초록 ▼

A compact combination ice maker and cooler is taught which is capable of maintaining a uniform freezing or cooling temperature across the surface of a heat conductive liner continuous over bottom liner wall and, front, rear, and side walls. Also taught is a means to provide an intermediate heat sink

A compact combination ice maker and cooler is taught which is capable of maintaining a uniform freezing or cooling temperature across the surface of a heat conductive liner continuous over bottom liner wall and, front, rear, and side walls. Also taught is a means to provide an intermediate heat sink to assist in maintaining the uniform freezing or cooling temperature upon the introduction of a new thermal load, and a means to provide a small forward voltage when the thermoelectric module is turned off in order to prevent the back flow of heat through the thermoelectric module. Also taught is a cooler with a combination beverage inspection/dispensing door located proximal to the bottom of said front and with inside walls adapted to form a beverage stack and contoured to maintain improved thermal communication with the bottommost beverage can.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A compact ice maker and cooler capable of maintaining a uniform freezing or cooling temperature comprising:(a) a box having an insulated front compartment, an insulated front compartment lid and a heat conductive liner continuous over a bottom liner wall and front, rear and side liner walls; (b)

1. A compact ice maker and cooler capable of maintaining a uniform freezing or cooling temperature comprising:(a) a box having an insulated front compartment, an insulated front compartment lid and a heat conductive liner continuous over a bottom liner wall and front, rear and side liner walls; (b) a thermoelectric module for cooling the liner, the module being in thermal communication with the liner and with a heat sink to dissipate heat from the liner, the module and heat sink being located behind the liner wall, the heat sink projecting into a compartment having air vents to the exterior; (c) a multiple set-point controller with built-in hysteresis to control the temperature within the ice maker and cooler and to provide a defrost capability when the ice maker and cooler is operating at below freezing temperatures, and; (d) a thermistor to monitor operation of the thermoelectric module.