DE102016221753A1 - Household appliance with acoustic surface wave atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1) having a housing (2) and a nebulizer unit (14) arranged in the housing (2) for producing a fluid mist (35) from a fluid (24), wherein the nebulizer unit (14) has an acoustic Surface wave atomizer is.

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance having a housing and a nebulizer unit arranged in the housing for generating a fluid mist from a fluid.

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 cool air is introduced, which is generated by a refrigeration cycle. In the interior, a storage area is separately formed for this purpose, which is also designed to hold food, in which case an entry of a water mist is made possible, whereby the storage quality of these fresh food is positively influenced. In the case of fresh fruit and vegetables, humidification during storage ensures that product quality is maintained for a particularly long time. In addition, such moistening by means of a water mist accelerated cooling of these foods is realized.

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 more the storage temperature at the freezing point of the respective product, the lower the loss of ingredients, since metabolic processes almost completely come to a standstill. By actively moistening during storage, freshly stored food can also be cooled by evaporative cooling, which also ensures the improved preservation of product quality.

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 that try to keep the moisture content high and thus minimize the transpiration losses of stored fruit and vegetables by evaporating moisture inside the vegetable peel, by re-wetting or actively misting water in the vegetable shell. 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 may possibly 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.

Previous systems in domestic refrigeration appliances are only able to maintain the given product status within the stated limits. An improvement of the product quality in terms of an additional protective function or in the sense of returning already lost freshness is not possible.

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. Furthermore, from the EP 2 368 446 A1 a household refrigerator with a nebulizer known.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a household appliance in which the nebulizer unit is functionally improved.

A domestic appliance according to the invention comprises a housing and a nebulizer unit arranged on the housing, which is designed to generate a fluid mist from a fluid. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that the nebulizer unit is a surface acoustic wave atomizer. Such a configuration of the nebulizer unit on the one hand achieves the functionality for generating the fluid mist, on the other hand for equipping and combination with other components of the nebuliser unit or a moistening device of the domestic appliance having the nebulizer unit. The assembly of individual components of the nebulizer unit with other components is made possible by this specific embodiment. As a result, on the one hand the reversible use of such multi-component modules of the nebulizer unit is made possible, on the other hand a simple disposal or a simple replacement and thus a corresponding, also resulting, recyclability achieved.

With the embodiment of the nebulizer unit as a surface acoustic wave atomizer also a very compact structure can be achieved, which allows a very precise generation of the fluid mist. Due to the high-frequency surface acoustic waves is just an aerosol generation of advantage.

In the context of the present invention, a household appliance is designed for storing and preserving food, and in particular a refrigerator or a freezer or a combination refrigerator-freezer. However, the household appliance may also be one for the care of laundry and, for example, a tumble dryer. Likewise, the household appliance may be designed for cleaning dishes and in the context of a dishwasher. A cooker hood can be such a household appliance. In the context of the term of the household appliance in the present invention are therefore understood restricting devices that are designed for storing and preserving food or for the care of laundry items or for cleaning dishes or for preparing food or as a vacuum cleaner. Other devices are not understood.

In particular, it is provided that the surface acoustic wave atomizer has a container for the fluid to be atomized. The container is in particular a cartridge. This can thus be easily replaced and is therefore easy to handle. Such a cartridge is also advantageous in terms of the above-mentioned advantages with regard to the assembly with further components of the nebulizer unit. The cartridge can thus already be filled with the fluid and equipped with the additional components, provided and offered accordingly. As a result, such a multi-component module can also be easily procured by a user and easily exchanged. Especially with a cartridge, which is then constructed relatively compact anyway, the technique of atomization with the surface acoustic waves is particularly advantageous because this technique can be realized very compactly.

It can be provided that the fluid to be atomized is water. It may also be provided that additives are added to the fluid, which are formed, for example, for reducing odor and / or for sterilization and / or for aromatization and / or fortification of vitamins. These then bring corresponding advantages in the individual fluid mist generation. It can thus also be provided that the fluid additives are added, which are formed, for example, for refreshment and / or hygiene and / or for self-cleaning of the nebulizer unit.

It is preferably provided that the surface acoustic wave atomizer has a fog generating unit which has a piezoelectric substrate and interdigital electrodes formed thereon for generating the surface acoustic waves, ie a fluid supply to the substrate and the interdigital electrodes, which is furthermore connected to the substrate the fluid emerging from the fluid supply is atomized by the acting surface acoustic waves to the fluid mist.

