WO2006131374A2

WO2006131374A2 - System for preventing germs, viruses, fungi and smells in refrigerators

Info

Publication number: WO2006131374A2
Application number: PCT/EP2006/005499
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hanns Rump; Kim Heckemüller; Carsten Supply; Reinhart Patzer; Nico Frühinsfeld; Jessica Gerhart; Nadine Kaczmarek
Original assignee: Etr Elektronik Technologie Rump Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2006-06-08
Publication date: 2006-12-14
Also published as: WO2006131374A3; DE112006001443A5

Abstract

The claimed refrigerating unit has an interior to be cooled and an ozone generator, the air in the interior being treated with ozone produced in the ozone generator in order to eliminate, kill, destroy or combat smells, bacteria, viruses, mould, spores, germs, pathogens and other unwanted biological material commonly found in the interior of the unit. In the claimed method for operating this type of refrigerating unit, the air in the interior is treated with ozone that is produced by an ozone generator. The amount of ozone produced in each operating phase of the refrigerating unit is preferably adapted to the absorption patterns in the individual phases, thereby resulting in as constant an ozone concentration as possible in the refrigerator. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ozone production is not constant, but is influenced as a function of the states within the refrigerating unit so that the situatively different decay rates of the ozone are taken into consideration with the aim of achieving a largely constant ozone concentration inside the refrigerating unit.

Description

System for the reduction of germs. Viruses, fungi and odors in refrigerators

Technical area:

The invention relates to a cooling device, such as a refrigerator, a refrigerated cabinet, a cold room, a cool box, a cold room or a cold store, and a method for operating such a cooling device.

Description of the problem and state of the art:

By opening a refrigerator, an air turbulence develops in the refrigerator, which carries the biological material located on the surfaces into the ambient air of the refrigerator. After reclosing the refrigerator, the bacteria and spores in the ambient air settle on the surfaces of the food in the refrigerator. By contaminated already before storage with bacteria or fungi or other germs foods it comes increasingly to germ formation and consequent odor nuisance. The user incurs costs due to premature spoilage of the spoiled food or the stored food. In addition, bacterially contaminated foods can be dangerous to health.

Systems are known in which the surfaces inside the refrigerator are coated with a substance which, by using silver ions, is intended to destroy the bacteria and viruses present on the surfaces.

In the listed patent applications

P 195 43 296.7; P 196 46 269.1; P 196 51 403.7;

P 199 02 304.2; P 199 19 623.0; P 199 31 366.0;

P 199 33 180.4; P 100 14 485.3; P 100 13 841.1;

P 100 04 326.7; P 100 58 476.4; PCT / DE00 / 02164;

PCT / EP01 / 00672; P 101 03 905.0; P 101 180 78.0; DGM 20 2005 008 948.6 Various methods have been proposed to remedy the problems of germs, bacteria, mold and malodors using ionization and ozonization apparatus.

In the references cited above, the prior art is comprehensively described.

Technical task:

The technical problem to be solved is that biological deposits on the surfaces of refrigerators result in the growth of bacteria, molds and other biological material. The invention is based on the object, solving the above problem, an apparatus or a cooling device, e.g. a refrigerator or refrigerator, which effectively prevents germs, viruses, fungi and odors.

The object is achieved by a cooling device, such as refrigerator, refrigerator, refrigerator, cool box, cold room or cold store, with an interior to be cooled, wherein the cooling device has an ozone generator and the air in the interior for the purpose of disposal, killing, destruction or combat from bad odors and from bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials, which are located in the interior, can be acted upon by the ozone generator produced ozone.

The invention provides a system for reducing germs, viruses, fungi and odors, e.g. ready in refrigerators.

The object is further achieved by a method for operating a cooling device, such as refrigerator, refrigerator, refrigerator, cool box, cold room or cold store, with an interior to be cooled, the air in the interior for the purpose of elimination, destruction, destruction or fight bad smells as well as of bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials are exposed to ozone produced by an ozone generator.

Undesirable bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials are found particularly in the air, on the surfaces of the interior and on the surfaces of goods stored in the interior.

Thus, according to the invention, malodors as well as bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials are thereby eliminated, killed, destroyed or combated in the interior of a cooling device to be cooled, such as a refrigerator, refrigerated cabinet, cold room, cool box, cold room or cold store in that the air in the interior is supplied with ozone or, what is the same, ozone is added to the air in the interior, which is produced by an ozone generator.

The ozone generator is also referred to below as the ozone generator.

A2 According to one embodiment of the invention, the ozone generator is capable of additionally generating oxygen or air ions, with which the air in the interior can also be acted upon. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the ozone generator is capable of generating, instead of ozone, oxygen or air ions or activated oxygen or activated oxygen ions with which the air in the interior can be acted upon. Also, such ions can contribute to the control of odors, bacteria, etc. in the interior.

^In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the ozone generator is capable of generating in the interior such an ozone concentration which is greater than a defined lower limit and which is smaller than a defined upper limit. For this purpose, for example, a regulation of the ozone concentration present in the interior can be provided, which keeps the ozone concentration in the interior in a range between the upper and lower limits. Preferably, the ozone generator is an electrical device for generating ozone.

§f | Preferably, the ozone generator is disposed within the interior. According to another variant, the ozone generator is arranged outside the interior.

The cooling device can in particular have a temperature control for controlling the temperature in the interior or a temperature control for regulating the temperature in the interior.

