EP0336810B1 - Container with a humidifier - Google Patents

Container with a humidifier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0336810B1
EP0336810B1 EP89400790A EP89400790A EP0336810B1 EP 0336810 B1 EP0336810 B1 EP 0336810B1 EP 89400790 A EP89400790 A EP 89400790A EP 89400790 A EP89400790 A EP 89400790A EP 0336810 B1 EP0336810 B1 EP 0336810B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
enclosure
enclosure according
guiding
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP89400790A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0336810A1 (en
Inventor
Hugues Fievet
Georges Vennin
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D'ELECTROMENAGER DU NORD SELNOR Ste
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D'ELECTROMENAGER DU NORD SELNOR Ste
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/14—Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/04—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments
    • F25D2317/041—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification
    • F25D2317/0413—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification by humidification
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2321/00—Details or arrangements for defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2321/14—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water
    • F25D2321/141—Removal by evaporation
    • F25D2321/1411—Removal by evaporation using compressor heat
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2321/00—Details or arrangements for defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2321/14—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water
    • F25D2321/144—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water characterised by the construction of drip water collection pans
    • F25D2321/1441—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water characterised by the construction of drip water collection pans inside a refrigerator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2321/00—Details or arrangements for defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2321/14—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water
    • F25D2321/145—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water characterised by multiple collecting pans