It is preferably provided that the container is formed with dimensionally stable walls. Regardless of the level, the container and thus also the cartridge remain unchanged in shape. This makes it permanently easy to position and hold and can also be easily handled by a user.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that the container is formed from a flexible bag, which has no dimensional stability. This means that it is deformable in itself and thus, even when more and more fluid is removed from the container to produce the fluid mist from it, the volume is smaller or collapses. In such an embodiment, the container is formed without a valve. Another advantage is that a user can easily recognize the remaining volume in the container and thus can schedule and make the replacement early.

It can be provided that the fluid supply is a channel. As a result, the supply of fluid to the substrate and thus also in a specific desired direction to the interdigital electrodes, so that the surface acoustic waves then generated locally act on the exiting fluid from the channel and then selectively the fluid mist can be generated.

However, it can also be provided that the fluid supply is a Kapillardocht. In such an embodiment, a very simple design element is used to suck the fluid through the capillary effect quasi on the wick targeted and forwarded to be then brought to the desired location where it is atomized by the action of the surface acoustic waves. Such Kapillardocht is of particular advantage in embodiments in which this fluid supply extends into the interior of the container and from there quasi sucked out by the capillary action, the fluid or is transported out there. Advantageous this embodiment is in an embodiment in which the container is designed as a flexible bag and the Kapillardocht is connected to a rigid mandrel, so that when inserting the mandrel into the bag, the Kapillardocht is automatically introduced and immediately then inside the bag of the fluid is soaked.

It is preferably provided that the mist-generating unit is arranged in the container, in particular fixedly arranged thereon and thus integrated. As a result, such a multicomponent module already mentioned above is created with the container and the mist generation unit. An undesired positional tolerance between the location on the container at which the mist-generating unit comes into contact and the mist-generating unit is thereby avoided.

It can also be provided that the mist-generating unit is arranged separately from the container and outside the container.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the container has a ventilation valve. This can be advantageous in particular in embodiments in which the container is formed dimensionally stable. Through the valve, the container can be vented, so that even with decreasing level, the further removal of the fluid is made possible for its nebulization. Through the valve is almost always created a certain pressure equalization, so that the running or running out of the fluid is made possible from the container.

It is preferably provided that the household appliance has a fill level sensor for detecting the fill level of the fluid in the container. In particular, it is provided that the fill level sensor is arranged on the substrate of the mist production unit. As a result, virtually an entire electronic module can be created, which thus can likewise be rebuilt in a compact manner and can be provided as a unit.

It is preferably provided that container contacts for power supply and / or for sensory monitoring are formed on the container, in particular a bottom of the container.

Advantageously, the household appliance comprises a holder on which the container is removably arranged. The holder is preferably formed with a rear wall and a bottom, so that the container is easily accessible at least on the front side, in particular laterally and from above. It can be provided that the container can be removed separately from the other components of the nebulizer unit or the entire module with the components can be removed.

Preferably, it is provided that mating contacts are formed on the holder, which come into contact in the positioned end state of the container with the container contacts and thus an electrical connection is made.

In particular, it is provided that the household appliance has a sensor for detecting the type of fluid. This is advantageous when different types of fluids and thus fluids having different compositions can be atomized. It can thus be independently and automatically detected the type of fluid and optionally then depending on this information an individual atomization, which is controlled by a control unit of the household appliance, are performed.

In this case, individual parameters, such as the amount of fluid to be generated and / or the fluid mist rate and / or the duration of fluid mist generation and / or the frequency of nebulization or atomization and / or times at which atomization begins, can then be set individually.

The sensor for detecting the fluid may be, for example, a bar code reader. In such an embodiment, a corresponding characterizing barcode can then be attached to an outside of the container, which can then be read out via this barcode reader.

However, it may also be an otherwise sensor, which is designed for the analysis of the fluid itself, be appropriate. This can then be used if, for example, with a thorn, the shell of the container is pierced to enter the interior and, for example, then with a Kapillardocht the fluid is transported out of the container. Here, for example, a corresponding sensor can then be attached to such a mandrel, which then passes into the interior with the perforation of the container shell and comes into direct contact with the fluid, so that a corresponding evaluation of the fluid type and thus of the composition can also take place here.

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 given at a 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 combinations of features 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 or in isolation, without the frame to leave the invention. 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.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts;
• 2 eine perspektivische vereinfachte Darstellung einer Nebelerzeugungseinheit des Akustischen-Oberflächenwellen-Zerstäubers;
• 3 eine vereinfachte Vertikalschnittdarstellung durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel des Haushaltsgeräts im Bereich der Verneblereinheit;
• 4 die Darstellung gemäß 3 mit aus einer Halterung entnommenem Multikomponentenmodul der Verneblereinheit;
• 5 eine vereinfachte Vertikalschnittdarstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Verneblereinheit im zusammengesetzten Endzustand; und
• 6 die Ausführung gemäß 5 mit entnommenem flexiblen Behälter.

