GB2523686A

GB2523686A - Refrigerator having a refrigeration compartment

Info

Publication number: GB2523686A
Application number: GB1510282.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walter Angelis; Murat Darka; Thomas Guffler
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2012-11-21
Filing date: 2013-11-11
Publication date: 2015-09-02
Also published as: DE102012221296A1; RU2605753C1; WO2014079716A1; GB201510282D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (100) having a compressor (107) and a refrigeration compartment (103), characterized in that a heater (105) is arranged in the refrigeration compartment (103), it being possible to switch on said heater depending on a service life of the compressor (107).

Description

REFRIGERATING APPLIANCE WITH A COOLING COMPARTMENT

The present invention relates to a refrigerating appliance with a cooling compartment.

At lower ambient temperatures cooling compartments in refrigerating appliances are not cooled or are cooled only very briefly, since the incidence of heat from the environment is only very small. In addition, when the cooling compartment is opened, humidity can increase, which leads to undesired formation of condensation at stock being cooled, at glass plates or at the ceiling, particularly in the case of top freezers.

Known heating means in cooling compartments of refrigerating appliances with a plurality of temperature zones, but only one refrigerant circuit (winter-switch heating means), serve the purpose of generating a running time of a compressor so as to keep the freezing compartment temperature sufficiently cold.

Published specification JP 2005 127661A shows a refrigerator with a cooling compartment in which heating means is arranged.

Published specification JP 2003 166776A shows a refrigerator in which heating means is arranged in a wall of the refrigerator.

Published specification JP 2009 019808A shows a refrigerator in which an evaporator is arranged in a cooling compartment. A temperature at the evaporator is measured by means of a temperature sensor. A heating means arranged at the evaporator is switched on in dependence on the measured temperature.

Published specification DE 102 21 898 Al shows a refrigerating appliance with a heatable interior space.

Published specification IDE 28 404 83 Al shows a display freezer or refrigerator which can operate in the cooling or defrosting range.

Utility Model DE 20 2005 021 918 Al shows a refrigerating appliance with a storage chamber and a collecting container for collection of condensation issuing from the storage chamber, wherein the collecting container is heatable by a heating device operable independently of operation of a compresscr.

It is the object of the present invention to indicate a refrigerating appliance with, an improved cooling compartment in which undesired lowering of a temperature in the cooling compartment is prevented.

This object is fulfilled by a subject with the features according to the independent claim.

Advantageous forms of embodiment are the subject of the dependent claims, the

description and the drawings.

According to one aspect of the invention the object is fulfilled by a refrigerating appliance with a compressor and a cooling compartment in which heating means, which can be switched-on in dependence on a downtime of the compressor, is arranged in the cooling compartment. As a result the technical advantage, for example, is achieved that the temperature in the cooling compartment does not drop betow a specific value even when the refrigerating appliance is set up in a cold environment.

By "refrigerating appliance" there is to be understood, in particular, a domestic refrigerating appliance, thus a refrigerating appliance which is used for housekeeping in households or in the field of gastronomy, and in particular serves the purpose of storing foodstuffs and/or beverages at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer combination, a freezer chest or a wine-cooling cabinet.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance comprises a time detecting device for detecting the downtime of the compressor. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a precise control in dependence on the downtime can be carried out.

In an advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance is constructed to switch on the heating means if a predetermined downtime of the compressor is exceeded.

The technical advantage is thereby achieved, for example, that a simple control is realised in order to prevent lowering of this temperature in a cold environment.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the heating means is arranged at a floor of the cooling compartment. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that through the heating means heated air can rise from the floor in the interior of the cooling compartment.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the cooling compartment comprises detent means for fastening the heating means. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that mounting of the heating means in the interior of the cooling compartment is simplified.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the heating means is a film heater. The technical advantage is thereby achieved that, for example, the heating means is space-saving and can be realised over a large area.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the heating means is a radiant heater.

As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that an irradiated surface can be heated without heating means having to be arranged thereon.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance comprises a control device for controlling the heat output of the heating means. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the output of the heating means can be adapted to different conditions.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance is constructed to increase the heat output of the heating means with increasing, downtime of the compressor. The technical advantage, for example, is thereby achieved that excessive cooling down of the cooling compartment even in the case of a longer downtime of the compressor is avoided.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance comprises a temperature detecting device for detecting a temperature in the cooling compartment. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a temperature can additionally be used a basis for controlling the heating means.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance is constructed to switch on the heating means if a predetermined temperature in the interior of the cooling compartment is fallen below. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a minimum temperature in the interior of the cooling compartment can be maintained.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance comprises an opening sensor for detecting opening of the cooling compartment. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that an inflow of ambient air can be detected.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment of the refrigerating appliance is constructed to switch on the heating means when opening of the cooling compartment is detected.

