CH704557A2 - Cooling device e.g. household refrigerator, has usable area cooled by cooling aggregate, vacuum pump provided for generating low-pressure in inner area of low-pressure container, and coupling for connecting container with pump - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a cooling aggregate (5), and a usage area (2) cooled by the cooling aggregate. A part of the usage area is formed by a low-pressure container (9). A vacuum pump (10) is provided for generating low-pressure in an inner area of the container, where the container has a sensor e.g. pressure, temperature or gas sensor. A coupling connects the container with the pump and has two parts connected with one another, where one of the parts has a check valve. A frame part (7) accommodates the container and has openings (8), where a base part (15) of the container is made from metal.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a cooling device, in particular a refrigerator, with a cooling unit and with a cooling unit with the cooling chamber usable space.

background

It is known that food can be stored longer at low temperatures. It is also known that most foods can be stored longer even under reduced pressure.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device of the type mentioned, in which the refrigerated goods can be stored for a long time.

This object is achieved by the cooling device according to claim 1. Accordingly, at least part of the useful space of the refrigerator is formed by at least one vacuum container. Next, the cooling device has a vacuum pump for generating a negative pressure in the interior of the vacuum tank. The refrigerated goods can thus be stored in the vacuum container at low temperatures and low pressure, resulting in a long storage time.

Advantageously, the vacuum tank can be removed from the work space. For connection to the vacuum pump, a clutch can be provided in this case. This coupling can e.g. a first, stationary on the cooling unit arranged part and a second, fixedly arranged on the vacuum container part, said two parts can be connected to each other substantially gas-tight with each other. In this context, the term "stationary" should be understood to mean that the first part can remain in the cooling device when the vacuum tank is removed.

The first part of the coupling may comprise a first valve which can be opened by fastening the second part of the coupling on the first part. In other words, this valve remains closed until the vacuum tank is connected. In this way, when the clutch is not used, no air enters the negative pressure system of the refrigerator and the pump is not loaded.

On the second part of the clutch, a check valve may be arranged, which closes when in the interior of the vacuum vessel, a lower pressure prevails than at the mouth of the second part of the clutch. Such designed vacuum tank maintains its negative pressure even after the release of the clutch or a leak to vacuum system of the refrigerator.

Advantageously, the vacuum container has a bottom part and a lid, which together enclose the interior of the vacuum vessel. Preferably, in this case, the second part of the coupling is attached to the cover, so that the cover, so to speak, contains the container-side coupling system, while the bottom part can be optimally configured as a receptacle for the goods to be refrigerated (for example as regards temperature resistance, design and washability).

Alternatively to the arrangement on the cover, however, the second part of the coupling can also be arranged on the bottom part, e.g. on a side wall or down.

The vacuum tank can also be designed as a drawer of the refrigerator. Also in this case, the vacuum container preferably has a lid. This can e.g. be designed so that it automatically opens during (partial or complete) pulling out of the vacuum tank and / or automatically closes when inserting the vacuum tank, which simplifies handling.

In particular, the bottom part of the vacuum container can, as mentioned, be optimized for the particular application, such. for heating the chilled product in the steam cooker, in the oven or on the stove, in which case it is temperature resistant to at least 100 ° C (for steam cooking), in particular at least 150 ° C (for regeneration), in particular at least 300 ° C (for baking) and in particular should be at least 400 ° C (for cooking on the hob or for grilling), and may be made of metal (eg stainless steel).

At the vacuum tank, a pressure sensor may be arranged to monitor the negative pressure in the interior thereof. This pressure sensor may e.g. be formed by a "crackpot frog", as he is known from Einmachgefässen, or it may also be an electronic or mechanical pressure sensor with display.

The vacuum container may also have a water tank, which is in gas exchange communication with the interior of the vacuum vessel. Under gas exchange compound is to be understood a compound that allows a transition of water vapor from the water tank into the interior of the vacuum vessel. This can be counteracted drying of the stored goods.

The vacuum pump is, depending on the application, advantageously designed so that it allows to lower the pressure in the interior of a connected vacuum tank to less than 0.5 bar, especially below 0.1 bar.

