WO2022184230A1

WO2022184230A1 - Domestic appliance with a filter assemly

Info

Publication number: WO2022184230A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/055073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Simioni; Andrea Malausa
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2021-03-01
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2022-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-01

Abstract

There is described a domestic appliance (1), in particular a domestic cooling appliance, comprising at least an inner cavity (3) for receiving a food product and at least one filter assembly (2). The filter assembly (2) comprises at least a filter cartridge (15), a support frame (16) defining a window (17) and a filter housing (18) having a housing pocket (19) for the filter cartridge (15), the filter housing (18) being pivoted to the support frame (16) and angularly moveable around a pivot axis (A) between a receiving position in which the housing pocket (19) is configured to receive and/or release the filter cartridge (15) and an operative position in which the filter cartridge (15) is arranged in a working position. The pivot axis (A) is positioned at an intermediate portion of the filter housing (18).

Description

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE WITH A FILTER ASSEMLY

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a domestic cooling appliance, even more particular a domestic refrigerator, having a filter assembly, in particular an air filter assembly.

There are known domestic appliances such as domestic refrigerators or domestic ovens.

Domestic refrigerators are known to be used for the storage of food products. In particular, domestic refrigerators serve for increasing the possible storage time of the food products with respect to the putative storage times when being kept at ambient temperature.

A typical domestic refrigerator comprises at least one inner cavity, which can be cooled to a desired temperature. Some domestic appliance comprise an inner cavity, which is divided into two separate portions, which can be cooled to different temperatures. E.g. one could act as a freezing chamber with an inner temperature below 0°C and the other one as a cooling chamber with an inner temperature above 0°C.

It is also known that a typical domestic refrigerator is used not only for the storage of one kind of food product, but typically different kinds of food products are stored within the same domestic refrigerator. These different kind of food products do not only differ in their physical state and form, but also regarding e.g. their smell. There are known food products, which provide for or which may develop a characteristic smell, which may, however, disturb the quality and taste of other food products or which may simply disturb a user when accessing the domestic refrigerator.

It may also occur from time to time that a consumer stores food products within the domestic refrigerator longer than suggested, leading to the degradation of the food product and the formation of unpleasant odours, which may interfere with the taste and quality of other food products and which may disturb a consumer assessing the domestic refrigerator.

Furthermore, it is known that food products such as fruits and vegetables may release ethylene, which may enhance the maturing process of other food products. In addition, it is also known that the organoleptic properties of food products may alter due to oxidation processes.

Therefore, in the recent years, filter assemblies have been proposed to be placed within the domestic refrigerator for reducing one or more or even all of the above- mentioned inconveniencies. E.g. there are known filter assemblies, which are loosely placed within the domestic refrigerator or which are removably attached to an inner wall of the domestic refrigerator. These filter assemblies’ loose efficiency with time and, thus, have to be replaced from time to time. Typically exchange frequencies range between 3 to 6 months.

Even though the application of such filter assemblies has provided for improvements with regard to the above-mentioned inconveniencies, they still come along with some drawbacks. E.g. the filter assemblies being loosely arranged within the domestic refrigerator can freely move within the domestic refrigerator, which may lead to the creation of inconveniences when placing the food products within the domestic refrigerator. As well, it has been found that when using more than one filter assembly, the consumer may loose track on which filter assembly has been placed within the domestic refrigerator before the other one. With respect to the filter assemblies, which are attached to the inner walls, it has been found that they may detach from the inner walls during their lifetime.

Furthermore, the known filter assemblies take precious space within the inner cavity.

Thus, a need is felt in the sector to improve the known filter assemblies so as to overcome at least one of the above-mention drawbacks.

One aim of the present invention is to provide for a domestic appliance to overcome, in a straightforward manner, at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Advantageously, one aim of the present invention is to provide a domestic appliance to overcome, in a straightforward manner, at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks and coming along with a good user experience.

According to the present invention, there is provided a domestic appliance according to claim 1. Preferred non-limiting embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a domestic appliance, in particular a domestic cooling appliance, comprising at least an inner cavity for receiving a food product and one filter assembly, in particular for filtering the air within the domestic appliance, even more particular for absorbing odours and/or ethylene and/or being provided with an antibacterial and/or antioxidant function.

The filter assembly comprises at least:

- a filter cartridge, in particular being configured to absorb odours and/or ethylene and/or is provided with an antibacterial and/or antioxidant function;

- a support frame defining a window; and

- a filter housing having a housing pocket for the filter cartridge and/or within which the filter cartridge is, in particular removably, arranged.

The filter housing is pivoted to the support frame and is angularly moveable, in particular within the window, around a pivot axis between a receiving position in which the housing pocket is configured to receive and/or release the filter cartridge and an operative position in which the filter cartridge is arranged in a working position.

The pivot axis is positioned at an intermediate portion of the filter housing.