Definitions

  • the invention relates mainly to an enclosure comprising an air humidification device.
  • Respecting the desired hydrometry may require either to reduce the quantity of water vapor present in the air either by cooling or by desiccation or, as in the case of the present invention, to humidify the air.
  • evaporation is favored by maximizing the exchange surfaces and by running water through the enclosure to be humidified.
  • the device according to the present invention can be applied to any closed enclosure in particular to enclosures for preserving products as well as to dwellings.
  • the invention is particularly applicable to refrigerated enclosures.
  • the enclosures intended to preserve wine for example in bottle requires a very high humidity. This high humidity level notably allows the wine to be isolated from external influences by causing the cork to swell.
  • Such enclosures marketed under the name of "Wine Cellar" maintains a constant temperature close to 12 ° allowing good aging of the wine.
  • the water is advantageously placed in a tank placed at the bottom of the enclosure.
  • This arrangement promotes evaporation and facilitates the leveling of the tank.
  • the water tends to condense, forming frost on the evaporator and / or pressure reducer.
  • the frost goes into the liquid phase.
  • the device according to this invention includes guide means allowing the runoff of water and thus promoting its evaporation.
  • the guiding device comprises overhangs and regions with a negative slope promoting evaporation by increasing the exchange surface, by the formation of waterfalls and / or by the modification of the flow.
  • Humidification of a room with evaporated water is known and described in DE-A-3 541 334.
  • a wall with a concave surface guiding a film of flowing water at one end is installed a fan which sends towards this wall with a flowing film of water a current of air causing evaporation of the water, and creates in the room a forced circulation of humidified air.
  • the water descending along the concave surface of this wall and collected at the bottom in a tank, is returned again to the top of this wall by a pump to start another cycle and so on, in order to provide humidity to the room.
  • the film of water, in motion and sticking to the concave surface of this wall thus requires a forced flow of air against it, for accelerated evaporation and providing the room with the desired humidity.
  • a refrigerated enclosure intended for storing wine is also described in FR-A-2 433 319.
  • This enclosure comprises a rectangular tank open towards the front and upwards, having a double wall enclosing in the space between these walls a coil an evaporator of a refrigeration circuit and an aqueous solution to serve as a refrigeration reserve with high thermal inertia.
  • This tank mounted inside a cabinet with a thermally insulated wall and front door and having a height greater than that of this tank, receives a bottle rack fixed against its walls through blocks rubber used as shock absorbers. In this tank, the storage temperature is maintained by this refrigeration circuit and the humidity is supplied by this aqueous solution.
  • the main object of the invention is an enclosure as described in the appended claims.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 the same references have been used to designate the same elements.
  • the enclosure 1 is a refrigerated enclosure. It has walls 5 providing thermal insulation, a compressor 2 and an evaporator-regulator 4. The hermetic circuits connecting the compressor 2 to the evaporator 4 possibly including a heat exchanger on return are not shown in FIG. 1.
  • a door 6 gives access to the interior of the enclosure 1.
  • the refrigerated enclosure 1 is for example a refrigerator or as illustrated in FIG. 1 a "wine cellar" intended for the conservation and aging of the bottles of wine.
  • the enclosure of FIG. 1 comprises supports 7 intended to receive the bottles allowing their storage in a horizontal position.
  • the door 6 is transparent for allow visual inspection of stored bottles.
  • the door 6 filters the radiation harmful to the wine.
  • One of the original features of the device according to the present invention consists of the presence of a water tank 8 placed in the lower part of the enclosure 1.
  • This tank is intended to maintain a high hydrometry necessary for example for the good behavior of the plugs. in cork ensuring the hermetic closing of the bottles or the good conservation of vegetables and in particular salads in the case of refrigerators.
  • the position of the water tank improves the humidification of enclosure 1 because it corresponds to the place where the temperature in the enclosure is the highest as far as it is away from the evaporator 4.
  • the fact of placing the container 8 or an additional container in the middle or upper part of the enclosure 1 does not depart from the scope of the present invention.
  • a defrosting advantageously automatic, is carried out of the evaporator 4. For example, melts the frost deposited on the evaporator 4 by stopping the compressor 2 and by delivering an electric current to a resistor (not shown in FIG. 1) integral with the evaporator.
  • the defrosting operation known per se provides water in liquid form.
  • the defrosting water is eliminated outside the enclosure 1.
  • the defrosting water is used to humidify the air in the enclosure 1.
  • the means 13 for guiding the water comprise overhangs 14 and regions having a negative slope. This increases the surface runoff and causes mini waterfalls promoting evaporation. The mini waterfalls allow the water to evaporate on both sides of the flow. In addition, evaporation is favored by the transition to turbulent water.
  • the water which has not evaporated during the journey on the guide means 13 is evacuated outside by, for example a pipe 10 leading to a first funnel 11 filling a transfer tank which pours through a second funnel 12 into an external reserve 3.
  • the tank 3 is heated to allow the evaporation of the water with a view to its elimination.
  • the reservoir 3 is placed on the compressor 2 so as to benefit from the supply of calories from the work of the compressor 2.
  • the reservoir 3 increases the efficiency of the device by ensuring the cooling of the compressor 3.
  • the evacuation of the water 9 towards the outside of the enclosure 1, for example towards the tank 3, makes it possible to add clean water to the tank 8 and to be guaranteed to limit the formation of microorganisms in enclosure 1.
  • the device of FIG. 1 requires periodically adding water 9 to the reservoir 8. This can prove to be restrictive in the case, for example of a long absence without supervision of the device of FIG. 1. In such a case may be advantageous, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to add water which has not evaporated during the journey on the means 13 for guiding in the tank 8. In this case, the funnel 11 opens into the tank 8.
  • the funnel 8 can rotate around its axis to allow, depending on the position chosen, the closed circuit operation illustrated in FIG. 2 or operation with the evacuation to an external tank 3 of de-evaporated defrost water, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the direct connection of the guide means 13 to the tank 8 or to the reservoir 3, for example by a pipe does not depart from the scope of the present invention.
  • This hose is either fixed to allow one of the two desired operating modes or it can be placed in the desired position in the tank 8 or the tank 3.
  • Evaporation of the defrost water has the additional advantage of cooling the enclosure 1.
  • the use of latent heat of vaporization of the defrost water or of the water 9 contained in the tank 8 makes it possible to save energy.
  • the invention mainly applies to the humidification of enclosures.
  • the invention applies in particular to the humidification of refrigerated enclosures such as, for example, enclosures intended for the storage, preservation and aging of bottled wine.
  • the invention also applies to refrigerated enclosures for storing foodstuffs or photosensitive materials such as, for example, photographic film or photosensitive paper.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Removal Of Water From Condensation And Defrosting (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Description

L'invention se rapporte principalement à une enceinte comportant un dispositif d'humidification d'air.The invention relates mainly to an enclosure comprising an air humidification device.

