COOLING DEVICE HAVING A COVER ASSEMBLY, COVER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A COVER ASSEMBLY

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish Patent Application TR 2024/004450, filed Apr. 15, 2024; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooling device including a body, a first compartment which can be accessed by a user while the cooling device is in use, an inner frame including mutually opposite side panels in a manner defining the first compartment and a rear panel which joins orthogonally with the side panels, a second compartment which is separated from the first compartment by the rear panel, a cooling unit provided in the second compartment, a unit cover configured to be assembled onto the rear panel and to enclose and separate the cooling unit from the first compartment, and a partition wall separating the first compartment into two parts, namely a first storage part and a second storage part, when the partition wall is assembled onto a cover front surface of the unit cover which faces the first compartment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

In cooling devices, cooling cycles are utilized for keeping the temperature and humidity of the storage medium under control. In cooling devices like refrigerators, a cooling cycle starts typically in an evaporator. The evaporator is a component in which the cooling fluid that exists in the refrigerator undergoes the evaporation process. There, the cooling fluid evaporates by taking heat from the hot air that comes from the storage area. The cooling fluid that evaporates in the evaporator enters into a compressor unit. The compressor compresses the cooling fluid and increases its pressure and temperature. The compressed cooling fluid is condensed in the condenser unit and is sent to an expansion valve. The expansion valve decreases the pressure of the cooling fluid and provides expansion of the cooling fluid before the cooling fluid returns to the evaporator. That step provides re-evaporation of the cooling fluid and re-start of the cooling cycle that is carried out in the refrigerator. The cycle causes the products stored in the refrigerator to stay fresh.

Cooling units, that enable the cooling cycle, are preferably enclosed in a compartment, that remains between the inner liner and the body, in a separate manner from the storage area that exists in the device. Air flow from the storage area into the evaporator is provided by air channels provided on the inner liner. However, in the known state of the art, since those air channels and the related assembly details are provided on the inner liner which the user can directly reach, sufficient isolation cannot be provided for the cooling units, primarily for the evaporator. Since the isolation deficiency there cannot sufficiently prevent cold air leakages from the storage area, that isolation deficiency decreases the efficiency of the cooling cycle and leads to accumulation of humidity in the storage area. Moreover, since the assembly details remain within the view of the user, they also create visual dirtiness.

In U.S. Publication No. 2020/224963 A1 which is in the known state of the art, a refrigerator is described which has a storage space and an air flow path which includes an air flow path separated from the storage space by the partition wall. The partition wall includes a discharge port and a suction port associated with an evaporator provided in the air flow path. In that embodiment, an external inner cover is provided in such a manner as to make a protrusion on the partition wall for housing the evaporator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a cooling device having a cover assembly, a cover assembly and a method for assembling a cover assembly, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices, assemblies and methods of this general type, in which cooling units, primarily evaporators, are more effectively separated and isolated from a storage area and moreover in which assembly details, related to air transfer between evaporator and storage area, are removed from the field of view of the user and thus in which access to the assembly details is prevented in cooling devices.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a cooling device comprising a body; a first compartment which can be accessed by the user while the cooling device is in use; an inner frame including mutually opposite side panels in a manner defining the first compartment and a rear panel which joins orthogonally with the side panels; a second compartment which is separated from the first compartment by the rear panel; a cooling unit provided in the second compartment; a unit cover configured to be assembled onto the rear panel and to enclose and separate the cooling unit from the first compartment; a partition wall disposed in a manner separating the first compartment into two parts as a first storage part and a second storage part when the partition wall is assembled onto a cover front surface of the unit cover which faces the first compartment, and an outer coating configured to coat a first cover surface of the cover front surface which faces the first storage part while the partition wall is in an assembled state to the unit cover, and to coat a thickness of an assembly surface which is adjacent to the first cover surface hidden by the partition wall.