Preferably, the cooling device has a door, via which the interior space is accessible from the outside, the cooling device furthermore having a door switch which is able to switch off the ozone generator during or after opening the door and to switch it on again during or after closing the door ,

The door switch can be coupled to a delay unit which is capable of delaying the reconnection of the ozone generator after the door has been closed by a predefinable period of time.

The cooling device may comprise a control unit coupled to the ozone generator which is capable of causing the ozone generator to increase its production rate of ozone over a predetermined time period to a normal or normal range and subsequently to such a production rate of ozone which is the normal value or within the normal range.

A9 'Preferably, the ozone generator in the upper region or in the upper half or in the upper quarter or on the ceiling of the interior is arranged.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ozone generator is arranged in the air flow of an air circulating system which is able to circulate the air in the interior. In this way, an effective mixing of the ozone with the air in the interior can be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooling device has a monitoring device which monitors the function of the ozone generator and emits a switching or alarm signal when the monitoring device detects a malfunction of the ozone generator. For example, for monitoring the ozone generator, its power consumption or the concentration of ozone in the interior can be monitored, with disturbances then being detected by the fact that the power consumption and / or the ozone concentration in the interior exceeds or falls below certain limit values. The switching signal may e.g. be used for safety reasons to a complete shutdown of the ozone generator, and / or to issue a warning signal.

Et2 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ozone generator has an ozone generating element, in particular a flat module, which is electrically heated to a temperature above the dew point.

5 ^ J | Preferably, the ozone generator is one which operates on the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge or corona discharge.

^r $ 26 According to a variant of the inventive method is also applied to the air in the interior with oxygen or air ions, or, what is the same, enriched.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, air in the interior is not exposed to ozone, but instead to oxygen or air ions or activated oxygen or activated oxygen ions.

A2j Preferably, by means of the ozone generator in the interior of such an ozone concentration is generated, which is greater than a defined lower limit and which is smaller than a defined upper limit. Ä2j | Preferably, the temperature of the interior is controlled or regulated.

A29; Preferably, the cooling device has a door, via which the interior is accessible from the outside, wherein the ozone generator is automatically switched off during or after opening the door and automatically turns on again when or after closing the door.

$ 30 According to a variant, the reclosing of the ozone generator is delayed by a delay unit after closing the door by a predeterminable period of time.

According to a variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is increased after closing the door for a predeterminable period of time from a normal value or a normal range and then lowered to a value which corresponds to the normal value or lies in the normal range.

§32 Preferably, the air in the interior, including the ozone generated by the ozone generator, is circulated by means of an air recirculation system. This promotes the mixing of the ozone with the air in the interior.

§H According to a variant, the function of the ozone generator is monitored by means of a monitoring device, from which automatically a switching or alarm signal is emitted when the monitoring device detects a fault in the ozone generator.

Section 3 | According to one variant, an ozone generator is used which has an ozone-generating element, in particular flat module, which is heated electrically to a temperature above the dew point. aE35; According to a preferred variant of the invention, an ozone generator is used which operates on the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge or corona discharge.

The cooling device may in particular be a refrigerator with temperature control. A switch for detecting the door opening may be present. In particular, an electric device for generating ozone, which generates a specific ozone concentration defined in its upper and lower limits, can be arranged in the refrigerator.

A cooling device according to the invention or an apparatus according to the invention can e.g. consist of a refrigerator with temperature control or temperature control, a switch for detecting the door opening and the electrical device for generating ozone or have these components.

According to a variant of the invention, in a suitable for the storage of food and other heat-sensitive goods refrigerator by a principle according to the dielectrically impeded discharge or corona discharge ozone and / or activated oxygen ions or activated oxygen of the air in low concentrations mixed.

More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for the purpose of eliminating malodors, bacteria, viruses, molds and other biological materials on the surfaces and in the ambient air within refrigerators, consisting of

Refrigerator with temperature control

Switch for detecting the door opening wherein an electric device for generating ozone is arranged in the refrigerator, which generates a certain defined in its upper and lower limits ozone concentration. Preferably, the apparatus is capable of producing, in addition to ozone, oxygen or air ions which are admixable with the air within the refrigerator.

Preferably, the apparatus is capable of turning off the ozonization apparatus when the refrigerator door is opened and turning it on again after closing the door.

Preferably, after closing the refrigerator door (after opening), the apparatus is capable of turning on the ozonizer with a freely selectable delay time.

Preferably, the apparatus is capable of increasing ozone production for a selectable amount of time after closing (after opening) the door of the refrigerator.

According to a preferred variant, the ozonization apparatus is located in the upper area of the refrigerator due to the specific higher density of ozone.

According to a preferred variant, the ozonization apparatus is arranged in the air flow of a circulating air circulating system in the refrigerator.

According to a preferred variant, the electronics of the ozone generator monitor themselves with suitable methods in their functionality, the electronics then generating and transmitting an electrical signal to the central control unit of the refrigerator when a disturbance of ozone production has occurred.

According to a preferred variant, the electronics of the ozone generator are able to self-monitor themselves with suitable methods and then to generate an electrical signal and to pass this on to the central control unit of the refrigerator when a disturbance of the ozone production has occurred. According to a preferred variant, the ozone-producing flat module is electrically heated to a temperature above the dew point.

In particular, the invention also relates to a method for the purpose of eliminating malodors, bacteria, viruses, molds and other biological materials on the surfaces and in the ambient air within refrigerators, consisting of

Refrigerator with temperature control

Switch for detecting the door opening wherein an electric device for generating ozone is arranged in the refrigerator, which generates a certain defined in its upper and lower limits ozone concentration.

According to a variant, oxygen or air ions are generated in addition to the ozone and admixed with the air inside the refrigerator.