La conservation des divers produits ainsi que le bon fonctionnement de l'appareil exigent de respecter un degré d'hydrométrie. Le respect d'hydrométrie désiré peut imposer soit de diminuer la quantité de vapeur d'eau présente dans l'air soit par un refroidissement ou par une dessiccation soit comme dans le cas de la présente invention, d'humidifier l'air.The conservation of the various products as well as the proper functioning of the device require respecting a degree of hydrometry. Respecting the desired hydrometry may require either to reduce the quantity of water vapor present in the air either by cooling or by desiccation or, as in the case of the present invention, to humidify the air.

Dans le dispositif selon la présente invention on favorise l'évaporation en maximisant les surfaces d'échange et en effectuant un ruissellement de l'eau dans l'enceinte à humidifier. Le dispositif selon la présente invention peut s'appliquer à toute enceinte fermée notamment aux enceintes pour conservation des produits ainsi qu'aux habitations. L'invention s'applique particulièrement aux enceintes réfrigérées. Parmi les enceintes réfrigérées, les enceintes destinées à conserver le vin par exemple en bouteille demande un très fort taux d'humidité. Ce fort taux d'humidité permet notamment l'isolation du vin des influences extérieures en provoquant un gonflement du bouchon. De telles enceintes commercialisées sous le nom de "Cave à Vin" maintient une température constante voisine de 12° permettant un bon vieillissement du vin.In the device according to the present invention, evaporation is favored by maximizing the exchange surfaces and by running water through the enclosure to be humidified. The device according to the present invention can be applied to any closed enclosure in particular to enclosures for preserving products as well as to dwellings. The invention is particularly applicable to refrigerated enclosures. Among the refrigerated enclosures, the enclosures intended to preserve wine for example in bottle requires a very high humidity. This high humidity level notably allows the wine to be isolated from external influences by causing the cork to swell. Such enclosures marketed under the name of "Wine Cellar" maintains a constant temperature close to 12 ° allowing good aging of the wine.

Dans le dispositif selon la présente invention, l'eau est avantageusement disposée dans un bac placé en bas de l'enceinte. Cette disposition favorise l'évaporation et facilite la mise à niveau du réservoir. Dans les enceintes fermées réfrigérées l'eau a tendance à se condenser en formant du givre sur l'évaporateur et/ou détendeur. Lors du dégivrage, par exemple par l'utilisation d'une résistance chauffante, le givre passe en phase liquide. Le dispositif selon la présente invention comporte des moyens de guidage permettant le ruissellement de l'eau et ainsi favorisant son évaporation. Avantageusement, le dispositif de guidage comporte des surplombs et des régions à pente négative favorisant l'évaporation par l'augmentation de la surface d'échange, par la formation des cascades et/ou par la modification de l'écoulement.In the device according to the present invention, the water is advantageously placed in a tank placed at the bottom of the enclosure. This arrangement promotes evaporation and facilitates the leveling of the tank. In closed refrigerated enclosures the water tends to condense, forming frost on the evaporator and / or pressure reducer. During defrosting, for example by using a heating resistor, the frost goes into the liquid phase. The device according to this invention includes guide means allowing the runoff of water and thus promoting its evaporation. Advantageously, the guiding device comprises overhangs and regions with a negative slope promoting evaporation by increasing the exchange surface, by the formation of waterfalls and / or by the modification of the flow.

Ainsi, dans une enceinte réfrigérée on compense la déshydratation provoquée par la présence de l'élément froid constitué par le détendeur.Thus, in a refrigerated enclosure one compensates for the dehydration caused by the presence of the cold element constituted by the pressure reducer.

