DE102016210705A1 - Domestic refrigerating appliance with a coupled with an air circulation storage area for performing an evaporative cooling operation and method for operating a household refrigeration appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to domestic refrigeration appliance (1) with a housing (2), in which at least storage area (8) is designed for food, in which with a moistening device (11) of the household refrigerator (1) liquid drops in the storage area (8) are introduced, with an air circuit (20) having a fan (25), and a control unit (30) for performing an evaporative cooling operation dependent on a cooling medium (21) in the interior (26) of the storage area (8).

Description

The invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance with a housing in which at least storage area for foodstuffs is formed, in which liquid drops can be introduced with a moistening device of the household refrigerating appliance. The household refrigerator further includes an air circuit. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating a household refrigerating appliance.

Domestic refrigerators, such as a refrigerator, are known from the prior art, which has an interior for the introduction of food. This interior space is usually limited by an inner container and closed at the front by a door. In the interior, cold is generated in which air is cooled by a refrigeration cycle of the interior. Furthermore, household refrigerators are known from the prior art, in which a separate storage area is formed in the interior, which is also designed to hold food, in which case an entry of a fine water mist is made possible, thereby the storage quality of these fresh food is positively influenced , Thus, for specific fresh fruits and vegetables by humidification during storage product quality is maintained for a particularly long time. In addition, by such humidification by means of a water mist slightly cooling this food realized. The DE 10 2013 210 481 A1 describes such a household refrigerator. In such household refrigerators, the active moistening takes place in a storage area, which is not part of a forced-ventilated cooling air circulation, since otherwise the consuming moisture would be dissipated again within a short time.

Fruits and vegetables are products that have an active metabolism even after harvesting. Transpiration and respiration processes result in the loss of valuable ingredients as well as loss of fresh mass due to moisture loss.

By a suitable storage condition, these processes can be reduced or slowed down. The lower the storage temperature of the respective product, the lower the loss of ingredients as metabolic processes almost completely come to a standstill.

Transpiration losses can be avoided mainly by maintaining the equilibrium moisture content of the stored material in the storage environment. For example, this is achieved by appropriate packaging or protected storage in tight storage boxes. This is already being implemented in special vegetable trays with humidity control in refrigerators.

In addition, there are systems in the commercial sector, which try by humidification within the vegetable peel, by rewet or the active atomization of water in the vegetable peel high, the air moisture content high and thus keep the transpiration of stored fruits and vegetables low. Systems for active humidification are also known from the food retail trade. During product presentation of unpackaged goods, active humidification is performed to reduce moisture loss of the product.

The limits of the systems in the function of product freshness in household refrigerators are always given by the underlying refrigeration system and the dependence of the load of the corresponding storage areas. So occurs in so-called no-frost systems on a very strong dehumidification, which can adversely affect the storage of fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, there are systems in which the good functionality is given only at high loading and thus high moisture input.

Domestic refrigerators, in which such a separated storage area is formed in an interior, are from the DE 10 2009 029 139 A1 and the DE 10 2009 029 141 A1 known.

Also, so-called no-frost household refrigerators are known, for example from the DE 10 2010 041 952 A1 ,

In the known household appliances, the cooling rate is limited in the separate storage area or the fresh food container. The cooling rate, especially in such a storage area, is of importance from a variety of perspectives. For example, by faster cooling of food in this storage area hygienic requirements can be better taken into account. This is especially true for, for example, cooked food, which can then be placed in the storage area. In addition, by a faster cooling of the food in the storage area, an extension of the storage life can still be achieved with a high degree of freshness. Not least, a faster cooling is also advantageous if a quick demand of such a cooled food for a subsequent consumption is desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a household refrigeration appliance and a method for operating such a household refrigeration appliance create, in which the cooling of a storage area is faster.

This object is achieved by a household refrigerator and a method according to the independent claims.

An inventive household refrigeration appliance comprises a housing in which at least one storage area for foodstuffs is formed, in which liquid drops can be introduced with a moistening device of the domestic refrigerating appliance. The household refrigerator further comprises an air circuit having a fan, and a control unit for performing a cooling medium-dependent evaporative cooling operation in the interior of the storage area.

An essential idea of the invention can be seen in the fact that liquid droplets are introduced from the moistening device into the storage area, and subsequently an evaporative cooling operation dependent on a cooling medium is carried out in the interior of the storage area with the forced-circulation air circuit, in which forced overflowing occurs of the cooling medium via the liquid drops the liquid drops are evaporated. This has the advantage that the liquid droplets cool directly and the carrier of the liquid droplets, for example a bottle, is cooled very efficiently. The heat transfer carrier liquid droplet as a solid-liquid transition is significantly more efficient than a solid-air transition as in the case of a flow around the carrier or the bottle with cold air.

