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
  • 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
  • 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
  • F25D2317/0415—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification by deodorizing

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a refrigerator with a storage area.
• the object is achieved by a refrigeration device having a storage area for goods to be cooled, in which the refrigeration device comprises a moisture-regulating element for the targeted setting of a relative humidity in the storage area of more than 75%.
• the technical advantage is achieved that a storage moisture for refrigerated goods can be adjusted regardless of the type of loading and loading amount to reduce or avoid condensation and humidity variations. There is an active condensate control without drying out the refrigerated goods.
• a refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance which is used for household management or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerated freezer combination, a freezer or a wine fridge.
• the moisture-regulating element is formed by a water-vapor-permeable membrane.
• the membrane covers an opening of an otherwise airtight sealable bearing shell, which covers the storage area forms.
• the membrane comprises a microstructured and non-porous membrane or a polymer-coated membrane.
• the membrane is arranged in a cover, a bottom or a side wall of a bearing shell.
• the moisture-regulating element comprises a carrier material with a moisture regulator, which is at least partially surrounded by a water-vapor-permeable encapsulation material.
• the water vapor permeable encapsulation material is a water vapor permeable film.
• the water vapor-permeable film is made of polyamide, thermoplastic elastomers, polylactides or polyethylene.
• the carrier material is formed by a porous plastic.
• the moisture regulator comprises salts such as potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, sodium chloride or glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, lactose, xylitol or fructose or mixtures of the substances in order to set a defined target moisture range.
• salts such as potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, sodium chloride or glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, lactose, xylitol or fructose or mixtures of the substances in order to set a defined target moisture range.
• the moisture-regulating element comprises odor-reducing materials, antimicrobial substances for preventing germ growth or oxygen-absorbing materials for binding oxygen.
• the technical advantage is achieved that not only moisture can be regulated, but at the same time an additional odor reduction by the moisture-regulating element takes place.
• the generation of germs in the moisture-regulating element or oxidation or discoloration of refrigerated goods can be prevented.
• the moisture-regulating element comprises an indicator material for information about the state of the moisture-regulating element.
• the moisture-regulating element is exchangeable by a user.
• the technical advantage is achieved that a spent moisture-regulating element can be manually replaced.
• the moisture-regulating element is integrated in a retractable storage for refrigerated goods.
• the moisture-regulating element is arranged in or in front of an air duct.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of a membrane as a moisture-regulating element.
• 3 is a view of a bearing shell with moisture-regulating elements,
• Fig. 6 is another view of the moisture-regulating element in the refrigeration compartment.
• Fig. 1 shows a refrigerator representative of a general refrigeration device 100.
• the refrigerator 100 has an upper refrigerator door and a lower refrigerator door.
• the refrigerator is used for example for cooling food as refrigerated goods and includes a refrigerant circuit with an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and a throttle body.
• the evaporator is a heat exchanger in which after expansion the liquid refrigerant is absorbed by heat absorption from the medium to be cooled, i. the air inside the refrigerator is evaporated.
• the compressor is a mechanically operated component that draws refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and expels it at a higher pressure to the condenser.
• the condenser is a heat exchanger in which, after compression, the vaporized refrigerant is released by heat release to an external cooling medium, i. the ambient air is liquefied.
• the throttle body is a device for reducing the pressure by cross-sectional constriction.
• the refrigerant is a fluid used for heat transfer in the cryogenic system, at low temperatures and low pressure of the fluid Absorbs heat and at higher temperature and higher pressure of the fluid gives off heat, usually state changes of the fluid are included.
• the storage quality of refrigerated goods, such as fruits and vegetables, in the refrigeration device 100 is influenced mainly by the present in the refrigerator 100 factors of temperature and storage moisture, i. the relative humidity during storage.
• the storage moisture is for in the refrigerator 100 stored or unpacked refrigerated goods of crucial importance, since the bearing moisture interacts with the stored refrigerated goods.
• Humidity, humidity fluctuation and condensate formation are influenced by various factors such as the underlying refrigeration, storage volume, refrigerated goods, cold compartment temperature, wall temperature and storage quantity. In addition, these are influenced by the climatic conditions at the installation site of the refrigeration device 100 and specific conditions of use. Maintaining the quality of unpacked refrigerated goods can be ensured if the ideal for the refrigerated goods humid conditions prevail, which correspond to the equilibrium moisture content of many foods. In addition, large fluctuations in temperature and humidity should be avoided.