Une humidification d'une salle avec de l'eau évaporée est connue et décrite dans le DE-A-3 541 334. Dans cette salle, à une des extrémités est installée une paroi à surface concave guidant un film d'eau en écoulement, et à l'extrémité diamétralement opposé est monté un ventilateur qui envoie vers cette paroi à film d'eau en écoulement un courant d'air provoquant une évaporation de l'eau, et crée dans la salle une circulation forcée d'air humidifié. L'eau descendant le long de la surface concave de cette paroi et recueillie en bas dans un bac, est renvoyée de nouveau en haut de cette paroi par une pompe pour recommencer un autre cycle et ainsi de suite, afin de fournir de l'humidité à la salle. Le film d'eau, en mouvement et collant à la surface concave de cette paroi, exige ainsi un envoi à son encontre un courant forcé d'air, pour une évaporation accélérée et un apport à la salle une humidité souhaitée.Humidification of a room with evaporated water is known and described in DE-A-3 541 334. In this room, at one end is installed a wall with a concave surface guiding a film of flowing water, and at the diametrically opposite end is mounted a fan which sends towards this wall with a flowing film of water a current of air causing evaporation of the water, and creates in the room a forced circulation of humidified air. The water descending along the concave surface of this wall and collected at the bottom in a tank, is returned again to the top of this wall by a pump to start another cycle and so on, in order to provide humidity to the room. The film of water, in motion and sticking to the concave surface of this wall, thus requires a forced flow of air against it, for accelerated evaporation and providing the room with the desired humidity.

Une enceinte réfrigérée destinée à conserver le vin est également décrite dans FR-A-2 433 319. Cette enceinte comprend une cuve rectangulaire ouverte vers l'avant et vers le haut, ayant une double paroi enfermant dans l'espace entre ces parois un serpentin d'un évaporateur d'un circuit frigorifique et une solution aqueuse pour servir de réserve de frigorie à grande inertie thermique. Cette cuve, montée à l'intérieur d'un meuble à paroi et porte frontale isolées thermiquement et ayant une hauteur plus grande que celle de cette cuve, reçoit un casier à bouteilles fixé contre ses parois à travers des blocs en caoutchouc servant d'amortisseurs. Dans cette cuve, la température de conservation est maintenue par ce circuit frigorifique et l'humidité est alimentée par cette solution aqueuse.A refrigerated enclosure intended for storing wine is also described in FR-A-2 433 319. This enclosure comprises a rectangular tank open towards the front and upwards, having a double wall enclosing in the space between these walls a coil an evaporator of a refrigeration circuit and an aqueous solution to serve as a refrigeration reserve with high thermal inertia. This tank, mounted inside a cabinet with a thermally insulated wall and front door and having a height greater than that of this tank, receives a bottle rack fixed against its walls through blocks rubber used as shock absorbers. In this tank, the storage temperature is maintained by this refrigeration circuit and the humidity is supplied by this aqueous solution.

L'invention a principalement pour objet une enceinte telle que décrite dans les revendications ci-annexées.The main object of the invention is an enclosure as described in the appended claims.

L'invention sera mieux comprise au moyen de la description ci-après et des figures annexées données comme des exemples non limitatifs parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un premier exemple de réalisation du dispositif selon la présente invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'un second exemple de réalisation du dispositif selon la présente invention.
The invention will be better understood by means of the description below and the appended figures given as nonlimiting examples among which:
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Sur les figures 1 et 2 on a utilisé les mêmes références pour désigner les mêmes éléments.In FIGS. 1 and 2, the same references have been used to designate the same elements.

