DE102018216242A1 - Household refrigeration device with a fan and method for operating a household refrigeration device with a fan - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household refrigeration device (1) and a method for operating a household refrigeration device (1). The household refrigeration device comprises a thermally insulated body (2) with an inner container (3) which delimits a coolable interior space (4) provided for storing food, a refrigerant circuit (5) for cooling the coolable interior space (4), at least one fan (22) , a current measuring device (40), a changeover switch (43) which can be switched between a first switch position and a second switch position, and an electronic control device (9). The electronic control device (9) is set up to switch the changeover switch (43) into the first switch position for a measuring mode, so that the current measuring device (40) is connected in a current branch (44) through which a switch intended for operating the fan (22) is switched eclectic current flows to measure this, the electronic control device (9) is set up, the electrical current measured with the current measuring device (40) is evaluated in order to detect an abnormal operating state of the fan (22), and the electronic control device (9) is set up is to switch the changeover switch (43) to the second switch position for an operating mode of the fan (22), so that the current measuring device (40) is bridged in the current branch (44).

Description

The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration device with a fan and a method for operating a household refrigeration device with a fan.

The CN 204460900 U discloses a household refrigerator with a fan, which can block due to icing. In order to detect a blocked fan, this household refrigeration device includes a current measuring circuit which is connected to the fan. The current measuring circuit detects a sudden increase in the fan current, which triggers an alarm circuit in the household refrigerator.

The object of the present invention is to provide an efficient way of recognizing an abnormal operating state of the fan of a domestic refrigeration device.

The object of the invention is achieved by a household refrigeration device, comprising a thermally insulated body with an inner container which delimits a coolable interior space intended for storing food, a refrigerant circuit for cooling the coolable interior space, at least one fan, a current measuring device, one between a first switch position and a second switch position switchable changeover switch, and an electronic control device which is set up to switch the changeover switch to the first switch position for a measuring mode, so that the current measuring device is connected in a current branch through which an eclectic current provided for operating the fan flows around the latter to measure, the electronic control device is set up to evaluate the electrical current measured with the current measuring device in order to detect an abnormal operating state of the fan, and the electronic control device is set up to switch the changeover switch to the second switch position for an operating mode of the fan, so that the current measuring device is bridged in the current branch.

• - mittels der elektronischen Steuervorrichtung des Haushaltskältegerätes, Schalten des Wechselschalters für einen Messmodus in die erste Schalterstellung, sodass die Strommessvorrichtung in einen Stromzweig geschaltet ist, durch den ein zum Betreiben des Lüfters vorgesehener eklektischer Strom fließt,
• - Messen des elektrischen Stroms mittels der Strommessvorrichtung,
• - Auswerten des gemessenen elektrischen Strom mittels der elektronischen Steuervorrichtung, um einen abnormalen Betriebszustand des Lüfters zu erkennen, und
• - Überbrücken der Strommessvorrichtung im Stromzweig während eines Betriebsmodus durch Schalten des Wechselschalters in die zweite Schalterstellung.

The object is also achieved by a method for operating the household refrigeration device according to the invention, comprising the following method steps:

• by means of the electronic control device of the household refrigeration device, switching the changeover switch for a measuring mode into the first switch position, so that the current measuring device is switched into a current branch through which an eclectic current provided for operating the fan flows,
• Measuring the electric current by means of the current measuring device,
• Evaluating the measured electrical current by means of the electronic control device in order to detect an abnormal operating state of the fan, and
• - Bridging the current measuring device in the current branch during an operating mode by switching the two-way switch into the second switch position.

The household refrigeration device comprises the thermally insulated body with the inner container, which limits the coolable interior space intended for storing food, and the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit is preferably designed such that it cools the coolable interior space at least approximately to a predetermined temperature.

Refrigerant circuits as such are known in principle to the person skilled in the art and normally comprise an evaporator which is provided to cool the air for the coolable interior space, a compressor and a condenser.

