EP1554531B1 - Refrigerating device comprising an evacuatable storage compartment - Google Patents

Refrigerating device comprising an evacuatable storage compartment Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1554531B1
EP1554531B1 EP03769396.7A EP03769396A EP1554531B1 EP 1554531 B1 EP1554531 B1 EP 1554531B1 EP 03769396 A EP03769396 A EP 03769396A EP 1554531 B1 EP1554531 B1 EP 1554531B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
storage compartment
pump
refrigerating appliance
housing
pressure
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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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EP03769396.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1554531A1 (en
Inventor
Adolf Feinauer
Michael Neumann
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BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
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BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
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Publication of EP1554531A1 publication Critical patent/EP1554531A1/en
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    • 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
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/12—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material
    • F25D2201/122—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material of loose fill type
    • 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
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/14—Insulation with respect to heat using subatmospheric pressure
    • 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
    • F25D2317/043—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by creating a vacuum in a storage compartment

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a refrigerator with a storage compartment surrounding a hollow-walled housing and with a vacuum pump which is connected via a suction line to a cavity of the housing.
  • the patent GB 389,535 shows a refrigerator with an evacuable storage compartment.
  • Patent US 2,550,040 shows a refrigerator with a storage compartment surrounding hollow-walled housing and with a vacuum pump which is connected via a suction line to a cavity of the housing and to the storage compartment.
  • Patent US 2550040 discloses a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost refrigeration appliance with which easily perishable foodstuffs can be stored over a long period of time.
  • the refrigeration device combines the advantages of an evacuatable storage compartment with the advantages of an actively pumped refrigeration device. Since, according to the invention, the same vacuum pump is responsible for generating a vacuum both in the hollow-walled housing and in the storage compartment, it is possible to dispense with a second vacuum pump. This reduces the manufacturing costs for the refrigeration device and its operating costs, because only a vacuum pump, which is an energy consumer, is provided. Finally, the use of only one pump takes up less space, so that larger storage space capacities are available in the interior of the refrigerator.
  • the refrigeration device has a control circuit for controlling the pump based on at least one arranged on the suction side of the pump pressure sensor.
  • a pressure sensor can be detected when a pressure in the hollow-walled housing or in the storage compartment exceeds a certain value to cause the pump in such a case to suck the excess pressure. In this way, a power-consuming unnecessary continuous operation of the pump is avoided because it is only put into operation when a need to maintain a required negative pressure occurs.
  • the control circuit controls the position of the valve based on the at least one pressure sensor.
  • the evacuability sensor is disposed on a door of the storage compartment for detecting the opening and closing state of the door.
  • the control circuit As long as the door is open, the pressure within the storage compartment does not decrease, but remains at a constant, the external ambient pressure corresponding value, which is also detected by the pressure sensor. A lack of pressure drop is for the control circuit, the signal that the door of the storage compartment is open. Only when the door of the storage compartment is closed again, a pressure drop occurs, which is registered by the sensor. Only when the sensor indicates the evacuability of the storage compartment, the control circuit switches the switching valve in the position with the high conductance, and the storage compartment is evacuated quickly.
  • the support material is preferably porous. Such a support material contributes to the thermal insulation of the interior of the refrigerator.
  • a support material granules based on silica or airgel Particularly preferred as a support material granules based on silica or airgel.
  • a compressor 12, a pump 13, a valve 15 and a control unit 18 are arranged in the operating area 8.
  • the pump 13 is a rough vacuum pump set to a target pressure of 100 mbar. It is connected via a suction line 14 with the inner cavity of the housing 2 and with the evacuable storage compartment 9.
  • a switching valve 15 is arranged, which is designed to assume a plurality of switching positions under the control of the control unit 18.
  • the pressure inside the storage compartment 9 and inside the hollow-walled housing 2 is permanently measured by the pressure sensors 16 and 17 and the result of the measurement is forwarded to the control unit 18.
  • a maximum upper limit is given in each case, which may not be exceeded. If one of the two sensors 16 or 17 now detects an exceeding of this limit value by the pressure monitored by it, the control unit 18 reacts by activating the valve 15 and switching the valve 15 so that the pump 13 is connected to the suction line 14 via the suction line 14 Storage compartment 9 or is connected to the cavity of the housing 2, depending on in which of the two exceeded the limit for the pressure by the corresponding sensor 16, 17 was detected.
  • control unit 18 the pump 13 in operation, so that the excess pressure is extracted and the total pressure in the storage compartment 9 and the housing 2 again below the predetermined limit falls.
  • the control unit 18 resets the pump 13. In this way it is ensured that the pump 13 is only in operation when it is needed to suck off an overpressure, whereby unnecessary energy consumption is suppressed.
  • the flap 11 To remove or deposit food from or into the storage compartment 9, the flap 11 must be opened.
  • the interior of the storage compartment 9 must first be flooded.
  • the flood valve 21 is provided, which is manually operated and closes as soon as it is released by the user.
  • the flap 11 is designed so that it pops up after pressure equalization.
  • the control unit 18 receives a signal via the data line 22, which indicates the open position of the flood valve 21.
  • the control unit 18 responds by bringing the switching valve 15 into the switching position, in which it connects the pump 13 and the storage compartment 9 with low conductance. While the storage compartment is open, the pump 13 continuously sucks a small, non-vanishing air flow from the storage compartment 9.
  • FIG. 2 shown in cross-section further embodiment of a refrigerator 1 according to the invention, the storage compartment 9, in contrast to the in FIG. 1 shown execution no flood valve.
  • the refrigerator according to FIG. 1 is equipped with only one pressure sensor 16 which is arranged in the suction line 14 between the pump 13 and the valve 15 and connected via a data line 19 to the control unit 18.
  • a door sensor 24 is present in the flap 11, which is also connected via the data line 22 to the control unit 18.
  • the valve 15 has a fourth connection, at which an open to the environment of the refrigerator ventilation duct 23 opens.
  • the valve is in the third switching stage, so that the pump 13 is connected via the suction line 14 with the cavity of the housing 2. In this case, prevails in the suction line 14, the same pressure as in the cavity. This is measured by the sensor 16 and mediated via the data line 19 to the control unit 18.
  • the control unit 18 is given a limit value for the pressure, wherein the control unit 18 causes the pump 13 to pump off an overpressure when this limit value is exceeded by the pressure. As soon as the pressure is again below a predetermined pressure, the pump 13 is switched off by the control unit 18.
  • the control unit 18 is caused via a manual switch, not shown, to switch the valve 15 in the first switching stage.
  • the interior of the storage compartment 9 is flooded via the suction line 14 and the ventilation line 23 with ambient air until a pressure equalization has been established. Subsequently, the flap 11 can be opened, or it jumps on pressure equalization.
  • the door sensor 24 registers the closure state (for example via the presence of an electrical contact or an interruption of an electrical contact) and forwards this information to the control unit 18 via the data line 22.
  • This causes the valve 15 to be switched to the second switching stage, so that the pump 13 is connected via the suction line 14 to the interior of the storage compartment 9, while the ventilation line 23 blocks and the cavity of the housing 2 are separated from the pump 13.
  • the pump 13 can pump out the storage compartment 9.
  • the pressure sensor 16 registers the prevailing pressure and transmits its measurement result to the control unit 18. As soon as the pressure falls below a predetermined value, the valve 15 is switched by the control unit 18 back to the third switching stage and the pump 13 is turned off. The refrigerator 1 then resumes normal operation.