• Condensate accumulation or condensation in a storage area of refrigeration device 100 should be largely inhibited to curb microbial growth and prevent other product damage, such as texture loss or discoloration. In addition, a visually less appealing storage compartment should be avoided by condensate accumulation.
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a membrane as a moisture-regulating element 103 in a storage area.
• the membrane has microchannels 15 through which water vapor diffuses along a temperature gradient or humidity gradient.
• the membrane is used to set a relative humidity in the storage area of more than 75%. Lower humidity in the storage area can cause the product to dry out and accelerate spoilage. Maintaining the food quality of unpackaged foods should be ensured by having ideal humidity conditions, for example between 85% to 95% relative humidity for fruits and 95% to 100% relative humidity for vegetables.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 serves to realize a humidity range of between 85% to 100% and to avoid or reduce a condensate attack.
• the moisture control is achieved by the use of a water vapor permeable membrane as a moisture-regulating element 103.
• the water vapor permeable membrane may be arranged in airtight closing or sealed bearing shells in the region of the lid and / or the bottom and / or the side walls, so that when exceeding a defined target moisture for the bearing shell, this excess moisture is increasingly dissipated through the membrane 103.
• One or more membranes 103 may be disposed in the shell region and are ideally removable or interchangeable.
• the hermetically sealed bearing shell ensures that the moisture released by the stored chilled goods is held within the bearing shell. As soon as the equilibrium moisture specific to the storage of the respective food has settled, for example 90 to 95% RH for vegetables, a large part of the excess moisture is removed via the membrane 103 into an external cooling section. The resulting amount of condensate in the bearing shell is reduced, without the dehumidification of the stored material is driven forward.
• the membrane 103 should have a given and adjustable permeability of water vapor. In addition, there should be a poor colonization by bacteria, a long-term stability and a cleaning resistance.
• the membrane 103 should be arranged on the cooling side, as a diffusion of water vapor or a water vapor transport through a temperature gradient and humidity gradient is favored.
• the bearing shell has a higher temperature than the overlying or surrounding the bearing shell cooling space and the humidity in the bearing shell is greater than in the refrigerator.
• a water-impermeable, but water-vapor-permeable membrane can be used. Microstructured, non-porous membranes and polymer coatings are best suited for the application.
• the membrane pure polymers in film form such as polyvinylidene chloride PVDC, polycarbonate PC, polysulfone PSU, polyethylene terephthalate PET, polybenzimidazole PBI, polyoxymethylene POM, polyvinyl chloride PVC or polyolefins such as polyethylene PE or polypropylene PP can be used.
• the water vapor permeability (MVTR) of these materials is between 0.2 - 50 g / m 2 24h.
• microporous polymers formed of water-impermeable materials having fine pores or cracks which allow water vapor to pass, for example, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE having a membrane thickness of 10-25 ⁇ m.
• the water vapor permeability (MVTR) of these materials is between 22,000-60000 g / m 2 24h.
• non-porous polymers such as polyurethane-based
• hydrophilic fibers A mixture with hydrophobic fibers regulates the water transport.
• the water vapor permeability (MVTR) of these materials is between 35,000-50000 g / m 2 24h.
• the membrane may comprise polymer coatings.
• a permeable carrier material is coated with a liquid formulation which has membrane properties after curing.
• the coatings can be based on polyurethane PU or polyamide PA or silicone-based.
• the water vapor permeability (MVTR) of these materials is between 650-40000 g / m 2 24h.
• the membrane may be a ceramic membrane, for example Al 2 O 3 -based, and have a hydrophilic surface.
• the membrane may be a glass membrane formed, for example, by glass frits. A preparation is carried out by sintering glass granules having a pore diameter of 1-500 ⁇ .
• the ceramic membrane may have a hydrophilic surface.
• the membrane has a membrane specific adaptation to a Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) definition.
• MVTR Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate
• the Adaptation can be made depending on the air humidity range to be achieved between 85 ... 100% or to the respective refrigerated goods, such as a specific adaptation to fruit storage with an air humidity range of 85 to 95% or a vegetable storage with a humidity range of 95 to 100%.
• the adjustment can also be done depending on the volume of the vegetable dish, the temperature conditions compared to the refrigerated compartment, the humidity level in the refrigeration compartment in the refrigeration system or the average, expected loading of the vegetable shell.
• the required values for the water vapor permeability are calculated from a water release rate, which results from the quantity and type of the stored food and the available membrane surface.
• Membrane sizes for the bearing shell can be between 0.02m 2 to 0.08m 2 . Depending on the load between 50 to 1000 g / m 2 d are transported through the membrane.
