EP3973233A1 - A cooling appliance having an ethylene absorption system - Google Patents

A cooling appliance having an ethylene absorption system

Info

Publication number
EP3973233A1
EP3973233A1 EP20810688.0A EP20810688A EP3973233A1 EP 3973233 A1 EP3973233 A1 EP 3973233A1 EP 20810688 A EP20810688 A EP 20810688A EP 3973233 A1 EP3973233 A1 EP 3973233A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ethylene
compartment
fruits
vegetables
climacteric
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20810688.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Secil BAYDEMIR
Irem AKINCI
Yasin AKSIN
Gulsah PINAR
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP3973233A1 publication Critical patent/EP3973233A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B7/00—Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • A23B7/14—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10
    • A23B7/144—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10 in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
    • A23B7/152—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10 in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O ; Elimination of such other gases
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B7/00—Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • A23B7/04—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooling appliance, in particular to a cooling appliance having an ethylene an absorption system.
  • the articles such as fruits and vegetables stored inside the cooling appliances continue their metabolic activities such as respiring and ripening. During their metabolic activities, the said articles exhale ethylene gas to the outer environment.
  • the ethylene gas is a hydrocarbon gas.
  • Ethylene gas in fruits and vegetables is a naturally occurring process resulting from the ripening of the fruit and vegetables or may be produced when plants are injured in some way. Ethylene accelerates the maturation of the fruits and vegetables and it is therefore vital to remove the ethylene from the environment to increase storage time of the fruits and vegetables.
  • a problem with the state of the art is that the usage of the ethylene removal mechanisms are not optimized and are constantly utilized. Another problem with the state of the art is that the ethylene removal mechanisms is utilized regardless of the types of fruits and vegetables.
  • the climacteric fruits and vegetables require removal of ethylene from the environment as they may be reversly affected by the presence of ethylene.
  • the non climacteric fruits and vegetables on the other do not exhale ethylene and are almost immune to effects of ethylene. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove ethylene from the environment.
  • a prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as DE102014222110A1 among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having an ethylene control mechanism.
  • An objective of the present invention is to decelerate of the ripening of fruits and vegetables by removal of ethylene gas.
  • the method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims comprises a cooling appliance a body onto which a door is pivotable attached.
  • the door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position.
  • a compartment inside the body is provided wherein the fruits and vegetables are stored.
  • An ethylene control mechanism is provided so as to be in gas communication with the compartment.
  • the ethylene control mechanism is inside the compartment.
  • the ethylene control mechanism is placed so as to face the interior of the compartment.
  • An ethylene sensor is placed inside the compartment and measures the ethylene concentration.
  • An optical sensor is placed inside the compartment and captures the image of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment. The optical sensor is placed inside the compartment so as to be positioned above the fruits and vegetables to maximize the image captured.
  • a control unit is provided inside the cooling appliance.
  • the control unit is in communication with the ethylene control mechanism, the ethylene sensor and the optical sensor.
  • the control unit receives the image data from the optical sensor and compares these images with prestored images and decides whether the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment are climacteric or non- climacteric.
  • the control unit activates the ethylene sensor if the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment are a mixture climacteric and non- climacteric.
  • the control unit activates the ethylene sensor if all the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment are climacteric.
  • the control unit does not activate the ethylene sensor if the stored fruits and vegetables are non-climacteric.
  • the ethylene sensor measures the ethylene concentration inside the compartment and transmits the concentration data to the control unit.
  • the control unit activates the ethylene control mechanism if the ethylene concentration inside the compartment exceeds a predetermined value.
  • the fruits and vegetables are stored for a longer time.
  • Another advantageous effect of the control unit is that the ethylene control mechanism is activated only if there are climacteric fruits or vegetables inside the compartment. As a result, the service period of the ethylene control mechanism is prolonged.
  • the ethylene control mechanism is separated from the compartment via a flap.
  • the flap blocks passage of air between the compartment and the ethylene control mechanism therefore limiting unnecessary usage of the ethylene control mechanism.
  • the flap can be opened partly. As a result, the service period of the ethylene control mechanism is prolonged, minimizing the need to replace the ethylene control mechanism.
  • the weight of the compartment is measured via a weight sensor and the weight data is transmitted to the control unit.
  • the control unit opens the flap by a predetermined amount and time. This depends on the weight measured by the weight sensor, ethylene concentration measured by the ethylene sensor and on the fruits and vegetables being climacteric or a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric.
  • the control unit forms a decision matrix according to said measurements. By this means, the usage time of the ethylene control mechanism is optimized.
  • control unit calculates the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism by using the amount and time the flap remains open and the ethylene concentration inside the compartment measured by the ethylene sensor.
  • control unit is in communication with a control means configured to notify the user of the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism.
  • the control means also allows the user to control the working paramaeters of the cooling appliance.
  • the control means also allows the user to change the said predetermined ethylene concentration value inside the compartment to a new value.
  • control means (11) is a display.
  • the flap is closed when the ethylene control mechanism is not utilized, extending service time of the ethylene control mechanism.
  • Figure 1 - is a front view of the cooling appliance
  • the present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a body (2), a door (3) allowing and preventing access inside the body (2) in open position and closed position respectively, a compartment (4) inside the body (2) wherein the fruits and vegetables are stored, an ethylene control mechanism (5) in communication with the compartment (4) to absorb the ethylene, an ethylene sensor (6) to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4), an optical sensor (7) to capture the image of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4).