According to a variant, the ozonization apparatus is switched off when the refrigerator door is opened and switched on again after the door has been closed.

According to a variant, after closing the refrigerator door (after opening) the ozonization apparatus is switched on with a freely selectable delay time.

According to a variant, the ozone production is increased for a freely selectable time after closing (after opening) of the door of the refrigerator.

According to a variant of the ozonization apparatus is placed in the upper part of the refrigerator due to the specific higher density of ozone.

According to a variant, the ozonization apparatus is arranged in the air flow of a circulating air circulating system in the refrigerator. According to a variant, the electronics of the ozone generator monitors itself with suitable methods in their functionality and generates an electrical signal then passes this on to the central control unit of the refrigerator, if a disturbance of ozone production has occurred.

According to a variant, the ozone-producing flat module is electrically heated to a temperature above the dew point.

According to a variant of the invention, the cooling device or the apparatus according to the invention has an ozone sensor which is capable of measuring the concentration in the interior and whose output signal can be approximated as an actual value for regulating the ozone concentration in the interior to a target value of the ozone concentration in the interior. According to a variant, the ozone concentration in the interior can be regulated with the aid of the ozone sensor.

According to a variant of the invention, the ozone concentration in the interior is measured with an ozone sensor and used as an actual value for controlling the ozone concentration in the interior to a desired value of the ozone concentration in the interior. According to a variant of the invention, the ozone concentration is controlled by means of the ozone sensor.

It is known that with the help of ozone or activated oxygen ions on surfaces and in the air located viruses, bacteria, fungi, germs and malodors of all kinds are destroyed.

Fig. 1 shows a typical arrangement of an ozonization apparatus, which in the o.g. Patent applications has been described.

An ozone generator (1.1) is supplied by a high voltage generator (1.2) with a high alternating voltage (1.3) and produces ozone and activated oxygen ions. An ozone generator (1.1) is powered by a high voltage generator (1.3) with a high AC voltage (1.2) supplies and produces ozone and activated oxygen ions.

Figures 2 to 13 relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

In a suitable refrigerator (2.1) the ozonization apparatus (2.2) described in Fig. 1 consisting of an ozone generator, a high voltage generator, which is supplied with a high AC voltage, placed in a suitable place.

Ozone has a greater specific gravity than air, with the result that when the ozonization apparatus is placed in the upper portion of the refrigerator as shown in FIG. 2, ozone moves from the upper portion to the lower portion of the refrigerator with itself mixed with the air and settles on the surfaces inside the refrigerator.

When the refrigerator door (2.4) is opened, the ozonator is switched off by a suitable switch (2.3). Thus, in the time in which the refrigerator is open, no ozone and activated oxygen ions produced.

After reclosing the refrigerator door, in a further embodiment of the invention, the ozonization apparatus (2.2) is switched on again with a time delay. The delay time of restarting the ozonator is freely selectable.

In addition, after air exchange in the refrigerator after opening the door, the ozone production is increased for a freely selectable time to quickly compensate for the ozone loss by opening the door. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention with an air circulating system for mixing the ozone with the ambient air of the refrigerator.

In a suitable refrigerator (3.1), which is already shown in Fig. 2, an air circulation system (3.2) is additionally placed in the rear of the refrigerator.

The task of the air circulation system is to mix the ozone produced by the ozonizer (3.3) within the refrigerator with the ambient air. By mixing it is achieved that the ozone settles on all surfaces within the refrigerator and viruses, bacteria and other biological material on it are destroyed.

FIG. 4 shows the delayed on-time of the ozonization apparatus as a function of the opening of the refrigerator door.

If the refrigerator door (2.4) is closed, a high level (4.1) is sent via the switch (2.5) to the ozonizer and thus the signal to switch on. When the refrigerator door is opened, the ozonator will be low (4.2) and thus the signal to turn off. If the refrigerator door is closed again (4.3), a high level is transmitted to the ozonizer.

With a delay time (4.4) of, for example, 30 seconds, the ozonizer is switched on after receiving the high level (4.5).

(4.6) shows the increase in ozone production after the door was opened. After a freely selectable time, ozone production is reduced again to a specified value (4.7). In biological experiments, samples were placed in refrigerators equipped with the system according to the invention. In comparison, commercial refrigerators without ozone installations were similarly tested.

In the test refrigerators, inoculated yeast cultures were maintained on different carriers for several days.

In addition, finely chopped pork was kept on samples (Petri dish) in the refrigerators over the test period.

The tests were then evaluated: Compared to standard, previously cleaned refrigerators, the amount of CFU (Colony Forming Units of Bacteria) in the meat sample was 7,000 times larger than in the refrigerator, which is low in ozone (below the odor threshold). was fumigated.

The yeast samples also showed a very different growth rate.

In the refrigerator fumigated with ozone, the growth rate was 99% lower than in standard refrigerators.

The advantage of the invention should be with o.g. Test results are underlined.

Crucial to the success of ozonation is that

• a sufficient minimum amount of ozone (10-40 ppb) is ensured over the life of the refrigerator

• this minimum quantity is not exceeded,

• An alarm is triggered if the ozonizer fails.

Reference is made here to the inventive teaching from the applications / patents DE 101 180 78 A1 and WO 2002 0 850 77 A1. For the production of ozone, a flat module operating on the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge is preferably used, as described in P 196 51 402.9.

There are further embodiments of the invention possible. In all preferred embodiments of the invention, an ozone generator is introduced into the interior of refrigerators, which ensures a certain and its upper and lower limits defined ozone concentration.