Through the use of this embodiment, the increase in the isolation of the cooling unit and thus the increase in the efficiency of the cooling cycle are also supported by the outer coating besides the unit cover. However, when the user opens the cover of the subject matter cooling device and looks towards the rear panel from the first storage part, he/she will see only the outer coating. In other words, all air channels and assembly details, which are in the alignment of the first storage part on the unit cover, are hidden by the outer coating. This prevents the access of the user to the air channels and to the assembly details and prevents probable damages and increases device safety. The area, covered by the outer coating on the unit cover, is adapted to the unit cover in a manner providing effectively hiding of the assembly details and saving from the outer coating material. In an application of the invention, the air channels which allow air transfer between the cooling unit and the first compartment are provided on the assembly surface of the unit cover. Thus, the channels remain behind the partition wall, thus, they remain outside of the field of view of the user while the cooling device is in use. In accordance with this application, the outer coating is configured to cover a thickness of the assembly surface which is adjacent to the first cover surface and such that the air channels are exposed. The thickness of the outer coating remains between the unit cover and the partition wall while the cooling device is in use. Thus, visual and functional continuity of the outer coating inside the first storage part is provided. In the preferred application of the invention, the cooling unit includes at least one evaporator. In accordance with another application, the cooling unit includes at least one evaporator and an associated cooling fan. In an application of the invention, the inner frame and the outer coating are made from the same material, preferably from metal material, more preferably from stainless steel material.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, the surface area, which defines the thickness of the assembly surface which is adjacent to the first cover surface, is smaller than the surface area of the assembly surface. While the cooling device is in use, since the assembly surface of the unit cover remains behind the partition wall, the assembly surface is not accessible by the user. Through the use of this application, a specific area of the assembly surface, which is adjacent to the first cover surface and which remains behind the partition wall, is coated with the outer coating, and visual and functional continuity of the outer coating inside the first storage part is guaranteed, and at the same time, saving is provided from the outer coating material.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, while the unit cover is coated with the outer coating, the exposed surface area of the cover front surface is bigger than the surface area which defines the thickness of the assembly surface which is adjacent to the first cover surface. Thus, while visual and functional continuity of the outer coating in the first storage part is guaranteed, at the same time, saving is provided from the outer coating material. In accordance with this application, it is possible that the exposed surface area of the cover front surface is hidden by different storage units, and direct access by the user is not allowed.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, while the unit cover is assembled onto the rear panel, the unit cover includes a horizontal surface configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the first cover surface in a manner facing the first storage part. In accordance with this application, the unit cover is configured to make protrusion towards the first compartment through the rear panel. This application is suitable for use in enclosing cooling units provided in the second compartment but disposed in a manner protruding towards the first compartment through the rear panel. At the same, the horizontal surface facilitates assembly by creating a third dimension which will provide seating of the outer coating onto the unit cover.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, while the unit cover is assembled on the rear panel, the unit cover includes vertical surfaces configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the first cover surface and to the horizontal surface in a manner facing the side panels. Thus, three-dimensionality already created by the horizontal surface is supported, and more surface where the outer coating can be fixed is formed.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, while the outer coating is assembled on the unit cover, the outer coating includes a first panel which is in contact with the first cover surface, and a second panel configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the first panel and which is in contact with the horizontal surface. Thus, the assembly of the outer coating onto the unit cover can be realized such that the second panel shall seat on the horizontal surface. This provides both an easy and robust assembly.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, the outer coating includes retaining flanges configured to extend onto the vertical surfaces from both edges of the second panel which correspond to the vertical surfaces and to provide seating of the outer coating onto the unit cover. Thus, when the outer coating is seated onto the unit cover, the retaining flanges are held onto the vertical surfaces, and the outer coating does not move in directions which are orthogonal to the vertical surfaces.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, each retaining flange is equipped with retaining flaps in a manner grabbing the unit cover through vertical edges which face the second compartment and in a manner preventing movement of the outer coating towards the first compartment. Thus, when the outer coating is seated onto the unit cover, the retaining flaps are held to the vertical edges, and the outer coating does not move in directions which are orthogonal to the cover front surface. Moreover, by using the retaining flaps, the assembly of the outer coating can be realized without needing any external connection element.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, the outer coating includes sliding flanges configured to extend towards the vertical surfaces through both edges of the first panel which correspond to the vertical surfaces and to provide sliding of the outer coating on the unit cover. Through the use of this, while the outer coating is being assembled onto the unit cover, the second panel can be slid until it seats onto the horizontal surface from top to bottom such that the first panel is in contact with the cover front surface. Through the use of this, the assembly process is facilitated, and at the same time, while the outer coating is seated to the unit cover, the sliding flanges are held to the vertical surfaces, and movement of the outer coating in directions orthogonal to the vertical surfaces is more efficiently prevented.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, the outer coating is equipped with at least one connection housing configured to enable fixation of the outer coating onto the unit cover by using a connection element. Through the use of this, the snap assembly of the outer coating to the unit cover is possible. Here, the connection element can be screw or bolt. In a preferred application, two connection housings are provided on the first panel of the outer coating.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, at least one connection housing is configured to correspond to the assembly surface while the outer coating is in assembled state to the unit cover. Through the use of this, while the partition wall is assembled onto the unit cover coated with the outer coating, the connection housings and therefore the connection elements remain between the partition wall and the outer coating. Thus, while the cooling device is in use, the connection details related to assembly of the outer coating to the unit cover also remain outside the field of view of the user. This prevents visual dirtiness and at the same time, this increases the lifetime of the assembly.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, at least one storage unit is provided which is disposed to be placed to the second storage part and to hide a second cover surface of the unit cover which faces the second storage part, while the cooling device is in use. Thus, the storage area is modified in a manner increasing the ergonomics thereof, and at the same time, the cover front surface of the unit cover which is not coated with the outer coating is removed from the field of view of the user while the cooling device is in use. Here, the at least one storage unit can include one or more than one drawer and/or openable-closeable compartment.