• the membrane forms an alternative to complex mechanical solutions for moisture control, such as humidity controllers or ventilation slots.
• Fig. 3 shows a view of a bearing shell 109 with moisture-regulating elements 103.
• a first membrane as a moisture-regulating element 103 is formed in a ceiling of the bearing shell 109 and a second membrane as a moisture-regulating element 103 is formed in a side wall of the bearing shell 109. Passages are formed under the membranes. The use of the membranes is preferably carried out in the areas in which increased condensation occurs in order to allow rapid moisture removal.
• 4 shows a further view of a moisture-regulating element 103, via which a desired moisture content in the interior of the refrigeration device 100 is achieved.
• the moisture regulating element 103 comprises a moisture regulator, such as potassium chloride, incorporated or incorporated onto and / or into a carrier material 105 of the moisture regulating element 103.
• the carrier material 105 is a porous material, for example a foam.
• the carrier material comprises 105 an open-pore soft foam.
• the carrier material 105 is completely or partially surrounded by an encapsulation material 107, such as, for example, a water vapor-permeable film, which may optionally be additionally provided with a defined thermal conductivity.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 can be applied in the refrigeration device 100.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 may be a separate element which is additionally added to the refrigeration device 100. But it may also be a component of the refrigeration device 100, such as a product support or a drawer, which are part of the refrigeration device 100 and in which the moisture-regulating element 103 is integrated. The components of the refrigeration device 100 thereby receive an additional function.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 By using the moisture-regulating element 103 in the individual storage area of the refrigeration device 100, several positive effects can be achieved.
• a defined relative humidity or an air humidity range can be realized by the absorption and / or desorption of water vapor by the moisture-regulating element 103.
• the humidity is influenced by two effects. On the one hand, the relative equilibrium moisture content of the moisturizing substance used is established in the storage area. On the other hand, fluctuations in the relative humidity due to active moisture absorption and desorption by the moisture regulating element 103 are reduced.
• the moisture regulating element 103 can prevent condensation by keeping the relative humidity below the dew point, ie below 100% relative humidity. At a high equilibrium moisture content of the moisture-regulating element 103, such as 97% for potassium sulfate, the refrigerated goods are not dried out.
• the moisture regulating member 103 can prevent formation of condensate by the absorption of water vapor. Since contact via the vapor phase is sufficient, no direct contact with formed condensate is necessary.
• the moisture regulating element 103 is a variable use by changing the position in the refrigeration device 100 or a refrigeration compartment conceivable.
• the change in position in the refrigeration appliance 100 or the refrigeration compartment results in a change in the functional properties, for example due to the surrounding temperature level or the air flow conditions.
• the materials used in the moisture regulating element 103 should be safe from food contact or migration.
• the preferred applicability of the materials is in the temperature range of -2 to +16 ° C.
• the preferred material resistance should be in the temperature ranges from -40 ° C to + 80 ° C and the humidity ranges from 0 to 100% RH.
• the preferred life and material activity, such as moisture absorption and desorption activity, is greater than eight years.
• the materials have a supersaturation protection and cause little or no maintenance.
• the materials used should prevent microbial growth and biofilm formation on the moisture absorber. An odorlessness of the materials should be given.
• the carrier material 105 of the moisture regulating element 103 can be formed by a porous material, for example a material with freely accessible compartments or hollow space-containing material structures with low density and the largest possible surface area.
• the carrier material 105 may be an open-pore soft foam, for example a polyether-based flexible foam, a nonwoven fabric, a filter medium or a closed-cell foam system.
• the carrier material 105 may alternatively be formed from plastic or glass materials used in or on the refrigeration device 100, such as, for example, high impact polystyrene HIPS, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene ABS, polystyrene PS or polycarbonate PC.
• the encapsulating material used are materials with a corresponding water vapor permeability or thermal conductivity, preferably plastics. A selection can be made on the requirement for reaction kinetics, for example of polyamide PA, thermoplastic elastomers TPE, polylactides PLA, polyethylene PE or CaC0. 3
• polyamide PA thermoplastic elastomers
• TPE thermoplastic elastomers
• PLA polylactides PLA
• polyethylene PE polyethylene PE or CaC0. 3
• For each moisture absorber different encapsulation materials can be used For example, they include a different material at the front and rear of the moisture regulating element 103.
• the selection and configuration of a humidity regulator can be made according to the target moisture range and purpose.
• a loading quantity is determined depending on the water absorption capacity and kinetics.