The invention further relates to a system for reducing germs, viruses, fungi and odors in refrigerators, in particular with the aid of situationally adapted ozone loading.

According to a variant, in a suitable for the storage of food and other heat-sensitive goods refrigerator or refrigerator by a principle according to the dielectrically impeded discharge or the corona discharge ozone and / or activated oxygen ions of the air mixed in low concentrations.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the amount of ozone generated per unit time is adapted to the working behavior of the refrigeration unit.

It is known that with the help of ozone or activated oxygen ions on surfaces and in the air located viruses, bacteria, fungi, germs are destroyed and malodors of all kinds are eliminated.

For this purpose, ozone is used according to the invention, which is preferably generated in small quantities of a few micrograms / min inside the refrigerator.

A cooling device according to the invention may comprise a cooling unit, or, what is the same, a refrigeration unit which is capable of cooling the interior space and which may be cooled by a temperature control or electronic Control is automatically switched on and auschaltbar so that in the interior of the cooling device on averaged over a constant temperature, the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator when the cooling unit is turned off, is greater than when the cooling unit is turned on.

§Ϊ5 According to one embodiment, the cooling device has a coupled to the ozone generator control, which is capable of the ozone generator at least one preselectable time, in particular at least once a day at a certain time automatically for an arbitrarily definable period of time to increase the ozone production rate and thereby cause a temporary increase in the ozone concentration in the interior. As a result, the biocidal and antibacterial effect can be increased without permanently requiring a high ozone concentration in the interior.

§J | .6 | According to one embodiment, the ratio of the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator with the cooling unit off the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator with the cooling unit is dependent on the ratio of the period during which the cooling unit is turned off, the period during which the cooling unit is turned on, or from the ratio of the average time duration during which the refrigeration unit is switched off to the mean time duration during which the refrigeration unit is switched on.

§36 The cooling device may have a cooling unit, which is capable of cooling the interior and which is automatically switched on and off by a temperature control or electronic control alternately so that in the interior of the cooling device on averaged over a constant temperature, wherein the production rate of from the ozone generator - -

produced ozone when the cooling unit is turned off, is kept larger than when the cooling unit is turned on.

The average time during which the refrigeration unit is turned off and the mean time during which the refrigeration unit is turned on may be e.g. be determined by averaging or weighted averaging over a certain period of time or a certain number of previous on / off cycles, or be defined in this way.

In accordance with a variant of the method according to the invention, the production rate of the ozone generated by the ozone generator is automatically increased for at least one preselectable time, in particular at least once a day at a specific time, for an arbitrarily predeterminable period of time, thereby causing a temporary increase in the ozone concentration in the interior.

According to a variant, the ratio of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator with the cooling unit off the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator when the cooling unit is switched depending on the ratio of the period during which the cooling unit is turned off, the period during which the cooling unit is turned on , changed, or depending on the ratio of the average time duration during which the cooling unit is turned off, to the average time period during which the cooling unit is turned on changed.

The invention further relates to a refrigerator or a refrigerated cabinet or a refrigerated cabin or a cold store, with a refrigeration unit (hereinafter referred to as refrigerator), which is so switched on and off by an electronic control, that in the refrigerator a constant temperature is maintained, wherein the air in the refrigerator is enriched with ozone, wherein the amount of ozone generated is reduced in the working phase of the refrigeration unit and in the pause the refrigeration unit is increased. The invention further relates to a cooling device, such as a refrigerator or a refrigerated cabinet or a cold room or a cold store, with a refrigeration unit (hereinafter referred to only refrigerator), which is switched on and off by an electronic control that in the refrigerator on average a constant Temperature is present, wherein the air in the refrigerator can be enriched with ozone, wherein the amount of ozone generated automatically in the working phase of the refrigeration unit can be reduced and in the pause the refrigeration unit can be increased.

The invention further relates to a method of operating a cooling device, e.g. Refrigerator or refrigerated cabinets or refrigerated cabin or cold store, with a refrigeration unit (hereinafter referred to as refrigerator), the refrigeration unit is switched on and off by an electronic control so that in the refrigerator a constant temperature is maintained, the air in the refrigerator with Enriched ozone, the amount of ozone generated is reduced in the working phase of the refrigeration unit and in the break the refrigeration unit is increased.

According to a variant, the ozone production is increased for a certain time at a preselectable time in order to achieve a higher ozone concentration in the refrigerator.

According to one embodiment, ozone production can be automatically increased at a preselectable time for a certain time in order to achieve a higher ozone concentration in the refrigerator.

According to a variant, the ratio of the quantities of ozone production to one another is additionally weighted by the ratio of the on and off times of the cooling unit. According to one embodiment, the ratio of the ozone production quantities to each other is additionally weighted by the ratio of the on and off time of the cooling unit.

The refrigeration unit of a refrigerator does not work continuously, but is cyclically switched on and off. The ratio of the on and off phase is temperature controlled.

In the off phase, the heat exchanger heats up slightly to a level well above freezing. This counteracts icing. In the switched-on phase, the temperature of the heat exchanger is very small and can fall below the freezing point.

If a constant amount of ozone is generated in a refrigerator, e.g. an ozone concentration are measured as shown in FIG.

The generated amount of ozone (2) is constant. The ozone concentration (1) is subject to strong fluctuations. These fluctuations are synchronous with the on and off phase of the refrigerator and can reduce the ozone level during shutdown by about 50%.