The invention can be used advantageously in a refrigerator, in particular a household refrigerator. It can, however, e.g. also be used in a freezer, i. in a device in which the refrigerated goods are stored below 0 ° C.

Brief description of the drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the figures. Showing: <Tb> FIG. 1 <sep> is a schematic representation of the most important components of an embodiment of the refrigerator, <Tb> FIG. 2 <sep> is a schematic section through a vacuum container suspended in the frame part, <Tb> FIG. 3 <sep> is a detailed illustration of an embodiment of the clutch and <Tb> FIG. 4 <sep> designed as a vacuum tank drawer.

Ways to carry out the invention

The refrigerator according to FIG. 1 is designed as a household refrigerator and has in a known manner a thermally insulated housing 1, which encloses a working space 2. In the work space 2 known arrangements are arranged for receiving refrigerated goods, such. Trays 3 or a freezer compartment 4. Furthermore, a cooling unit 5 of known construction, which is shown only schematically, is provided, which, e.g. comprises a heat pump and with which the work space 2 can be cooled. A controller 6 serves to control the components of the refrigerator.

Further, in the work space 2, a frame part 7 is arranged, which, for example. is configured in the manner of a tray, but has receiving openings 8 for receiving vacuum containers 9. The vacuum container 9 serve, as mentioned above, to store refrigerated goods at reduced pressure. For this purpose, a vacuum pump 10 for generating a negative pressure in a negative pressure system is further provided in the cooling device. In the present example, this vacuum system comprises a line 11, which is connected to the vacuum pump 10, and an evacuation system in the frame part 7.

Fig. 2 shows a vacuum container 9 arranged in the frame part 7. The vacuum container 9 has an interior space 12 in which the refrigerated goods under reduced pressure of at most 0.5 bar (i.e., depending on the application, between 0 and 0.5 bar) is stored. Storage at a pressure of less than 0.1 bar can be useful, in particular, for refrigerated goods to be stored dry. In the range of 0.1 to 0.5 bar, the pressure may e.g. depending on the desired humidity and the presence of liquids.

The interior is enclosed by a lid 14 and a bottom part 15, wherein the lid 14, the upper part and the bottom part 15 define the lower part of the vacuum tank 9. The lid 14 has an edge region 16 which laterally projects beyond the bottom part 15 at least at one location, preferably on at least two mutually opposite sides. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the vacuum tank 9 is held at these laterally projecting edge portions 16 of the lid 14 from the frame part 7, i. supported from below.

Each vacuum container 9 can be connected via a coupling 18 with the vacuum system and thus the vacuum pump 10. Thus, the vacuum tank 9 can be removed from the cooling unit, this coupling 18 is designed releasably.

The coupling 18 is connected on one side with a suction channel 20 of the evacuation system in the frame part 7, wherein the suction channel 20 in turn via the line 11 with the vacuum pump 10 is in communication.

On the other hand, the coupling 18 is connected to a channel 21 in the lid 14 of the vacuum tank 9, which leads to the interior 12 thereof.

The coupling 18, which is shown in detail by way of example in Fig. 3, has two parts. A first part 22 of the coupling 18 is stationary in the refrigerator, i. he can not be removed without disassembly. A second part 23 of the coupling 18 is fixedly arranged on the vacuum container 9. The two parts 22, 23 are designed so that they can be easily connected to each other and again separated from each other and form a substantially gas-tight coupling between the interior 12 and the vacuum pump 10 in the connected state.

The first part 22 is arranged on the frame part 7 and has a first valve with a valve body 25a and a valve seat 25b. The valve body 25a is pressed against the valve seat 25b with a spring-elastic arrangement 25c, in particular a spring (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3), with a force which is able to hold the valve body 25a against the ambient pressure on the valve seat 25b. In this way, the first part 22 of the clutch 18 is closed when it is not cooperating with the second part 23, i. if no vacuum tank 9 is inserted.