The household refrigerator according to the invention can e.g. be a household refrigerator. In this case the coolable interior is cooled to temperatures above 0 ° C. The household refrigeration device according to the invention can also be a household freezer or a freezer-fridge combination. The household refrigeration device according to the invention can have exactly one coolable interior, but also several coolable interior spaces.

The household refrigeration device according to the invention can also be designed as a wine refrigerator which is intended to store bottles filled with drinkable liquid, in particular wine.

The household refrigeration device is set up to detect an abnormal operating state of the fan by evaluating the electrical current provided for operating the fan. For this purpose, the current measuring device is provided, which is switched in the current display during the measuring mode, through which the electrical current provided for operating the fan flows.

The fan can e.g. experience a change in its load and thus its current consumption due to external or internal influences. The change in current consumption can be detected by evaluating the electrical current measured with the current measuring device, in particular to detect a change (e.g. a fault) on the fan or to e.g. know the status of the fan itself. This can e.g. With the help of this information, the device behavior can be improved or optimized energetically.

• Lüfter aus - keine Stromaufnahme. Lüfter im „Normalbetrieb“ - Stromaufnahme bekannt; System ist in Ordnung. Lüfter mit veränderter Stromaufnahme - Gegendruck hat sich verändert.

Fan states can be as follows:

• Fan off - no power consumption. Fan in "normal operation" - current consumption known; System is fine. Fan with changed power consumption - back pressure has changed.

The current measuring device comprises e.g. a low-resistance resistor (shunt resistor) through which the electrical current flows during the measuring mode. The electrical current flowing through the shunt resistor causes a voltage drop proportional to its strength, which e.g. is measured by means of a voltage measuring device of the current measuring device. If necessary, an operational amplifier can also be used for relatively low voltage drops.

Since the current measuring device in operation consumes electrical energy, the changeover switch is provided for improved energy efficiency, by means of which the current measuring device is only switched into the current branch during the measuring mode and during normal operation, i.e. during the operating mode, is switched such that the current measuring device is bridged, as a result of which the electrical current provided for operating the fan does not flow through the current measuring device.

In order to counteract the negative influence of current measurement on energy efficiency and, in particular, to enable power management, the changeover switch, i.e. a switching element, e.g. a transistor is used, which can be connected in particular between the current measuring device and a free connection bridging the current measuring device. There is thus the possibility of activating and deactivating the current measurement. Thus, an additional energy consumed by the current measuring device is used only when carrying out a current measurement. If measurement is deactivated, however, no additional energy is consumed.

The fan in particular comprises a rotatably mounted fan wheel and an electric motor provided for rotating the fan wheel. When the fan is operating, the fan wheel is driven by the electric motor.

The fan can be operated with speed control.

The fan can comprise an inverter connected upstream of the electric motor. In this case, the household refrigeration device comprises a DC voltage source, which supplies the fan or the inverter with an electrical supply voltage. Preferably the DC voltage source is connected via the current branch, i.e. during the measuring mode, the current measuring device measures the electrical current flowing from the direct voltage source to the fan.

The household refrigeration device according to the invention can comprise a duct system which e.g. runs inside the thermally insulated body and is coupled in particular via an opening to the coolable interior. An evaporator of the refrigerant circuit and in particular the fan can be arranged in the duct system. In this case, the fan arranged in the duct system is set up to convey cooled air into the coolable interior space by means of the evaporator. During the intended operation of the household refrigeration device, the compressor freezes over, in particular because ice forms on its surface. In order to remove the ice in particular, the evaporator is de-iced, in particular controlled by the electronic control device, for example by e.g. is heated by means of a heating device which can be controlled by the electronic control device. The abnormal operating state of the fan is e.g. tires (an evaporator provided with frost) or icing of the evaporator, which is recognized by an evaluation of the electrical current measured by the current measuring device.

Depending on the fan used, frosting or icing of the evaporator e.g. can be detected when the electrical current measured with the current measuring device exceeds or falls below a first threshold value. Is it e.g. in the case of the fan by an axial fan, the frosting or icing of the evaporator can be recognized when the first threshold value is exceeded. Is it e.g. in the case of the fan by a radial fan, the frosting or icing of the evaporator can be detected when the temperature falls below the first threshold. Because of the frosting or icing of the evaporator detected, it can then be provided that the electronic control device is set up to defrost the evaporator to initiate.