In an application of the subject matter cooling device, the unit cover includes air channels configured to be exposed while the outer coating is assembled to the unit cover and thus to allow air exchange between the cooling unit and the first compartment. Through the use of the air channels, passage opening is provided for the assembly of ventilation connections between the first compartment and the cooling unit, namely the evaporator. In the preferred application of the invention, the air channels are provided on the assembly surface of the unit cover. Thus, the openings remain behind the partition wall, and thus outside of the field of view of the user when the cooling device is in use. In accordance with this application, the outer coating is configured in an adjacent manner with the first cover surface of the assembly surface and in a manner covering a thickness where the air channels shall be exposed. The thickness of the outer coating remains between the unit cover and the partition wall while the cooling device is in use. Thus, while air transfer between the first compartment and the second compartment is allowed, at the same time, the visual and functional continuity of the outer coating in the first storage part is provided.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a cover assembly which is suitable for use in a cooling device, the cover assembly including a unit cover configured to enclose by separating a cooling unit, provided in the cooling device, from a first compartment wherein foods are stored, and an outer coating configured to at least partially coat an exposed cover front surface of the unit cover while the unit cover is in use. Through the use of this embodiment, the increase in isolation of the cooling unit and thus the increase in the efficiency of the cooling cycle are supported by the unit cover and also by the outer coating. Besides, while the cooling device is in use, the user will see only the surface of the unit cover which is coated with the outer coating. This prevents access of the user to the assembly details and the air channels existing on the unit cover, and prevents probable damages and increases device safety. The area covered by the outer coating on the unit cover is adapted to the unit cover in a manner providing hiding of the assembly details in an efficient manner and realizing saving from the outer coating material. In the preferred application of the invention, the cooling unit includes at least one evaporator. In accordance with another application, the cooling unit includes at least one evaporator and an associated cooling fan. In an application of the invention, the outer coating is made from metal material, preferably from stainless steel material.

In an application of the subject matter cover assembly, the outer coating is configured to coat a first cover surface provided on the cover front surface and further to coat a thickness of a hidden assembly surface which is adjacent to the first cover surface when a partition wall is assembled onto the unit cover. Accordingly, air channels which allow air transfer between the cooling unit and the first compartment are provided on the assembly surface of the unit cover. Thus, the channels remain behind the partition wall, thus, outside the field of view of the user while the cooling device is in use. In accordance with this application, the outer coating is configured in an adjacent manner with the first cover surface of the assembly surface and in a manner covering a thickness where the air channels shall be exposed. The thickness of the outer coating remains between the partition wall and the unit cover while the cooling device is in use. Thus, visual and functional continuity of the outer coating on the first cover surface is provided.

In an application of the subject matter cover assembly, the outer coating includes a first panel configured to coat the cover front surface of the unit cover, and a second panel configured to coat a horizontal surface configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the cover front surface of the unit cover. In this application, at the same time, the horizontal surface facilitates assembly by creating a third dimension which will provide seating of the outer coating onto the unit cover. Thus, the assembly of the outer coating onto the unit cover can be realized such that the second panel shall seat onto the horizontal surface. This provides both easy and robust assembly.