The first valve 25a, 25b, 25c can be opened by attaching the second part 23 of the coupling 18 on the first part 22. For this purpose, an actuating member 27 is provided on the second part 23, with which the valve body 25a when connecting the first and the second part 22, 23 is pressed away from the valve seat 25b. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, this actuator 27 is formed by a mandrel which projects outwardly from the mouth 28 of the second part 23. The mandrel has a central channel 29a and lateral openings 29b at its tip to ensure gas flow from the second to the first part.

The mouth 28 of the second part 23 of the coupling 18 is arranged on the edge region 16 of the lid 14, so that it is easily accessible. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, it is located on the underside of the edge region 16, so that it comes to lie on the upwardly directed mouth 30 of the first part 22 of the coupling 18 when the vacuum container 9 is inserted into the frame part 7.

More generally, the vacuum tank 9 may preferably be used in the frame part 7, that it is held at the edge region 16 of the lid 14 from the frame part 7 and that the mouth 30 of the first part 22 of the coupling 18 at the mouth 28 of the second Part 33 comes to rest.

On the second part 23 of the clutch 18, a check valve 31 is arranged, which closes when in the interior 12 of the vacuum tank 9, a lower pressure prevails than at the mouth 28 of the second part 23 of the clutch 18. The check valve 31 ensures that the negative pressure in the interior 12 is maintained even after the removal of the vacuum container 9 from the refrigerator. In addition, it also prevents the gas entering a coupled vacuum tank, if the vacuum system of the refrigerator is defective.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the frame part 7 is advantageously designed so that it is able to accommodate a plurality of vacuum tank 9. Accordingly, it has a plurality of openings 8, which are adapted in shape to the respective vacuum containers 9. Not all vacuum tanks 9 have the same shape or size.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a vacuum tank 9 in the form of a drawer, which can be pulled out either completely or at least partially from the refrigerator. For this he is kept in a suitable drawer storage. He has a lower part 15 and a lid 14, which enclose the interior 12. The cover 14 is, as already mentioned, advantageously designed so that it automatically opens when pulling out of the vacuum tank 9 and / or automatically closes when inserting the vacuum tank 9. For this purpose, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, the lid 14 may be connected to the base 15 via a horizontal pivot axis 32, e.g. be biased by spring force so that it rises as soon as the drawer is pulled out, provided that the interior 12 is previously vented by means of a suitable ventilation valve.

Such a vent valve is exemplified in Fig. 2, in the form of a second valve having a valve body 34a, a valve seat 34b and a spring assembly, the latter being formed in the embodiment of Fig. 2by a perforated spring diaphragm 34c. The spring diaphragm 34c presses the valve body 34a against the valve seat 34b with a force capable of holding the valve body 34a against the ambient pressure on the valve seat 34b. Further, an actuator 35 is provided, with which the user can push the valve body 34 a away from the valve seat 34 b, so as to ventilate the inner space 12.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the second part 23 of the coupling 18 is arranged, for example, on the lower part 14, namely on the rear side thereof (ie the side facing away from the user door of the cooling device), so that upon insertion automatically a contact with a corresponding first , on the rear wall of the work space 2 arranged first part of the coupling can be produced.

Remarks:

As indicated in Fig. 2, the vacuum container 9 may have a water tank 36. As already mentioned, this can be used to moisten the interior 12. He can e.g. be designed as a shell on the wall or at the bottom of the vacuum tank 9.

The frame part 7 can be arranged extendable in the cooling device by means of a suitable bearing 38 (see FIG. In this case, the conduit 11 is preferably so flexible as to follow a movement of the frame part 7 by at least 10 cm. Due to the pull-out configuration of the frame part 7, the vacuum container 9 are more accessible.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the frame part 7 is arranged horizontally and the vacuum containers 9 are accessible from above. However, a vertical arrangement of the frame part and / or horizontal accessibility of the vacuum container 9 is also conceivable.

For the embodiment of Fig. 4, it was mentioned that the lid 14 can open automatically when pulling out the drawer. It is also conceivable, however, an embodiment in which the lid 14 remains closed when removing the drawer and the vacuum tank 9 can be removed so the cooling device, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1-3.