The reason is that with cold heat exchangers, the adsorption of ozone on the surface of the heat exchanger surface is smaller than with a warmer heat exchanger. Furthermore, the absolute and relative humidity in the refrigerator increases when the refrigeration unit is switched off. At higher humidity ozone depletion is higher than at lower humidity.

If it is desired that the ozone concentration in the refrigerator does not exceed a value of approx. 50 ppb in order not to produce any odor and to remain below ozone limits, the amount of ozone in the refrigerator (expressed as production volume in μg / h or mg / day) to be limited to one value. Thus, it is accepted that the ozone level in about 50% of the time is only about 50% of the limit. The The consequence is that the biological-bactericidal effect of ozone is not maximally exploited.

Therefore, it is proposed according to a variant of the invention to increase the ozone production in the time of the switched-off refrigeration unit, as shown in Fig. 6. The production of ozone (2) is no longer constant, but is increased synchronously with the refrigeration unit when the refrigeration unit is turned off and lowered when the refrigeration unit is turned on.

If the ratio of the ozone production amounts in the two phases corresponds to the different absorption behavior, the resulting ozone concentration is at a constant value (1).

In order to increase the biocidal and antibacterial effect, it is further proposed according to the invention according to a variant of the invention to increase the ozone production from time to time and to double about production capacity. If - according to the state of the art - the control of the refrigerator has a timer, the time of this additional production can be moved into the night, in which most of the time nobody opens the door of the refrigerator. Preferably, this function can be switched on or off via the operating device.

When the refrigerator is empty, ozone depletion is different when the fridge is switched on and off than when the fridge is filled. Due to the influence of the mass in the refrigerator, the ratio of the on and off phase of the refrigeration unit is also different.

According to the invention, it is proposed to deduce from the ratio of the switch-on and switch-off phase on the degree of loading of the refrigerator and to influence therefrom the ratio of the ozone production quantity in the switch-on and switch-off phase. In practice, the invention can be integrated into the system of a refrigerator, as shown by way of example in FIG. The central control (1) of the refrigerator receives as actual value (2) the temperature inside the refrigerator. The desired value (3) is set via an operating element. The central control switches the cooling unit (4) on and off according to these specifications. This information is also communicated to the electronics for ozone production (5). The amount of ozone to be generated is adapted by this ozone quantity control to the respective operating state. Accordingly, the control of the ozone generator (6) is adjusted.

The invention can have several embodiments. Various methods for ozone generation can be used. Preferably, the amount of ozone generated in each case during the working phases of the cooling device or of the refrigerator is adapted to the absorption behavior in the individual phases such that the most constant possible ozone concentration in the refrigerator is the result.

The invention further relates to a refrigerator or cold room for the reduction of germs, viruses, fungi and odors, by means of ozone,

The invention further relates to a cooling device, e.g. Refrigerator or cold room for the reduction of germs, viruses, fungi and odors, by means of ozone, as well as a system for the reduction of germs, viruses, fungi and odors, e.g. in refrigerators using controlled and regulated ozone.

According to a variant, a cooling device according to the invention has a cooling unit which is capable of cooling the interior space and which is automatically switched on and off automatically by temperature control or electronic control such that a predeterminable or predefined temperature is present in the interior of the cooling device over the time average , - 1 -

A1 | 8 According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is dependent on or influenced by the temperature in the interior or can be influenced by it.

Ä1 $ According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator depends on the air humidity in the interior or influenced by this or influenced by this.

A20 According to a variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is dependent on or influenced by a control signal applied to the ozone generator, the control signal being dependent on the air humidity in the interior, and being dependent on the temperature in the interior that the influences of the humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior on the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator are superimposed on each other.

In particular, the control signal may in this case be dependent on the air humidity in the interior with a first specifiable sensitivity, and be dependent on the temperature in the interior with a second predefinable sensitivity, so that the influences of the air humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior on the control signal and thus are weighted to the ozone production rate when superimposed by the first and second sensitivities, respectively.

The control signal is preferably derived from the air humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior.

$ 21 According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator additionally depends on or is additionally influenced by or additionally influenced by whether the cooling unit is in the switched-on or switched-off state. A22 According to a variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is regulated to a predeterminable, preferably constant, desired value.

$ 23j According to a variant, the control of the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator introduces a disturbance which depends on or is influenced or influenced by at least one of the following influencing factors:

Switching state of the cooling unit,

Humidity in the interior,

Temperature in the interior.

The cooling unit can be "switched on" in the switching state or "switched off" in the switching state.

According to one variant, the desired value of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is dependent on at least one of the following influencing factors or influenced or influenced:

Switching state of the cooling unit,

Humidity in the interior,

Temperature in the interior.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the cooling device has a discharge device for the discharge activity of the ozone generator, which is able to deliver an output signal which is a measure of the ozone generator's discharge activity and from which the ACTUAL value of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator can be determined or derivable. This ACTUAL value may e.g. to control the ozone production to a setpoint.

According to a variant, the cooling device has a cooling unit which is capable of cooling the interior space and which is provided by a cooling unit Temperature control or electronic control is automatically switched on and off so alternately that the temperature in the interior is controlled to a predetermined or predetermined target temperature.

Ä40 According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by the temperature in the interior.

Α4tl; According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by the humidity in the interior.

Preferably, the ozone generator is one whose ozone production rate can be controlled via at least one control input. In order to achieve an influence on the ozone production rate of the temperature in the interior, a temperature sensor is preferably arranged in the interior, which emits a temperature-dependent signal to the control input or causes. In order to achieve an influence on the ozone production rate of the air humidity in the interior, a temperature sensor is preferably arranged in the interior, which emits a dependent of the relative humidity signal on the control input (or possibly to another control input of the ozone generator) or causes.

| y | 2 According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by a control signal applied to the ozone generator, wherein the control signal is influenced by the humidity in the interior, and is influenced by the temperature in the interior, so that the influences of the humidity In the interior and the temperature in the interior are superimposed on the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator each other.