The technical advantage, for example, is thereby achieved that failing below of a temperature in the event of opening is prevented.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance comprises a moisture sensor for detecting humidity within the cooling compartment. The technical advantage, for example, is thus achieved that humidity in the cooling compartment can be detected.

In a further advantageous form of embodiment the refrigerating appliance is constructed to switch on the heating means if a predetermined humidity within the cooling compartment is fallen below. As a result, the technical advantage, for example, is achieved that misting up and formation of condensation can be prevented.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail in the following, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a view of a refrigerating appliance.

Fig. 1 shows a refrigerator representative of a general refrigerating appliance 100. The refrigerator serves for, for example, cooling foodstuffs and comprises a refrigerant circuit with an evaporator, a compressor 107, a condenser and a throttle element. The evaporator is a heat exchanger in which the liquid refrigerant, after expansion, is evaporated by induction of heat from the medium to be cooled, i.e. the air in the interior of the refrigerator.

The compressor 107 is a mechanically operated component, which sucks refrigerant vapour from the evaporator and expels it at a higher pressure to the condenser, in the interior of the refrigerating apparatus 100. The condenser is a heat exchanger in which the evaporated refrigerant, after compression, is condensed by heat delivery to an external cooling medium, i.e. the ambient air. The throttle element is a device for continuous reduction of the pressure by a cross-sectional narrowing.

The refrigerant is a fluid used for heat transfer in the system for generating coldness, which system at low temperatures and low pressure of the fluid takes up heat and at higher temperature and higher pressure of the fluid delivers heat, wherein usually changes in the state of the fluid are involved.

If a refrigerating appliance 100 is located in a cold environment the temperature in the interior of a cooling compartment 103 gradually reduces. The compressor 107 of the refrigerating appliance 100 is not actuated n this time period due to the low temperature of the cooling compartment 107. A lengthy downtime of the compressor 107 therefore means a low temperature in the cooling compartment 103 of the refrigerating appliance 100. In addition, in the case of opening of the cooling compartment 103 the humidity can rise, which in this case can lead to undesired thawing at the stock being cooled, at glass plates or at the ceiling.

In order to solve this problem, heating means 105 is arranged in the cooling compartment 103 and can be switched on in dependence on a downtime of the compressor 107 so that the temperature in the cooling compartment does not drop below a specific value even when the refrigerating appliance 100 is located in a cold environment. In order to precisely determine the downtime of the compressor 107 a time detecting device can be provided so that a precise control of the heating means 105 in dependence on the downtime of the compressor 107 can be carried out. The time detecting device can comprise, for example, an electronic meter which when the compressor 107 is switched off is activated and counts clock pulses. The downtime of the compressor 107 can then be determined on the basis of the counted clock pulses.

If the downtime of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value, such as, for example, minutes, the heating means 105 can be switched on so that a further lowering of the temperature in the interior of the cooling compartment 103 is prevented. The heating means 107 can, for example, be arranged at a floor of the cooling compartment 103 so that heated air can rise from the floor in the interior of cooling compartment 103 and an air circulation arises.

The heating means 105 can, however, equally be arranged at a side wall or a ceiling of the cooling compartment 103. The heating means 105 can also be selectively mounted at or in the vicinity of a place at which formation of condensation is expected, for example at a cooling compartment ceiling in the case of top-freezers or a cooling compartment floor in the case of bottom-freezers.

In addition, the refrigerating appliance can comprise, between the heating means 105 and a wall of the refrigerating appliance 100, an insulating layer for insulating the heating means relative to an outer side of the cooling compartment 103. It is thereby achieved that the heat is delivered in the interior of the refrigerating appliance 100 and the ambient air which has flowed in heats up in the interior of the cooling compartment.

In order to control the heating means the refrigerating appliance 100 comprises a control device which controls the heating means 105 in dependence on the downtime of the compressor 107. For this purpose the control device receives signals, which mirror the downtime since the last switching-off of the compressor 107, from the time detecting device, from the outside-temperature detecting device. Depending on the detected downtime, for example, a current through the heating means 105 is then controlled. For example, the control device switches on the heating means 105 in the case of exceeding of a predetermined downtime. The control device can be, for example, a microcontroller, by which in addition also further control tasks of the refrigerating apparatus 100 can be undertaken.