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

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective simplified representation of a mist generation unit of the surface acoustic wave atomizer;
• 3 a simplified vertical sectional view through an embodiment of the household appliance in the nebulizer unit;
• 4 the representation according to 3 with removed from a holder multi-component module of the nebulizer unit;
• 5 a simplified vertical sectional view of another embodiment of a nebulizer unit in the assembled final state; and
• 6 the execution according to 5 with removed flexible container.

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

In 1 is shown in a schematic perspective view of a household appliance, which is a household refrigerator 1 is, which may be a refrigerator or a freezer or a combination refrigerator-freezer. As a household appliance is one for storing and preserving food or for the care of laundry or for cleaning dishes or a cooker hood to understand.

The household refrigerator 1 includes a housing 2 which is an inner container 3 surrounds. The inner container 3 limited with its walls an interior 4 , which is designed to receive food. In addition, the same inner container limited 3 or another inner container another interior 5 , 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 In addition, it includes 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 the embodiment is in the interior 4 a separate storage area 8th educated. The storage area 8th is moved by a in the depth direction and thus in the z-direction movable drawer 9 and one the drawer 9 cover from above 10 educated. The storage area 8th is in particular a food storage container.

The already mentioned refrigeration cycle is designed such that in the storage area 8th one to the remaining partial volume of the interior 4 different temperature is adjustable. Preferably, in the context of the storage area 8th 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.

Furthermore, in the fresh food container or the storage area 8th one to the remaining partial volume of the interior 4 different ambient humidity can be adjusted.

For the corresponding defined setting of the ambient humidity in the storage area 8th is a moistening device 11 intended. This is 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. This is only to be understood as an example and not exhaustive. The moistening device 11 is just like the drawer 9 with the door open 6 accessible from the front.

However, it can also be provided that the moistening device 11 also in a complete interior 4 . 5 can carry out a moisture input with the surface acoustic wave atomizer.

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

The moistening device 11 includes a nebulizer unit 14 ( 3 to 6 ), by which a fluid mist is generated from a fluid provided. The nebulizer unit 14 is designed as a surface acoustic wave atomizer.

How to do it in 2 exemplified comprises a fog generating unit 15 of the surface acoustic wave atomizer, a piezoelectric substrate 16 , on the interdigital electrodes 17 and 18 are formed. The interdigital electrodes 17 and 18 are designed to generate the surface acoustic waves and with a power supply 19 connected. In addition, the fog generating unit includes 15 also at least one fluid supply 20 that, as in 2 shown, a channel can be, or, as in 6 then further explained, may be a Kapillardocht.

The fluid supply 20 is in 2 with the substrate 16 connected and disposed thereon and coupled to the fluid reservoir, so that the fluid via the fluid supply 20 locally targeted in the direction of the interdigital electrodes 17 and 18 and with one of the interdigital electrodes 17 and 18 facing exit 21 the generated surface acoustic waves 22 facing so that at the outlet of the fluid supply 20 then the atomization of the fluid takes place in the fluid mist.

In 3 is a simplified embodiment of the nebulizer unit in a vertical sectional view 14 shown. Here is a container 23 shown, which is inherently stable. In the container 23 is the fluid to be atomized 24 contain what water can be. The fluid 24 In addition, however, may also contain other additives to exhibit and offer the already mentioned above additional functionalities. An atomizing fluid in the context may therefore be, for example, pure water, chlorinated water, water with Cyklodextrinen for odorant or sodium bicarbonate or triethylene glycol. These too are merely exemplary mentions of possible fluids with additives.

At the in 3 shown embodiment, is designed as a cartridge container 23 with a ventilation valve 25 educated.

In addition, a holder 26 provided, in which the container 23 is used. In the vertical section illustration is the holder 26 exemplary designed L-shaped.

The container 23 is non-destructively detachable on the holder 26 arranged. The cartridge or the container 23 includes in the embodiment two electrical container contacts 27 and 28 firmly attached to the container 23 are arranged and for power supply and for sensory monitoring of the container 23 are provided.

The holder 26 is on a device wall 29 arranged. The holder 26 In addition, in the embodiment includes two electrical mating contacts 30 and 31 in the in 3 shown assembled final state of the container 23 with the container contacts 27 and 28 are in electrical contact. These mating contacts 30 and 31 are connected to a voltage source and also connected to a control unit of the household appliance.

As in 3 can be seen, in this embodiment, the fog generating unit 15 directly on the container 23 arranged, in particular integrated. In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the mist generation unit 15 , in particular on the substrate 16 , at least one sensor 32 having, for detecting the level of the fluid 24 in the container 23 is trained. If the level falls below the appropriate signal can be delivered to the control unit and it can then, for example, the operation for generating the fluid mist are individually controlled and / or the level displayed on a display unit of the household appliance, so here is a user is always informed. It can also be provided that this sensor 32 outside the container 23 For example, in the holder 26 , is arranged. In such an embodiment, then an indirect detection of the level is provided.

