DE102017210782A1 - Household appliance with PEM electrolysis cell and two storage areas connected thereto, and method for setting an atmospheric composition - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance (1) with a first storage area (8) for food and with a second storage area (14) for food, which is separated from the first storage area (8), and with a PEM electrolysis cell (11) the PEM electrolysis cell (11) has an anode side (12), and the anode side (12) is connected to the first storage area (8) to create an atmosphere in the first reaction product by adding a first reaction product formed at the anode side (12) in the water electrolysis first storage area (8) to influence, and the PEM electrolysis cell (11) has a cathode side (17), and the cathode side (17) to the second storage area (14) is connected to by adding one to the cathode side (17) the water electrolysis resulting second reaction product to influence an atmosphere in the second storage area (14). The invention also relates to a method.

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance with a first storage area for food and with a second storage area for food, which is separated from the first storage area. The household appliance also has a PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolysis cell.

In addition to the temperature in the storage area, other factors are essential for keeping foodstuffs fresh in the storage area. An important factor here is the oxygen content. With a suitable oxygen concentration, bacterial growth can be significantly slowed down. It is known that a very preferred oxygen concentration, depending on the type of food, is about five percent.

In the context, for example, from the JP 2004 293 827 known to produce such an oxygen concentration by means of a water electrolysis. For the operation of the water electrolysis water is used, which is provided at the anode of the membrane-electrode assembly.

In a water electrolysis, water is split at the membrane-electrode assembly into protons and oxygen. The protons are transported across the membrane of this arrangement and oxygen is excreted into the environment and thus discharged into the interior of the storage area. At the cathode of this membrane-electrode assembly, the protons react with the oxygen of the air in the storage area and water molecules are thereby formed again. These are then deposited at the cathode of the membrane-electrode assembly.

The supply of the system with water can be done by continuous external water supply. In this context, an open system is then formed. In such an open system, the water is consumed and must be removed from the system at the cathode. Moreover, in an open system, it can not be ruled out that particles will detach from the membrane-electrode assembly and thus lead to contamination of the water. This can also lead to damage of the electrodes and thus of the anode and / or the cathode or the membrane and thus affect the efficiency and the life of the oxygen generating device. The provision of high quality water at the anode of the assembly thus also represents an important requirement for the long-term functioning of the system.

In contrast to a closed system and thus a closed circuit, no water is supplied externally.

In the known embodiments, the usability of the PEM electrolysis cell is limited.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a household appliance and a method in which the usability of the PEM electrolysis cell is improved.

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

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance for storing food with a first storage area for food and with a second storage area for food. The second storage area is separated from the first storage area. The household appliance also has at least one PEM electrolysis cell. The PEM electrolysis cell has an anode side and the anode side is connected to the first storage area in order to influence an atmosphere in the first storage area by adding a first reaction product formed at the anode side during the electrolysis of water. The PEM electrolysis cell has a cathode side and this cathode side is connected to the second storage area in order to influence an atmosphere in the second storage area by adding a second reaction product formed on the cathode side in the electrolysis of water. This design of a household appliance, the usability of the PEM electrolysis cell is improved. Two separate storage areas can be specifically influenced in their respective prevailing atmosphere with this PEM electrolysis cell. The influence of these atmospheres is in particular independent of each other and in particular also different. This means that the influence of the atmosphere by the PEM electrolysis cell in the first storage area is different from the influence of the atmosphere in the second storage area. As a result, the storage of food in the different storage areas can be designed very individually and very different foods can be stored in the respective storage areas improved. In particular, keeping fresh or preferred for further processing or consumption state of these foods can then be maintained individually and longer.

Preferably, the second reaction product is oxygen. Oxygen allows very individual influences on the prevailing atmosphere.

Preferably, it is provided that the influencing of the atmosphere in the second storage area is an oxygen reduction. By reducing the oxygen in the storage area, for very specific foods, the storage condition can be improved and thus the shelf life or a desired processing state or state of consumption can be achieved or maintained longer.