  • the present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) further comprising; a control unit (8) comparing the images captured by the optical sensor (7) with prestored images and deciding whether the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or not, and activating the ethylene sensor (6) if the fruits and vegetables are a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric products or only climacteric products to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4), and activating the ethylene control mechanism (5) if the ethylene concentration exceeds a predetermined value.
  • the door (3) and the body (2) comprises a switch and a counterpart switch to detect the position of the door (3).
  • the control unit (8) activates the optical sensor (7) to capture the images of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4). Afterwards, these images are processed and compared with prestored images by the control unit (8). By this means, identification of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) is achieved.
  • the control unit (8) decides whether the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or not. The climacteric fruits and vegetables continue to ripen after being harvested and as a result exhale ethylene gas to the compartment (4). On the contrary, non- climacteric fruits and vegetables do not continue to ripen after being harvested and do not exhale ethylene gas to the compartment (4).
  • the control unit (8) after identifying the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4), classifies the fruits and vegetables as climacteric or non- climacteric via a prestored data.
  • the control unit (8) then activates the ethylene sensor (6), if the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or if the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are a mixture of both climacteric and non- climacteric.
  • the control unit (8) does not activate the ethylene sensor (6).
  • the ethylene sensor (6) measures the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) and transmits the concentration value to the control unit (8).
  • the control unit (8) compares the said concentration to the value predetermined by the manufacturer and activates the ethylene control mechanism (5) when and if the ethylene concentration exceeds the value predetermined by the manufacturer. It is to be understood that the control unit (8) activates the ethylene sensor (6) independent of the usage of the compartment (4) or opening or closing of the door (3). The compartment (4) is almost airtight to ensure the correct measurement of the ethylene concentration.
  • the ethylene control mechanism (5) is only activated when there are climacteric fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4).
  • An advantageous effect provided by this is that the ethylene control mechanism (5) usage time is prolonged. Another advantageous effect is that usage of the operation parts such as ethylene control mechanism (5), ethylene sensor (6) and the optical sensor (7) is minimized, decreasing energy consumption of the cooling appliance (1).
  • the cooling appliance (1) comprises a flap (9) covering the ethylene control mechanism (5).
  • the flap (9) By means of the flap (9) the opening through which the air inside the compartment (4) enters the ethylene control mechanism (5) can be closed. By this means, it is ensured that the ethylene control mechanism (5) is not utilized when not in use.
  • the flap (9) can be in various shapes.
  • the flap (9) is attached onto the opening through which the air inside the compartment (4) enters the ethylene control mechanism (5) via a hinge in a pivotable manner.
  • the flap (9) is in the shape of a shutter having plurality of overlapping plates adjusting the cross-sectional area through which the air passes through.
  • the cooling appliance (1) comprises a weight sensor (10) to measure the weight of the compartment (4) wherein the weight sensor (10) is in communication with the control unit (8).
  • the weight sensor (10) measures the weight of the compartment (4).
  • the control unit (8) records the weight of the compartment (4) and calculates the weight difference caused by the addition of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) and activates the ethylene control mechanism (5) accordingly.
  • the usage of the ethylene control mechanism (5) is optimized, prolonging its lifetime.
  • control unit (8) opens the flap (9) by a predetermined amount and time depending on the weight measured by the weight sensor (10) and on ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) measured by the ethylene sensor (6) and on the fruits and vegetables being climacteric or a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric.
  • the control unit (8) collects data related to; weight of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) via the weight sensor (10), ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) via the ethylene sensor (6), and types of fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) via the optical sensor (7).
  • the control unit (8) combines the said data and decides on activation duration of the ethylene control mechanism (5) according to a decision matrix predetermined by the manufacturer. By this means, optimization of the ethylene control mechanism (5) is achieved.
  • control unit (8) is configured to measure and calculate the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism (5) according to the amount and time the flap (9) remains open and to notify the user accordingly.
  • the compartment (4) is almost air tight. This helps the control unit (8) to calculate the exhaustion of the ethylene control mechanism (5) along with the ethylene concentration measured by the ethylene sensor (6) before and after the opening and closing of the flap (9).
  • the control unit (8) notifies the user accordingly. Therefore, the user is informed when the ethylene control mechanism (5) needs to be replenished or replaced. By this means, used up ethylene control mechanisms (5) are replaced accurately, prolonging the storage of fruits and vegetables inside the compartment
  • the cooling appliance (1) comprises a control means (11) in communication with the control unit (8) to notify the user of the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism (5).
  • the control means (11) notifies the user visually and/or audibly.
  • control means (11) is a display.
  • the storage time of the fruits and vegetables are prolonged via the ethylene control mechanism (5).
  • the utilization of the ethylene control mechanism (5) is optimized by the decision formed by the control unit (8) via the data measured by the weight sensor (10), ethylene sensor (6) and the optical sensor (7).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Storage Of Fruits Or Vegetables (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a body (2), a door (3) allowing and preventing access inside the body (2) in open position and closed position respectively, a compartment (4) inside the body (2) wherein the fruits and vegetables are stored, an ethylene control mechanism (5) in communication with the compartment (4) to absorb the ethylene, an ethylene sensor (6) to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4), an optical sensor (7) to capture the image of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4).

