DE102011079200A1 - Refrigeration apparatus for use in e.g. household application, has plastic component that is arranged in its inner portion, to which substances such as palladium, chloride and potassium permanganate are added - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigeration apparatus (100) has a plastic component that is arranged in its inner portion (101). Substances such as palladium, chloride and potassium permanganate are added to the plastic component so as to react with ethylene gas.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, with an interior space and a plastic component arranged in or adjacent to the interior space.

In known refrigerators, there is the disadvantage that ethylene is produced when ripening foods, in particular fruits and vegetables, which on the one hand has an unpleasant sweetish odor and on the other hand enhances the ripening process of certain foods, in particular fruit.

DE 20 2005 014 970 U1 discloses a refrigerator and / or freezer and with a cooling space for receiving the goods to be refrigerated or frozen and with means for generating an air flow for at least partially through-flow of the cooling space. The device has one or more ethylene removal means.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a refrigeration device which reduces an ethylene gas concentration in the interior of a refrigerator. The ethylene gas concentration is understood to mean the concentration of gaseous ethylene in air.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the drawings, the description and the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the recognition that certain chemical substances interact or react with ethylene to such an extent that the gaseous ethylene is either sorbed by this substance or is converted into another substance, in particular a substance which does not have the disadvantages of ethylene. Sorption is understood to mean the ad- or absorption of a substance. This ensures that the separated from certain foods ethylene gas is significantly reduced in the interior of the refrigerator, so that keep the food in the refrigerator much longer fresh.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, with an interior space and a plastic component arranged in or adjacent to the interior space, wherein the plastic is admixed with a substance which interacts with ethylene.

A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to be a household refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance which is used for household purposes or possibly also in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks in household quantities at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer , a fridge freezer, a freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the refrigeration device, the substance reacts with ethylene. In this case, a reaction is understood in particular to mean a chemical or physical reaction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the refrigerator, the substance causes a sorption, in particular a recording or a reactive reaction, in particular a catalysis of ethylene. In the case of sorption, the ethylene is adversely absorbed by the fabric and is then no longer in the gaseous state, thereby reducing the ethylene concentration in the interior of the refrigerator. Absorption also generally includes chemisorption and physisorption.

In the case of the conversion of ethylene into another substance, the substance, in the case of catalysis so the catalyst, neither decomposed nor consumed nor saturated. The ethylene is rather converted into one or more, preferably not having the disadvantages of ethylene substance.

According to a preferred embodiment, the substance comprises palladium (II) chloride (PdCl ₂ ) or potassium permanganate (KMnO ₄ ). In this case, the substance palladium (II) chloride (PdCl ₂ ) acts as a catalyst, which is advantageously neither decomposed nor consumed nor saturated. The substance palladium (II) chloride can thus be used to catalyze any amount of ethylene gas.

The substance z. As potassium permanganate takes the ethylene gas and can be saturated after a certain time. The plastic component, which may be used as a fabric e.g. Potassium permanganate is mixed, can be replaced after the onset of potassium permanganate by an identical component made of plastic, in which no saturation of the potassium permanganate has occurred yet.

Expediently, the component is at least one of the following components: a housing of the refrigeration device, a storage compartment, a storage tray, in particular a vegetable tray, a door rack, a tube holder, a holder, a lining, in particular an interior lining of the interior, an extract tray, a door Part of a door, a door seal, a fan, a component of the fan, a filter or a filter cartridge, in particular in the fan or in an airflow generated by the fan. All of the listed components are common to that of the foods produced ethylene gas can contact them, in particular with their surfaces, and then react with them, or the admixed substance, in particular can be sorbed or catalyzed.

Advantageously, a fan for generating an air flow for applying the component with ethylene is provided in the interior. By arranged in the interior of the fan fan is advantageously achieved that the escaping from the food ethylene gas circulates more strongly in the interior than in the case without a fan. This has the effect that the ethylene gas strikes the plastic component and interacts or reacts with it or the admixed substance, as a result of which the ethylene concentration in the interior of the refrigeration appliance decreases.