In particular, the term intermediate portion indicates a portion of the filter housing being at an intermediate position with respect to the length of a dimension of the filter housing. Even more particular, the filter housing extends along three dimensions and the intermediate position is in consideration of the dimension within which the filter housing presents the largest extension. In other words, the intermediate position is to be considered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter housing.

Such filter assembly is extremely user friendly. On the one side, the filter housing is in a first angular position when the filter cartridge is supposed to exert its filtering function and on the other side the filter housing can be easily moved when removal of the filter cartridge is desired. By having the pivot axis arranged at an intermediate position, one even further increases the user friendliness as the movement of the filter housing is facilitated.

Advantageously, by pivoting the filter housing, a user is able to angularly move the filter housing from the operative position to the receiving position by pressing on one end portion of the filter housing and to angularly move the filter housing from the receiving position to the operative position by pressing the other end portion of the filter housing. This is an extremely user friendly solution.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the support frame divides a first space and a second space. A first portion of the filter housing is arranged within the first space and a second portion of the filter housing is arranged within the second space with the filter housing being positioned in the receiving position. In particular, the extension of the first portion and the extension of the second portion are substantially equal.

In this way, one limits the extension of the filter housing into the domestic appliance when the filter housing is in the receiving position.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the filter housing, in particular the housing pocket comprises an opening through which the filter cartridge can be inserted into the housing pocket. When the filter housing is arranged in the releasing position, the opening is arranged in the first space.

Such a solution allows to further facilitate the insertion of the filter cartridge in the housing pocket.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the filter housing is inclined with respect to the support frame when being in the receiving position.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the pivot axis is a central axis of the filter housing.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the filter housing comprises a cover plate. The pivot axis defines a symmetry axis of the cover plate.

All these solution contribute singularly or in combination to the user friendliness of the filter assembly, in particular when needing to replace the filter cartridge.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the domestic appliance comprises an inner wall carrying the support frame. The filter housing comprises a cover plate, in particular being void of any apertures, being aligned to the inner wall with the filter housing being in the operative position.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the cover plate is flushed with the inner wall with the filter housing being in the operative position.

These solutions contribute to an aesthetically appealing appearance of the filter assembly. Furthermore, the presence of the filter assembly is of no disturbance neither for the eye of a user nor with respect to the storage of the food products.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the domestic appliance further comprises an air duct. The filter cartridge is placed within the air duct with the filter cartridge being arranged within the housing pocket and with the filter housing being in the operative position and the filter cartridge being in the working position.

In this manner, one ensures that the air circulating within the air duct is filtered allowing to obtain an easy sanitation of the air present within the domestic appliance.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the housing pocket comprises two lateral guide walls spaced apart from one another and being configured to guide the introduction of the filter cartridge into the housing pocket.

This allows to facilitate the introduction and the correct positioning of the filter cartridge.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the filter cartridge comprises an enclosure having a plurality of side walls. At least two side walls facing one another comprise respective apertures allowing for a flow of air into and out of the enclosure.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the filter housing and the filter cartridge is designed such that the filter cartridge is moveable into a first direction and a second direction opposed to the first direction for respectively inserting and removing the filter cartridge into and from the housing pocket.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the side walls are arranged such that the flow of air is transversal to the first direction and/or the second direction.

These solutions allow for an efficient filtering of the air.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the domestic appliance further comprises:

- an expelling device configured to exert an expelling force onto the filter cartridge when being arranged within the housing pocket for at least partially directing the filter cartridge out of the filter housing; and

- a locking device controllable into a locking configuration for blocking the filter cartridge within the filter housing and/or for counter-acting against the expelling force and an unlocking configuration for allowing the expelling force to at least partially expel the filter cartridge from the filter housing.

The locking device is controlled in the locking configuration and the unlocking configuration with the filter housing being in respectively the operative position and the receiving position.

In this way, one further increases the user friendliness. On the one side, it is ensured that the filter cartridge remains within the housing pocket when the filter housing is in the operative position, while on the other side the filter cartridge automatically exits at least partially from the housing pocket when being controlled into the releasing position. This facilitates the removal of the filter cartridge.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the expelling device comprises:

- a spring element associated to one of the filter cartridge and the filter housing and being controllable into an active position at which the spring element is configured to exert the expelling force; and

- a control element associated to the other one of the filter cartridge and the filter housing, in particular the housing pocket, and being configured to interact with the spring element for moving the spring element into the active position.

Thus, it is possible to automatically control the expelling device such to exert the expelling force with the filter cartridge being inserted into the housing pocket.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the filter cartridge comprises an enclosure having at least a first wall carrying the spring element.

This allows to efficiently associate the spring element to the filter cartridge.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the spring element is integral to the first wall.

This allows to efficiently and place-savingly associate the spring element to the filter cartridge.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the enclosure also has a second wall and a third wall connected to and transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the first wall. The second wall and the third wall comprise one or more apertures for allowing a flow of air into and out of the enclosure.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the second wall and the third wall are arranged such that the flow of air is transversal to the first direction and/or the second direction.