Description

A COOLING APPLIANCE HAVING AN ETHYLENE ABSORPTION SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance, in particular to a cooling appliance having an ethylene an absorption system.
The articles such as fruits and vegetables stored inside the cooling appliances continue their metabolic activities such as respiring and ripening. During their metabolic activities, the said articles exhale ethylene gas to the outer environment. The ethylene gas is a hydrocarbon gas. Ethylene gas in fruits and vegetables is a naturally occurring process resulting from the ripening of the fruit and vegetables or may be produced when plants are injured in some way. Ethylene accelerates the maturation of the fruits and vegetables and it is therefore vital to remove the ethylene from the environment to increase storage time of the fruits and vegetables. A problem with the state of the art is that the usage of the ethylene removal mechanisms are not optimized and are constantly utilized. Another problem with the state of the art is that the ethylene removal mechanisms is utilized regardless of the types of fruits and vegetables. The climacteric fruits and vegetables require removal of ethylene from the environment as they may be reversly affected by the presence of ethylene. The non climacteric fruits and vegetables on the other do not exhale ethylene and are almost immune to effects of ethylene. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove ethylene from the environment.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as DE102014222110A1 among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having an ethylene control mechanism.
An objective of the present invention is to decelerate of the ripening of fruits and vegetables by removal of ethylene gas.
The method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims comprises a cooling appliance a body onto which a door is pivotable attached. The door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. A compartment inside the body is provided wherein the fruits and vegetables are stored. An ethylene control mechanism is provided so as to be in gas communication with the compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the ethylene control mechanism is inside the compartment. In another preferred embodiment, the ethylene control mechanism is placed so as to face the interior of the compartment. An ethylene sensor is placed inside the compartment and measures the ethylene concentration. An optical sensor is placed inside the compartment and captures the image of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment. The optical sensor is placed inside the compartment so as to be positioned above the fruits and vegetables to maximize the image captured. A control unit is provided inside the cooling appliance. The control unit is in communication with the ethylene control mechanism, the ethylene sensor and the optical sensor. The control unit receives the image data from the optical sensor and compares these images with prestored images and decides whether the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment are climacteric or non- climacteric. The control unit activates the ethylene sensor if the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment are a mixture climacteric and non- climacteric. Likewise, the control unit activates the ethylene sensor if all the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment are climacteric. The control unit does not activate the ethylene sensor if the stored fruits and vegetables are non-climacteric. Afterwards, the ethylene sensor measures the ethylene concentration inside the compartment and transmits the concentration data to the control unit. The control unit activates the ethylene control mechanism if the ethylene concentration inside the compartment exceeds a predetermined value. By this means, the fruits and vegetables are stored for a longer time. Another advantageous effect of the control unit is that the ethylene control mechanism is activated only if there are climacteric fruits or vegetables inside the compartment. As a result, the service period of the ethylene control mechanism is prolonged.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ethylene control mechanism is separated from the compartment via a flap. The flap blocks passage of air between the compartment and the ethylene control mechanism therefore limiting unnecessary usage of the ethylene control mechanism. The flap can be opened partly. As a result, the service period of the ethylene control mechanism is prolonged, minimizing the need to replace the ethylene control mechanism.
In an embodiment of the invention, the weight of the compartment is measured via a weight sensor and the weight data is transmitted to the control unit.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit opens the flap by a predetermined amount and time. This depends on the weight measured by the weight sensor, ethylene concentration measured by the ethylene sensor and on the fruits and vegetables being climacteric or a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric. The control unit forms a decision matrix according to said measurements. By this means, the usage time of the ethylene control mechanism is optimized.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit calculates the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism by using the amount and time the flap remains open and the ethylene concentration inside the compartment measured by the ethylene sensor.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is in communication with a control means configured to notify the user of the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism. The control means also allows the user to control the working paramaeters of the cooling appliance. The control means also allows the user to change the said predetermined ethylene concentration value inside the compartment to a new value.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control means (11) is a display.
In the cooling appliance of the present invention, the flap is closed when the ethylene control mechanism is not utilized, extending service time of the ethylene control mechanism.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Figure 1 - is a front view of the cooling appliance
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings and referred to in the present detailed description of the invention:
1. Cooling appliance
2. Body
3. Door
4. Compartment
5. Ethylene control mechanism
6. ethylene sensor 7. Optical sensor
8. Control unit
9. Flap
10. Weight sensor
11. Control means
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a body (2), a door (3) allowing and preventing access inside the body (2) in open position and closed position respectively, a compartment (4) inside the body (2) wherein the fruits and vegetables are stored, an ethylene control mechanism (5) in communication with the compartment (4) to absorb the ethylene, an ethylene sensor (6) to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4), an optical sensor (7) to capture the image of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4).