• RH salts such as potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, sodium chloride or mixtures
• polyols such as glycerol or propylene glycol or sugar can be used as moisture regulators, such as sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, Lactose, xylitol or fructose.
• RH salts such as potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, sodium chloride or mixtures
• polyols such as glycerol or propylene glycol or sugar
• moisture regulators such as sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, Lactose, xylitol or fructose.
• RH salts such as sodium chloride, potassium iodide, sodium bromide or mixtures
• salts such as potassium acetate, calcium chloride, sodium iodide or mixtures, or silicates can be used as moisture regulators, such as silica gel.
• additives can be introduced into absorbers and / or encapsulation material.
• the additives may include odor-reducing materials such as activated carbon or cyclopentanes, antimicrobials such as noble metals, organic antimicrobials such as lytic enzymes, catechin or preservatives such as sorbic acid, benzoic acid.
• the additives may be materials or substances for extending storage life or improving storage conditions, such as oxygen absorbers.
• the additives may be indicator materials for information about the absorber state, such as degree of saturation, aging state or absorber change, or indicators for visualizing the degree of deterioration of stored refrigerated goods.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 is in the refrigerator 100 as a continuous feature or regularly z. B.
• the positioning of the moisture-regulating element 103 is preferably carried out in dew-point critical zones and / or in the region of an increased moisture attack.
• the moisture regulating member 103 is preferably used in the lid portion, sidewall portion or bottom portion of trays.
• An application can be in In the form of single capsules or single capsules lined up, the dimensions are from 50x50x5mm to 900x900x10mm. A removal by the end customer, or a manual Vors decisivtist with water is possible.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 is used in one or more housings with appropriate ventilation function for the mechanical protection of the absorber, so that there is an improved installation safety.
• the moisture regulating member 103 may be formed as a unilaterally open system in which the water vapor permeable encapsulating material 107 is disposed on the front or the back.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 can also be designed as a two-sided open system, in which the water vapor-permeable encapsulation material is arranged on the front and the back.
• the moisture regulating element 103 can be used as a durable feature without maintenance. Desorption and Desorbtions revitalize of water made by a control cycle of the refrigerator or by moisture from the refrigerated goods and door openings.
• the moisture regulating element 103 may be a feature of regular replacement, for example, with a life cycle of one month to one year.
• the moisture control element 103 may comprise a presaturated material or a material to be activated by a customer. Regeneration can be done by automated humidification of the absorber directly in the refrigeration device 100 or outside of the refrigeration device 100. In the same way, depending on the conditions of use, automated drying can take place directly in the refrigerating appliance or outside the refrigerating appliance. By attaching a sensor, for example via a measurement of the conductivity, a required renewal of the moisture-regulating element 103 can be displayed to a user.
• the manufacturing process is carried out by introducing the moisture regulator on and / or in the carrier material 105.
• a direct application of the moisture regulator takes place in liquid, preferably aqueous solution and subsequent drying.
• the moisture regulator can be introduced directly in the manufacturing process, for example as an additive for the material, which is then foamed.
• a pre-loading with moisture is carried out by adding water to the support material 105 and / or a steam absorption in saturated steam. Preference is given to sterilization the absorber in the manufacturing process to avoid or slow down possible biofilm formation in use.
• Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show views of the moisture-regulating element 103 in a refrigeration compartment, which forms a storage area 101 with refrigerated goods 1 1 1.
• the moisture regulating element 103 is present as a separate element.
• the moisture-regulating element 103 can be designed so that it is integrated directly into the tray 1 13, which simultaneously acts as a lid, or directly into a separate lid or directly into a wall of the bearing shell 109.
• the moisture regulating member 103 makes it possible to reduce or prevent the formation of condensation in storage areas where a high humidity is necessary, such as a vegetable drawer or a cheese storage compartment. An absorption of condensate takes place via the vapor phase.
• an adjustment of the relative humidity in the storage compartment and a reduction of the fluctuations in the relative humidity by absorption / desorption of water vapor can be achieved. Moisture losses in separate storage areas can be compensated.
• the moisture content or the humidity range can be set independently of the type of loading and the amount of charge while reducing or preventing condensation and reducing humidity fluctuations. There is an active condensate control without drying out the refrigerated goods.

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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)

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• 2013
  • 2013-12-20 DE DE102013226926.9A patent/DE102013226926A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2014
  • 2014-12-17 WO PCT/EP2014/078244 patent/WO2015091659A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2014-12-17 EP EP14812749.1A patent/EP3084325A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-12-17 CN CN201480069012.8A patent/CN105917181B/zh active Active

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