These solutions allow to efficiently filter the air.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the spring element is defined and/or determined and/or obtained by providing for a recess within the first wall.

This is an easy and efficient manner on how to obtain the spring element without the need of additional components.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the spring element is defined by and/or comprises a bendable plate reversibly controllable into a non-bent position and a bent position. The spring element is controlled in the active position with the bendable plate being in the bent position, and in particular the spring element is controlled in a relaxed position with the bendable plate being in the unbent position.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the control element protrudes into a housing space of the housing pocket within which the filter cartridge is arranged and/or towards an opening of the housing pocket, the opening allowing insertion of the filter cartridge into the housing pocket.

This ensures the interaction between the control element and the spring element.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the locking device comprises an engagement surface associated to the filter cartridge and an abutment surface associated to the support frame and/or an inner wall of the domestic appliance. The locking device is designed such that the engagement surface abuts, in use, against the abutment surface with the filter housing being in the operative position and/or the filter cartridge being in the working position.

This solution allows to rely on the force generated by the expelling force for locking the filter cartridge.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the filter cartridge comprises a plurality of side walls, wherein one of the side walls carries the engagement surface.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the filter assembly further comprises a plate element having the abutment surface.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the plate element protrudes from an inner wall of the domestic appliance and/or the support frame.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the plate element is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the support frame.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the plate element protrudes into an air duct of the domestic appliance.

These solutions easily allow for the presence of the abutment surface.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the filter cartridge comprises an enclosure having the engagement surface and a filter element arranged within the enclosure.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the domestic appliance comprises an inner wall. The support frame is connected to and/or integral to the inner wall.

This is an efficient means of arranging the support frame and therewith the filter assembly within the domestic appliance.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the filter cartridge is removably insertable into the housing pocket.

In this way, one guarantees that a user filter cartridge can be exchanged with a new one.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the domestic appliance is configured to control the temperature within the inner cavity.

In this way, the inner cavity can be controlled to have a desired temperature.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the domestic appliance comprises a temperature control device for determining the temperature within the inner cavity.

It is the temperature control device, which guarantees the desired temperature.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the temperature control device is configured to determine a temperature below 10°C within the inner cavity.

In this way, the domestic appliance is able to cool the food products.

Alternatively, the domestic appliance is configured to heat the inner cavity.

This allows to cook the food product.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a domestic appliance comprising a filter assembly according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;

- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the filter assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the filter assembly of Figure 1 in a first configuration, with parts removed for clarity;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the filter assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of another detail of the filter assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity;

- Figure 6 is a partially sectioned view of the filter assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity; and

- Figure 7 is a perspective side view of the filter assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity.

With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole a domestic appliance, in particular a domestic cooling appliance, even more particular a domestic refrigerator, comprising a filter assembly 2, in particular an air filter assembly 2, the filter assembly 2 being adapted to filter gas, in particular air, in particular within domestic appliance 1.

Moreover, filter assembly 2 may be configured to filter air, in particular to at least absorb odours and/or ethylene and/or is configured to at least provide for an antibacterial and/or an antioxidant action.

In more detail and with particular reference to Figure 1, domestic appliance 1 comprises at least an inner cavity 3 designed to receive and/or store a food product or food product.

Preferentially, filter assembly 2 may be configured to filter air of inner cavity

3.

Furthermore, domestic appliance 1 may be configured to control the temperature within inner cavity 3. In particular, domestic appliance 1 comprises a temperature control device designed to control and/or define the temperature within inner cavity 3.

According to the specific embodiment disclosed, the temperature control device is configured to determine a temperature within inner cavity 3 being below 10°C, in particular equal or below 5°C.

Alternatively, domestic appliance could be a domestic oven and the temperature control device could be configured to heat the inner cavity, in particular for cooking the food product.

With particular reference to Figure 1, inner cavity 3 could comprise a first portion 4 and a second portion separated from first portion 4.

Moreover, the temperature control device could be configured to selectively control the temperature within first portion 4 and the second portion. E.g. the temperature control device could be configured to determine a temperature of below 10°C, in particular equal or below 5°C and above 0°C, within first portion 4 and a temperature below 0°C within the second portion. In other words, first portion 4 could serve for refrigerating the food product and the second portion could serve for freezing the food products.

Furthermore, domestic appliance 1 may also comprise one or more shelves 5 and/or one or more crisper drawers 6 arranged within inner cavity 3.

In even further detail, domestic appliance 1 may comprise one or more inner walls 7 for at least partially delimiting inner cavity 3, in particular also first portion 4 and second portion. Furthermore, inner walls 7 may define one or more openings 8 for allowing the introduction and the removal of the food products into and from inner cavity 3, in particular first portion 4 and the second portion.