In particular, the control signal can be dependent on the air humidity in the interior with a first predefinable sensitivity, and dependent on the temperature in the interior with a second specifiable sensitivity be such that the influences of the humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior to the control signal and thus the ozone production rate at the superposition by the first and the second sensitivity are weighted respectively. Preferably, the control signal is derived from the humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior.

The ozone generator may e.g. be set up so that the rate of production of the ozone produced by it is proportional to the magnitude or magnitude of the control signal.

£ y4 | According to one variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is additionally influenced by whether the cooling unit is in the switched-on or in the switched-off state.

§4§ According to a variant, the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator to a predetermined, preferably constant, setpoint is regulated.

JA4f According to a variant, the control of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator introduces a disturbance which depends on or is influenced by at least one of the following influencing factors:

Switching state of the cooling unit,

Humidity in the interior,

Temperature in the interior.

According to one variant, the setpoint of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by at least one of the following influencing factors:

Switching state of the cooling unit,

Humidity in the interior,

Temperature in the interior. A46 According to a very advantageous variant, the actual value of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is determined or derived by measuring the discharge activity of the ozone generator.

The actual value thus obtained can in particular be used as the actual value for the regulation of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator to the desired value.

The invention relates to e.g. a refrigerator or refrigerator, for the reduction of germs, viruses, fungi and odors by means of ozone, with a cooling unit and heat exchangers inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and outside the refrigerator / refrigerator, with a controller that controls and monitors the refrigeration unit, and a thermometer, which detects the actual temperature in the interior of the refrigerator / refrigerator and an operating element which sets the desired temperature and an ozone generator, which introduces into the refrigerator / refrigerator a certain amount of ozone.

It is known that with the help of ozone or activated oxygen ions on surfaces and in the air located viruses, bacteria, fungi, germs are destroyed and malodors of all kinds can be eliminated.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the ozone generator is capable of producing an ozone quantity dependent on the humidity measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator. Thus, the amount of ozone to be produced is influenced by the measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator air humidity, which is thus determined.

For this purpose, ozone is used, which is preferably generated in small quantities of a few μg / min inside the refrigerator.

Preferably, an ozone generator is used in which the ozone quantity is regulated internally by measuring the ozone-generating discharge activity is returned as a control variable in a closed loop with the aim that in the long term a constant amount of ozone is produced.

In the switched-off phase, the heat exchanger heats up slightly to a level well above freezing. This counteracts icing. In the switched-on phase, the temperature of the heat exchanger is very small and can fall below the freezing point. The result is, as shown in Figure 9, that the temperature (1) inside the refrigerator / refrigerator is not constant, but is subject to fluctuations.

When a constant amount of ozone is generated in a refrigerator, an ozone concentration can be measured, as shown in FIG. The generated amount of ozone (2) is constant. The ozone concentration (1) is subject to strong fluctuations. These fluctuations are synchronous with the on and off phase of the refrigerator and reduce the ozone concentration (measured in ppb or in μg / m ³ ) in the off phase by about 50%.

The reason is that with cold heat exchangers, the adsorption of ozone on the surface of the heat exchanger surface is smaller than with a warmer heat exchanger.

Further, the absolute and relative humidity in the refrigerator increases when the refrigeration unit is turned off, as shown in FIG. At higher humidity ozone depletion is higher than at lower humidity, as Figure 8 and Figure 10 shows.

If it is desired that the ozone concentration in the refrigerator does not exceed about 50ppb-100ppb, the ozone quantity - expressed as production volume in μg / h or mg / day - must be limited to a certain value. Thus, it is accepted that the ozone level in about 50% of the time is only about 50% of the limit. The consequence is that the biological-bactericidal effect of ozone is not maximally exploited.

Therefore, it is proposed according to a variant of the invention to adjust the amount of ozone produced to the existing inside the refrigerator or refrigerator situation.

Essentially, the following influencing factors are important:

1. Ozone naturally decomposes into diatomic, molecular oxygen.

2. Ozone is adsorbed on surfaces, disintegrates on these surfaces. Therefore, in larger areas - in relation to the volume of space - ozone decomposes faster than in free space.

3. Ozone is absorbed by surfaces covered with a water film. In the process, ozone dissolves in the water, where it forms biocidal and bactericidal hydroradicals, which hinder germ growth or destroy germs.

4. Both adsorption and absorption as well as spontaneous decay is accelerated at higher temperatures.

As can be seen from FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, both the temperature and the relative humidity fluctuate synchronously with the operation of the refrigeration unit.

According to a preferred variant of the invention, the temperature and the humidity in the interior of the refrigerator / refrigerator is measured with suitable sensors. The measured value for temperature or the measured value for air humidity or a weighted sum of both measured values is given as a control variable to the ozone generator. The following logic applies:

Temperature increased = Ozone production increased Humidity increased = Ozone production increased In the implementation of the invention, a circuit arrangement can be used, as described in principle in FIG. 11:

It is

1. Central control unit of the refrigerator / refrigerator

2. Temperature sensor in the refrigerator / refrigerator

3. Control element for specifying the DESIRED temperature

4. Refrigeration unit, controlled by the central control unit

5. High voltage generator for feeding the ozone generator

6. Ozone generator

7. Sensor for detecting the humidity in the refrigerator

8. Sensor for detecting the air temperature in the refrigerator

With appropriate weighting of the influencing parameters and with proper dimensioning of the influence of the influencing parameters on the produced ozone quantity, a result is obtained, as shown in FIG.