This idea of the invention is applicable to a variety of types of domestic refrigerators by employing one or more of the embodiments described below. In a simple household appliance type, essentially the entire interior consists of the storage area. In another type of household appliance, the interior consists essentially of a receiving space for food, in which a conventional cooling takes place and a storage area, which has a humidifying device. Both of the types described above may also have a freezing area in particular,

Furthermore, the idea of the invention can be applied, on the one hand, to static domestic refrigerators, typically with an evaporator suspended freely in the interior, or an evaporator arranged in the rear wall.

On the other hand, the idea of the invention can also be applied to no-frost domestic refrigerators, typically with an evaporator separated from a storage space for refrigerated goods, in particular a fin evaporator, which is connected to the storage space by means of an air duct.

In particular, in a no-frost household refrigeration appliance with a receiving space for food, in which a conventional cooling and a storage area having a humidifier and an optional freezer, the invention is particularly advantageous because an air duct with a fan for forced air circulation already for the conventional Cooling of the receiving space is used. Here, with existing moistening device as an additional expense only a controlled connection of the storage room to the forced-driven air circulation is required. For this purpose, the air circuit with the interior of the storage area for introducing a cooling medium of the air circuit in the interior of the storage area for carrying out a dependent of the cooling medium evaporative cooling operation in the interior of the storage area with a coupling device, in particular a flap, coupled. In the domestic refrigerator according to this embodiment, it is provided in particular that the air circuit is decoupled from the interior of the storage area in a normal operation and no direct cooling of the interior of the storage area by the air circulation takes place. The moistening device then operates in normal operation of the refrigeration device in a keep-fresh operation. In this separate evaporative cooling operation of the household refrigerating appliance, a direct objective coupling between the air circuit and the interior of the storage area is then provided, so that the cooling medium can also flow into the interior of the storage area. In this evaporative cooling operation, evaporative cooling or adiabatic cooling is thus carried out in the interior of the storage area. By such a configuration, the cooling of the interior of the storage area and thus also of foods arranged therein is significantly accelerated. Thus, for example, the hygienic requirements for food to be stored as well as other aspects better taken into account. In particular, an extension of the storage time can thus be achieved. For example, this is the case when introduced warm food, since the period in which the stored goods or the food introduced is warm, is significantly reduced. In addition, a much faster supply of food, which should be cooled down to a certain temperature, take place. This is very advantageous, especially with drinks. In particular, a growth of microorganisms can be avoided by a very rapid cooling in the storage area. Because of the temperature, the metabolic processes in fruits and vegetables are decisive influenced, such a significantly faster cooling of food in this storage area, the significant slowing down of such metabolic processes. For example, it reduces all enzyme activity in the fruit or vegetables, as well as reduces ethylene production and ethylene sensitivity. Also, the loss of water from the cells of fruits and vegetables is significantly reduced because the transpiration rate is significantly reduced.

Especially the already mentioned prepared warm dishes experienced in the context of a preferred cooling and storage. In particular, hot foods should leave a temperature range between 65 ° C and 70 ° C as quickly as possible in order to prevent germination of potential spore formers and, in addition, to prevent the growth of mesophilic pathogenic germs.

Even with an accelerated cooling of blanched vegetables, there are significant benefits. For example, on the one hand cooling rates comparable to immersion in very cold water can be achieved, on the other hand drying of the surface is avoided, which also maintains the texture preservation of the stored product.

Evaporative cooling is understood to mean that a medium, for example water, which is in a liquid state of aggregation is evaporated. With this evaporation of water, water is deliberately removed from the water. The consequence of this is that stored goods, such as food introduced in the storage area, which is also wetted with the liquid drops, heat is removed. It is therefore even in place of the stored material itself the evaporation of the liquid droplets and thereby taking place the cooling of the stored material. Especially by the, in particular in quantity, speed and direction, very skillful Zuleiten of cooling medium of this evaporation process is improved and accelerated. In the invention, not only is there any kind of feeding a cooling medium, but in a defined manner, the supply of a cooling medium of the air circulation of the household refrigerating appliance, which is in particular designed for cooling a receiving space. Thus, in this evaporative cooling operation, in particular, that cooling medium which is also conducted into the receiving space is introduced into this storage area. As a result, an already existing component of the household refrigerating appliance, namely the air circulation, is used with its then suitable cooling medium in order to be able to carry out an evaporative cooling operation which is advantageous and more efficient with respect to rapid cooling even in the storage area otherwise different from the receiving space. The efficiency of the evaporative cooling is thereby significantly increased.

The household refrigerating appliance preferably comprises at least one receiving space for foods with a conventional cooling operation formed in the housing. The receiving space may be a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. In addition, the domestic refrigeration appliance also includes the storage area for food in addition to the receiving space. In particular, liquid drops can only be introduced into the storage area with the humidifying device of the household refrigerating appliance and it is thereby possible to set a different degree of humidity of the receiving space and thus a different relative humidity in the storage area.