It can also be provided that carbon dioxide enrichment can be carried out in a storage area. In particular, a carbon dioxide enrichment is also provided in the second storage area. It can preferably be provided that this carbon dioxide accumulates and is used for this enrichment of the atmosphere in the second storage area with carbon dioxide as a reaction product on the anode side of the PEM electrolysis cell. Preferably, it can also be provided that, in a first step, an oxygen reduction takes place in the second storage area and, in a second step, a carbon dioxide enrichment takes place in the second storage area. As a result, very specific storage conditions can be set.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first reaction product is oxygen. As a result, the atmosphere can be specifically influenced in the first storage area with this specific molecule in order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages with regard to the storage conditions for food. It is preferably provided that the influencing of the atmosphere in the first storage area is an oxygen enrichment. By this advantageous embodiment, it is then possible that in the first storage area foods can be stored differently to the second storage area, which are improved by an oxygenation, in particular the durability can be extended and / or a desired processing state or a state of consumption reached or maintained longer can. Since just the oxygen reduction on the one hand and the oxygenation on the other hand, represent completely different effects on the atmosphere and thus act on food in quasi opposite directions, this advantageous embodiment makes it possible to store food in a storage area for which an oxygen enrichment is advantageous, however, an oxygen reduction On the other hand, in the other storage area the storage of food is possible, for which an oxygen enrichment is advantageous and an oxygen reduction would be disadvantageous. In a household appliance thus a wide variety of foods can be stored and individually and independently processed in terms of the durability and / or a state of consumption and / or a further processing state and the best possible.

It is preferably provided that a carbon element is arranged on the anode side, through which carbon is provided for consumption in the chemical reaction in the PEM electrolysis cell. This further increases the usability and flexibility of the PEM electrolysis cell. In fact, it is possible to generate further molecules, which are different from the oxygen enrichment or the oxygen reduction, by chemical reaction, as a result of which further foods can be individually confronted with preferred storage conditions.

It is preferably provided that the first reaction product in such an embodiment is carbon dioxide. In particular, it is then advantageous that the influencing of the atmosphere in the first storage area is a carbon dioxide enrichment. This can also be done very beneficial effects on the atmosphere, which are preferred by individual food.

Another independent aspect relates to a household appliance with a first storage area for food, and with a PEM electrolysis cell. The PEM electrolytic cell has an anode side, and the anode side is connected to the first storage area to affect an atmosphere in the first storage area by adding a first reaction product formed at the anode side in the electrolysis of water, wherein the first reaction product is oxygen and the Influencing the atmosphere in the first storage area is an oxygen enrichment, or the first reaction product is carbon dioxide and the influence on the atmosphere in the first storage area is a carbon dioxide enrichment. In such an embodiment, it is then not absolutely necessary that a second storage area is present, which is connected in particular to the PEM electrolysis cell. This is advantageous, however.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for adjusting an atmospheric composition or atmosphere in at least one storage area of a household appliance, wherein the domestic appliance is provided with a first storage area for food and with a second storage area for food, which is separated from the first storage area, and with a PEM electrolysis cell is formed. An anode side of the PEM electrolytic cell is connected to the first storage area, and an atmosphere in the first storage area is definedly influenced by adding a first reaction product formed at the anode side in the electrolysis of water. A cathode side of the PEM electrolysis cell is connected to the connected to the second storage area, and by adding a formed on the cathode side in the electrolysis water electrolysis second reaction product is defined affects an atmosphere in the second storage area. The achievable advantages have already been explained above in the presentation of the household appliance.

In an advantageous embodiment, the addition of the first reaction product into the first storage area and the addition of the second reaction product in the second storage area is delayed in time and thus performed not overlapping in time or performed at least temporarily simultaneously. This can take into account the most individual scenarios and the individual setting of storage conditions can be made very specific. Also, connecting a storage area with the PEM electrolysis cell can be done differently. Such a connection can be permanently provided anyway. However, it can also be provided that such a connection can be disconnected and can be coupled again. This can be done manually or controlled by a control unit. In this context, it may be advantageous if a corresponding controllable coupling mechanism is formed. In addition, other components can also be provided which prevent or release such a passage of a gaseous medium from the PEM electrolysis cell into a storage area. For example, valves or flaps can be mentioned here. These can also be controlled by a control unit in an advantageous embodiment.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for adjusting an atmospheric composition or an atmosphere in at least one storage area of a domestic appliance, in which the domestic appliance is designed with a storage area for food and with a PEM electrolysis cell. The storage area is connected to an anode side of the PEM electrolysis cell, and by adding a first reaction product formed at the anode side in the water electrolysis, an atmosphere in the first storage area is definedly influenced, producing oxygen as the first reaction product and influencing the atmosphere in the first storage area is an oxygen enrichment, or carbon dioxide is generated as the first reaction product and the influence on the atmosphere in the first storage area is an enrichment with carbon dioxide.

Advantageous embodiments of each one mentioned aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the other aspects.

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.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts; und
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung von Teilkomponenten des Haushaltsgeräts gemäß 1.