The heating means 107 can be fastened in the interior of the refrigerating appliance 100 by way of, for example, detent means, so that the heating means 107 can be used in a production process in simple manner. In further forms of embodiment the heating means can also be fastened in the refrigerating appliance 100 in a different mode and manner, for example by way of plug connections, screw connections or gluing.

The heating means 105 is, for example, an electric heater with a heating resistor or a heater with an infrared radiator. In a further form of embodiment the heating means 65 is fastened as an electric film heater by which a surface of the cooling compartment 103 is covered. In general, however, use can also be made of other forms of heating means.

In order to be able to set the heat output of the heating means 105 to a specific value a power control device can be provided in the refrigerating appliance 100. The heat output can be controlled, for example steplessly, between an off-state and a maximum output by the power control device. It is thereby possible to supply a desired output to the cooling compartment 103.

In particular, the refrigerating appliance can increase the heat output of the heating means with increasing downtime of the compressor 107 so that an increasing heat output is supplied in the course of time. Excessive cooling down of the cooling compartment 103 can thereby be counteracted particularly effectively.

In addition, a temperature detecting device for detecting a temperature in the cooling compartment 103 can be provided so that the temperature can be used as an additional parameter for controlling the heating means. For example, the refrigerating apparatus 100 can switch on the heating means 150 if a predetermined temperature in the interior of the cooling compartment 103 is fallen below, so that a minimum temperature in the interior of the casing component 103 can be maintained.

The temperature detecting device is, for example, an electronic thermometer with semiconductor temperature sensor, for example with a PTC resistor or sensor circuits, a resistance thermometer with platinum or silicon or a thermometer with thermoelements.

If a refrigerating appliance door opens, cold ambient air can flow into the interior of the refrigerating appliance 100 and of the cooling compartment 103, by which cooling device of the cooling compartment 103 is accelerated. The refrigerating appliance 100 therefore comprises an opening sensor for detecting opening of the cooling component. In this case the refrigerating appliance 100 can switch on the heating means 105 in the event of detected opening of the cooling compartment 103 so that falling below of a temperature in the event of opening is prevented.

In addition the refrigerating appliance 100 can comprise a moisture sensor for detecting humidity within the cooling compartment 103, so that the humidity can be used as an additional parameter for controlling the heating means. In this case the refrigerating

B

appliance 100 can switch on the heating means 105 in the event of falling below of a predetermined humidity within the cooling compartment 103, so that misting up and formation of condensation can be prevented.

All features explained and shown in connection with individual forms of embodiment of the invention can be provided in a different combination in the subject according to the invention in order to simultaneously realise the advantageous effects thereof.

The field of protection of the present invention is indicated by the claims and is not restricted by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

refrigerating appliance 103 cooling compartment heating means 107 refrigerating appliance door

Claims

CLAIMS1. Refrigerating appliance (100) with a compressor (107) and a cooling compartment (103), characterised in that heating means (105) which can be switched on in dependence on a downtime of the compressor (107) is arranged in the cooling compartment (103), wherein the refrigerating appliance (100) comprises a temperature detecting device for detecting a temperature in the cooling compartment (103) and wherein the refrigerating appliance (100) is constructed to switch on the heating means (105) if a predetermined temperature in the interior of the cooling compartment (103) is fallen below.
2. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) comprises a time detection device for detecting the downtime of the compressor (107).
3. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) is constructed to switch on the heating means if a predetermined downtime of the compressor (107) is exceeded.
4. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heating means (105) is arranged at a floor of the cooling compartment (103).
5. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cooling compartment (103) comprises detent means for fastening the heating means.
6. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.characterised in that the heating means (105) is a film heater.
7. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heating means (107) is a radiant heater.
8. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) comprises a power control device for controlling the heat output of the heating means (105). t
9. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) is constructed to increase the heat output of the heating means (105) with increasing downtime of the compressor (107).
10. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) comprises an opening sensor for detecting opening of the cooling compartment (103).
11. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) is constructed to switch on the heating means (105) in the case of detected opening of the cooling compartment.
12. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) comprises a moisture sensor for detecting humidity within the cooling compartment (103).
13. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterised in that the refrigerating appliance (100) is constructed to switch on the heating means (105) if a predetermined humidity within the cooling compartment (103) is fallen below.