In particular, the moistening device is designed to introduce a fluid mist generated from a liquid fluid into the storage area, which then deposits as liquid droplets. The moistening device comprises, in particular, a tank for filling with the liquid fluid to be atomized, and which in particular has a nebulizer unit, such as a piezo nebulizer.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the cooling medium which can be conducted from the air circulation into the interior of the storage area is unsaturated air. This is of particular advantage, since a particularly large evaporation rate can be achieved by such a dry air, which then also enters the interior of the storage area at a certain flow rate and flows over the water droplets therein. The efficiency of the evaporative cooling is thereby increased again. The cooling medium is therefore air with very low humidity.

Due to their intended function, the wetting device makes it possible for this storage area to be actively moistened in order to deposit liquid, for example through small water droplets or a water film, over a fluid mist which can be introduced into the storage area and thus into the interior of the storage area can. These liquid droplets or a water film are deposited or deposited on the inner sides of the walls of the storage area and are also stored or deposited on food in the interior of the storage area, if such are introduced. However, since a relatively high degree of humidity is now generated in this moistening device, an essential prerequisite for carrying out an evaporative cooling is fulfilled, since the moistening with liquid, in particular water, is achieved. However, since now a very high humidity or a very high degree of humidity occurs in the interior of the storage area, this existing indoor air is very humid and their absorption capacity low. The room air is already close the saturation. Therefore, with the room air, no evaporative cooling can be achieved with a sufficient degree of evaporative cooling in order to achieve a correspondingly rapid cooling of the interior of the storage area. However, this is significantly changed by the supply of this cooling medium in the form of unsaturated and thus dry air from the cooling device into the interior of the storage area in this coupled state. As a result, the evaporative cooling is achieved with sufficiently large Verdunstungskühlungsgrad and thus achieved the rapid cooling of the interior of the storage area.

It is particularly advantageous if the air circuit is designed in its intended arrangement and configuration in the domestic refrigerator anyway for cooling the receiving space and to dry air is used as a cooling medium accordingly is particularly advantageous. In particular, such household refrigerators are used with appropriate design as no-frost household refrigerators. In such an embodiment, an already existing air circuit and a household refrigeration appliance with then also a corresponding cooling medium in the form of unsaturated air is thus present, which can then be cleverly used to be coupled in this desired evaporative cooling operation with the storage area. In normal operation, which represents a mode of operation of the household refrigerating appliance which differs from the evaporative cooling operation, the air circulation is decoupled from the interior of the storage area in such an embodiment. It then takes place in this normal operation no introduction of the cooling medium of the air circuit in the interior of the storage area.

In such an embodiment, the air circuit preferably has at least one flow channel with which the cooling medium can be conducted into the receiving space. Preferably, the air circuit here on several such flow channels, which are also referred to as multi-air duct system. By the relevant circulation of the unsaturated air through these flow channels in the refrigerator compartment and, if present in the household refrigerator, in the freezer compartment, the temperature of the individual compartments is achieved with individual temperature values.

Preferably, it is provided that the flow channel of this air circuit as a coupling device with the storage area has a branch with a closing element, in particular the flap, wherein the branch opens into the interior of the storage area. As a result, in a relatively short and predetermined way, the conducting of the cooling medium in this evaporative cooling operation into the interior of the storage area is made possible depending on the operating phase.

The flap is simple, yet highly functional and robust. It is mechanically easy to move yet still reliably closes the branch, so that when the evaporative cooling operation is not performed and the normal operation is performed, the cooling medium of the air circuit can not undesirably flow into the interior of the storage area. If a desired cooling is achieved there, the evaporative cooling operation is no longer carried out in order not to undesirably impair the desired degree of moisture in the interior of the storage area. It is therefore in normal operation of particular advantage if the branch is dense maximum and thus the inflow of the cooling medium is prevented in the storage area.

It is preferably provided that the closing element, in particular the flap, is controlled by a control unit of the household refrigerating appliance and thus an opening and closing of the closing element can be controlled by the control unit. As a result, the closing element is brought into the respective position very needs and automatically. It can thus not be forgotten by a user that the closing element must be closed during normal operation and must be open in the evaporative cooling operation. Malfunction or even damage to the system can be avoided. Also, negative influences on food in the storage area can be avoided.

Preferably, it is provided that the household refrigerating appliance has an input element, by the actuation of which an activation of the moistening device and the execution of the evaporative cooling operation is initiated. As a result, a selection by a user can be made, for example, by a simple operating element, whether the evaporative cooling operation or the normal operation is to be performed.

Advantageously, the control unit is designed to carry out a fresh-keeping operation, in which a freshness-preserving moisture level, in particular in the case of an inactive fan, can be set in the interior of the storage area by means of the humidifying device, the freshness-keeping moisture level in particular also being an evaporative cooling-moisture level with an inactive fan which is adjustable by increasing the current humidity level. This allows a further use of the moistening device, namely for a fresh keeping operation.