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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)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Kältegerät mit einem ein Lagerfach umgebenden, hohlwandigen Gehäuse und mit einer Vakuumpumpe, die über eine Saugleitung an einen Hohlraum des Gehäuses angeschlossen ist.The invention relates to a refrigerator with a storage compartment surrounding a hollow-walled housing and with a vacuum pump which is connected via a suction line to a cavity of the housing.

Es ist bekannt, dass die Lagerung von leicht verderblichen Lebensmitteln unter Vakuum deren Haltbarkeit verbessert. So ist beispielsweise in der WO 01/712 63 A1 ein Kühlschrank gezeigt, in dem ein Lagerfach zur Halterung leicht verderblicher Lebensmittel vorgesehen ist. Das Lagerfach kann evakuiert werden, um die Haltbarkeit der Lebensmittel zu erhöhen. Zur Erreichung eines Vakuums innerhalb des Lagerfaches ist eine Abpumpvorrichtung für das Lagerfach vorgesehen. Die Abpumpvorrichtung ist dabei in den Kühlschrank integriert und beansprucht auf Kosten eines Stauraumes im Kühlschrank einen erheblichen Teil des Kühlschrankvolumens.It is known that the storage of perishable food under vacuum improves its durability. For example, in the WO 01/712 63 A1 a refrigerator shown in which a storage compartment is provided for holding perishable food. The storage compartment can be evacuated to increase the shelf life of the food. To achieve a vacuum within the storage compartment, a pumping device for the storage compartment is provided. The pumping device is integrated into the refrigerator and claimed at the expense of storage space in the refrigerator a significant portion of the refrigerator volume.

Es ist auch bekannt, Kühlgeräte mit hohlwandigen Gehäusen herzustellen, die evakuierbar sind, da solche Gehäuse eine thermische Isolation des Kühlschrankinnenraumes erheblich verbessern. Man unterscheidet dabei zwischen hermetisch abgeschlossenen Systemen und aktiv gepumpten Systemen. Bei den hermetisch abgeschlossenen Systemen wird das Vakuum innerhalb des hohlwandigen Gehäuses nach einem einmaligen Evakuiervorgang für die Lebensdauer des Kühlschrankes aufrechterhalten. Zu ihnen zählen Vakuumisolationspaneele und hermetisch dichte Gesamtgehäuse. Infolge der extremen Anforderungen bezüglich Vakuumdichtigkeit sind diese Systeme jedoch aufwendig herzustellen und sehr kostspielig. So können beispielsweise die hohen Vakuumanforderungen nur durch einen Edelstahlmantel gewährleistet werden. Aktiv gepumpte Systeme setzen dagegen wesentlich preisgünstigere und einfacher zu verarbeitende Kunststoffgehäuse ein, die mit einem entsprechend zu evakuierenden Stützkörpermaterial verfüllt sein können. Allerdings ist bei diesen Systemen eine fest mit dem Gehäuse verbundene Pumpe bzw. ein Absorptionssystem zur Aufrechterhaltung des Vakuums notwendig.It is also known to produce cooling units with hollow-walled housings which can be evacuated, since such housings considerably improve thermal insulation of the refrigerator interior. A distinction is made between hermetically sealed systems and actively pumped systems. In the hermetically sealed systems, the vacuum within the hollow walled housing is maintained after a single evacuation operation for the life of the refrigerator. These include vacuum insulation panels and hermetically sealed housings. However, due to the extreme vacuum tightness requirements, these systems are expensive to manufacture and expensive. For example, the high vacuum requirements can only be guaranteed by a stainless steel jacket. Actively pumped systems, however, use much cheaper and easier-to-use plastic housing, which can be filled with a corresponding to be evacuated support body material. However, these systems require a pump or absorption system fixedly connected to the housing to maintain the vacuum.

Die Patentschrift GB 389,535 zeigt ein Kältegerät mit einem evakuierbaren Lagerfach.The patent GB 389,535 shows a refrigerator with an evacuable storage compartment.

Die Patentschrift US 6,090,422 zeigt ein Kältegerät mit einem evakuierbaren Lagerfach,The patent US 6,090,422 shows a refrigerator with an evacuable storage compartment,

Die Patentschrift US 5,765,379 zeigt ein Kältegerät mit einem evakuierbaren Gehäuse.The patent US 5,765,379 shows a refrigerator with an evacuable housing.

Die Offenlegungsschrift WO 90/13779 zeigt einen Vakuum-Kühlschrank mit einem Vakuumabteil.The publication WO 90/13779 shows a vacuum refrigerator with a vacuum compartment.

Die Patentschrift US 6,062,040 zeigt eine transportierbare Aufbewahrungsbox.The patent US 6,062,040 shows a transportable storage box.