The abnormal operating state of the fan can also be a failure of the fan. In this case, the electronic control device can detect the failure of the fan if the electrical current measured with the current measuring device remains below a second threshold value. The second threshold value is in particular significantly lower than the first threshold value.

The fan can be provided to convey air heated by the condenser into the surroundings of the household refrigeration device. It can then be provided that, based on a detected failure of this fan, the compressor is controlled by the electronic control device is operated in a gentler operating mode. The compressor is, for example, a speed-controlled compressor. A gentler operating mode is, for example, operating the compressor at a lower speed.

The condenser can e.g. contaminate during operation. A dirty condenser can be an abnormal operating state of the fan associated with the condenser. In particular, if the condenser is designed as a roller or lamella condenser, this can impair the operation of the fan assigned to the condenser. If contamination of the condenser is detected, it can then be provided, controlled by the electronic control device, to operate the compressor in a gentler operating mode.

• 1 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung ein Haushaltskältegerät,
• 2 ein Kanalsystem des Haushaltskältegerätes,
• 3 einen Verdichter, und
• 4 einen Lüfter und eine Strommessvorrichtung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the attached schematic drawings. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a household refrigerator,
• 2nd a duct system of the household refrigerator,
• 3rd a compressor, and
• 4th a fan and a current measuring device.

The 1 shows a perspective view of a household refrigerator 1 which has a heat insulated body 2nd with an inner container 3rd which includes a coolable interior 4th limited. The coolable interior 4th is intended for the storage of food not shown.

The household refrigerator 1 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment comprises a door leaf 10th , which is pivotable on the body, in particular with respect to a vertical axis 2nd is stored. With the door leaf open 10th is the coolable interior 4th accessible and with the door leaf closed 10th is the coolable interior 4th locked.

On the coolable interior towards 4th facing side of the door leaf 10th are several door racks in the case of the present exemplary embodiment 6 arranged for storing food. In the coolable interior 4th are in particular several shelves 7 arranged for storing food and in the lower area of the coolable interior 4th is especially a drawer 8th arranged in which food can also be stored. Above the drawer 8th is one of the shelves 7 arranged, which is the upward opening of the drawer 8th covers.

The household refrigerator 1 comprises a refrigerant circuit known in principle to the person skilled in the art 5 for cooling the coolable interior 4th . The refrigerant circuit 5 includes one in the 2nd shown evaporator 20th and one in the 3rd shown compressor 30th , for example in a behind the drawer 8th located machine room 31 is arranged, and a condenser 32 .

The household refrigerator 1 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment comprises an electronic control device 9 , which is set up the refrigerant circuit 5 to be controlled in a manner known to the person skilled in the art in such a way that the coolable interior 4th has at least approximately a predetermined or predeterminable target temperature. The electronic control device 9 is preferably set up such that it is the temperature of the coolable interior 4th regulates. If necessary, the actual temperature of the coolable interior 4th can get the household refrigerator 1 at least one not shown and with the electronic control device 9 have connected temperature sensor.

The household refrigerator 1 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment comprises one in the 4th fan shown in detail 22 .

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the fan comprises 22 an electric motor motor 23 , one by means of the electric motor 23 rotating fan wheel 24th and one to the electric motor 23 upstream inverter 25th . The fan 22 can be a speed-controlled fan, and the operation of the fan 22 is from the electronic control device 9 controlled.

The household refrigerator 1 includes a DC voltage source 12th which the fan 22 or the inverter 25th with an electrical supply voltage of eg 12 V via a current branch 44 powered so that the fan operates 22 through the current branch 44 an electric current i flows.

The household refrigerator 1 further comprises a current measuring device 40 and a changeover switch that can be switched between a first switch position and a second switch position 43 , which is designed, for example, as a transistor.