Additionally, domestic appliance 1 may comprise one or more doors 9 for selectively opening and closing opening(s) 8. E.g. the domestic appliance 1 of Figure 1 comprises two doors 9, one associated to first portion 4 and the other one associated to the second portion for independently opening and closing the respective opening 8. In the specific non-limiting example shown, the respective opening 8 of first portion 4 is open, while the respective opening 8 of the second portion is closed by means of the respective door 9.

Furthermore, domestic appliance 1 may comprise an air duct 10 (partially shown in Figure 3) distinct from inner cavity 3. In particular, air duct 10 may be separated from inner cavity 3 by one or more inner walls 7.

Additionally, domestic appliance 1 may comprise a circulation device designed to determine an air circulation through air duct 10 from and into inner cavity 3.

Moreover, air duct 10 may comprise an inlet for receiving air from inner cavity 3 and an outlet for introducing air into inner cavity 3.

Furthermore, air duct 10 may comprise a main duct portion extending between the inlet and the outlet.

Preferentially, filter assembly 2 may be configured to filter the air circulating within air duct 10, in particular within the main duct portion. In particular, in this manner, air duct 10 allows to receive contaminated and/or used air from inner cavity 3 and to introduce filtered air into inner cavity 3.

With particular reference to Figure 1, filter assembly 2 may be connected to, in particular integrally connected to, one respective inner wall 7, in particular the inner wall 7 facing one or more openings 8. In other words, when considering that opening(s) 8 define the front of domestic appliance 1, filter assembly 2 is (integrally) connected to the back inner wall 7.

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 7, filter assembly 2 comprises at least:

- a filter cartridge 15, in particular configured to absorb odours and/or ethylene and/or is provided with an antibacterial and/or antioxidant function; - a support frame 16 defining a window 17, in particular being connected, even more particular being integral to one respective inner wall 7, in particular the back inner wall 7 ; and

- a filter housing 18 having a housing pocket 19 for filter cartridge 15 and/or within which filter cartridge 15 is, in particular removably, arranged.

In more detail and with particular reference to Figures 3, 6 and 7, filter housing

18, in particular housing pocket 19, is pivoted to support frame 16 and is angularly moveable around a pivot axis A between a receiving position (see Figure 3) in which housing pocket 19 is configured to receive and/or release filter cartridge 15 and an operative position in which filter cartridge 15 is arranged in a working position (see Figures 6 and 7), in particular for exerting its (desired) filtering activity.

In particular, filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19, is angularly moveable through window 17.

Advantageously, pivot axis A is positioned at an intermediate portion of filter housing 18.

More specifically, with the term intermediate portion one defines a portion of filter housing 18 being at an intermediate position in the length of a dimension of filter housing 18.

Even more specifically, filter housing 18 extends along three dimensions and the intermediate position is in consideration of the dimension within which filter housing 18 presents the largest extensions. In other words, the intermediate position is to be considered with respect to the longitudinal axis of filter housing 18.

Preferentially, pivot axis A may be a central axis of filter housing 18.

With particular reference to Figures 2, 3 and 5 to 7, filter housing 18 comprises at least a cover plate 21, in particular a continuous cover plate 21 (i.e. continuous cover plate 21 does not present any apertures or holes; i.e. cover plate 21 is void of any apertures). Preferentially, cover plate 21 may at least partially delimit housing pocket

19.

In more detail, cover plate 21 faces inner cavity 3 and/or opening 8, in particular first portion 4, with filter housing 18 being arranged in the operative position.

Moreover, cover plate 21 may be aligned with respect to the inner wall 7 to which support frame 16 is (integrally) connected with filter housing 18 being in the operative position. In particular, cover plate 21 may be flush with the respective inner wall 7 with filter housing 18 being in the operative position.

In particular, cover plate 21 lies within window 17 when filter housing 18 is in the operative position. In other words, cover plate 21 covers fully or at least partially window 17 when filter housing 18 is in the operative position.

Advantageously, pivot axis A defines a symmetry axis of cover plate 21.

It should be noted that advantageously, a user is able to angularly move filter housing 18 from the operative position to the receiving position by pressing one of the end portions of filter housing 18, in particular of cover plate 21, and to angularly move filter housing 18 from the receiving position to the operative position by pressing the other one of the end portions of filter housing 18, in particular of cover plate 21.

In particular, filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19, is configured to removably receive filter cartridge 15.

In more detail, with filter housing 18 being in the receiving position, it is possible to remove filter cartridge 15 from housing pocket 19 and to insert a new filter cartridge 15. Afterwards, it is possible to newly place filter housing 18 in the operative position. These operations could be repeated.

Moreover, filter housing 18 and filter cartridge 15 are designed such that filter cartridge 15 is moveable into a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 opposed to first direction D1 for respectively inserting and removing filter cartridge 15 into and out of housing pocket 19. In particular, first direction D1 and second direction D2 may be parallel to one another.