Die Patentschrift US 2,550,040 zeigt ein Kältegerät mit einem ein Lagerfach umgebenden, hohlwandigen Gehäuse und mit einer Vakuumpumpe, die über eine Saugleitung an einen Hohlraum des Gehäuses und an das Lagerfach angeschlossen ist. Patentschrift US 2550040 offenbart ein Kältegerät gemäß dem Oberbegrift von Anspruch 1. Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist die Bereitstellung eines kostengünstigen Kältegerätes, mit dem leicht verderbliche Lebensmittel über längere Zeit hinweg haltbar gelagert werden können.The patent US 2,550,040 shows a refrigerator with a storage compartment surrounding hollow-walled housing and with a vacuum pump which is connected via a suction line to a cavity of the housing and to the storage compartment. Patent US 2550040 discloses a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1. The object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost refrigeration appliance with which easily perishable foodstuffs can be stored over a long period of time.

Die Aufgabe wird gelöst durch ein Kältegerät des Anspruchs 1.The object is achieved by a refrigeration device of claim 1.

Das erfindungsgemäße Kältegerät kombiniert die Vorteile eines evakuierbaren Lagerfaches mit den Vorteilen eines aktiv gepumpten Kältegerätes. Da erfindungsgemäß dieselbe Vakuumpumpe zur Erzeugung eines Vakuums sowohl in dem hohlwandigen Gehäuse als auch im Lagerfach zuständig ist, kann auf eine zweite Vakuumpumpe verzichtet werden. Dadurch verringern sich die Herstellungskosten für das Kältegerät als auch dessen Betriebskosten, weil nur eine Vakuumpumpe, die einen Energieverbraucher darstellt, vorgesehen ist. Schließlich wird durch den Einsatz nur einer Pumpe weniger Raum beansprucht, so dass im Innenraum des Kühlgerätes größere Stauraumkapazitäten zur Verfügung stehen.The refrigeration device according to the invention combines the advantages of an evacuatable storage compartment with the advantages of an actively pumped refrigeration device. Since, according to the invention, the same vacuum pump is responsible for generating a vacuum both in the hollow-walled housing and in the storage compartment, it is possible to dispense with a second vacuum pump. This reduces the manufacturing costs for the refrigeration device and its operating costs, because only a vacuum pump, which is an energy consumer, is provided. Finally, the use of only one pump takes up less space, so that larger storage space capacities are available in the interior of the refrigerator.

Beim erfindungsgemäßen Kältegerät umschließt das Gehäuse einen Innenraum, in dem sich das Lagerfach und eine nicht evakuierbare Lagerkammer befinden. So können im selben Kältegerät auch weniger leicht verderbliche Lebensmittel zusammen mit den leicht verderblichen Lebensmitteln, die im evakuierten Lagerfach verstaut sind, aufbewahrt werden, ohne bei deren Entnahme aus dem Kältegerät das Vakuum im Lagerfach aufheben zu müssen.When refrigeration device according to the invention, the housing encloses an interior in which the storage compartment and a non-evacuated storage chamber are located. For example, less perishable foodstuffs can also be stored in the same refrigerator together with the perishable food stored in the evacuated storage compartment. without having to pick up the vacuum in the storage compartment when they are removed from the refrigerator.

Das Kältegerät verfügt über eine Steuerschaltung zum Steuern der Pumpe anhand wenigstens eines an der Saugseite der Pumpe angeordneten Drucksensors. Mit einem solchen Drucksensor kann erkannt werden, wenn ein Druck im hohlwandigen Gehäuse oder im Lagerfach einen bestimmten Wert übersteigt, um die Pumpe in einem solchen Fall zum Absaugen des überschüssigen Druckes zu veranlassen. Auf diese Weise wird ein stromfressender unnötiger Dauerbetrieb der Pumpe vermieden, da sie nur dann in Betrieb gesetzt wird, wenn eine Notwendigkeit zur Aufrechterhaltung eines benötigten Unterdruckes auftritt.The refrigeration device has a control circuit for controlling the pump based on at least one arranged on the suction side of the pump pressure sensor. With such a pressure sensor can be detected when a pressure in the hollow-walled housing or in the storage compartment exceeds a certain value to cause the pump in such a case to suck the excess pressure. In this way, a power-consuming unnecessary continuous operation of the pump is avoided because it is only put into operation when a need to maintain a required negative pressure occurs.

Dabei verfügt das Kältegerät in der Saugleitung über ein Schaltventil zum selektiven Verbinden der Pumpe mit dem Hohlraum oder mit dem Lagerfach. So kann die Pumpwirkung der Pumpe je nach Bedarf zwischen dem Hohlraum und dem Lagerfach von der Steuerschaltung umgeschaltet werden.In this case, the refrigeration device in the suction line via a switching valve for selectively connecting the pump with the cavity or with the storage compartment. Thus, the pumping action of the pump can be switched as needed between the cavity and the storage compartment of the control circuit.

Dabei steuert die Steuerschaltung die Stellung des Ventils anhand des wenigstens einen Drucksensors.The control circuit controls the position of the valve based on the at least one pressure sensor.

Die Steuerschaltung kann an einen Sensor zum Erfassen der Evakuierbarkeit des Lagerfachs angeschlossen sein. Das Lagerfach ist dann evakuierbar, wenn es gegenüber seiner Umgebung hermetisch abgeschlossen ist, d.h. wenn eine Tür zur Entnahme oder zum Einlegen der Lebensmittel geschlossen ist. Mit einem solchen Sensor lässt sich ein Einsetzen der Pumpe bei geöffneter Tür und eine damit verbundene starke Belastung der Pumpe vermeiden.The control circuit may be connected to a sensor for detecting the evacuability of the storage compartment. The storage compartment is then evacuable when hermetically sealed from its environment, i. if a door is closed for removal or loading of food. With such a sensor can be an insertion of the pump with the door open and avoid a heavy burden on the pump.