In an application of the subject matter cover assembly, the outer coating includes retaining flanges configured to extend onto mutual vertical surfaces configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the horizontal surface and to the cover front surface of the unit cover and to provide seating of the outer coating to the unit cover. Thus, when the outer coating is seated onto the unit cover, the retaining flanges are held to the vertical surfaces and the outer coating does not move in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces.

In an application of the subject matter cover assembly, each retaining flange is equipped with retaining flaps configured to grab the unit cover through vertical edges and to prevent separation of the outer coating from the unit cover. Thus, when the outer coating is seated onto the unit cover, the retaining flaps hold onto the vertical edges and the outer coating does not move in directions orthogonal to the cover front surface.

In an application of the subject matter cover assembly, the outer coating includes sliding flanges configured to extend onto the vertical surfaces from both edges of the first panel which correspond to the vertical surfaces and to provide sliding of the outer coating on the unit cover. Through the use of this, while the outer coating is being assembled onto the unit cover, the outer coating can be slid such that the first panel is in contact with the cover front surface and in a manner until the second panel seats onto the horizontal surface from top to bottom. Through the use of this, the assembly process is facilitated, and at the same time, while the outer coating is in seated state on the unit cover, the outer coating is more efficiently prevented from moving in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces by holding of the sliding flanges to the vertical surfaces.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is concomitantly provided a method for the assembly of the subject matter cover assembly, which comprises the steps mentioned below:

• • seating the second panel onto the horizontal surface by sliding the first panel onto the cover front surface; and
  • fixing the outer coating on the unit cover by using at least one connection element associated with at least one connection housing disposed on the first panel in a manner corresponding to the assembly surface while the outer coating is in a seated state on the unit cover.

Through the use of the subject matter cover assembly and through the use of the method related to the assembly thereof, by using at least one (connection housing), preferably four different assembly details (retaining flange, retaining flap, sliding flange, connection housing) of the cover assembly, the cover assembly can be assembled onto the unit cover in an easier and safer manner and with a longer lifetime. Thus, while the cooling device is in use, a connection element like a screw or bolt is guaranteed to not to remain within the field of view of the user. In this case, the at least one connection element can be at least one screw or bolt fixed onto at least one connection housing in a manner remained behind the partition wall while the cooling device is in use.

The different applications of the cooling device and the cover assembly, realized for achieving the object of the present invention, have been shown in the enclosed figures and have been provided for exemplifying the invention.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as configured in a cooling device having a cover assembly, a cover assembly and a method for assembling a cover assembly, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a cooling device in accordance with an application of the invention, in a state including two storage units and a partition wall;