Additionally, filter cartridge 15 may be placed within air duct 10, in particular the main duct portion, with filter cartridge 15 being arranged within housing pocket 19 and with filter housing 18 being in the operative position and correspondingly filter cartridge 15 being in the working position. In particular, in this manner, filter cartridge 15 is configured to filter the air circulating within air duct 10, in particular the main duct portion. In this manner, air duct 10 receives, in use, used and/or contaminated air, in particular through the inlet, from inner cavity 3 and releases filtered air, in particular through the outlet, into inner cavity 3. This means that the air can be cleaned from any possible contaminations such as odours, ethylene or others.

With particular reference to Figures 2, 3 and 7, filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19, may also comprise an opening 22 for filter cartridge 15 allowing for the introduction and removal of filter cartridge 15 into and out of housing pocket 19.

With particular reference to Figure 3, filter housing 18 may be inclined with respect to support frame 16 and/or the respective inner wall 7 when being in the receiving position.

Furthermore, filter housing 18 may comprise one or more abutment elements 23 (see e.g. Figures 3 and 5 to 7) configured to abut and/or abutting against (an inner surface of) support frame 16 and/or the respective inner wall 7 with filter housing 18 being in the operative position, in particular for blocking angular movement of filter housing 18 within a first rotary direction and to allow it into a second rotary direction opposed to the first rotary direction. In particular, abutment elements 23 guarantee that the angular movement of filter housing 18 is possible only between determined angles. In other words, abutment elements 23 ensure that the pressing of only one specific end portion of filter housing 18 results in an angular movement, while pressing of the other one results in the blocking of the angular movement due to the abutment elements 23 abutting against the inner surface.

Additionally, filter assembly 2 may comprise a hinge group 24 rotatably coupling filter housing 18 to support frame 16. In particular, hinge group 24 may define pivot axis A.

In more detail, hinge group 24 may comprise a plurality of first hinge elements 25, in particular two protrusions, associated to, in particular comprised by, filter housing 18 and a plurality of second hinge elements 26, in particular two eyelets, associated to, in particular comprised by, support frame 16. Each first hinge element 25 interacts with one respective second hinge element 26 for rotatably coupling filter housing 18 to support frame 16. In the specific example shown, each one of the two protrusions is rotatably arranged within one respective eyelet.

Furthermore, each first hinge element 25 may be arranged at an intermediate position with respect to the longitudinal axis of filter housing 18.

Additionally, also each second hinge element 26 may be arranged at a respective intermediate position of support frame 16, in particular window 17, in particular with respect to a longitudinal axis of support frame 16.

With particular reference to Figure 3, support frame 16 divides a first space 27 and a second space 28 from one another. In particular, first space 27 corresponds to at least a portion of inner cavity 3 and second space 28 corresponds to at least a portion of air duct 10, in particular of the main duct portion. In particular, window 17 is interposed between first space 27 and second space 28.

Preferentially, (substantially) a first portion of filter housing 18 is arranged within first space 27 and a second portion of filter housing 18 is arranged within second space 28 with filter housing 18 being arranged in the receiving position.

In more detail, the first portion of filter housing 18 carries opening 22 such that with filter housing 18 being arranged in the receiving position, opening 22 is placed within first space 27. Thus, the user can easily access opening 22 and to remove a used filter cartridge 15 and to insert a new filter cartridge 15. In other words, in this manner it is ensured that opening 22 is exposed to the user when the user has, in use, controlled filter housing 18 in the receiving position.

With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7, filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19, comprises two lateral guide walls 32 spaced apart from one another and being configured to guide the introduction and/or removal of filter cartridge 15 into housing pocket 19. In particular, lateral guide walls 32 define in collaboration with filter cartridge 15 first direction D1 and second direction D2.

In particular, lateral guide walls 32 may be parallel to one another.

Moreover, lateral guide walls 32 may be arranged transversal, in particular perpendicular, to cover plate 21. In particular, lateral guide walls 32 transversally, in particular orthogonally, extend from peripheral portions of cover plate 21. Additionally, filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19, may further comprise an end limit wall 33 opposed to opening 22. Moreover, end limit wall 33 may be transversal, in particular perpendicular, to cover plate 21 and lateral guide walls 32. More specifically, end limit wall 33 transversally, in particular orthogonally, extends from cover plate 21.

Moreover, abutment elements 23 may be connected to end limit wall 33. In particular, abutment elements 23 may transversally, in particular perpendicularly, protrude from end limit wall 33.

With particular reference to Figures 3, 4 and 7, filter cartridge 15 may comprise at least a (plastic) enclosure 34 and a filtering element (not shown) arranged within enclosure 34 and configured to absorb odors and/or ethylene and/or is provided with an antibacterial and/or antioxidant function.

Moreover, enclosure 34 may have two main walls 35 spaced apart from one another and a plurality of side walls 36 transversal, in particular perpendicular, to main walls 35. Furthermore, side walls 36 may be interposed between main walls 35.

More specifically, each side wall 36 is connected to a respective peripheral portion of main walls 35.

Additionally, enclosure 34 may comprise four side walls 36 defining two pairs of side walls 36. Each pair may be defined by two respective side walls 36 facing one another. Moreover, each side wall 36 of one respective pair is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the respective side walls 36 of the other pair.