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) further comprising; a control unit (8) comparing the images captured by the optical sensor (7) with prestored images and deciding whether the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or not, and activating the ethylene sensor (6) if the fruits and vegetables are a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric products or only climacteric products to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4), and activating the ethylene control mechanism (5) if the ethylene concentration exceeds a predetermined value. The door (3) and the body (2) comprises a switch and a counterpart switch to detect the position of the door (3). After the door (3) is closed, the control unit (8) activates the optical sensor (7) to capture the images of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4). Afterwards, these images are processed and compared with prestored images by the control unit (8). By this means, identification of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) is achieved. Next, the control unit (8) decides whether the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or not. The climacteric fruits and vegetables continue to ripen after being harvested and as a result exhale ethylene gas to the compartment (4). On the contrary, non- climacteric fruits and vegetables do not continue to ripen after being harvested and do not exhale ethylene gas to the compartment (4). The control unit (8), after identifying the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4), classifies the fruits and vegetables as climacteric or non- climacteric via a prestored data. The control unit (8), then activates the ethylene sensor (6), if the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or if the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are a mixture of both climacteric and non- climacteric. In the case, wherein the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) are non- climacteric, the control unit (8) does not activate the ethylene sensor (6). The ethylene sensor (6) measures the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) and transmits the concentration value to the control unit (8). The control unit (8) compares the said concentration to the value predetermined by the manufacturer and activates the ethylene control mechanism (5) when and if the ethylene concentration exceeds the value predetermined by the manufacturer. It is to be understood that the control unit (8) activates the ethylene sensor (6) independent of the usage of the compartment (4) or opening or closing of the door (3). The compartment (4) is almost airtight to ensure the correct measurement of the ethylene concentration. By means of the control unit (8), the ethylene control mechanism (5) is only activated when there are climacteric fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4). An advantageous effect provided by this is that the ethylene control mechanism (5) usage time is prolonged. Another advantageous effect is that usage of the operation parts such as ethylene control mechanism (5), ethylene sensor (6) and the optical sensor (7) is minimized, decreasing energy consumption of the cooling appliance (1).
In another embodiment, the cooling appliance (1) comprises a flap (9) covering the ethylene control mechanism (5). By means of the flap (9) the opening through which the air inside the compartment (4) enters the ethylene control mechanism (5) can be closed. By this means, it is ensured that the ethylene control mechanism (5) is not utilized when not in use. The flap (9) can be in various shapes. In one embodiment, the flap (9) is attached onto the opening through which the air inside the compartment (4) enters the ethylene control mechanism (5) via a hinge in a pivotable manner. In another preferred embodiment, the flap (9) is in the shape of a shutter having plurality of overlapping plates adjusting the cross-sectional area through which the air passes through.
In another embodiment, the cooling appliance (1) comprises a weight sensor (10) to measure the weight of the compartment (4) wherein the weight sensor (10) is in communication with the control unit (8). The weight sensor (10) measures the weight of the compartment (4). The control unit (8) records the weight of the compartment (4) and calculates the weight difference caused by the addition of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) and activates the ethylene control mechanism (5) accordingly. By this means, the usage of the ethylene control mechanism (5) is optimized, prolonging its lifetime. In another embodiment, the control unit (8) opens the flap (9) by a predetermined amount and time depending on the weight measured by the weight sensor (10) and on ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) measured by the ethylene sensor (6) and on the fruits and vegetables being climacteric or a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric. The control unit (8) collects data related to; weight of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) via the weight sensor (10), ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) via the ethylene sensor (6), and types of fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4) via the optical sensor (7). The control unit (8) combines the said data and decides on activation duration of the ethylene control mechanism (5) according to a decision matrix predetermined by the manufacturer. By this means, optimization of the ethylene control mechanism (5) is achieved.
In another embodiment, the control unit (8) is configured to measure and calculate the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism (5) according to the amount and time the flap (9) remains open and to notify the user accordingly. The compartment (4) is almost air tight. This helps the control unit (8) to calculate the exhaustion of the ethylene control mechanism (5) along with the ethylene concentration measured by the ethylene sensor (6) before and after the opening and closing of the flap (9). The control unit (8) notifies the user accordingly. Therefore, the user is informed when the ethylene control mechanism (5) needs to be replenished or replaced. By this means, used up ethylene control mechanisms (5) are replaced accurately, prolonging the storage of fruits and vegetables inside the compartment
(4).
In another embodiment, the cooling appliance (1) comprises a control means (11) in communication with the control unit (8) to notify the user of the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism (5). The control means (11) notifies the user visually and/or audibly.
In another embodiment, the control means (11) is a display.
In the cooling appliance (1) of the present invention, the storage time of the fruits and vegetables are prolonged via the ethylene control mechanism (5). The utilization of the ethylene control mechanism (5) is optimized by the decision formed by the control unit (8) via the data measured by the weight sensor (10), ethylene sensor (6) and the optical sensor (7).