In the case of the present embodiment, the electronic control device 9 also set up the toggle switch for a measurement mode 43 to switch to its first switch position so that the current measuring device 40 in the power branch 44 is switched by which to operate the first fan 22 provided eclectic current i flows to measure this.

The electronic control device 9 is also set up with the current measuring device 40 evaluate measured electrical current to an abnormal operating state of the fan 22 to recognize.

The electronic control device 9 is also set up for an operating mode of the fan 22 the changeover switch 43 switch to the second switch position so that the current measuring device 40 is bridged and therefore not in the current branch 44 located. The changeover switch 43 in its second position is in the 4th shown.

The current measuring device 40 includes, for example, a low-resistance resistor (shunt resistor 41 ) through which the electric current i flows during the measuring mode. The one through the shunt resistor 41 flowing electrical current i causes a voltage drop proportional to its strength, for example by means of a voltage measuring device 42 the current measuring device 40 is measured. If necessary, an operational amplifier can also be used for relatively low voltage drops.

The household refrigerator 1 can one in the 2nd shown channel system 21 include, especially within the thermally insulated body 2nd is arranged and via an opening 11 with the coolable interior 4th is coupled. The evaporator 20th is in the channel system 21 arranged.

The fan 22 can, for example, in the duct system 21 be arranged and provided in the switched-on state by the evaporator 20th cooled air via the duct system 21 and over the opening 11 in the coolable interior 4th to promote. In this case, the fan is operating abnormally 22 eg around frosting or icing of the evaporator 20th .

In particular the frost of an evaporator provided with frost 20th or the ice of an icy evaporator 20th to remove, for example, the evaporator 20th controlled by the electronic control device 9 defrosted, for example, by means of an electronic control device 9 controllable heater, not shown, is heated.

The electronic control device 9 detects frosting or icing on the evaporator 20th by evaluating the with the current measuring device 40 measured electric current.

Depending on the fan used 22 becomes frosting or icing of the evaporator 20th eg recognized if the with the current measuring device 40 measured electrical current exceeds or falls below a first threshold value.

The abnormal operating condition of the fan 22 can also fail the fan 22 his. In this case, the electronic control device 9 the failure of the fan 22 recognize if the one with the current measuring device 40 measured electrical current remains below a second threshold value, which is significantly lower than the first threshold value.

The fan 22 can be provided, for example, by the condenser 32 warmed air in the vicinity of the household refrigerator 1 to promote. Then it can be provided that due to a detected failure of this fan 22 the compressor 30th is operated in a gentler operating mode. The compressor 30th is, for example, a speed-controlled compressor. A gentler operating mode is, for example, operating the compressor 60 at a lower speed.

The condenser 32 , which is designed in particular as a roller or finned condenser, can, for example, become dirty during operation. A dirty condenser 32 can cause an abnormal operating condition of the condenser 32 assigned fan 22 represent. If the condenser is found to be dirty 32 it can then be provided, controlled by the electronic control device 9 , the compressor 30th operate in a gentler operating mode.

Reference list

1

Household refrigerator

2nd

Body

3rd

Inner container

4th

coolable interior

5

Refrigerant circulation

6

Door racks

7

Shelves

8th

drawer

9

electronic control device

10th

Door leaf

11

opening

12th

DC voltage source

20th

Evaporator

21

Channel system

22

Fan

23

Electric motor

24th

Fan wheel

25th

Inverter

30th

compressor

31

Engine room

32

Condenser

40

Current measuring device

41

Shunt resistance

42

Voltage measuring device

43

Changeover switch

44

Current branch

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• CN 204460900 U [0002]

Claims (11)