Advantageously, at least two storage compartments have a common back wall in the interior. Along one of the rear wall facing the inner wall of the interior, an evaporator is arranged. Between the rear wall and the evaporator, an air channel is formed. This causes in the case of opening a refrigerator door and thereby caused heating of the air in the interior, that after re-closing the refrigerator door which is located between the evaporator and the back wall air cooled, consequently sinking down and escaping from the warm food Ethylene gas rises upward, resulting in circulation in the interior of the refrigerator. As a result of the circulation, the ethylene gas also comes into contact with the plastic component and acts together or reacts with the substance mixed therein, as a result of which the ethylene concentration in the refrigeration appliance drops.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a fan is provided to feed the air duct with an air flow. By "air" is meant a gas that may comprise ethylene, thereby achieving a significant increase in air circulation, thereby increasing the likelihood of the reaction or interaction of the ethylene with the material admixed in the component.

Appropriately, the fan is arranged on a ceiling wall of the interior. The fan may be the aforementioned fan or another fan. As a result, a circulation in the interior of the refrigerator is effected particularly effectively and effectively. Preferably, the fan is arranged so that air is conveyed from a front portion of the inner space to a rear portion of the inner space. This has the advantage that the air is conveyed to the air channel formed between the common back wall and the evaporator, from where it sinks down through the air duct. The air at the top is warmer and sinks due to cooling by the evaporator. Furthermore, a further increase in the flow velocity is achieved by a relatively narrow air duct.

Preferably, the rear wall for at least one storage compartment has an opening which connects the air duct with the storage compartment. This ensures that the air flowing down in the air duct can also flow through the opening of the at least one storage compartment in this storage compartment. As a result, the circulation in the interior of the refrigerator is further increased.

Advantageously, a sensor is provided for determining an ethylene concentration in the interior. The sensor is preferably arranged in an upper part or on a ceiling wall in the interior of the refrigeration device. Since the escaping ethylene gas collects as air due to its lower density at the upper end of the interior, so a particularly accurate determination of the ethylene concentration can be effected. Preferably, a control device is provided for adjusting a power of the fan as a function of the detected by the sensor ethylene concentration. The control device is preferably set up to detect a sensor signal supplied by the sensor, to compare it with a threshold value or with several threshold values and to regulate the performance of the fan on the basis of the comparison result. The control device is preferably electrically connected to the sensor and to the fan. This can advantageously be achieved that the fan power for different ethylene concentrations, for example, according to the requirements or wishes of a user, can be adjusted. Preferably, the ethylene concentration is controlled below a user-specified concentration. The predetermined concentration can either be a concentration at which the ethylene gas spreads an unpleasant odor or a concentration at which the food ripens too fast.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller is configured to compare the ethylene concentration sensed by the sensor to an upper threshold, and to increase the performance of the fan or to activate the fan if the ethylene concentration sensed by the sensor exceeds the upper threshold. This advantageously achieves that in the case of an ethylene concentration which is higher than the upper threshold value, the fan is activated or the fan power is increased in order to increase the circulation in the interior of the refrigeration device, so that the ethylene gas can strike the plastic component and interact or react with the admixed substance, thereby lowering the ethylene concentration.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to compare the ethylene concentration detected by the sensor with a lower threshold value and to reduce the power of the fan or to deactivate the fan if the ethylene concentration detected by the sensor falls below the lower threshold value. Here, the upper and lower thresholds may be the same or different. If the two threshold values are the same, according to one embodiment the fan is activated above the threshold value or is switched on and deactivated or switched off below the threshold value. According to another embodiment, the fan runs at a certain power below the threshold and at a higher power above the threshold. If the thresholds are different, the upper threshold is greater than the lower threshold. In this case, the fan will run between the two thresholds at a given power and above the upper threshold at a higher power. Below the lower threshold value, the fan is either deactivated or switched off, or it runs at a power which is lower than the specified power.

According to a further embodiment, a display means for displaying a state of the component, in particular a material saturation of the component is provided. This allows a user on the display means read the state of the plastic component, in particular its material saturation. In the preferred case that the material saturation of the plastic component is displayed, the user can read whether the plastic component must be replaced or not. Preferably, the display means may be arranged in the interior of the refrigerator or on a housing of the refrigerator.

According to a further embodiment, the component or a part of the component, in particular after a saturation of the admixed substance as a result of sorption or absorption of ethylene, is exchangeable or recyclable.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic section through an inventive refrigerator; and

2 a schematic section through a plastic component of a refrigerator according to the invention.