Vorteilhafterweise steuert die Steuerschaltung das Schaltventil an, um das Lagerfach mit der Pumpe zu verbinden, wenn der Evakuierbarkeitssensor die Evakuierbarkeit des Lagerfachs erfasst. Evakuierbarkeit des Lagerfaches ist wie oben erwähnt bei geschlossener Tür des Lagerfaches gegeben, so dass die Pumpe bei geschlossener Tür eine Druckerniedrigung innerhalb des Lagerfaches bewirken kann.Advantageously, the control circuit actuates the switching valve to connect the storage compartment to the pump when the Evakuierbarkeitssensor detects the evacuability of the storage compartment. Evacuability of the storage compartment is given above with the door closed of the storage compartment, so that the pump can cause a reduction in pressure within the storage compartment with the door closed.

In einer Ausführungsform ist der Evakuierbarkeitssensor an einer Tür des Lagerfachs zum Erfassen des Öffnungs- und Schließzustandes der Tür angeordnet.In one embodiment, the evacuability sensor is disposed on a door of the storage compartment for detecting the opening and closing state of the door.

Bei einer weiteren Ausführungsform ist der Evakuierbarkeitssensor ein Drucksensor, und das Ventil weist eine Schaltstellung auf, in der es einen hohen Leitwert zwischen Lagerfach und Pumpe aufweist, und eine Schaltstellung mit einem kleinen, nichtverschwindenden Leitwert zwischen Lagerfach und Pumpe. Wird bei einer solchen Ausführung das evakuierbare Lagerfach geflutet, um seine Tür öffnen zu können, so schaltet gleichzeitig die Steuerschaltung das Schaltventil in die Schaltstellung mit dem kleinen Leitwert. Wird nun die Pumpe in Betrieb genommen, etwa weil der Drucksensor an dem evakuierbaren Fach angeordnet ist und einen übermäßig hohen Druck erfasst, so wird nur ein kleiner Luftstrom aus dem evakuierbaren Fach abgesaugt. Solange die Tür geöffnet ist, sinkt der Druck innerhalb des Lagerfaches nicht ab, sondern bleibt auf einem konstanten, dem äußeren Umgebungsdruck entsprechenden Wert, was ebenfalls vom Drucksensor detektiert wird. Ein Ausbleiben eines Druckabfalles ist für die Steuerschaltung das Signal, dass die Tür des Lagerfaches geöffnet ist. Erst wenn die Tür des Lagerfachs wieder geschlossen ist, tritt ein Druckabfall auf, der von dem Sensor registriert wird. Erst wenn der Sensor so die Evakuierbarkeit des Lagerfachs anzeigt, schaltet die Steuerschaltung das Schaltventil in die Stellung mit dem hohen Leitwert, und das Lagerfach wird zügig evakuiert.In another embodiment, the Evakuierbarkeitssensor is a pressure sensor, and the valve has a switching position in which it has a high conductance between the storage compartment and the pump, and a switching position with a small, non-vanishing conductance between the storage compartment and the pump. If in such an embodiment, the evacuated storage compartment is flooded to open its door, so the same time, the control circuit switches the switching valve in the switching position with the small conductance. Now, the pump is put into operation, for example because the pressure sensor is arranged on the evacuated compartment and detects an excessively high pressure, so only a small stream of air is sucked out of the evacuated compartment. As long as the door is open, the pressure within the storage compartment does not decrease, but remains at a constant, the external ambient pressure corresponding value, which is also detected by the pressure sensor. A lack of pressure drop is for the control circuit, the signal that the door of the storage compartment is open. Only when the door of the storage compartment is closed again, a pressure drop occurs, which is registered by the sensor. Only when the sensor indicates the evacuability of the storage compartment, the control circuit switches the switching valve in the position with the high conductance, and the storage compartment is evacuated quickly.

Vorteilhafterweise enthält der Hohlraum des Gehäuses eine lockere Füllung aus einem Stützmaterial. Das Stützmaterial verleiht dem hohlwandigen Gehäuse eine erhöhte Stabilität.Advantageously, the cavity of the housing contains a loose filling of a support material. The support material gives the hollow-walled housing increased stability.

Dabei ist das Stützmaterial bevorzugterweise porös. Ein solches Stützmaterial trägt zur thermischen Isolierung des Innenraumes des Kältegerätes bei.The support material is preferably porous. Such a support material contributes to the thermal insulation of the interior of the refrigerator.

Besonders bevorzugt wird als Stützmaterial ein Granulat auf Kieselsäure- oder Aerogelbasis.Particularly preferred as a support material granules based on silica or airgel.

Vorteilhafterweise ist die Pumpe eine Grobvakuumpumpe. Unter einem Grobvakuum versteht man einen Druck von ca. 100 mbar. Grobvakuumpumpen sind gegenüber Hochvakuumpumpen robuster und kostengünstiger. Insbesondere dann, wenn der Hohlraum des Gehäuses mit einem Stützmaterial ausgefüllt ist, genügt bereits ein Grobvakuum von ungefähr 100 mbar, um eine deutliche Isolationsverbesserung des Innenraumes des Kältegerätes gegenüber einem nichtevakuierten Zustand des Hohlraumes des Gehäuses des Kältegerätes zu bewirken.Advantageously, the pump is a rough vacuum pump. Under a rough vacuum is meant a pressure of about 100 mbar. Rough-vacuum pumps are more robust and less expensive than high-vacuum pumps. In particular, when the cavity of the housing is filled with a support material, already a rough vacuum of approximately 100 mbar, to effect a significant improvement in the insulation of the interior of the refrigerator relative to a non-evacuated state of the cavity of the housing of the refrigerator.

Besonders bevorzugt weisen das Lagerfach und/oder der Hohlraum Wände aus Kunststoff auf. Wesentlicher Vorteil von Kunststoffwänden ist deren Preisgünstigkeit und einfache Verarbeitung.Particularly preferably, the storage compartment and / or the cavity have walls made of plastic. The main advantage of plastic walls is their affordability and ease of processing.

