaporator such that at least some humidity in the air sticks to the pre-defrost device. 
     
     
         2 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-defrost device ( 47 ) is arranged in thermal contact with the evaporator ( 33 ) such that when the evaporator is heated for defrosting the pre-defrost device also is defrosted. 
     
     
         3 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the air from the cold compartment ( 104 ) passes over the pre-defrost device ( 47 ). 
     
     
         4 . A cold appliance according to  claim 3 , wherein the pre-defrost device ( 47 ) is arranged on top of the evaporator ( 33 ) and comprises a plate. 
     
     
         5 . A cold appliance according to  claim 4 , wherein the plate is arranged inclined such that the defrost water flows in a controlled way. 
     
     
         6 . A cold appliance according to  claim 4 , wherein the plate comprises at least one flange, and preferably a plurality of flanges. 
     
     
         7 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the air from the cold compartment ( 104 ) passes through the pre-defrost device ( 47 ). 
     
     
         8 . A cold appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein the pre-defrost device ( 47 ) comprises a porous material through which the air from the cold compartment ( 104 ) passes. 
     
     
         9 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-defrost device ( 47 ) comprises a first end and a second end, the air from the cold compartment ( 104 ) passes the first end before the second end, and the first end is located approximately in the same plane as the main inlet to the evaporator ( 33 ). 
     
     
         10 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-defrost device ( 150 ) comprises a first end ( 153 ) and a second end ( 155 ), the air from the cold compartment ( 104 ) passes the first end before the second end, and the first end is located at a distance from the main inlet to the evaporator ( 33 ). 
     
     
         11 . A cold appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the distance is less than half the length of the evaporator ( 33 ). 
     
     
         12 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1  further comprising a cabinet ( 101 ) comprising cabinet panels including two opposite side wall panels ( 1 ), a rear wall panel ( 4 ), a top part ( 2 ), a bottom part ( 103 ) and a door ( 6 ), some or all of them assembled together to form the cold compartment ( 104 ). 
     
     
         13 . A cold appliance according to  claim 1  wherein the distance between fin plates in the evaporator ( 33 ) is between 2-10 mm, and preferably between 3-5 mm. 
     
     
         14 . A cold appliance according to  claim 3 , wherein the pre-defrost device ( 47 ) is arranged below the evaporator ( 33 ) and comprises a plate.