Sur la figure 1, on peut voir une enceinte fermée 1 selon la présente invention. Dans l'exemple de réalisation illustré sur la figure 1, l'enceinte 1 est une enceinte réfrigérée. Elle comporte des parois 5 assurant l'isolation thermique, un compresseur 2 et un évaporateur-détendeur 4. Les circuits hermétiques reliant le compresseur 2 à l'évaporateur 4 comprenant au retour éventuellement un échangeur de chaleur ne sont pas représentés sur la figure 1. Une porte 6 donne l'accès à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 1. L'enceinte réfrigérée 1 est par exemple un réfrigérateur ou comme illustrée sur la figure 1 une "cave à vin" destinée à la conservation et au vieillissement des bouteilles de vin. L'enceinte de la figure 1 comporte des supports 7 destinés à recevoir les bouteilles permettant leur stockage en position horizontale. Avantageusement, la porte 6 est transparente pour permettre le contrôle visuel des bouteilles stockées. Avantageusement, la porte 6 filtre les rayonnements nocifs pour le vin.In Figure 1, we can see a closed enclosure 1 according to the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the enclosure 1 is a refrigerated enclosure. It has walls 5 providing thermal insulation, a compressor 2 and an evaporator-regulator 4. The hermetic circuits connecting the compressor 2 to the evaporator 4 possibly including a heat exchanger on return are not shown in FIG. 1. A door 6 gives access to the interior of the enclosure 1. The refrigerated enclosure 1 is for example a refrigerator or as illustrated in FIG. 1 a "wine cellar" intended for the conservation and aging of the bottles of wine. The enclosure of FIG. 1 comprises supports 7 intended to receive the bottles allowing their storage in a horizontal position. Advantageously, the door 6 is transparent for allow visual inspection of stored bottles. Advantageously, the door 6 filters the radiation harmful to the wine.

Une des originalités du dispositif selon la présente invention consiste en la présence d'un bac 8 à eau 9 placé dans la partie inférieure de l'enceinte 1. Ce bac est destiné à maintenir une hydrométrie élevée nécessaire par exemple à la bonne tenue des bouchons en liège assurant la fermeture hermétique des bouteilles ou à la bonne conservation des légumes et notamment des salades dans le cas des réfrigérateurs.One of the original features of the device according to the present invention consists of the presence of a water tank 8 placed in the lower part of the enclosure 1. This tank is intended to maintain a high hydrometry necessary for example for the good behavior of the plugs. in cork ensuring the hermetic closing of the bottles or the good conservation of vegetables and in particular salads in the case of refrigerators.

La position du bac à eau permet d'améliorer l'humidification de l'enceinte 1 car elle correspond à l'endroit où la température dans l'enceinte est la plus élevée dans la mesure où on est éloigné de l'évaporateur 4. Toutefois, le fait de disposer le bac 8 ou un bac complémentaire dans la partie médiane ou supérieure à l'enceinte 1 ne sort pas du cadre de la présente invention.The position of the water tank improves the humidification of enclosure 1 because it corresponds to the place where the temperature in the enclosure is the highest as far as it is away from the evaporator 4. However , the fact of placing the container 8 or an additional container in the middle or upper part of the enclosure 1 does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Malheureusement, l'humidité se condense pour former le givre sur l'évaporateur 4. Ce phénomène, d'une part perturbe le bon fonctionnement de l'évaporateur 4 en diminuant les échanges de chaleur entre l'air de l'enceinte 1 et l'évaporateur 4 et d'autre part diminue l'humidité de l'air présent dans l'enceinte 1. Pour le bon fonctionnement de l'enceinte réfrigérée 1 on effectue un dégivrage, avantageusement automatique, de l'évaporateur 4. Par exemple on fait fondre le givre déposé sur l'évaporateur 4 en arrêtant le compresseur 2 et en débitant un courant électrique dans une résistance (non représentée sur la figure 1) solidaire de l'évaporateur. L'opération de dégivrage connue en soi fournit de l'eau sous forme liquide. Dans une enceinte réfrigérée de type classique l'eau de dégivrage est éliminée à l'extérieur de l'enceinte 1. Dans le dispositif selon la présente invention l'eau de dégivrage sert à humidifier l'air de l'enceinte 1. Pour ce faire on a relié des moyens 13 de guidage de l'eau à l'évaporateur 4. Avantageusement, les moyens 13 de guidage d'eau comportent des surplombs 14 et des régions ayant une pente négative. Ainsi on augmente la surface de ruissellement et on provoque des mini chutes d'eau favorisant l'évaporation. Les mini cascades permettent l'évaporation de l'eau sur les deux faces de l'écoulement. De plus, l'évaporation est favorisée par le passage en régime turbulant de l'eau.Unfortunately, humidity condenses to form frost on the evaporator 4. This phenomenon, on the one hand disrupts the proper functioning of the evaporator 4 by reducing the heat exchanges between the air in the enclosure 1 and l 'evaporator 4 and on the other hand decreases the humidity of the air present in the enclosure 1. For the proper functioning of the refrigerated enclosure 1 a defrosting, advantageously automatic, is carried out of the evaporator 4. For example, melts the frost deposited on the evaporator 4 by stopping the compressor 2 and by delivering an electric current to a resistor (not shown in FIG. 1) integral with the evaporator. The defrosting operation known per se provides water in liquid form. In a conventional type refrigerated enclosure, the defrosting water is eliminated outside the enclosure 1. In the device according to the present invention, the defrosting water is used to humidify the air in the enclosure 1. For this we have connected means 13 for guiding the water to the evaporator 4. Advantageously, the means 13 for guiding the water comprise overhangs 14 and regions having a negative slope. This increases the surface runoff and causes mini waterfalls promoting evaporation. The mini waterfalls allow the water to evaporate on both sides of the flow. In addition, evaporation is favored by the transition to turbulent water.