Im Folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand zweier Ausführungsbeispiele näher beschrieben. Dabei zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 einen Querschnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Kühlschrank; und
  • Fig. 2 einen Querschnitt durch einen weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Kühlschrank.
The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments. Showing:
  • Fig. 1 a cross section through a refrigerator according to the invention; and
  • Fig. 2 a cross section through another refrigerator according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 ist als Beispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Kältegerät ein Querschnitt durch einen Kühlschrank 1 gezeigt. Der Kühlschrank 1 ist von quaderförmiger äußerer Gestalt und wird mit Ausnahme einer Frontseite von einem hohlwandigen Gehäuse 2 umschlossen. Dabei ist das hohlwandige Gehäuse 2 von einem porösen Stützmaterial 5 aufgefüllt, bei dem es sich um ein Granulat auf Kieselsäure- oder Aerogelbasis handelt. An der Frontseite des Kühlschranks 1 ist eine aufklappbare Fronttür 3 mit einem Griff 4 vorgesehen, um über diese Zugang zu einem Innenraum des Kühlschranks 1 zu erhalten.In Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a refrigerator 1 shown as an example of a refrigerator according to the invention. The refrigerator 1 is of a cuboid outer shape and is enclosed by a hollow-walled housing 2 except for a front side. In this case, the hollow-walled housing 2 is filled by a porous support material 5, which is a granulate based on silica or airgel. On the front side of the refrigerator 1, a hinged front door 3 with a handle 4 is provided in order to obtain access to an interior of the refrigerator 1 via this access.

Der Innenraum des Kühlschrankes 1 teilt sich in eine obere Lagerkammer 6, eine untere Lagerkammer 7, einen neben der unteren Lagerkammer 7 angeordneten Betriebsbereich 8 und einen Bereich auf, der von einem evakuierbaren Lagerfach 9 eingenommen wird. Dabei wird die obere Lagerkammer 6 durch das Lagerfach 9 von der unteren Lagerkammer 7 und dem Betriebsbereich 8 getrennt. In der oberen Lagerkammer 6 und in der unteren Lagerkammer 7 sind horizontal ausgerichtete Ablageflächen oder Ablageroste 10 vorgesehen. Das Lagerfach 9 weist frontseitig eine Klappe 11 auf, über die Lebensmittel in das Lagerfach 9 eingelegt oder daraus entnommen werden können. Im evakuierten Zustand ist die Klappe 11 durch den Umgebungsdruck hermetisch dicht gegen das Gehäuse des Lagerfachs 9 gepresst. Am Gehäuse des Lagefachs 9 ist ein Flutventil 21 vorgesehen.The interior of the refrigerator 1 is divided into an upper storage chamber 6, a lower storage chamber 7, an operating area 8 arranged next to the lower storage chamber 7 and an area occupied by an evacuatable storage compartment 9. In this case, the upper storage chamber 6 is separated by the storage compartment 9 of the lower storage chamber 7 and the operating area 8. In the upper storage chamber 6 and in the lower storage chamber 7 horizontally aligned storage surfaces or shelves 10 are provided. The storage compartment 9 has on the front side a flap 11, can be placed on the food in the storage compartment 9 or removed therefrom. In the evacuated state, the flap 11 is pressed by the ambient pressure hermetically sealed against the housing of the storage compartment 9. On the housing of the storage compartment 9 a flood valve 21 is provided.

Im Betriebsbereich 8 sind ein Verdichter 12, eine Pumpe 13, ein Ventil 15 und eine Steuereinheit 18 angeordnet. Verdampfer und Verflüssiger, die zusammen mit dem Verdichter 12 einen Kühlmittelkreis bilden, sind der Übersichtlichkeit halber nicht dargestellt. Die Pumpe 13 ist eine Grobvakuumpumpe, die auf einen Zieldruck von 100 mbar eingestellt ist. Sie ist über eine Saugleitung 14 mit dem inneren Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 und mit dem evakuierbaren Lagerfach 9 verbunden. An einer Gabelung der Saugleitung 14 ist ein Schaltventil 15 angeordnet, das ausgelegt ist, um unter der Kontrolle der Steuereinheit 18 mehrere Schaltstellungen einzunehmen. Es hat jeweils eine Schaltstellung, in der es die Pumpe 13 mit dem Lagerfach 9 bzw. dem Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 mit hohem Leitwert verbindet, und eine Schaltstellung, in der es die Pumpe 13 mit dem Lagerfach 9 mit niedrigem Leitwert verbindet. Die Steuereinheit 18 dient ferner zur Steuerung der Pumpe 13. Zu diesem Zweck ist sie über Steuerleitungen 20 mit der Pumpe 13 und dem Ventil 15 verbunden. Sie ist darüber hinaus mittels einer Datenleitung 22 mit dem Flutventil 21 und mittels Datenleitungen 19 mit zwei Drucksensoren 16 und 17 verbunden, wobei der Sensor 16 im Innenraum des Lagerfaches 9 angeordnet ist, und der Sensor 17 im Hohlraum des hohlwandigen Gehäuses 2 angeordnet ist. Die Drucksensoren 16, 17 detektieren jeweils einen Druck im Inneren des Lagerfaches 9 respektive im Hohlraum des hohlwandigen Gehäuses 2 und übertragen das Ergebnis ihrer Messung über die Datenleitungen 19 an die Steuereinheit 18.In the operating area 8, a compressor 12, a pump 13, a valve 15 and a control unit 18 are arranged. Evaporator and condenser, which together with the compressor 12 form a coolant circuit, are not shown for clarity. The pump 13 is a rough vacuum pump set to a target pressure of 100 mbar. It is connected via a suction line 14 with the inner cavity of the housing 2 and with the evacuable storage compartment 9. At a fork of the suction line 14, a switching valve 15 is arranged, which is designed to assume a plurality of switching positions under the control of the control unit 18. It has in each case a switching position in which it connects the pump 13 with the storage compartment 9 or the cavity of the housing 2 with high conductance, and a switching position in which it connects the pump 13 with the storage compartment 9 with low conductance. The control unit 18 also serves to control the pump 13. For this purpose, it is connected via control lines 20 to the pump 13 and the valve 15. It is also connected by means of a data line 22 to the flood valve 21 and by means of data lines 19 with two pressure sensors 16 and 17, wherein the sensor 16 is arranged in the interior of the storage compartment 9, and the sensor 17 is arranged in the cavity of the hollow-walled housing 2. The pressure sensors 16, 17 each detect a pressure in the interior of the storage compartment 9 or in the hollow space of the hollow-walled housing 2 and transmit the result of their measurement via the data lines 19 to the control unit 18.