In particular, it is provided that the control unit to carry out a Preparing operation is configured in which in the interior of the storage area by means of the moistening device in preparation for evaporative cooling, an increase in the degree of moisture inside the storage area to an evaporative cooling moisture level. This preparation mode switches off to fresh chilled goods, which react sensitively to a dry cooling air. This chilled product is moistened and prepared for the following evaporative cooling operation. In particular, it is thus possible to leave in the storage area during the rapid cooling of refrigerated goods such as beverage bottles further refrigerated goods, for which the rapid cooling is not provided, in the storage area. This preparation mode of operation is thus in particular a different mode of operation for evaporative cooling operation, for keeping fresh and for normal operation. This is very advantageous in that, in this preparation mode, the moisture level in the interior of the storage area is purposefully increased, in order not to undesirably lower the degree of humidity in the subsequent evaporative cooling operation by the inflow, in particular of the dry and therefore unsaturated air, in such a way that the moisture introduced therein Foods would be negatively affected by the reduction in moisture content in terms of their shelf life. It is thus increased in this preparation mode to be set in the normal operation in the moistening device moisture level, in particular significantly increased. Thus, there is so much fluid available for the subsequent evaporative cooling operation that the evaporative cooling can be carried out effectively, but after the evaporative cooling operation the moisture level still has a value which does not adversely affect the storability in the interior of the storage area, in particular has a value corresponding to a moisture level value in the interior of the storage area provided for normal operation.

In a further embodiment, different partial areas of the storage area are moistened to different degrees. Thus, a partial area can be provided for fresh refrigerated goods to be stored and refrigerated goods to be cooled rapidly, and both cooling tasks can be performed simultaneously by a single moistening device in the same storage area. Here, the preparation operation is particularly advantageous.

Preferably, it is provided that the household refrigerating appliance has a control unit which is designed to set the preparatory operation as a function of requesting the coupled state of the air circuit with the interior of the storage area before generating the coupled state. The above-mentioned advantages are thereby further improved. Thus, in this targeted increase in moisture level in the storage area, in particular, no cooling medium of the air circuit is supplied, so that, in particular, the moisture level is not increased in parallel and, on the other hand, the cooling medium is introduced in order to be able to carry out the evaporative cooling. Each of the steps to be performed and the resulting adjustments can thus be performed separately and independently of each other, so that advantages can be obtained here in view of the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling.

Preferably, it is provided that the domestic refrigeration appliance has a fan or a fan, with which a flow support of the cooling medium in the storage area can be generated during the evaporative cooling operation. In this advantageous embodiment, the flow velocity of the cooling medium is thus increased in such a way that the evaporation cooling effect also takes place particularly advantageously by the flow of the cooling medium through the liquid in the interior of the storage area.

Preferably, it is provided that the household refrigerating appliance has a lighting device, with which an activation of the humidifying device and / or the evaporative cooling operation is optically signaled by emitting a light signal in a specific light color. With this configuration, the user is then signaled in a simple and intuitive perceptible manner this specific operating mode. It can then easily be seen in the context that, if appropriate, opening of the storage area should not take place in order not to slow down the rapid cooling process by a heat occurring when the storage area is opened.

It is preferably provided that a light signal can be generated in the storage area itself and / or emits a light signal into the storage area. This local targeted this optical signaling is offered. Since a domestic refrigeration appliance usually has very many compartments and operating modes as well as functionalities, this local assignment of the optical signaling also improves the passive perception and understanding of a user with respect to the information communicated. Misinterpretations and the resulting undesirable opening of the storage area during the evaporative cooling operation are thereby avoided.

Preferably, the household refrigerator is a no-frost household refrigeration appliance.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating a household refrigerating appliance with a housing in which at least one Storage area is designed for food in which are introduced with a moistening device of the household refrigerator liquid drops. Subsequently, with the forcibly driven air circulation, an evaporative cooling operation dependent on a cooling medium is carried out in the interior of the storage area, in which the liquid drops are evaporated due to the forced overflow of the cooling medium via the liquid drops.

Advantageous embodiments of the household refrigerating appliance are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method.

In particular, in a no-frost domestic refrigeration appliance with a receiving space for food, in which a conventional cooling takes place and a storage area, which has a humidifying device and an optional freezer, the following embodiment is advantageous. An air circuit of the household refrigerator is coupled to an interior of the storage area for introducing a cooling medium of the air circuit into the interior of the storage area by operating a flap, and in the coupled state, an evaporative cooling operation dependent on the introduction of the cooling medium is performed in the interior of the storage area in which, in the evaporative cooling operation, the liquid drops are evaporated due to the overflow of the cooling medium via the liquid drops.