Dans l'exemple de réalisation du dispositif selon la présente invention illustré sur la figure 1 l'eau quine s'est pas évaporée lors du trajet sur les moyens 13 de guidage est évacuée à l'extérieur par, par exemple une conduite 10 aboutissant à un premier entonnoir 11 remplissant un réservoir de transfert qui se déverse à travers un second entonnoir 12 dans une réserve extérieure 3. Avantageusement, le réservoir 3 est chauffée pour permettre l'évaporation de l'eau en vue de son élimination. Ainsi, aucun entretien n'est nécessaire pour vider le réservoir 3. Avantageusement, le réservoir 3 est placé sur le compresseur 2 de façon à bénéficier de l'apport de calories provenant du travail du compresseur 2. De plus, le réservoir 3 augmente le rendement du dispositif en assurant le refroidissement du compresseur 3. L'évacuation de l'eau 9 vers l'extérieur de l'enceinte 1, par exemple vers le réservoir 3, permet de rajouter une eau propre dans le réservoir 8 et d'être assuré de limiter la formation de microorganismes dans l'enceinte 1.In the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the water which has not evaporated during the journey on the guide means 13 is evacuated outside by, for example a pipe 10 leading to a first funnel 11 filling a transfer tank which pours through a second funnel 12 into an external reserve 3. Advantageously, the tank 3 is heated to allow the evaporation of the water with a view to its elimination. Thus, no maintenance is necessary to empty the reservoir 3. Advantageously, the reservoir 3 is placed on the compressor 2 so as to benefit from the supply of calories from the work of the compressor 2. In addition, the reservoir 3 increases the efficiency of the device by ensuring the cooling of the compressor 3. The evacuation of the water 9 towards the outside of the enclosure 1, for example towards the tank 3, makes it possible to add clean water to the tank 8 and to be guaranteed to limit the formation of microorganisms in enclosure 1.

Toutefois, le dispositif de la figure 1 nécessite de rajouter périodiquement de l'eau 9 dans le réservoir 8. Ceci peut s'avérer contraignant dans le cas par exemple de longue absence sans surveillance du dispositif de la figure 1. Dans un tel cas il peut être avantageux, comme illustré sur la figure 2 de rajouter de l'eau quine s'est pas évaporée lors du trajet sur les moyens 13 de guidage dans le réservoir 8. Dans ce cas, l'entonnoir 11 débouche dans le réservoir 8.However, the device of FIG. 1 requires periodically adding water 9 to the reservoir 8. This can prove to be restrictive in the case, for example of a long absence without supervision of the device of FIG. 1. In such a case may be advantageous, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to add water which has not evaporated during the journey on the means 13 for guiding in the tank 8. In this case, the funnel 11 opens into the tank 8.