Im Betrieb des Kühlschrankes 1 wird der Druck im Inneren des Lagerfaches 9 und im Inneren des hohlwandigen Gehäuses 2 von den Drucksensoren 16 und 17 permanent gemessen und das Ergebnis der Messung wird an die Steuereinheit 18 weitergegeben. Dabei ist sowohl für den Druck im Inneren des Lagerfaches 9 als auch für den Druck im Inneren des Gehäuses 2 jeweils ein maximaler oberer Grenzwert vorgegeben, der nicht überschritten werden darf. Stellt nun einer der beiden Sensoren 16 oder 17 ein Überschreiten dieses Grenzwertes durch den von ihm überwachten Druck fest, so reagiert die Steuereinheit 18, indem sie das Ventil 15 ansteuert und das Ventil 15 so schaltet, dass die Pumpe 13 über die Saugleitung 14 mit dem Lagerfach 9 oder mit dem Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 verbunden wird, je nachdem, in welchem von beiden das Überschreiten des Grenzwertes für den Druck durch den entsprechenden Sensor 16, 17 festgestellt wurde. Außerdem setzt die Steuereinheit 18 die Pumpe 13 in Betrieb, so dass der Überdruck abgesaugt wird und der Gesamtdruck im Lagerfach 9 bzw. dem Gehäuse 2 wieder unter den vorgegebenen Grenzwert fällt. Sobald der entsprechende Sensor 16 oder 17 einen Druck feststellt, der eine vorgegebene Differenz zum oberen Grenzwert für den Druck aufweist, stellt die Steuereinheit 18 die Pumpe 13 wieder ab. Auf diese Weise ist gewährleistet, dass die Pumpe 13 nur dann im Betrieb ist, wenn sie zum Absaugen eines Überdruckes benötigt wird, wodurch unnötiger Energieverbrauch unterbunden wird.During operation of the refrigerator 1, the pressure inside the storage compartment 9 and inside the hollow-walled housing 2 is permanently measured by the pressure sensors 16 and 17 and the result of the measurement is forwarded to the control unit 18. In this case, both for the pressure inside the storage compartment 9 and for the pressure in the interior of the housing 2, a maximum upper limit is given in each case, which may not be exceeded. If one of the two sensors 16 or 17 now detects an exceeding of this limit value by the pressure monitored by it, the control unit 18 reacts by activating the valve 15 and switching the valve 15 so that the pump 13 is connected to the suction line 14 via the suction line 14 Storage compartment 9 or is connected to the cavity of the housing 2, depending on in which of the two exceeded the limit for the pressure by the corresponding sensor 16, 17 was detected. In addition, the control unit 18, the pump 13 in operation, so that the excess pressure is extracted and the total pressure in the storage compartment 9 and the housing 2 again below the predetermined limit falls. As soon as the corresponding sensor 16 or 17 detects a pressure which has a predetermined difference from the upper limit value for the pressure, the control unit 18 resets the pump 13. In this way it is ensured that the pump 13 is only in operation when it is needed to suck off an overpressure, whereby unnecessary energy consumption is suppressed.

Zur Entnahme oder Deponierung von Lebensmitteln aus dem oder in das Lagerfach 9 muss die Klappe 11 geöffnet werden. Dazu muss vorher der Innenraum des Lagerfaches 9 geflutet werden. Zu diesem Zweck ist das Flutventil 21 vorgesehen, das manuell betätigt wird und schließt, sobald es vom Benutzer losgelassen wird. Außerdem ist die Klappe 11 so ausgelegt, dass sie nach erfolgtem Druckausgleich aufspringt. Wenn ein Benutzer das Flutventil 21 öffnet und Luft in das Lagerfach 9 strömt, registriert der Drucksensor 16 einen Druckanstieg, der die Steuereinheit 18 veranlasst, die Pumpe 13 einzuschalten. Gleichzeitig empfängt die Steuereinheit 18 über die Datenleitung 22 ein Signal, welches das Offenstehen des Flutventils 21 anzeigt. Die Steuereinheit 18 reagiert darauf, indem sie das Schaltventil 15 in die Schaltstellung bringt, in der es die Pumpe 13 und das Lagerfach 9 mit niedrigem Leitwert verbindet. Während das Lagerfach offen steht, saugt die Pumpe 13 kontinuierlich einen kleinen, nichtverschwindenden Luftstrom aus dem Lagerfach 9 ab.To remove or deposit food from or into the storage compartment 9, the flap 11 must be opened. For this purpose, the interior of the storage compartment 9 must first be flooded. For this purpose, the flood valve 21 is provided, which is manually operated and closes as soon as it is released by the user. In addition, the flap 11 is designed so that it pops up after pressure equalization. When a user opens the flood valve 21 and air flows into the storage compartment 9, the pressure sensor 16 registers a pressure increase, which causes the control unit 18 to turn on the pump 13. At the same time, the control unit 18 receives a signal via the data line 22, which indicates the open position of the flood valve 21. The control unit 18 responds by bringing the switching valve 15 into the switching position, in which it connects the pump 13 and the storage compartment 9 with low conductance. While the storage compartment is open, the pump 13 continuously sucks a small, non-vanishing air flow from the storage compartment 9.