Thus, by introducing the cooling medium in this coupled state, an evaporative cooling or an evaporative cooling process is performed in the interior of the bearing area. In a normal operation of the household refrigerating appliance, and thus also of the storage area, different from the evaporative cooling operation, a decoupled state between the air circuit and the interior of the storage area is set, and the cooling medium of the air circuit can not reach the interior of the storage area in this decoupled state. The advantages achievable with the method according to the invention have already been explained in the explanation of the household refrigerating appliance.

In particular, a receiving space for food is also formed in the housing, and with the moistening device, a moisture level different from the receiving space is adjusted by the introduction of the liquid drops only into the storage area in the storage area.

In particular, the food is cooled by the evaporation of the liquid droplets in the storage area, in particular by liquid drops on a food introduced in the storage area.

Preferably, as the cooling medium, unsaturated air is conducted into the interior of the storage area in the coupled state of the air circulation with the storage area. In particular, the air circulation of the household refrigerating appliance is used for cooling the at least one receiving space, so that the cooling medium is directed primarily for cooling a receiving space in the receiving space and is secondarily operating phase-dependent, especially at the same time, also passed into the storage area. In particular, the household refrigerator is a no-frost domestic refrigeration appliance.

In an advantageous embodiment, prior to performing the evaporative cooling operation, a preparatory operation is performed in which the degree of humidity in the interior of the storage area is set to a higher value desired for evaporative cooling compared to the normal operation of the storage area.

Advantageous embodiments of the household refrigeration appliance are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method, to enable individual components of the household refrigerating appliance alone or in interaction with the respective process steps.

It can also be provided that the fan or its operation is optically signaled by light signals. It may be static light signals in the context, but it can also be provided here dynamic light signals. For example, a stroboscopic lighting effect can be generated.

In the storage area food can be introduced, in which context fruits and vegetables and already prepared food can be introduced. Also meat and fish can be stored in it. Likewise, as a food but also a drink, such as a beverage bottle, be stored.

However, the household refrigerator may also be designed as a static household refrigeration appliance and thus have no no-frost cooling technology. Even with such a configuration, a cooling medium of a cooling device, in particular unsaturated air, can be conducted into the storage area. For example, this may be air from a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment.

It is particularly advantageous if the domestic refrigerator is a no-frost domestic refrigerator with a no-frost refrigeration device. Because a thereby generated in the device itself and for the Evaporative cooling in the storage area particularly advantageous cooling medium, namely the very dry air is then available anyway and can be used. In a no-frost household refrigeration appliance, this is cooled by means of a forced-ventilation heat exchanger.

A no-frost household refrigerator is equipped with a no-frost technology. As a no-frost technique, a technical process is referred to, in which the humidity is reduced in a designed as a freezer compartment interior. As a result, the food does not frost or significantly reduced and a defrosting of the freezer compartment can be omitted or only needs to be carried out in significantly reduced time cycles. In such a no-frost technique, for example, cooling elements designed as cooling fins, and thus a heat exchanger of the secondary circuit, lie in a separate area in the interior space. During the cooling phase, the cold air is then introduced from this separated area in the interior and thus the freezer compartment by a fan. These devices are designed so that air circulates through all compartments of the interior and enters the cycle again in the separated area. Since cold air holds less moisture, it precipitates as frost primarily only at the heat exchanger of the secondary circuit located in the separated area and the coldest point in the no-frost home appliance having contact with air. It may then be provided that a defrost mode is performed at specific time intervals, in which this first heat exchanger is defrosted in the separated area. For this purpose, in particular a heating device is provided in the no-frost domestic refrigeration appliance, by which a heating of this heat exchanger is performed. The resulting then from the thawing ice layer water can run out of the interior and thus also from the device via a gutter and can be collected in a collecting bowl, which can also serve as an evaporation tank. In particular, the fan is deactivated in the defrost mode, so that the freezer compartment remains cooled. Thanks to the no-frost technology, the freezing of cooling fins is significantly reduced and the humidity in the entire domestic refrigeration unit drops, which also significantly reduces the formation of ice layers.

With an exemplary, relatively simple method, the humidity in the freezer compartment is significantly reduced in a no-frost device. This is achieved in particular by a separation of the cooling fins from the actual cooling area or cooling compartment, wherein the cold air is conveyed by means of a fan in the freezer compartment or the freezer compartment. The cold air circulates as a circuit through all compartments of the refrigerator and re-enters the refrigerator section. Since it can absorb the moisture only poorly, and can hold less well, this beats down on the cooling fins. These are heated and defrosted at regular time intervals and the water preferably passes, for example via a channel, into an evaporation container. The humidity in the whole device sinks and almost no ice layers are formed. In contrast to conventional devices, the majority of the resulting moisture, which leads to the freezing of conventional freezers, accumulates in household refrigerators with no-frost technology in the separate area of the cooling fins.

This principle of no-frost technology also applies to a design of the cooling device as a no-frost cooling device.