If a plurality of vacuum containers 9 are provided, they may all be the same or, as already mentioned, differently configured, and may be e.g. concerning dimensions, materials, transparency, lid, base, shape and color. In particular, they can be adapted to the respective intended use:

The design of a vacuum tank may e.g. be chosen so that it is suitable for direct serving on the dining table, and in particular the lower part 15 may be configured as an elegant bowl, since the technical components are indeed integrated in the lid 14.

The vacuum container, or at least the lower part 15, can be made temperature-resistant, so that it is suitable for warming up / regenerating in the oven or steamer.

The vacuum container, or at least the lower part 15, can also be temperature-resistant for even higher temperatures, so that it is suitable for warming up on the glass-ceramic cooktop (classic, induction, thermal conduction over elevated floor).

The vacuum containers 9 may have one or two adjustable date displays 39 (see Fig. 2) for reading a date, such as a date. the date of filling and / or expiry date. These may be mechanical units (dial wheels) or electronic units.

The vacuum containers 9 may have a pressure sensor 40 (see Fig. 2). This may be an electronic sensor or a mechanical sensor. Advantageously, the pressure sensor includes output means 40a, which allow the user to read the pressure state of the inner space 12 directly on the vacuum tank 9. The output means 40a may indicate the pressure continuously or stepwise, also binary (negative pressure or no negative pressure). In a particularly simple manner, this can, as mentioned, take place via a mechanical frog frog, i. the output means 40a are formed by the membrane of the crackpot frog.

In addition to a pressure sensor, the containers may also be e.g. a gas sensor, e.g. Fäulnisgase (CO2, methane) in the interior 12 can detect. They may also have a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the interior 12.

In the embodiments shown so far, one of the parts of the clutch 18 is fixedly arranged in the refrigerator and the other on the vacuum tank 9, in such a way that they automatically create a connection when the intended arrangement of the vacuum tank 9. It is also conceivable that the connection is created in each case via a flexible hose.

At the vacuum container, an input device may be provided, via which users can allow or suppress the evacuation of the same when inserted into the refrigerator. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, a rotary switch 41 is provided for this purpose, which acts via a spindle 42 on the actuating member 27 and can bring this into two different vertical positions, wherein it actuates the first valve 22 only in the lower position. This input device can also be combined with the mentioned aeration valve 34a, 34b, 34c, so that both functions can be controlled with a single input device.

The controller 6 is advantageously connected to a display unit 44 (see Fig. 1) to indicate to the user the status of the refrigerator. In particular, the controller 6 may be designed such that it detects a leak in a connected vacuum container 9 and optionally indicates this to the user via the display unit 44. There are various possibilities for this. In a simplest embodiment, the controller 6 can determine with a suitable sensor that the vacuum pump 10 has a predetermined negative pressure in the vacuum system, e.g. in the line 11, can not be reached - this is an indication that one of the connected vacuum tank 9 is not tight or that the vacuum system is leaking for another reason.

As shown by way of example in Fig. 4, a pressure control may be arranged on the vacuum container 9, which may be e.g. comprises a variable valve 46 and controls the pressure in the interior when connected vacuum pump 10 to a desired value, so that the pressure is adapted to the particular application. Preferably, the pressure control further has an adjusting device 47, with which the desired value of the pressure (stepwise or continuously) can be specified. The desired value of the pressure can advantageously be varied at least over 0.1 to 0.5 bar, so that the user can adapt it to the relevant applications. For this, e.g. the valve 46 is acted upon by the force of a spring 48 whose force can be varied via the adjusting device 47 so that the valve 46 does not open until the pressure in the interior 12 exceeds the nominal value.