Claims

1. A cooling appliance (1) comprising;
a body (2),
a door (3) allowing and preventing access inside the body (2) in open position and closed position respectively,
a compartment (4) inside the body (2) wherein the fruits and vegetables are stored, an ethylene control mechanism (5) in communication with the compartment (4) to absorb the ethylene,
an ethylene sensor (6) to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment
(4),
an optical sensor (7) to capture the image of the fruits and vegetables inside the compartment (4),
characterized by
a control unit (8) comparing the images captured by the optical sensor (7) with prestored images and deciding whether the fruits and vegetables stored inside the compartment (4) are climacteric or not, and
activating the ethylene sensor (6) if the fruits and vegetables are a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric products or only climacteric products to measure the ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4), and
activating the ethylene control mechanism (5) if the ethylene concentration exceeds a predetermined value.
2. A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a flap (9) covering the ethylene control mechanism (5).
3. A cooling appliance (1) according to any of the preceeding claims, characterized by a weight sensor (10) to measure the weight of the compartment (4) wherein the weight sensor (10) is in communication with the control unit (8).
4. A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit (8) opens the flap (9) by a predetermined amount and time depending on the weight measured by the weight sensor (10) and on ethylene concentration inside the compartment (4) measured by the ethylene sensor (6) and on fruits and vegetables being climacteric or a mixture of climacteric and non-climacteric.
5. A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (8) is configured to measure and calculate the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism (5) according to the amount and time the flap (9) remains open and to notify the user accordingly.
6. A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a control means (11) in communication with the control unit (8) to notify the user of the exhaustion rate of the ethylene control mechanism (5).
7. A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (11) is a display.
EP20810688.0A 2019-05-20 2020-06-29 A cooling appliance having an ethylene absorption system Withdrawn EP3973233A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR201907588 2019-05-20
PCT/TR2020/050553 WO2020236121A1 (en) 2019-05-20 2020-06-29 A cooling appliance having an ethylene absorption system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3973233A1 true EP3973233A1 (en) 2022-03-30

Family

ID=73459152

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20810688.0A Withdrawn EP3973233A1 (en) 2019-05-20 2020-06-29 A cooling appliance having an ethylene absorption system

Country Status (2)

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US11965691B2 (en) 2022-01-06 2024-04-23 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Refrigerator appliance with smart drawers

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US7685934B2 (en) * 2005-10-25 2010-03-30 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator and method for keeping food using the same
US10688210B2 (en) * 2012-08-28 2020-06-23 Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. Storage device including ultraviolet illumination
ES2733759T3 (en) * 2014-02-04 2019-12-02 Electrolux Appliances AB Home / Professional Refrigerator
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