The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction", etc. are the intended use and intended arrangement of the device and at a given then before the device standing and looking in the direction of the device given positions and orientations.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations without the scope of the invention leave. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed, which thus do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, embodiments and combinations of features, in particular by the embodiments set out above, are to be regarded as disclosed, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the back references of the claims.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigerator according to the invention;

2 a front view of a partial section of the household refrigerator according to 1 ;

3 a perspective view of the detail in 2 with partially withdrawn tank of moistening device; and

4 a schematic sectional view of a portion of the household refrigerator according to 1 to 3 ,

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 is a schematic perspective view of a household refrigerator 1 shown, which may be a refrigerator or a freezer or a combination refrigerator-freezer.

The household refrigerator 1 includes a housing 2 which is an inner container 3 surrounds. The inner container 3 limited with its walls a receiving space or interior 4 , in particular a cooling compartment, which is designed to receive food. In addition, the same inner container limited 3 or another inner container another receiving space or interior 5 , in particular a freezer, in which food can also be introduced.

Front are the interiors 4 and 5 through separate doors 6 and 7 closable.

The household refrigerator 1 can also have a refrigeration cycle, by means of which the corresponding temperature in the interiors 4 and 5 can be generated. For this purpose, the refrigeration cycle comprises in particular an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor and corresponding connecting lines in which a refrigerant circulates. In a preferred provided no-frost household refrigerator 1 is the evaporator, in particular a finned evaporator, outside the interior 4 and separated arranged. With a fan air is supplied to the evaporator, which is then cooled and an air duct system to the interior 4 is directed.

However, the household refrigerator may also be one without no-frost technology. The evaporator is then arranged in the interior itself and regarded as a static evaporator. The household refrigerator is referred to in this case as a static household refrigerator. Even then, the device has an air circulation. Because a fan sucks air from an interior 4 . 5 and blows them over a storage product or food in a storage area 8th from where she then returns to the interior 4 . 5 flows.

However, it is particularly preferred if the household refrigerator 1 is a no-frost household refrigeration appliance.

In the embodiment is in the interior 4 a separate storage area 8th , in the exemplary embodiment as a freshness-keeping container with a corresponding inner space or inner volume formed. The freshness container is through a in the depth direction and thus in the z direction movable drawer 9 and one the drawer 9 cover from above 10 educated.

In this embodiment is as a cooling device for the interior 4 an air circuit formed. It is further contemplated that in the fresh container one to the remaining partial volume of the interior 4 different temperature is adjustable. In the context, the freshness-keeping container may preferably be a compartment in which, in particular, temperatures between 0 ° C. and 4 ° C. are set. The temperatures in the rest of the interior 4 are preferably slightly higher or can be set higher by a user.

In addition, in the fresh container one to the remaining partial volume of the interior 4 different ambient humidity or a corresponding degree of moisture can be adjusted.

For the corresponding defined setting of the ambient humidity in the fresh food container is a moistening device 11 intended. With the moistening device 11 can liquid drops in the storage area 8th are introduced, which then reflected in particular on the stored goods or refrigerated goods therein. This moistening device 11 is in the exemplary embodiment and thus not to be understood as complete, in the width direction and thus in the x direction of the household refrigerator 1 considered overlapping next to the drawer 9 arranged and beyond in the vertical direction and thus in the y-direction at least partially, in particular over its entire height, at the same height level as the drawer 9 positioned. The moistening device 11 is just like the drawer 9 with the door open 6 accessible from the front. The moistening device 11 is for introducing a generated from a liquid fluid, in particular water, fluid mist in the fresh food container 8th educated.

As can also be seen, for example, above the lid 10 in particular an arrangement of further containers, in particular in the form of drawers 12 and 13 , intended.

In 2 is an enlarged view of a view of the household refrigerator 1 in the area of the moistening device 11 and the Food container shown. As in 2 can be seen, the moistening device extends 11 about the same height as the drawer 9 ,

The moistening device 11 is formed with a rectangular front and shaped cuboid in its entire three-dimensional design.

The moistening device 11 is designed to provide sufficient moisture in the container or the interior 26 ( 4 ) of the storage area 8th bring to. For this purpose, it can include an already existing blower or a fan. As seen from the view in 2 can be seen further, is in the embodiment above the lid 10 a partition plate 14 arranged on which the drawers 12 and 13 are arranged displaceably.

In 3 is a perspective view of the partial view in 2 shown. In contrast to the representation in 3 is a tank 15 the moistening device 11 partially pulled out. The moistening device 11 includes next to the tank 15 a housing 16 which, for example, a lower part 17 and a top with a top roof. In the lower part 17 are at least some components of a nebulizer unit 18 the moistening device 11 arranged. By the particular forward open U-shape of the housing 16 is a slot or a slot for the tank 15 educated.

The Tank 15 can in horizontal depth direction and thus in z-direction from the housing 16 and thus pulled out of the insertion slot. In the embodiment shown here, the tank 15 completely from the case 16 be separated. It can thus be filled external to the device, for example at a tap.