FIG. 2 is a front-elevational view of the cooling device according to in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cooling device in a state in which the unit cover is in an assembled state on the rear panel in accordance with an application of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooling device presented in FIG. 3 in which the outer coating is in an assembled state on the unit cover;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cooling device presented in FIG. 4 in which the partition wall and the storage units are in an assembled state on the unit cover;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view in which the lateral cross-section of the cooling device, presented in FIG. 5, can be observed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a detail (A) shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view of the cooling device in which the outer coating and the partition wall are in an assembled state to the unit cover in accordance with an application of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a front, exploded, perspective view of the unit cover, the outer coating and the cooling unit in accordance with an application of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear, exploded, perspective view of the unit cover, the outer coating and the cooling unit in accordance with the application presented in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front, perspective and enlarged detailed view of the outer coating presented in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a rear, perspective and enlarged detailed view of the outer coating presented in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the unit cover in accordance with an application of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the state in which the cover assembly is being assembled to the unit cover in accordance with an application of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view and zoomed detailed view of the assembled form of the cover assembly presented in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view and zoomed detailed view of the assembled form of the cover assembly presented in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 4 thereof, there is seen a cooling device 100 presented within the scope of the present invention, which includes a body 1 configured to include a first compartment 11 and a second compartment 12. The first compartment 11 is configured to include more than one storage parts such that the user can access while the cooling device 100 is in use. As seen in FIG. 3, the second compartment 12 is separated from the first compartment 11 by a rear panel 22. The rear panel 22 joins with mutual side panels positioned orthogonally to the rear panel 22 and forms an inner frame 2 provided in the body 1. The cooling cycle is carried out in the second compartment 12, and in this direction, at least one cooling unit 3 is provided in the second compartment 12. Again with reference to FIG. 3, a unit cover 4 is provided which is configured to enclose by covering the at least one cooling unit 3 on the rear panel 22. The first compartment 11 is configured to be separated into at least two parts, namely a first storage part 111 and a second storage part 112, by a partition wall 5 assembled onto the unit cover 4 as disclosed in FIG. 5. Here, the cooling unit 3 is an evaporator as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 in its clearest form.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the unit cover 4 provided in the subject matter cooling device 100 is coated partially by an outer coating 6. The area, covered by the outer coating 6 on a cover front surface 40 provided at the side of the unit cover 4 which faces the first compartment 11, is configured to be smaller than the surface area of the cover front surface 40 as seen in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 13, the cover front surface 40 includes a first cover surface 41 which faces the first storage part 111, a second cover surface 42 which faces the second storage part 112, and an assembly surface 43 hidden when the partition wall 5 is in a state in which it is assembled to the unit cover 4. The thickness X of the assembly surface 43 which remains between the first cover surface 41 and the second cover surface 42 is determined by the surface of the partition wall 5 which contacts the unit cover 4. Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 8, while the outer coating 6 is in a state in which it is assembled to the unit cover 4, the outer coating 6 is configured to cover the first cover surface 41 and a thickness X1 of the assembly surface 43 which is adjacent to the first cover surface 41.

Again with reference to FIG. 8, the surface area, which defines the thickness X1 of the assembly surface 43 which is adjacent to the first cover surface 41, is smaller than the surface area of the assembly surface 43. Accordingly, while the unit cover 4 is coated with the outer coating 6, the exposed surface area of the cover front surface 40 is bigger than the surface area which defines the thickness X1 of the assembly surface 43 which is adjacent to the first cover surface 41. Through the use of this embodiment, while the cooling device 100 is in use, the aim is to not coat the second cover surface 42 of the unit cover 4, which faces the second storage part 112, with the outer coating 6, and instead of this, the aim is to hide the second cover surface 42 by using the storage units 8 placed to the second storage part 112. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, by placing the two storage units 8 at the second storage part 112, the second cover surface 42 is hidden such that it is not seen by the user. As seen in FIG. 16, on the second cover surface 42, there are air channels 9 configured to be exposed while the outer coating 6 is in the assembled state on the unit cover 4 and thus to allow an air exchange between the cooling unit 3 and the first compartment 11. The storage units 8 are shaped and dimensioned such that the air channels 9 are removed from the field of view of the user, when the storage units 8 are placed at the second storage part 112.

In accordance with the applications of the invention presented between FIGS. 3 and 6, the unit cover 4 is configured to protrude towards the first compartment 11 through the rear panel 22 and thus to enclose and three-dimensionally encircle the cooling unit 3 which reaches the first compartment 11 through the rear panel 22. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 13, while the unit cover 4 is in use, the unit cover 4 includes a horizontal surface 44 disposed adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the first cover surface 41 in a manner facing an upper part of the first storage part 111, and vertical surfaces 45 disposed adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the first cover surface 41 and to the horizontal surface 44 in a manner facing the side panels 21. An application of the outer coating 6 disposed in accordance with this application of the unit cover 4 has been presented in the figures between FIGS. 9 and 12. Accordingly, the outer coating 6 includes a first panel 61 configured to be in relationship with the first cover surface 41 while the outer coating 6 is on the unit cover 4 in the coated state, and a second panel 62 configured to be seated onto the side surface 44 of the unit cover 4. The second panel 62 is configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the first panel 61 in a compliant manner to the orthogonal relationship between the first cover surface 41 and the horizontal surface 44. In this direction, as observed in FIG. 14 and FIG. 16, when the outer coating 6 is seated onto the unit cover 4, the first panel 61 is in a parallel contact with the first cover surface 41, and the second panel 62 is in parallel contact with the horizontal surface 44.