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; and
• 2 a schematic representation of sub-components of the household appliance according to 1 ,

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

In 1 is shown in an exemplary representation of a household appliance for storing food, which here is a household refrigerator 1 is, and which is designed as a fridge-freezer combination device. However, it may also be designed as a cooling only or freezer only. The household refrigerator 1 is designed to contain food. It includes a body 2 with an inner container 3 , The inner container 3 limited with its walls a first interior which has a refrigerator 4 is, and arranged thereunder, separated second interior, which is a freezer compartment 5 is. The fridge 4 generally serves for frost-free cooling of refrigerated goods, preferably at temperatures between + 4 ° C and + 8 ° C. The refrigerator is with the door open 6 , the front of the fridge 4 closes, accessible. The freezer room 5 is generally used for freezing frozen food, for example at -18 ° C. The freezer room 5 is when the freezer compartment door is open 7 accessible.

The household refrigerator 1 also has a first storage area 8th on. The first storage area 8th can from the fridge 4 and the freezer room 6 be separated.

In the embodiment, the first storage area 8th in the fridge 4 educated. The first storage area 8th can here in the embodiment a container 10 have, which is designed like a drawer and in the horizontal direction and thus in z Direction is herausziehbar and hineinschiebbar. Above this is preferably a lid 9 formed the first storage area 8th covers and thus the container 10 covers.

The household refrigerator 1 also includes at least one PEM electrolysis cell 11 ,

The PEM electrolysis cell 11 is with the first storage area 8th fluidically connected or connectable. In this context, a permanent mechanical connection may be provided, but it may also be provided a separable connection. Even with a permanent connection can be provided that a gas flow from the PEM electrolysis cell 11 to the first storage area 8th individually dosed or can be completely interrupted. It can be provided here appropriate means, such as a valve or a flap. In particular, these mentioned means can in an advantageous embodiment by a control unit of the household refrigerator 1 to be controlled.

In one embodiment, it may be provided that the PEM electrolysis cell 11 only with this first storage area 8th is connected or can be connected. It may be provided here that an anode side 12 the PEM electrolysis cell 11 fluidically with this first storage area 8th connected is. By adding one to the anode side 12 in the electrolysis of the PEM electrolysis cell 11 resulting first reaction product is an atmosphere in the first storage area 8th Defined influenced. The first reaction product may be oxygen and affect the atmosphere in the first storage area 8th is then in particular an oxygenation. In an alternative embodiment it can be provided that the first reaction product is carbon dioxide and influencing the atmosphere in the first storage area 8th is a carbon dioxide enrichment. In particular, the PEM electrolysis cell 11 when the first reaction product is carbon dioxide, a carbon element 13 on how it is in 2 symbolically represented. Neither the location, nor the position, nor the design of this carbon element 13 which may be a carbon rod is in 2 as conclusive.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the household refrigerator 1 in addition to the first storage area 8th a separate second storage area 14 having. This second storage area 14 can to the fridge 4 , the freezer room 5 and the first storage area 8th be separated. However, he can also, for example, in the refrigerator 4 be designed as a separate closed volume area. Again, it should be noted that the in 1 illustrated execution is by no means conclusive and the positions of the storage areas 8th and 14 to each other and in the household refrigerator 1 itself are not to be understood as exhaustive. The storage areas 8th and 14 Can also be found locally at different places in the household refrigerator 1 be educated. Also, the household refrigerator can 1 even with regard to its structure and the local arrangement of the refrigerator 4 and the freezer compartment 5 be designed differently. So can the fridge 4 and the freezer room 5 in the width direction (x direction) of the household refrigerator 1 also be formed next to each other. The freezer room 5 can in a different design than in the refrigerator 4 be formed inside freezer.

The second storage area 14 may also be a container in one embodiment 15 which is designed as a drawer and which also in the depth direction ( z Direction) of the household refrigerator 1 can be pushed in and pulled out. In this embodiment as well, in one advantageous embodiment, if appropriate, a cover can then form part of the second storage area 14 be. Likewise, however, for example, a permanently installed partition 16 an upper cover or a boundary to the wall of the volume of the second storage area 14 form.

In an advantageous embodiment, the PEM electrolysis cell 11 not just with the first storage area 8th but also with the then at least second storage area 14 fluidically connected or connectable. Here already apply to the connection possibilities between the PEM electrolysis cell 11 and the first storage area 8th for the second storage area 14 ,

It may be in a further advantageous embodiment beyond going then at least a third storage area be present, which also individually with the PEM electrolysis cell 11 connected is. On the other hand, however, it may then also be provided that the household refrigerating appliance 11 at least a second PEM electrolysis cell 11 has, which is then fluidly connected to this third storage area.

It can then in such a configuration with the at least two storage areas 8th and 14 be provided that by means of this one PEM electrolysis cell each have a different influence on the atmosphere in the first storage area 8th and the second storage area 14 is possible wherein this influence can also take place independently of each other. For example, it may be provided that the second storage area 14 with the cathode side 17 ( 2 ) of the PEM electrolysis cell 11 fluidically connected. In such an embodiment can then be used as the second reaction product oxygen-reduced air from the cathode side 17 in the second storage area 14 be initiated. The atmosphere in the second storage area 14 is then influenced so that an oxygen reduction takes place.