The housing 16 is mechanically coupled in the interior 4 arranged and is fixed in particular stationary. It can also be arranged non-destructively detachable. The Tank 15 is in particular guided and not shown guides in the insertion compartment.

In the tank 15 is on one of the drawer 9 facing a fog outlet opening 19 formed, from which of the fluid, in particular the water, which in the tank 15 is contained and through the nebulizer unit 18 is misted, generated mist or fluid mist exits and enters the fresh food container. The fluid mist then settles in the form of drops of liquid on the stored goods and thus the food introduced as well as on the insides of the walls of the fresh food container. For introduction into the drawer 9 is a fluidic coupling between the mist outlet opening 19 and an inlet opening in particular on the drawer 9 intended. This can be designed such that a permanent connection, for example realized by a line connection fluid connection is formed. Therefore, during a relative movement of the drawer 9 to the housing 16 also this fluid-conducting connection can be maintained.

However, it can also be provided that the moistening device 11 and a relatively movable drawer 9 of the fresh food container by a only in the inserted end position of the drawer 9 coupled coupling a connection for the introduction of mist in the drawer 9 exhibit.

In 4 is a schematic vertical sectional view (sectional plane yz plane) the household refrigerator 1 shown in the area of the fresh food container. As can be seen thereby includes the household refrigerator 1 the air circulation 20 , The air circulation 20 is for producing dry and thus unsaturated air 21 educated. In particular, it is provided in the embodiment that the air circulation 20 also for cooling the interiors 4 and 5 is trained. In this embodiment, the household refrigerator is 1 a no-frost household refrigeration appliance.

The air circulation 20 in this context comprises a multi-air duct system with at least one flow channel 22 , In this is the air 21 circulated and, for example, via outlets 23 and 24 at least in the interior 4 , preferably also in the interior 5 , guided. The air 21 then circulates in this multi-duct system. In particular, this is also a fan 25 provided, which generates the circulating air flow.

The household refrigerator 1 further comprises a control unit, in particular the control unit 30 , which is designed to carry out a dependent of a cooling medium evaporative cooling operation. In the evaporative cooling operation, evaporative cooling becomes in the storage area 8th In particular, it carries out the unsaturated air that is in the air circulation 21 flows into the storage area 8th initiated.

In particular, it is provided that this multi-air duct system, in particular with the flow channel 22 , with the interior 26 the cling container defined can be coupled. It is provided here that the flow channel 22 a turnoff 27 that is in the interior 26 empties. In particular, it is provided here that a coupling device 28 is formed, by means of which the flow channel 22 with the interior 26 can be coupled or decoupled. The coupling device 28 in particular by the above-mentioned control unit 30 controlled.

In the exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 28 a closing element, which preferably has a movable flap 29 is. In particular, this flap 29 with the control unit 30 controllable. The local situation and the design of the control unit 30 are merely symbolic of the representation in 4 drawn and the local situation as well as the functionality can be manifold.

In a normal operation of the Frischhaltebehälters or the storage area 8th , in which only a corresponding degree of moisture in the interior 26 is adjustable or is set, is the flap 29 closed and the flow channel 22 and thus the air circulation 20 decoupled from the freshness container, so no direct entry of a cooling medium, in particular the air 21 in the interior 26 , can be done. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the control unit 30 is designed for carrying out a freshness keeping operation, in which in the interior of the storage area 8th through the moistening device 11 increasing the degree of moisture to a degree of humidity, in particular an evaporative cooling moisture level, especially when the fan is not active.

The household refrigerator 1 has in addition to this normal operation to a separate and defined adjustable evaporative cooling operation, in which in the interior 26 an evaporative cooling is performed.

In particular, the household refrigerator includes 1 also a separate preparation plant where this evaporative cooling is prepared. This preparation operation is in particular by the control unit 30 controlled. Should such evaporation cooling inside 26 take place there to achieve a rapid cooling, this can in particular via an input element, preferably an operating element of the household refrigerator 1 to be requested by a user. If this is done, it will be via the control unit 30 in particular also a preparation operation is carried out. In this is the flow channel 22 still from the inside 26 decoupled, so that in this preparation operation still no air 21 in the interior 26 can get. In this preparation mode, the moisture level or the ambient humidity inside 26 increased beyond the desired level in normal operation. For this purpose, the moistening device 11 operated accordingly, so on the nebulizer unit 18 , which may be a piezo nebulizer, for example, even more fluid mist in the interior 26 is introduced. By this preparation operation is then avoided in the subsequent evaporative cooling operation that the degree of moisture would drop undesirably strong and the introduced liquid or the water film or the water droplets would be undesirably dried and discharged. If this preparation operation is then ended, in particular via the control unit 30 then controlled the evaporative cooling operation and then the flap 29 open, causing the flow channel 22 directly to the interior 26 of the fresh food container 8th connected is. In this evaporative cooling mode then flows the air 21 also directly from the flow channel 22 in the interior 26 one. Through the fan 25 the inflow is still accelerated, so that the overflow of the unsaturated air 21 over the water droplets or the water film inside 26 faster and thus the evaporative cooling process is improved. By this evaporative cooling is a very fast and effective cooling of the interior 26 reached.