This in 1 illustrated refrigeration device 100 includes an interior 101 that of a heat-insulating inner container 103 and a heat-insulating door 105 with door seals 107 is surrounded. In the interior 101 There are several stacked and for example food 109 containing storage compartments 111 which each door 105 can be open. Each storage compartment 111 has a tray on its lower side 113 which can be a glass shelf, and on its back one with all the other storage compartments 111 common back wall 115 on. The top storage compartment 111 has one on the back wall 115 attached cover 117 on. Under the lowest storage compartment 111 there is a vegetable bowl 119 , which also food 109 , especially vegetables. The door 105 has vertically arranged door storage 121 on, in which also food 109 such as butter and other packaged foods 109 , can be stored.

The ones in the storage compartments 111 , in the vegetable bowl 119 or in the door storage 121 stored food 109 can, especially during a maturation process, secrete ethylene gas. The refrigeration device according to the invention 100 reduces the in the interior 101 existing ethylene concentration by the reaction of a plastic component mixed with the material in the interior 101 existing ethylene gas, as in 2 illustrated.

2 shows a schematic sectional view of a component 123 made of plastic with an admixture of a substance 125 , The fabric 125 causes a sorption, in particular a recording or a reactive reaction, in particular a catalysis, of the ethylene gas. Here, the substance 125 z. Palladium (II) chloride or potassium permanganate. In the chemical reaction with the ethylene gas, palladium (II) chloride acts as a catalyst, that is, there is no decomposition nor consumption nor saturation of the catalyst.

In the chemical reaction of the potassium permanganate with the ethylene gas, ethylene gas is taken up by the potassium permanganate so that saturation of the potassium permanganate can take place after a certain time. This means that the substance 125 after a certain time only little or no ethylene gas can be absorbed. In that case, that can be the substance 125 having component 123 through another component 123 , at the substance 125 not yet saturated, to be replaced.

If as a substance 125 z. B. the palladium (II) chloride is used, the component 123 advantageously not be replaced at all, since the substance used 125 That is, the palladium (II) chloride catalyst is not consumed at all while the ethylene gas is continuously catalyzed and decomposed.

This in 2 illustrated component 123 can be any in 1 be represented component, if it is made of plastic, for example, a housing of the refrigerator 100 , a storage compartment 111 , a storage tray, especially a vegetable tray 117 , a door store 121 , a tube holder, a holder, a lining, in particular an interior lining of the interior 101 , an extract tray, a door 105 , a part of the door 105 , a door seal 107 , a fan 127 , a component of the fan 127 , a filter or a filter cartridge, especially in the fan 127 or in one of the fan 127 generated airflow.

The way, how that from the food 109 escaping ethylene gas in the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 circulated and thus with the substance 125 of the component 123 Responding is associated with 1 described.

In the initial state is the fan 127 deactivated or switched off and in the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 For example, there is air without ethylene gas. Such a situation is obtained in good approximation, if the refrigerator 100 originally was empty and then with food 109 was filled.

This from the food 109 escaping ethylene gas increases due to its low density in the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 to the top, where it is from a sensor 129 is detected. If the detected ethylene concentration is greater than a certain threshold, in particular a lower threshold, the fan becomes 127 activated or switched on. This is done via a fan 127 and the sensor 129 connected control device 131 which is set one of the sensor 129 to detect supplied sensor signal and to compare with a threshold or with multiple thresholds and based on the comparison result, the performance of the fan 127 accordingly to regulate the fan 127 is located between the cover 117 and an upper wall 133 of the inner container 103 and is arranged so that air from the door 105 to the fan 127 sucked down and from the fan 127 away to a back wall 135 of the inner container 103 transported. Between the back wall 115 and the back wall 135 of the inner container 103 there is an evaporator 137 whose vertical extent is approximately that of the rear wall 115 equivalent. The air in the immediate vicinity of the evaporator 137 cools down and as a result sinks down to one to the door 105 sloping section 140 having, lower wall 139 of the inner container 103 , Part of this air flow, in particular a part of the air in an air duct 141 between the evaporator 137 and the back wall 115 , enters through the back wall 115 formed openings 143 in the storage compartments 111 , The through an opening 143 in a storage compartment 111 Penetrated air flow conveys the air or the air-ethylene gas mixture, which is inside the storage compartment 111 especially by ripening the food 109 , has formed towards the door 105 from the storage compartment 111 out. Through the fan 127 and the arrangement of the components in the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 the circulation of the air or the air-ethylene gas mixture takes place along that in the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 drawn arrows. The aim of this circulation is that the ethylene gas with the component 123 , in particular with the component 123 blended fabric 125 , comes in contact so that it can react with these. As a result of the reaction, the ethylene gas is catalyzed and converted into another substance, or the ethylene gas becomes in the component 123 , in particular of the substance 125 of the component 123 , sorbed so that it is no longer gaseous. In both cases, the ethylene gas concentration decreases in the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 ,