Comme on voit les deux modes de réalisation présente des inconvénients. Avantageusement l'entonnoir 8 peut tourner autour de son axe pour permettre selon la position choisie le fonctionnement en circuit fermé illustré sur la figure 2 ou un fonctionnement avec l'évacuation vers un réservoir 3 extérieur, de l'eau de dégivrage non évaporée, comme illustré sur la figure 1. Le raccordement direct des moyens de guidage 13 au réservoir 8 ou au réservoir 3, par exemple par un tuyau ne sort pas du cadre de la présente invention. Ce tuyau est soit fixe pour permettre un des deux modes de fonctionnement désiré soit il peut être placé selon la position désirée dans le réservoir 8 ou le réservoir 3.As can be seen, the two embodiments have drawbacks. Advantageously, the funnel 8 can rotate around its axis to allow, depending on the position chosen, the closed circuit operation illustrated in FIG. 2 or operation with the evacuation to an external tank 3 of de-evaporated defrost water, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The direct connection of the guide means 13 to the tank 8 or to the reservoir 3, for example by a pipe does not depart from the scope of the present invention. This hose is either fixed to allow one of the two desired operating modes or it can be placed in the desired position in the tank 8 or the tank 3.

L'évaporation de l'eau de dégivrage présente de plus l'avantage de refroidir l'enceinte 1. L'utilisation de la chaleur latente de vaporisation de l'eau de dégivrage ou de l'eau 9 contenue dans le bac 8 permet de réaliser des économies d'énergie.Evaporation of the defrost water has the additional advantage of cooling the enclosure 1. The use of latent heat of vaporization of the defrost water or of the water 9 contained in the tank 8 makes it possible to save energy.

L'invention s'applique principalement à l'humidification des enceintes.The invention mainly applies to the humidification of enclosures.

L'invention s'applique notamment à l'humidification des enceintes réfrigérées comme par exemple les enceintes destinées au stockage, à la conservation et au vieillissement de vin en bouteille. L'invention s'applique aussi aux enceintes réfrigérées de stockage de denrées alimentaires ou des matériaux photosensibles comme par exemple les pellicules photographiques ou le papier photosensible.The invention applies in particular to the humidification of refrigerated enclosures such as, for example, enclosures intended for the storage, preservation and aging of bottled wine. The invention also applies to refrigerated enclosures for storing foodstuffs or photosensitive materials such as, for example, photographic film or photosensitive paper.

Claims (10)

1. Enclosure having humidification means and comprising means (13) for guiding the water flow and at least one container (8) placed below the guiding means (13), characterized in that the enclosure comprises refrigerating means (4) receiving by condensation the water which had evaporated water from the container (8), and permitting the flow of the condensed water on the guiding means.
2. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (13) for guiding the water flow comprise overhangs (14) and regions presenting a negative inclination.
3. Enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said enclosure is a refrigerated enclosure.
4. Enclosure according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises supports (7) intended to receive wine bottles.
5. Enclosure according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that it comprises a looped water circuit (9) where the water, after evaporation from the container (8) and condensation on the refrigerating means (4), drops along the guiding means (13).
6. Enclosure according to claim 5, characterized in that in the looped water circuit, the evaporator-depressurizer (4), which is part of the refrigerating means, produces during the defrosting the water which flows on the guiding means (13).
7. Enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (11, 12) for evacuating the humidification water to the outside (3).
8. Enclosure according to claim 5 or 6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises adjustable selection means (11) permitting to lead the water from the guiding means (13) either to the outside (3) or to the container (8) placed below these guiding means.
9. Enclosure according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises heating means (2) for an outer container (3) permitting to eliminate the humidification water by evaporation.
10. Enclosure according to claim 9, characterized in that the heating means comprise a compressor (2).
EP89400790A 1988-03-25 1989-03-21 Container with a humidifier Expired - Lifetime EP0336810B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8803955A FR2629185A1 (en) 1988-03-25 1988-03-25 SPEAKER HAVING AN AIR HUMIDIFYING DEVICE
FR8803955 1988-03-25

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Publication Number Publication Date
EP0336810A1 EP0336810A1 (en) 1989-10-11
EP0336810B1 true EP0336810B1 (en) 1992-06-03

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US (1) US4979377A (en)
EP (1) EP0336810B1 (en)
DE (1) DE68901675D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2629185A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US4979377A (en) 1990-12-25
DE68901675D1 (en) 1992-07-09
EP0336810A1 (en) 1989-10-11
FR2629185A1 (en) 1989-09-29

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