Um das Lagerfach 11 wieder hermetisch zu verschließen, wird die Klappe 11 bei losgelassenem Flutventil 21 zugedrückt. Sobald die Klappe 11 verschlossen ist, genügt der kleine, von der Pumpe 13 aus dem Lagerfach 9 abgesaugte Luftstrom, um den Druck innerhalb des Lagerfaches 9 geringfügig abzusenken. Diese Druckabnahme wird vom Drucksensor 16 erfasst und ist für die Steuereinheit 18 das Signal, dass die Klappe 11 geschlossen wurde. Über die Steuerleitung 20 weist sie daher das Ventil 15 an, die Pumpe 13 mit hohem Leitwert mit dem Lagerfach 9 zu verbinden, so dass die Pumpe 13 nunmehr den Druck innerhalb des Lagerfaches 9 schnell reduziert. Unterschreitet dieser Druck einen unteren vorgegebenen Wert, so wird die Pumpe 13 von der Steuereinheit 18 wieder abgeschaltet. Erst wenn die Sensoren 16 oder 17 ein Überschreiten der von Ihnen überwachten Drücke im Lagerfach 9 oder im Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 über einen der vorgegebenen Grenzwerte registrieren, wird die Pumpe 13 von der Steuereinheit 18 wieder in Betrieb gesetzt und über das Ventil 15 je nach Bedarf entweder mit dem Lagerfach 9 oder mit dem Hohlraum des hohlwandigen Gehäuses 2 verbunden.In order to hermetically close the storage compartment 11 again, the flap 11 is pushed closed when the flood valve 21 is released. Once the flap 11 is closed, the small, sucked by the pump 13 from the storage compartment 9 air flow is sufficient to lower the pressure within the storage compartment 9 slightly. This decrease in pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 16 and is the signal for the control unit 18 that the flap 11 has been closed. Via the control line 20, therefore, it instructs the valve 15 to connect the pump 13 with high conductance to the storage compartment 9, so that the pump 13 now rapidly reduces the pressure within the storage compartment 9. If this pressure falls below a lower predetermined value, the pump 13 is switched off again by the control unit 18. Only when the sensors 16 or 17 register an exceeding of the pressures monitored by you in the storage compartment 9 or in the cavity of the housing 2 via one of the predetermined limits, the pump 13 is put back into operation by the control unit 18 and via the valve 15 as needed either connected to the storage compartment 9 or to the cavity of the hollow-walled housing 2.

Bei der in Figur 2 im Querschnitt gezeigten weiteren Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Kühlschranks 1 weist das Lagerfach 9 im Gegensatz zu der in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführung kein Flutventil auf. Ein weiterer Unterschied zur in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführung besteht darin, dass der Kühlschrank gemäß Figur 1 mit nur einem Drucksensor 16 ausgestattet ist, der in der Saugleitung 14 zwischen der Pumpe 13 und dem Ventil 15 angeordnet und über eine Datenleitung 19 mit der Steuereinheit 18 verbunden ist. Ferner ist bei der Klappe 11 ein Türsensor 24 vorhanden, der über die Datenleitung 22 ebenfalls mit der Steuereinheit 18 verbunden ist. Das Ventil 15 hat einen vierten Anschluss, an dem eine zur Umgebung des Kühlschranks offene Belüftungsleitung 23 mündet. Das Ventil 15 ist zwischen drei Schaltstellungen schaltbar: In einer ersten Schaltstellung ist die Belüftungsleitung 23 über die Saugleitung 14 mit dem Inneren des Lagerfaches 9 verbunden, während der zum Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 führende Ast der Saugleitung 14 versperrt ist; in einer zweiten Schaltstellung sind die Belüftungsleitung 23 und der zum Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 führende Ast der Saugleitung 14 versperrt; während die Pumpe 13 über das Ventil 15 mit dem Lagerfach 9 verbunden ist, und in einer dritten Schaltstellung sind die Belüftungsleitung 23 und der zum Lagerfach 9 führende Ast der Saugleitung 14 versperrt.At the in FIG. 2 shown in cross-section further embodiment of a refrigerator 1 according to the invention, the storage compartment 9, in contrast to the in FIG. 1 shown execution no flood valve. Another difference to in FIG. 1 shown embodiment is that the refrigerator according to FIG. 1 is equipped with only one pressure sensor 16 which is arranged in the suction line 14 between the pump 13 and the valve 15 and connected via a data line 19 to the control unit 18. Furthermore, a door sensor 24 is present in the flap 11, which is also connected via the data line 22 to the control unit 18. The valve 15 has a fourth connection, at which an open to the environment of the refrigerator ventilation duct 23 opens. The valve 15 is switchable between three switching positions: In a first switching position, the ventilation line 23 is connected via the suction line 14 to the interior of the storage compartment 9, while the leading to the cavity of the housing 2 branch of the suction line 14 is blocked; in a second switching position, the ventilation line 23 and leading to the cavity of the housing 2 branch of the suction line 14 are blocked; while the pump 13 is connected via the valve 15 to the storage compartment 9, and in a third switching position, the ventilation line 23 and leading to the storage compartment 9 branch of the suction line 14 are blocked.

Im normalen Betrieb des Kühlschranks 1 befindet sich das Ventil in der dritten Schaltstufe, so dass die Pumpe 13 über die Saugleitung 14 mit dem Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 verbunden ist. Dabei herrscht in der Saugleitung 14 derselbe Druck wie im Hohlraum vor. Dieser wird vom Sensor 16 gemessen und über die Datenleitung 19 an die Steuereinheit 18 vermittelt. Wie bei der Ausführung gemäß Figur 1 ist der Steuereinheit 18 ein Grenzwert für den Druck vorgegeben, wobei die Steuereinheit 18 bei Überschreiten dieses Grenzwertes durch den Druck die Pumpe 13 zum Abpumpen eines Überdrucks veranlasst. Sobald der Druck wieder unterhalb eines vorbestimmten Druckes liegt, wird die Pumpe 13 von der Steuereinheit 18 abgeschaltet.During normal operation of the refrigerator 1, the valve is in the third switching stage, so that the pump 13 is connected via the suction line 14 with the cavity of the housing 2. In this case, prevails in the suction line 14, the same pressure as in the cavity. This is measured by the sensor 16 and mediated via the data line 19 to the control unit 18. As in the execution according to FIG. 1 the control unit 18 is given a limit value for the pressure, wherein the control unit 18 causes the pump 13 to pump off an overpressure when this limit value is exceeded by the pressure. As soon as the pressure is again below a predetermined pressure, the pump 13 is switched off by the control unit 18.