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawing may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 The refrigerator

101

 inner space

103

 inner container

105

 door

107

 door seal

109

 Food

111

 storage compartment

113

 shelf

115

 rear wall

117

 cover

119

 vegetable dish

121

 door rack

123

 component

125

 material

127

 Fan

129

sensor

131

 control device

133

 upper wall

135

 rear wall

137

 Evaporator

139

 lower wall

140

 sloping section

141

 air duct

143

 opening

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202005014970 U1 [0003]

Claims (16)

Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ), in particular household refrigeration appliance, with an interior ( 101 ) and one in or adjacent to the interior ( 101 ) arranged component ( 123 ) made of plastic, characterized in that the plastic is a substance ( 125 ) mixed with ethylene. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the substance reacts with ethylene. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the substance ( 125 ) a sorption, in particular a recording or a reactive reaction, in particular a catalysis of ethylene, causes. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance ( 125 ) z. Palladium (II) chloride (PdCl ₂ ) or potassium permanganate (KMnO ₄ ). Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component ( 123 ) at least one of the following components: a housing of the refrigeration device ( 100 ), a storage compartment ( 111 ), a storage tray, in particular a vegetable tray ( 119 ), a door store ( 121 ), a tube holder, a holder, a lining, in particular an interior lining of the interior ( 101 ), an extract tray, a door ( 105 ), part of the door ( 105 ), a door seal ( 107 ), a fan ( 127 ), a component of the fan ( 127 ), a filter or a filter insert, in particular in the fan ( 127 ) or in one of the fans ( 127 ) generated airflow. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the interior ( 101 ) a fan ( 127 ) for generating an air flow for applying the component ( 123 ) is provided with ethylene. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the interior ( 101 ) at least two storage compartments ( 111 ) a common back wall ( 115 ) have along one of the rear wall ( 115 ) facing inner wall of the interior ( 101 ) an evaporator ( 137 ) and that between the rear wall ( 115 ) and the evaporator ( 137 ) an air duct ( 141 ) is formed. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that a fan ( 127 ) is provided to the air duct ( 141 ) with an air flow to feed. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the fan ( 127 ) on a ceiling wall of the interior ( 101 ) is arranged. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the rear wall ( 115 ) for at least one storage compartment ( 111 ) an opening ( 143 ), which the air duct ( 141 ) with the storage compartment ( 111 ) connects. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor ( 129 ) for determining an ethylene concentration in the interior space ( 101 ) is provided. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that a control device ( 131 ) for adjusting a performance of the fan ( 127 ) as a function of the sensor ( 129 ) Contained ethylene concentration is provided. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that the control device ( 131 ) formed by the sensor ( 129 ) to compare the detected ethylene concentration with an upper threshold, and the performance of the fan ( 127 ) or to increase the fan ( 127 ) if activated by the sensor ( 129 ) detected ethylene concentration exceeds the upper threshold. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the control device ( 131 ) formed by the sensor ( 129 ) to compare the detected ethylene concentration with a lower threshold, and the performance of the fan ( 127 ) or reduce the fan ( 127 ), if the sensor (s) ( 129 ) detected ethylene concentration falls below the lower threshold. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a display means for displaying a state of the component ( 123 ), in particular a material saturation of the component ( 123 ), is provided. Refrigeration appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component ( 123 ) or a part of the component ( 123 ), in particular after saturation of the admixed substance ( 125 ) is exchangeable or recyclable due to sorption or uptake of ethylene.

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