Preferentially, main walls 35 may be parallel to one another and parallel to cover plate 21 with filter cartridge 15 being placed with housing pocket 19.

Furthermore, at least two side walls 36 facing one another comprise apertures 37 allowing for a flow of air into and out of enclosure 34. In other words and with respect to the specific embodiment, at least one pair of side walls 36 comprises two side walls 36 having apertures 37.

Moreover, side walls 36 may be arranged such that the flow of air through apertures 37 is transversal to first direction D1 and/or second direction D2.

Preferentially, filter cartridge 15 may extend along a first axis, a second axis and a third axis, in particular being perpendicular to one another.

Furthermore, the extension of filter cartridge 15 along a first axis may be larger than its extension along the second axis and the third axis. In particular, the first axis may define a longitudinal axis of filter cartridge.

Additionally, the extension of filter cartridge 15 along the second axis may be larger than its extension along the third axis.

Preferentially, main walls 35 extend along the first axis and the second axis and side walls 36 extend along the first axis and the third axis or along the second axis and the third axis. Even more preferentially, these side walls 36 extending along the first axis and the third axis comprise apertures 37.

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 7, filter assembly 2 may further comprise:

- an expelling device 38 configured to exert an expelling force onto filter cartridge 15 when being arranged within housing pocket 19 for at least partially directing filter cartridge 15 out of filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19; and

- a locking device 39 controllable into a locking configuration for blocking filter cartridge 15 within filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19 and/or for counter- acting against the expelling force and an unlocking configuration for allowing the expelling force to at least partially expel filter cartridge 15 from filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19.

In particular, expelling device 38 is configured to exert the expelling force such that filter cartridge 15 is directed towards and/or at least partially out of opening 22.

Furthermore, locking device 39 may be controlled in the locking configuration and the unlocking configuration with filter housing 18 being in respectively the operative position and the receiving position.

Thus, in use, when a user inserts filter cartridge 15 into housing pocket 19 locking device 39 is in the unlocking configuration, but when angularly moving filter housing 18 into the operative position, locking device 39 is automatically controlled into the locking configuration and filter cartridge 15 is retained within housing pocket 19. Then, when again moving filter housing 18 into the releasing position, expelling device 38 ensures that filter cartridge 15 is at least partially expelled from housing pocket 19. This then facilitates the removal of filter cartridge 15 from housing pocket 19.

In more detail, expelling device 38 may comprise:

- a spring element 40 associated to, in particular comprised by, one of filter cartridge 15 and filter housing 18 and being controllable into an active position at which spring element 40 is configured to exert the expelling force, and in particular a relaxed position at which spring element 40 is impeded from exerting the expelling force; and

- a control element 41 associated to, in particular comprised by, the other one of filter cartridge 15 and filter housing 18and being configured to interact with spring element 40 for moving and/or controlling spring element 40 into the active position.

In the specific non-limiting case shown, spring element 40 is associated to, in particular comprised by, filter cartridge 15, in particular enclosure 34 and control element 41 is associated to, in particular comprised by, filter housing 18, in particular housing pocket 19.

In particular, spring element 40 may be biased in the relaxed position. Thus, only in function of the interaction with control element 41, spring element 40 is controllable into the active position.

In more detail, one side wall 36 comprises and/or at least carries spring element 40. More specifically, spring element 40 may be integral to the respective side wall 36.

In even more detail, the side wall 36 comprising and/or carrying spring element 40 is arranged adjacent to end limit wall 33 with filter cartridge 15 being arranged in the working position.

More specifically, the side wall 36 comprising and/or carrying spring element 40 may extend along the second axis and the third axis.

Furthermore, the side wall 36 comprising and/or carrying spring element 40 may be transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the side walls 36 carrying apertures 37.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, spring element 40 may be defined and/or determined and/or obtained by providing for a recess 42 within the respective side wall 37.

In more detail, spring element 40 is defined by and/or comprises a bendable plate 43 reversibly controllable into a non-bent position and a bent position. In particular, spring element 40 is controlled in the active position with the bendable plate being in the bent position, and even more particular in the relaxed position with bendable plate 43 being in the non-bent position. In particular, bendable plate 43 is bendable towards opening 22.

More specifically, bendable plate 43 may be defined by recess 42.

Furthermore, bendable plate 43 may be biased in the non-bent position.

According to the specific non-limiting embodiment disclosed, control element 41 protrudes into a housing space of housing pocket 19 within which filter cartridge 15 is arranged and/or arrangeable.

Alternatively or in addition, control element 41 may protrude towards opening

22.

In more detail, control element 41 may be connected to end limit wall 33 and protrudes from end limit wall 33 into the housing space and/or towards opening 22.

In particular, control element 41 may be configured to bend bendable plate 43 towards opening 22.