The outer coating 6 includes more than one assembly detail disposed in a manner facilitating the assembly onto the unit cover 4. With reference to the applications presented in FIGS. 12 and 14, on both edges of the second panel 62 which correspond to the vertical surfaces 45, retaining flanges 621 are provided which are configured to extend onto the vertical surfaces 45. Through the use of this, when the outer coating 6 is seated onto the unit cover 4, even though the outer coating 6 has not yet been fixed, it does not move to the right-left in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces 45. Again, accordingly, each retaining flange 621 has been equipped with retaining flaps 622. The retaining flaps 622 are configured to grab the unit cover 4 through vertical edges 46 which face the second compartment 12, and to prevent the movement of the outer coating 6 in orthogonal directions to the cover front surface 40 or in other words, when in use, to prevent the movement of the outer coating 6 towards the first compartment 11. Through the usage of the retaining flanges 621 and the retaining flaps 622 together, the outer coating 6 can be fixed onto the unit cover 4 without using any external connection element.

Again with reference to FIGS. 12 and 14, in an application of the outer coating 6, there are sliding flanges 611 configured to extend towards the vertical surfaces 45 from both edges of the first panel 61 which correspond to the vertical surfaces 45. As shown in FIG. 14 in the clearest form, the sliding flanges 611 stay in contact with the vertical surfaces 45 during sliding assembly of the outer coating 6 onto the unit cover 4, and prevent the outer coating 6 from moving in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces 45, in other words, from moving to right-left, and thus they facilitate assembly. At the same time, the sliding flanges 611 block the undesired movement of the outer coating 6 in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces 45 in a coordinated manner with the retaining flanges 621, when the outer coating 6 is seated onto the unit cover 4 as given in FIG. 16.

In accordance with the application of the invention presented in FIG. 16, the outer coating 6 moreover includes two connection housings 63 configured on the first panel 61 in a manner enabling fixation by connection elements 7 on the unit cover 4. Here, the connection element 7 can be a bolt or screw as in the detailed view given in FIG. 16. Accordingly, the connection housings 63 are configured to correspond to the assembly surface 43 while the outer coating 6 is in an assembled state at the unit cover 4. Thus, while the cooling device 100 is in use, as shown in FIG. 7, the connection elements 7 are hidden behind the partition wall 5 and go beyond the field of view of the user.

The present invention, at the same time, provides a cover assembly 10 configured to enclose a cooling unit 3, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when used in a cooling device 100. Here, the cooling unit 3 is an evaporator. The cover assembly 10, as presented between FIGS. 14 and 16, includes an outer coating 6 configured to partially cover a unit cover 4 and a cover front surface 40 which is exposed when the unit cover 4 is in use. With reference to FIG. 13, the outer coating 6 at least covers a first cover surface 41 which exists on the cover front surface 40. Again with reference to the same figure, the outer coating 6 is preferably further configured to coat a thickness X1 of the assembly surface 43 which is adjacent to the first cover surface 41 as shown in FIG. 8. Here, the assembly surface 43 describes the surface of the unit cover 4 which is hidden when a partition wall 5 is assembled onto the unit cover 4.

With reference to the application shown in FIG. 14, the outer coating 6 includes a first panel 61 configured to cover the cover front surface 40 of the unit cover 4, and a second panel 62 configured to cover a horizontal surface 44 of the unit cover 4 which is configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the cover front surface 40.

At the same time, the present invention provides a method for the assembly of the cover assembly 10. In accordance with this application of the invention, the method includes the steps mentioned below:

• • seating the second panel 62 onto the horizontal surface 44 by sliding the first panel 61 onto the cover front surface 40;
  • fixing the outer coating 6 on the unit cover 4 by using at least one connection element 7 associated with at least one connection housing 63 configured on the first panel 61 in a manner corresponding to the assembly surface 43 while the outer coating 6 is in a seated state on the unit cover 4.

The unit cover 4 has mutual vertical surfaces 45 configured adjacently in an orthogonal manner to the horizontal surface 44 and to the cover front surface 40. The vertical surfaces 45 may be exposed; or the vertical surfaces 45 can be coated with mutual retaining flanges 621 provided on the outer coating 6 with reference to the application between FIGS. 14 and 16. In accordance with this application of the cover assembly 10, when the second panel 62 seats onto the horizontal surface 44, the retaining flanges 621 extend onto the vertical surfaces 45, and the outer coating 6 is relatively fixed to the unit cover 4. Here, the relative fixation describes that the outer coating 6 does not move in orthogonal directions to vertical surfaces 45, namely, to right-left while the outer coating 6 is on the unit cover 4.