Zum Öffnen der Klappe 11 des Lagerfachs 9 wird die Steuereinheit 18 über einen nicht gezeigten manuellen Schalter dazu veranlasst, das Ventil 15 in die erste Schaltstufe zu schalten. Dadurch wird das Innere des Lagerfachs 9 über die Saugleitung 14 und die Belüftungsleitung 23 mit Umgebungsluft geflutet, bis sich ein Druckausgleich eingestellt hat. Anschließend kann die Klappe 11 geöffnet werden, oder sie springt bei Druckausgleich auf.To open the flap 11 of the storage compartment 9, the control unit 18 is caused via a manual switch, not shown, to switch the valve 15 in the first switching stage. As a result, the interior of the storage compartment 9 is flooded via the suction line 14 and the ventilation line 23 with ambient air until a pressure equalization has been established. Subsequently, the flap 11 can be opened, or it jumps on pressure equalization.

Um das Lagerfach 9 wieder hermetisch abzuschließen, wird die Klappe 11 zugedrückt. Dabei registriert der Türsensor 24 den Verschlusszustand (beispielsweise über ein Vorhandensein eines elektrischen Kontaktes bzw. ein Unterbrechen eines elektrischen Kontaktes) und gibt diese Information über die Datenleitung 22 an die Steuereinheit 18 weiter. Diese veranlasst das Ventil 15 in die zweite Schaltstufe zu schalten, so dass die Pumpe 13 über die Saugleitung 14 mit dem Inneren des Lagerfaches 9 verbunden ist, während die Belüftungsleitung 23 versperrt und der Hohlraum des Gehäuses 2 von der Pumpe 13 abgetrennt sind. Nun kann die Pumpe 13 das Lagerfach 9 abpumpen. Wieder registriert der Drucksensor 16 den vorherrschenden Druck und übermittelt sein Messergebnis an die Steuereinheit 18. Sobald der Druck einen vorbestimmten Wert unterschreitet, wird das Ventil 15 von der Steuereinheit 18 wieder in die dritte Schaltstufe geschaltet und die Pumpe 13 abgestellt. Der Kühlschrank 1 nimmt daraufhin seinen normalen Betrieb wieder auf.To hermetically complete the storage compartment 9 again, the flap 11 is pressed. In this case, the door sensor 24 registers the closure state (for example via the presence of an electrical contact or an interruption of an electrical contact) and forwards this information to the control unit 18 via the data line 22. This causes the valve 15 to be switched to the second switching stage, so that the pump 13 is connected via the suction line 14 to the interior of the storage compartment 9, while the ventilation line 23 blocks and the cavity of the housing 2 are separated from the pump 13. Now the pump 13 can pump out the storage compartment 9. Again, the pressure sensor 16 registers the prevailing pressure and transmits its measurement result to the control unit 18. As soon as the pressure falls below a predetermined value, the valve 15 is switched by the control unit 18 back to the third switching stage and the pump 13 is turned off. The refrigerator 1 then resumes normal operation.

Claims (10)

  1. Refrigerating appliance (1) with a hollow-walled housing (2), which encloses a storage compartment (9), and with a vacuum pump (13) connected with the cavity of the housing (2) by way of a suction line (14), wherein the suction line (14) is additionally connected with the storage compartment (9), wherein the housing (2) encloses an interior space in which the storage compartment (9) and a non-evacuatable storage chamber (6, 7) are located and wherein a control circuit (18) for controlling the pump (13) by way of at least one pressure sensor (16, 17) connected with the suction side of the pump (13) is provided, characterised in that a switching valve (15) for selective connection of the pump (13) with the cavity or with the storage compartment (9) is arranged in the suction line (14) and wherein the control circuit (18) controls the setting of the valve (15) by way of the at least one pressure sensor (16, 17).
  2. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the control circuit (18) is connected with a sensor (16, 24) for detecting the capability of evacuation of the storage compartment (9).
  3. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 1 and claim 2, characterised in that the control circuit (18) drives the switching valve (15) in order to connect the storage compartment (9) with the pump (13) when the evacuation capability sensor (16, 24) detects the evacuation capability of the storage compartment (9).
  4. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the evacuation capability sensor (24) is arranged at a door (11) of the storage compartment (9) so as to detect the open state or closed state of the door (11).
  5. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the evacuation capability sensor (16) is a pressure sensor and that the valve (15) has a switch setting in which it has a high conductivity value between storage compartment (9) and pump (13) and a switch setting with a small not-imperceptible conductivity value between storage compartment (9) and pump (13).
  6. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cavity of the housing (2) includes a loose filling of a backing material (5).
  7. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the backing material (5) is porous.
  8. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the backing material (5) is a granulate on a silica-gel or aerogel basis.
  9. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pump (13) is a low-vacuum pump.
  10. Refrigerating appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage compartment (9) and/or the cavity has or have walls of plastics material.
EP03769396.7A 2002-10-17 2003-10-15 Refrigerating device comprising an evacuatable storage compartment Expired - Lifetime EP1554531B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10248510A DE10248510A1 (en) 2002-10-17 2002-10-17 Refrigerator with an evacuable storage compartment
DE10248510 2002-10-17
PCT/EP2003/011442 WO2004036129A1 (en) 2002-10-17 2003-10-15 Refrigerating device comprising an evacuatable storage compartment

Publications (2)

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EP1554531A1 EP1554531A1 (en) 2005-07-20
EP1554531B1 true EP1554531B1 (en) 2013-07-31

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EP03769396.7A Expired - Lifetime EP1554531B1 (en) 2002-10-17 2003-10-15 Refrigerating device comprising an evacuatable storage compartment

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US (1) US7360371B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1554531B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1705854A (en)
AU (1) AU2003278086A1 (en)
DE (1) DE10248510A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004036129A1 (en)

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DE10248510A1 (en) 2004-04-29
EP1554531A1 (en) 2005-07-20
AU2003278086A1 (en) 2004-05-04
US7360371B2 (en) 2008-04-22
US20060010890A1 (en) 2006-01-19
WO2004036129A1 (en) 2004-04-29
CN1705854A (en) 2005-12-07

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