Moreover, control element 41 may comprise a wedge-shaped interaction portion 44 designed to interact with spring element 41, in particular bendable plate 43, for setting spring element 41 into the active position, in particular bendable plate 43 into the bent position.

In more detail, locking device 39 comprises an engagement surface 48 associated to, in particular comprised by, filter cartridge 15, in particular enclosure 34, and an abutment surface 49 associated to support frame 16 and/or the inner wall 7 being connected to support frame 16.

Furthermore, locking device 39 is designed such that engagement surface 48 may abut, in use, against abutment surface 49 with filter housing 18 being in the operative position and/or filter cartridge 15 being in the working position.

Additionally, expelling device 38 may be configured to press engagement surface 48 against abutment surface 49.

In more detail, filter cartridge 15, in particular enclosure 34, comprises engagement surface 48 resulting in the expelling force pressing engagement surface 48 against abutment surface 49.

Moreover, one side wall 36 may comprise engagement surface 48. In particular the side wall 36 comprising engagement surface 48 is opposed, and in particular parallel, to the one comprising and/or carrying spring element 41.

In particular, the side wall 36 comprising engagement surface 48 is transversal, in particular perpendicular to the side walls 36 having apertures 37.

More specifically, one side wall 36 extending along the second axis and the third axis may comprise engagement surface 48.

In particular, the side wall 36 comprising engagement surface 48 may be closer to opening 22 than the side wall 36 comprising and/or carrying spring element 41.

Additionally or alternatively, the side wall 36 comprising and/or carrying spring element 41 may be closer to end limit wall 33 than the side wall 36 comprising engagement surface 48.

With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7, filter assembly 2, in particular locking device 39, may further comprise a plate element 50 having abutment surface 49.

More specifically, plate element 50 may protrude from support frame 16 and/or the inner wall 7 being connected to support frame 16, in particular into second space 28 and/or air duct 10, in particular the main duct portion.

Furthermore, plate element 50 may be transversal, in particular perpendicular, to support frame 16 and/or the respective inner wall 7.

Additionally, plate element 50 may be parallel to the side wall 36 comprising engagement surface 38 with filter cartridge 15 being in the working position.

Moreover, plate element 50 may be spaced apparat and parallel to end limit wall 33 with filter housing 18 being in the operative position.

In use, filter assembly 2 filters the air present within inner cavity 3 thereby absorbing odours and/or ethylene and/or activating any other antibacterial and/or antioxidant function.

In particular, filter assembly 2 filters the air circulating within air duct 10, in particular the main duct portion. Even more particular, contaminated air enters air duct 10 from inner cavity 3, in particular through the inlet, and is filtered through the action of filter assembly 2 so that filtered air is directed into inner cavity 3 from air duct 10, in particular through the outlet.

When a user needs to exchange a used filter cartridge 15 with a new filter cartridge 15, the user presses filter housing 18, in particular at the second portion of filter housing 18, so as to move filter housing 18 into the releasing position. In more detail, the user presses cover plate 21, in particular a portion of cover plate 21 which makes part of the second portion of filter housing 18.

When doing so locking device 39 is automatically controlled in the unlocking configuration and expelling device 38 directs the used filter cartridge 15 at least partially out of housing pocket 19 facilitating thereby the removal of the used filter cartridge 15.

After removal of the used filter cartridge, the user can insert the new filter cartridge 15 and to angularly move filter housing 18 again into the operative position. Thereby, expelling device 38 exerts the expelling force, but as locking device 39 is automatically set in the locking configuration filter cartridge 15 remains within housing pocket 19 (until the user angularly moves filter housing 18 again into the releasing position).

Clearly, changes may be made to filter assembly 2 and/or domestic appliance 1 without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to some possible embodiments not shown, filter assembly 2 could comprise means for biasing filter housing 18 into the operative position. Additionally, filter assembly 2 may also comprise blocking means for reversibly blocking filter housing 18 within the releasing position.

Claims

1.- Domestic appliance (1), in particular a domestic cooling appliance, comprising at least an inner cavity (3) for receiving a food product and at least one filter assembly (2); wherein the filter assembly (2) comprises at least:

- a filter cartridge (15);

- a support frame (16) defining a window (17);

- a filter housing (18) having a housing pocket (19) for the filter cartridge (15), the filter housing (18) being pivoted to the support frame (16) and angularly moveable, in particular within the window (17), around a pivot axis (A) between a receiving position in which the housing pocket (19) is configured to receive and/or release the filter cartridge (15) and an operative position in which the filter cartridge (15) is arranged in a working position; wherein the pivot axis (A) is positioned at an intermediate portion of the filter housing (18).

2.- Domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the support frame (16) divides a first space (27) and a second space (28) from one another; wherein substantially a first portion of the filter housing (18) is arranged within the first space (27) and a second portion of the filter housing (18) is arranged within the second space (28) with the filter housing (18) being positioned in the receiving position.

3.- Domestic appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter housing (18) is inclined with respect to the support frame (16) when being in the receiving position.