In the alternative embodiment already set forth above, in which the PEM electrolysis cell 11 with the anode side 12 with the first storage area 8th is connected and as the reaction product oxygen in the first storage area 8th is directed to achieve there in terms of influencing the atmosphere oxygenation, on the other hand, the cathode side 17 with the second storage area 14 for oxygen reduction in the second storage area 14 To reach another PEM electrolysis cell 11 be connected fluidically with the anode side with the third storage area, then to achieve, for example by a reaction product carbon dioxide carbon dioxide enrichment in the third storage area.

In 2 is a schematic representation of the PEM electrolysis cell 11 in here schematically shown fluidic connections on the one hand with the storage area 8th and on the other hand with the storage area 14 shown. The PEM electrolysis cell 11 also has a membrane 18 on that between the anode side 12 and the cathode side 17 is arranged, which, as in 2 is shown formed for proton exchange. The anode side 12 is in particular with a water source 19 connected, which may be, for example, a container in which water is contained. Through the electrolysis of water at the PEM electrolysis cell 11 be on the anode side 12 produced protons and oxygen from the water molecules. At the cathode side 17 is generated by the protons and oxygen water and an oxygen-reduced air O2 Redl generated. The air L is here in particular from the second storage area 14 taken. The oxygen-reduced air O2 Redl will be back in the second storage area 14 initiated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Household refrigerator

2

corpus

3

inner container

4

refrigerator

5

freezer

6

door

7

Freezer door

8th

first storage area

9

cover

10

container

11

PEM electrolysis cell

12

anode side

13

Carbon element

14

second storage area

15

container

16

partition wall

17

cathode side

18

membrane

19

water source

L

air

O2 Redl

oxygen-reduced air

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

• JP 2004293827 [0003]

Claims (11)

Domestic appliance (1) with a first storage area (8) for food and with a second storage area (14) for food, which is separated from the first storage area (8), and with a PEM electrolysis cell (11), characterized in that the PEM electrolysis cell (11) has an anode side (12), and the anode side (12) is connected to the first storage area (8) to an atmosphere in the first by adding a at the anode side (12) in the electrolysis of water resulting first reaction product Storage area (8) to influence, and the PEM electrolysis cell (11) has a cathode side (17), and the cathode side (17) to the second storage area (14) is connected to the addition of a cathode on the side (17) in the Water electrolysis resulting second reaction product to influence an atmosphere in the second storage area (14). Household appliance (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the second reaction product is oxygen-reduced air. Household appliance (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the influence of the atmosphere in the second storage area (14) is an oxygen reduction. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first reaction product is oxygen. Household appliance (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the influencing of the atmosphere in the first storage area (8) is an oxygen enrichment. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that on the anode side (12) a carbon element (13) is arranged through which carbon is provided for consumption in the chemical reaction at the PEM electrolysis cell (11). Household appliance (1) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the first reaction product is carbon dioxide. Household appliance (1) after Claim 7 , characterized in that the influencing of the atmosphere in the first storage area (8) is a carbon dioxide enrichment. Method for adjusting an atmosphere in at least one storage area (8, 14) of a domestic appliance (1), in which the domestic appliance (1) is provided with a first storage area (8) for food and with a second storage area (14) for food, which is supplied by the first storage area (8) is separated, and with a PEM electrolysis cell (11) is formed, characterized in that an anode side (12) of the PEM electrolytic cell (11) with the first storage area (8) is connected, and by adding an atmosphere in the first storage area (8) is formed on the anode side (12) during the electrolysis of water, and a cathode side (17) of the PEM electrolysis cell (11) is connected to the second storage area (14), and Addition of a at the cathode side (17) resulting in the electrolysis of water second reaction product an atmosphere in the second storage area (14) is influenced. Method according to Claim 9 characterized in that adding the first reaction product to the first storage area (8) and adding the second reaction product to the second storage area (14) is delayed or at least temporarily performed simultaneously. Domestic appliance (1) with a storage area (8, 14) for food, and with a PEM electrolysis cell (11), characterized in that the PEM electrolysis cell (11) has an anode side (12), and the anode side (12) the storage area (8, 14) is connected to influence an atmosphere in the storage area (8, 14) by adding a first reaction product formed at the anode side (12) in the electrolysis of water, wherein the first reaction product is oxygen and the influence on the atmosphere in the storage area (8, 14) is an oxygen enrichment or the first reaction product is carbon dioxide and the influencing of the atmosphere in the storage area (8, 14) is a carbon dioxide enrichment.

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