The ozone concentration 1 is constant, while the ozone production - controlled by the parameters of temperature and humidity - counteracts the different degradation situation and therefore switches between a maximum value and a minimum value, 2.

If the refrigerator / cold room is loaded with refrigerated goods, the thermal capacity and the surface in the refrigerator / refrigerator will change. However, the above-described relationships remain. The control and regulating device according to the invention keeps the ozone concentration largely constant at the predetermined level also in this case. The recorded in the real situation measurement record of Figure 13 reflects this. Where:

1. Humidity (%)

2. Air temperature ( ⁰ C)

3. ozone level (ppb) It can be seen that the ozone concentration is largely constant, controlled from the measured data of the air humidity and the air temperature or the weighted signal from the air humidity or the air temperature inside the refrigerator / refrigerator.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sensors for air temperatures and humidity are connected to the central control unit of the refrigerator. In this case, according to a preferred variant of the invention, a preprocessing and a weighting of these signals take place in the central control unit, which then act on the ozone generator. In this case too, the relationships described above apply.

In a further embodiment, in addition to the measured values of air humidity and air temperature, it is possible to record the operating state of the refrigeration unit as an influencing variable acting on ozone production.

It is thus mixed in a suitable for the storage of food and other heat-sensitive goods refrigerator or cold storage of the air by one on the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge or coronary ozone and / or activated oxygen ions in low concentrations. According to the invention, the amount of ozone generated per unit time is adapted to physical parameters of the air in the refrigerator / refrigerator.

According to a preferred variant of the invention, the ozone production produced is not constant, but is influenced as a function of conditions inside the cooling device or the refrigerator / refrigerator so that the situation different rates of degradation of ozone is taken into account with the aim of a largely constant ozone concentration in Inside the cooling device or the refrigerator / the refrigerator.

The invention further relates to a refrigerator or refrigerator, for the reduction of germs, viruses, fungi and odors by means of ozone, with a Kühlagg regat and heat exchangers in I nneren the refrigerator / refrigerator and outside the refrigerator / refrigerator, with a controller that controls the cooling unit and monitors, and a thermometer, which detects the actual temperature inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and a control element, which specifies the target temperature and an ozone generator, which introduces a certain amount of ozone into the refrigerator / refrigerator, wherein the ozone generator is capable of producing a dependent on the measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator air humidity amount of ozone, so that the amount of ozone to be produced the humidity measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator is affected.

The invention further relates to a cooling device, e.g. Refrigerator or refrigerator, for the reduction of germs, viruses, fungi and odors by means of ozone, with a cooling unit and heat exchangers inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and outside the refrigerator / refrigerator, with a controller that controls the cooling unit and monitors, and a Thermometer, which detects the actual temperature inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and a control element, which sets the target temperature and an ozone generator, which introduces a certain amount of ozone in the refrigerator / refrigerator, wherein the ozone generator is capable of one of the inside The amount of ozone to be produced is influenced or influenced by the humidity measured in the interior of the refrigerator / cold room.

According to a variant of the invention, the ozone generator is capable of producing an ozone quantity dependent on the temperature measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator, so that the ozone quantity to be produced is influenced by the temperature measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator. According to a variant of the invention, the ozone generator is capable of producing an ozone quantity dependent on the temperature and measured air humidity measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator so that the amount of ozone to be produced is influenced by the temperature measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and the measured humidity , which are combined to form a weighted control signal.

According to a variant of the invention, the amount of ozone to be produced is influenced by the operating state of the refrigeration unit and a control variable derived from the measured humidity and / or the measured temperature inside the refrigerator / refrigerator.

According to a variant of the invention, the ozone production is controlled with the aid of the measured discharge activity to a constant value, wherein a disturbance is applied to this control loop, which is formed from at least one of the following signals: o operating state of the refrigeration unit o air humidity of the air inside the refrigerator / Refrigerator o Air temperature of the air inside the refrigerator / refrigerator

The invention further relates to a method for operating a cooling device, such as refrigerator or refrigerator, to reduce germs, viruses, fungi and odors by means of ozone, with a cooling unit and heat exchangers inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and outside the refrigerator / refrigerator, with a control device, by means of which the cooling unit is controlled and monitored, and a thermometer, by means of which the actual temperature inside the refrigerator / refrigerator is determined, and an operating member, by means of which the target temperature is set, and an ozone generator, by means of which a certain amount of ozone is introduced into the refrigerator / refrigerator, wherein an amount of ozone dependent on the humidity measured in the interior of the refrigerator / refrigerator is produced by means of the ozone generator. is decorated, so that the amount of ozone to be produced is influenced by the measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator humidity.

According to a variant of the invention, an amount of ozone dependent on the temperature measured in the interior of the refrigerator / refrigerator is produced by means of the ozone generator, so that the amount of ozone to be produced is influenced by the temperature measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator.

According to one variant of the invention, an ozone quantity dependent on the temperature and measured air humidity measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator is produced by means of the ozone generator, so that the amount of ozone to be produced is influenced by the temperature measured inside the refrigerator / refrigerator and the measured air humidity, which are combined to form a weighted control signal.