Household refrigeration device, comprising a thermally insulated body (2) with an inner container (3) which delimits a coolable interior space (4) provided for storing food, a refrigerant circuit (5) for cooling the coolable interior space (4), at least one fan (22) , a current measuring device (40), a changeover switch (43) which can be switched between a first switch position and a second switch position, and an electronic control device (9) which is set up to switch the changeover switch (43) into the first switch position for a measurement mode, so that the current measuring device (40) is connected in a current branch (44) through which an eclectic current provided to operate the fan (22) flows in order to measure it, the electronic control device (9) is set up, which is connected to the current measuring device (40) evaluate measured electrical current to detect an abnormal operating state of the fan (22), and the e electronic control device (9) is set up to switch the changeover switch (43) to the second switch position for an operating mode of the fan (22), so that the current measuring device (40) is bridged in the current branch (44). Household refrigeration appliance after Claim 1 , characterized in that the fan (22) comprises a rotatably mounted fan wheel (24), an electric motor (23) provided for rotating the fan wheel (24) and an inverter (25) connected upstream of the electric motor (23), and the household refrigerator (1 ) comprises a DC voltage source (12) connected via the current branch (44) and providing a supply voltage for the inverter (25) and thus for the fan (22). Household refrigeration appliance after Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized by a duct system (21) in which an evaporator (20) of the refrigerant circuit (5) and the fan (22) are arranged and which is coupled to the coolable interior (4), the fan arranged in the duct system (21) (22) is set up to convey cooled air into the coolable interior (4) by means of the evaporator (20), and the abnormal operating state of the fan (22) represents frosting or icing of the evaporator (20). Household refrigeration appliance after Claim 3 , characterized in that the electronic control device (9) detects frosting or icing of the evaporator (20) when the electric current measured with the current measuring device (40) exceeds or falls below a first threshold value. Household refrigeration appliance after Claim 3 or 4th , characterized in that the electronic control device (9) is set up to initiate defrosting of the evaporator (20) on the basis of detected frosting or icing of the evaporator (20). Household refrigerator according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the abnormal operating state of the fan (22) is a failure of the fan (22) and in particular the electronic control device (9) detects the failure of the fan (22) when the electrical current measured with the current measuring device (40) is below of a second threshold remains. Household refrigerator according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the fan (22) is provided to convey air heated by a compressor (30) of the refrigerant circuit (5) into the environment of the household refrigeration device (1), the abnormal operating state is contamination of the compressor (30) and / or represents a failure of the fan (22), and the electronic control device (9) is set up to operate the compressor (30) in a gentler operating mode due to a detected contamination of the compressor (30) and / or a detected failure of this fan (22) . Method for operating a household refrigerator according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , comprising the following method steps: - by means of the electronic control device (9), switching the changeover switch (43) for a measuring mode into the first switch position, so that the current measuring device (40) is switched into a current branch (40) through which one operates the fan (22) provided eclectic current flows, - measuring the electrical current by means of the current measuring device (40), - evaluating the measured electrical current by means of the electronic control device (22) in order to detect an abnormal operating state of the fan (22) - bridging the current measuring device ( 40) in the current branch (40) during an operating mode of the fan (22) by switching the changeover switch (43) into the second switch position. Procedure according to Claim 8 , in which the household refrigeration device (1) comprises a duct system (21) in which an evaporator (20) of the refrigerant circuit (5) and the fan (22) are arranged and which is coupled to the coolable interior (4) which is in the duct system (21) arranged fan (22) is set up to convey cooled air into the coolable interior (4) by means of the evaporator (20) and the abnormal operating state of the fan (22) represents frosting or icing of the evaporator (20), showing recognition of tires or Icing of the evaporator (20) when the electrical current measured with the current measuring device (40) exceeds or falls below a first threshold value, and in particular initiating defrosting of the evaporator (20). Procedure according to Claim 8 or 9 , in which the abnormal operating state of the fan (22) is a failure of the fan (22), comprising detection of a failure of the fan (22) when the measured electrical current remains below a second threshold value. Procedure according to one of the Claims 8 to 10th , in which the fan (22) is provided to convey air heated by a condenser (32) of the refrigerant circuit (5) into the environment of the household refrigeration device (1), and the abnormal operating state is a contamination of the condenser (32) and / or Failure of the fan (22), comprising - detecting contamination of the condenser (32) and / or detection of failure of the fan (22), and - operating the compressor (30) in a gentler operating mode due to the detected contamination of the condenser (32 ) and / or the detected failure of this fan (22).

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