4.- Domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pivot axis (A) is a central axis of the filter housing (18).

5.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter housing (18) comprises a cover plate (21); wherein the pivot axis (A) defines a symmetry axis of the cover plate (21).

6.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an inner wall (7) carrying the support frame (16); wherein the filter housing (18) comprises a cover plate (21), in particular being void of any apertures, being designed to be aligned to the inner wall (7) with the filter housing (18) being in the operative position.

7.- Domestic appliance according to claim 6, wherein the cover plate (21) is flushed with the inner wall (7) with the filter housing (18) being in the operative position.

8.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an air duct (10); and wherein the filter cartridge (15) is placed within the air duct (10) with the filter cartridge (15) being arranged within the housing pocket (19) and with the filter housing

(18) being in the operative position and the filter cartridge (15) being in the working position.

9.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing pocket (19) comprises two lateral guide walls (32) spaced apart from one another and being configured to guide the introduction of the filter cartridge (15) into the housing pocket (19).

10.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter cartridge (15) comprises an enclosure (34) having a plurality of side walls

(36); wherein two side walls (36) facing one another comprise respective apertures

(37) allowing for a flow of air into and out of the enclosure (34).

11.- Domestic appliance according to claim 10, wherein the filter housing (18) and the filter cartridge (15) are designed such that the filter cartridge (15) is moveable into a first direction (Dl) and a second direction (D2) opposed to the first direction (D 1 ) for respectively inserting and removing the filter cartridge into the housing pocket

(19); wherein the side walls (36) are arranged such that the flow of air is transversal to the first direction (Dl) and/or the second direction (D2).

12.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

- an expelling device (38) configured to exert an expelling force onto the filter cartridge (15) when being arranged within the housing pocket (19) for at least partially directing the filter cartridge (15) out of the filter housing (18) and/or the housing pocket (19); and

- a locking device (39) controllable into a locking configuration for blocking the filter cartridge (15) within the filter housing (18) and/or for counter- acting against the expelling force and an unlocking configuration for allowing the expelling force to at least partially expel the filter cartridge (15) from the filter housing (18) and/or the housing pocket (19); wherein the locking device (39) is controlled in the locking configuration and the unlocking configuration with the filter housing (18) being in respectively the operative position and the receiving position.

13.- Domestic appliance according to claim 12, wherein the expelling device

(39) comprises:

- a spring element (40) associated to one of the filter cartridge (15) and the filter housing (18) and being controllable into an active position at which the spring element

(40) is configured to exert the expelling force; and

- a control element (41) associated to the other one of the filter housing (18) and the filter cartridge (15) and being configured to interact with the spring element (40) for moving the spring element (40) into the active position.

14.- Domestic appliance according to claim 13, wherein the filter cartridge (15) comprises an enclosure (34) having at least a first wall (36) carrying the spring element (40).

15.- Domestic appliance according to any of claims 14, wherein the spring element (40) is integral to the first wall (36).

16.- Domestic appliance according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the enclosure (34) also has a second wall (36) and a third wall (36) connected to and transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the first wall (36); wherein the second wall (36) and the third wall (36) comprise one or more apertures (37) for allowing a flow of air into and out of the enclosure (34).

17.- Domestic appliance according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the spring element (40) is defined and/or determined and/or obtained by providing for a recess (42) within the first wall (36).

18.- Domestic appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the spring element (40) is defined by and/or comprises a bendable plate (43) reversibly controllable into a non-bent position and a bent position; wherein the spring element (40) is controlled in the active position with the bendable plate (43) being in the bent position.

19.- Domestic appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the control element (41) protrudes into a housing space of the housing pocket (19) within which the filter cartridge (15) is arranged and/or towards an opening (22) of the housing pocket (19), the opening (22) being configured to allow for the introduction of the filter cartridge (15) into the housing pocket (19).

20.- Domestic appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the locking device (39) comprises an engagement surface (48) associated to the filter cartridge (15) and an abutment surface (49) associated to the support frame (16) and/or an inner wall (7) of the domestic appliance (1); wherein the locking device (39) is designed such that the engagement surface (48) abuts, in use, against the abutment surface (49) with the filter housing (18) being in the operative position and/or the filter cartridge (15) being in the working position.

21.- Domestic appliance according to claim 20, wherein the filter cartridge (15) comprises a plurality of side walls (36), wherein one of the side walls (36) carries the engagement surface (48).

22.- Domestic appliance according to claim 20 or 21, wherein filter assembly (2) further comprises a plate element (50) having the abutment surface (49); wherein the plate element (50) protrudes from the inner wall (7) of the domestic appliance (1) and/or the support frame (16).

23.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the domestic appliance (1) comprises an inner wall (7); wherein the support frame (16) is connected to and/or integral to the inner wall

(7)·

24.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter cartridge (15) is removably insertable and/or inserted into the housing pocket (19).

25.- Domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to control the temperature within the inner cavity (3).