With reference to FIG. 15, each retaining flange 621 includes retaining flaps 622 configured to grab the unit cover 4 through vertical edges 46. The vertical edges 46 define the exposed edges of the vertical surfaces 45 in a manner facing the rear side of the cover front surface 40 or the vertical edges 46 are provided on these edges. When the outer coating 6 is slid and is seated onto the unit cover 4, the retaining flaps 622 prevent the movement of the outer coating 6 which is in orthogonal directions to the cover front surface 40 and thus, the retaining flaps 622 provide fixation of the outer coating 6 onto the unit cover 4 without using any external connection element.

In accordance with this application of the invention, a method for assembly of the cover assembly 10 includes the process step of seating the second panel 62 onto the horizontal surface 44 by sliding the first panel 61 onto the cover front surface 40. The method does not necessitate an external connection element, and provides fixation in orthogonal directions to the cover front surface 40 and in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces 45 by the coordinated effect of the retaining flange 621 and the retaining flap 622.

With reference to the applications of the cover assembly 10 between FIGS. 14 and 16, the outer coating 6 includes sliding flanges 611 configured to extend towards the vertical surfaces 45 from both edges of the first panel 61 which correspond to the vertical surfaces 45. The sliding flanges 611 stay in contact with the vertical surfaces 45 during sliding assembly of the outer coating 6 onto the unit cover 4, and realize function in a manner preventing movement of the outer coating 6 in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces 45, namely movement thereof to the right-left. Thus, the sliding flanges 611 facilitate the assembly of the outer coating 6 onto the unit cover 4. When the sliding flanges 611, and at the same time, the outer coating 6, seat onto the unit cover 4 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, they block the undesired movement of the outer coating 6 in orthogonal directions to the vertical surfaces 45 in a coordinated manner with the retaining flanges 621, and they support fixation of the outer coating 6 onto the unit cover 4.

With reference to the application of the cover assembly 10 shown in FIG. 16, the outer coating 6 moreover includes more than one connection housing 63 disposed on the first panel 61 in a manner improving fixation of the outer coating 6 to the unit cover 4 and in a manner extending the lifetime of the assembly. The connection housings 63 are configured to pass connection elements 7 such as a screw or bolt through the outer coating 6 and to allow fixation thereof to the unit cover 4. Accordingly, the connection housings 63 are configured to correspond to the assembly surface 43 while the outer coating 6 is in assembled state at the unit cover 4. Thus, when the cooling device 100 is in use, the connection elements 7 are hidden behind the partition wall 5 and go beyond the field of view of the user.

In accordance with this application of the invention, a method for the assembly of the cover assembly 10 includes the process steps i seating the second panel 62 onto the horizontal surface 44 by sliding the first panel 61 onto the cover front surface 40 and ii fixing the outer coating 6 on the unit cover 4 by using at least one connection element 7 associated with at least one connection housing 63 configured on the first panel 61. Through the use of this method, the assembly of the outer coating 6 onto the unit cover 4 is reinforced by the connection elements 7.

In an application of the invention, the subject matter cooling device 1 can be a refrigerator which carries out freezing of food products and/or which causes the food products to stay fresh.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

• • 100. Cooling device
  • 10. Cover assembly
  • 1. Body
  • 11. First compartment
  • 111. First storage part
  • 112. Second storage part
  • 12. Second compartment
  • 2. Inner frame
  • 21. Side panel
  • 22. Rear panel
  • 3. Cooling unit
  • 4. Unit cover
  • 40. Cover front surface
  • 41. First cover surface
  • 42. Second cover surface
  • 43. Assembly surface
  • 44. Horizontal surface
  • 45. Vertical surface
  • 46. Vertical edge
  • 5. Partition wall
  • 6. Outer coating
  • 61. First panel
  • 611. Sliding flange
  • 62. Second panel
  • 621. Retaining flange
  • 622. Retaining flap
  • 63. Connection housing
  • 7. Connection element
  • 8. Storage unit
  • 9. Air channel
  • X. Assembly surface thickness
  • X1. A thickness of the assembly surface which is adjacent to the X1 first cover surface