It can also be provided that another sensor 33 is formed, the type of fluid 24 recognizes. For example, this sensor 33 a barcode reader. This can be on the information of the bar code at least the fluid to be atomized 24 be recognized individually and then the fluid mist generation done individually. For example, individual voltage controls for generating the surface acoustic waves can then be required here, so that once again the duration of the fluid mist generation and / or the amount of fluid mist and / or the fluid mist rate can be individually dependent on the type of fluid. This can also be advantageous, for example, in devices for preparing food, as is the case with a coffee machine.

In 4 is the embodiment according to 3 shown, but with removed container 23 , which is a multi-component module and adjacent to the actual body for receiving the fluid 24 also the fog generation unit 15 as well as the already mentioned contacts 27 and 28 contains. It can be provided that a film 34 in the area of the mist production unit 15 is installed before the device is used for the first time, so that during storage and transport the mist production unit 15 is protected.

In 5 is shown in a further simplified vertical sectional view of another embodiment. In this embodiment, in contrast to the embodiments according to 3 and 4 the shell of the container and thus the container 23 , which in turn is designed as a cartridge, not dimensionally stable. In this embodiment, thus, the cartridge or the container 23 a flexible bag. Again, it is then simplified, as well as in 3 , the generated fluid mist 35 shown.

In this embodiment, the container 23 no valve 25 on.

In 6 a further embodiment is shown in which the container 23 only the fluid 24 contains. The mist generation unit 15 is not on the tank here 23 arranged or integrated, but arranged externally fixed thereto. Again, as well as in 5 , the flexible bag in a reception area 36 and then placed on the bracket 26 appropriate. When running in 6 is a thorn to it 37 provided when attaching the bag 23 this envelope of the bag 23 pierces, so that on the thorn 37 arranged capillary wick 20 , which represents a fluid supply, automatically with into the interior of the bag 23 is plugged in and thus the fluid 24 is sucked up.

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

nebulizer

15

Mist generation unit

16

substratum

17

Interdigital electrode

18

Interdigital electrode

19

power supply

20

fluid supply

21

exit

22

surface waves

23

container

24

fluid

25

vent valve

26

bracket

27

container Contact

28

container Contact

29

device wall

30

countercontact

31

countercontact

32

sensor

33

barcode reader

34

foil

35

fluid mist

36

reception area

37

mandrel

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 102009029139 A1 [0008]
• DE 102009029141 A1 [0008]
• EP 2368446 A1 [0008]

Claims (15)

Domestic appliance (1) comprising a housing (2) and an in the housing (2) arranged nebulizer unit (14) for generating a fluid mist (35) from a fluid (24), characterized in that the nebulizer (14) a acoustic surface waves Atomizer is. Household appliance (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the surface acoustic wave atomizer comprises a container (23) for the fluid (24) to be atomized. Household appliance (1) after Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that a fog generating unit (15) of said surface acoustic wave atomizer comprises a piezoelectric substrate (16), interdigital electrodes (17, 18) formed thereon for generating said surface acoustic waves (22), and a fluid feeder (20) provided with the substrate (16) is connected, so that the exiting from the fluid supply (20) fluid is atomized by the acting surface acoustic waves (22) to the fluid mist (35). Household appliance (1) after Claim 3 , characterized in that the container (23) is formed with dimensionally stable walls. Household appliance (1) after Claim 3 , characterized in that the container (23) is designed as a flexible bag. Household appliance (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5 , characterized in that the fluid supply (20) is a channel or a capillary wick. Household appliance (1) after Claim 2 and one of the Claims 3 to 6 , characterized in that the mist generation unit (15) is arranged in the container (23). Household appliance (1) after Claim 2 and one of the Claims 3 to 6 , characterized in that the mist generation unit (15) is arranged separately from the container (23) and outside the container (23). Domestic appliance (1) according to claim one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (23) comprises a ventilation valve (25). Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a level sensor (32) for detecting the level of the fluid (24) in the container (23). Household appliance (1) after Claim 3 and Claim 10 , characterized in that the level sensor (32) is arranged on the substrate (16). Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the container (23), in particular a bottom of the container, container contacts (27, 28) are designed for power supply and / or for sensory monitoring. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (23) on a holder (26) is removably arranged. Household appliance (1) after Claim 12 and 13 , characterized in that on the holder (26) mating contacts (30, 31) to the container contacts (27, 28) are arranged. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sensor (33) for detecting the type of fluid (24), in particular a bar code reader.

Images