The pressure control according to FIG. 4 can also be used in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-3.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these and may be practiced otherwise within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. Refrigerator, in particular refrigerator, with a cooling unit (5) and with the cooling unit (5) cooled usable space (2), characterized in that at least a portion of the usable space (2) of at least one vacuum container (9) is formed and the cooling device has a vacuum pump (10) for generating a negative pressure in an inner space (12) of the vacuum container (9). 2. Cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum container (9) is removable from the cooling device and wherein a coupling (18) is provided, via which the vacuum container (9) with the vacuum pump (10) is connectable, and in particular wherein the vacuum container (9 ) is configured such that the negative pressure in its interior (12) is maintained even after removal of the vacuum container (9). 3. Cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the coupling (18) has a first, stationary in the cooling unit arranged part (22) and a second, fixed to the vacuum container (9) arranged part (23), wherein the first and the second part connected to each other are. 4. Cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the first part (22) has a first valve (25a, 25b, 25c), which is evident by fixing the second to the first part, and in particular that the first valve (25a, 25b, 25c) a valve body (25a) and a resilient assembly (25c), wherein the valve body (25a) with the resilient arrangement against a valve seat (25b) can be pressed, and wherein on the second part an actuating member (27) is arranged, with which the valve body (25a) is wegdrückbar when connecting the first and the second part of the valve seat (25b). 5. Cooling device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein on the second part (23) a check valve (31) is arranged, which closes when in the interior (12) of the vacuum tank (9) has a lower pressure than at an orifice (28 ) of the second part (23). 6. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) has a cover (14) and a bottom part (15), which together enclose the interior (12) of the vacuum container (9). 7. Refrigerator according to one of claims 3 to 5 and claim 6, wherein the second part (23) of the coupling (18) is arranged on the cover (14). 8. Cooling device according to claim 7, wherein the lid (14) has an edge region (16) which projects beyond the bottom part (15) at least at one location, in particular on two opposite sides, wherein an orifice (28) of the second Part (23) of the coupling (18) on the edge region (16), in particular on an underside of the edge region (16), is arranged. 9. Refrigerator according to claim 8 with a frame part (7) for receiving the at least one vacuum container (9), wherein the first part (22) of the coupling (18) on the frame part (7) is arranged, and wherein the vacuum container (9) in such a way in the frame part (7) is insertable, that it at the edge region (16) of the lid (14) from the frame part (7) is held and that an orifice (30) of the first part (22) at the mouth (28) of the second part (23) of the coupling (18) comes to rest. 10. Cooling device according to claim 9, wherein the frame part (7) has a plurality of openings (8) for receiving a plurality of vacuum container (9). 11. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the frame part (7) is arranged extendable in the refrigerator, and in particular wherein the frame part (7) via a flexible conduit (11) with the vacuum pump (10) is connected. 12. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) is designed as a drawer of the refrigerator. 13. The cooling device according to claim 12, wherein the vacuum container (9) has a cover (14) which automatically opens upon withdrawal of the vacuum container (9) and / or automatically closes when inserting the vacuum container (9). 14. A refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom part (15) of the vacuum container (9) is temperature resistant to at least 100 ° C, in particular at least 150 ° C, in particular at least 300 ° C, in particular at least 400 ° C, and in particular wherein the Floor part (15) is made of metal. 15. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) has a sensor (40), in particular a pressure, temperature or gas sensor 16. Cooling device according to claim 15, wherein the vacuum container (9) has a pressure sensor (40), and in particular wherein the pressure sensor (40) output means (40a), via which a pressure state of the interior (12) can be read. 17. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Unterduckbehälter (9) has a water tank (36) which is in gas exchange communication with the interior (12) of the vacuum vessel (9). 18. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims with a negative pressure system (11, 20), via which the vacuum pump (10) with the at least one vacuum tank (9) is connected, and with a controller (6), with which a leak in the vacuum tank ( 9) and / or in the vacuum system (11, 20) recognizable and can be displayed to the user via a display unit (44). 19. Cooling appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein with the vacuum pump (10) in the interior (12) of the vacuum container (9), the pressure to below 0.5 bar, in particular below 0.1 bar, can be lowered. 20. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) a vent valve (34 a, 34 b, 34 c) for venting the interior (12) is arranged. 21. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) has at least one adjustable date display (39) for reading a date. 22. Cooling appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) has an input device (41, 42) via which an evacuation of the vacuum container (9) is permissible and suppressible. 23. Refrigerator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum container (9) has a pressure control (46, 47), with which the pressure in the interior (12) is adjustable to a desired value. 24. Cooling device according to claim 23, wherein the pressure control (46, 47) has an adjusting device (47), with which a desired value for the pressure is adjustable, wherein the desired value is adjustable in particular over at least a range between 0.1 and 0.5 bar.