In such an evaporative cooling operation can by a lighting device, the optical signaling of this operation on the fresh food container itself and / or inside 26 respectively. Also, the corresponding operation of the fan 25 be optically signaled in this evaporative cooling operation.

Furthermore, a lighting device 31 shown, which is however only symbolically to understand in position and design. With the lighting device 31 can be emitted light signals with which operating conditions can be optically signaled. In particular, the evaporative cooling operation can be visually displayed by, for example, the shell 9 is lit and / or the interior 26 is illuminated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Household refrigerator

2

 casing

3

 inner container

4

 inner space

5

 inner space

6

 door

7

 door

8th

 storage area

9

 drawer

10

 cover

11

 humidifying

12

 drawer

13

 drawer

14

 separating plate

15

 tank

16

 casing

17

 lower part

18

 nebulizer

19

 Fog nozzle

20

 Air circuit

21

 air

22

 flow channel

23

 outlet

24

 outlet

25

 Fan

26

 Interior

27

 diversion

28

 coupling device

29

 flap

30

 control unit

31

 lighting device

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 102013210481 A1 [0002]
• DE 102009029139 A1 [0008]
• DE 102009029141 A1 [0008]
• DE 102010041952 A1 [0009]

Claims (15)

Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) with a housing ( 2 ), in which at least one storage area ( 8th ) is designed for food, in which with a moistening device ( 11 ) of the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) Liquid droplets can be introduced, with an air circuit ( 20 ), which has a fan ( 25 ), and with a control unit ( 30 ) for carrying out a cooling medium ( 21 ) dependent evaporative cooling operation in the interior ( 26 ) of the storage area ( 8th ). Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling medium ( 21 ) is unsaturated air. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air circulation ( 20 ) at least one flow channel ( 22 ), with which the cooling medium ( 21 ) in the reception room ( 4 . 5 ) is conductive. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the flow channel ( 22 ) a branch ( 27 ) with a flap ( 29 ), and the branch ( 27 ) into the interior ( 26 ) of the storage area ( 8th ) opens. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the flap ( 29 ) by the control unit ( 30 ) is controlled to open and close. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) has an input element, by the actuation of which an activation of the moistening device ( 11 ) and the execution of the evaporative cooling operation is initiated. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 30 ) is designed to carry out a fresh-keeping operation, in which in the interior ( 26 ) of the storage area ( 8th ) by the moistening device ( 11 ) An increase in the degree of humidity on a fresh moisture content level when the fan is not active. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 30 ) is designed to carry out a preparation operation, in which in the interior ( 26 ) of the storage area ( 8th ) by means of the moistening device ( 11 ) in preparation for evaporative cooling increasing the degree of moisture inside ( 26 ) to an evaporative cooling moisture level. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) a lighting device ( 31 ), with which an activation of the moistening device ( 11 ) and / or the evaporative cooling operation is optically signaled by emitting a light signal in a specific light color, in particular a light signal in the storage area ( 8th ) is producible and / or a light signal in the storage area ( 8th ) shine. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) a recording room ( 4 . 5 ) for food with a conventional refrigeration operation. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that with the moistening device ( 11 ) of the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) by introducing the liquid drops into the storage area ( 8th ) one of the receiving space ( 4 . 5 ) different degrees of moisture in the storage area ( 8th ) is adjustable, and the air circuit ( 20 ) for cooling the receiving space formed for receiving food ( 4 . 5 ) of the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) is trained. Household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) is a no-frost household refrigeration appliance. Method for operating a household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) with a housing ( 2 ), in which at least one storage area ( 8th ) is designed for food, with a moistening device ( 11 ) and an air circuit, wherein the moistening device ( 11 ) in the storage area ( 8th ) Liquid drops are introduced, and then with the forcibly driven air circuit ( 20 ) one of a cooling medium ( 21 ) dependent evaporative cooling operation in the interior ( 26 ) of the storage area ( 8th ) is carried out, in which by the forced overflow of the cooling medium ( 21 ) over the liquid drops the liquid drops are evaporated. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that in the housing ( 2 ) at least one recording room ( 4 . 5 ) is formed for food, and with the moistening device ( 11 ) of the household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) by introducing the liquid drops one from the receiving space ( 4 . 5 ) different degrees of moisture in the storage area ( 8th ) is set. A method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that as cooling medium ( 21 ) unsaturated air into the interior ( 26 ) of the storage area ( 8th ) in the coupled state of the air circuit ( 20 ) with the storage area ( 8th ).

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