According to a variant of the invention, the ozone production is controlled with the aid of the measured discharge activity to a constant value, wherein on this control loop a disturbance is switched, which is formed from at least one of the following signals: o operating state of the refrigeration unit o air humidity of the air inside the refrigerator / Refrigerator o Air temperature of the air inside the refrigerator / refrigerator.

According to a variant of the invention, in a refrigerator or cold room suitable for the storage of foodstuffs and other heat-sensitive goods, the air is replaced by ozone and / or activated oxygen ions according to the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge or corona discharge admixed in low concentrations. According to a preferred variant of the invention, the amount of ozone generated per unit time is adapted to physical parameters of the air in the refrigerator / refrigerator.

Preferably, the amount of ozone produced in each case during the working phases of the cooling device is adapted to the absorption behavior in the individual phases in such a way that the most constant possible ozone concentration in the refrigerator is the result. According to a preferred variant of the invention, the ozone production is not constant, but is influenced as a function of conditions in the interior of the cooling device so that the situational different rates of degradation of the ozone is taken into account with the aim of a largely constant ozone concentration inside the cooling device.

According to a different embodiment, a cooling device according to the invention, instead of the ozone generator, has a generator for oxygen or for air ions or for activated oxygen or for activated oxygen ions, with which the air in for the purpose of elimination, killing, destruction or control of malodors and of bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials that are in the interior, can be acted upon.

According to a different variant of the invention, instead of ozone, oxygen or air ions or activated oxygen or activated oxygen ions are used to detect malodors as well as bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials which are located in the interior to destroy, eliminate, kill or fight.

Industrial Applicability:

The invention is industrially applicable e.g. in the field of cooling technology, the

Production, processing and storage of food and in the

Gastronomy.

Claims

claims:

1. Cooling device, such as refrigerator, refrigerator, refrigerator, cool box, cold room or cold store, with an interior to be cooled, characterized in that the cooling device has an ozone generator and the air in the interior for the purpose of eliminating, killing, destroying or combating malodors as well as bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable biological materials, which are located in the interior, can be acted upon by the ozone generator produced ozone.

2. Cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ozone generator is capable of additionally generating oxygen or air ions, with which the air in the interior is also acted upon.

3. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ozone generator is capable of generating such an ozone concentration in the interior, which is greater than a defined lower limit and which is smaller than a defined upper limit.

4. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ozone generator is disposed within the interior.

5. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device has a temperature control for controlling the temperature in the interior or a temperature control for regulating the temperature in the interior.

6. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device has a door, via which the interior space is accessible from the outside, and a door switch which is capable of shutting off the ozone generator during or after opening the door and turning it on again upon or after closing the door.

7. Cooling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the door switch is coupled to a delay unit which is capable of delaying the reconnection of the ozone generator after closing the door by a predeterminable period of time.

8. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device has a coupled to the ozone generator control unit, which is capable of the ozone generator after closing the door for a predetermined period of time to a normal or normal range increased production rate of ozone and then to cause such a production rate of ozone, which is normal or in which

Normal range is.

9. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ozone generator is arranged in the upper region or in the upper half or in the upper quarter or on the ceiling of the interior.

10. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ozone generator is arranged in the air flow of a Luftumwälzungsanlage which is capable of circulating the air in the interior.

11. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device has a monitoring device which monitors the function of the ozone generator and emits a switching or alarm signal when the monitoring device detects a disturbance of the ozone generator.

12. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized the ozone generator has an ozone-producing element, in particular a flat module, which is electrically heated to a temperature above the dew point.

13. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ozone generator is one which operates on the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge or corona discharge.

14. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device comprises a cooling unit which is capable of cooling the interior and which is automatically switched on and off automatically by a temperature control or electronic control that in the interior of the cooling device in temporal Means a constant temperature, wherein the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator when the cooling unit is turned off, is greater than when the cooling unit is turned on.

15. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device has a controller coupled to the ozone generator, which is capable of the ozone generator at least one preselectable time, in particular at least once a day at a specific time, automatically for any predetermined period of time to cause an increase in the ozone production rate, thereby causing a temporary increase in the ozone concentration in the interior.

16. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the production rate of the ozone generator produced by the ozone generator is switched off at the rate of production of ozone produced by the ozone generator with the cooling unit switched on the ratio of the period during which the cooling unit is turned off, at the time, during which the cooling unit is switched on, or the ratio of the average time period during which the cooling unit is turned off, to the average time period during which the cooling unit is turned on depends.

17. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device comprises a cooling unit which is capable of cooling the interior and which is automatically switched on and off automatically by a temperature control or electronic control so that in the interior of the cooling device in temporal Means a predetermined or predetermined temperature is present.

18. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is dependent on the temperature in the interior or influenced by this or influenced by this.

19. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator depends on the humidity in the interior or influenced by this or influenced by this.

20. Cooling device according to claim 18 and 19, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is dependent on an applied to the ozone generator control signal or influenced by this or influenced by this, the control signal is dependent on the humidity in the interior, and is dependent on the temperature in the interior, so that the influences of the humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior are superimposed on the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator each other.

21. Cooling device according to claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator additionally depends on it or is influenced by it or can be influenced whether the cooling unit is in the switched-on or switched-off state.

22. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is regulated to a predetermined, preferably constant, setpoint.

23. Cooling device according to claims 18, 19, 21 and 22, characterized in that is connected to the regulation of the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator, a disturbance which depends on at least one of the following influencing factors or is influenced or influenced:

Switching state of the cooling unit,

Humidity in the interior,

Temperature in the interior.

24. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a detection device for the discharge activity of the ozone generator, which is able to deliver an output signal which is a measure of the discharge activity of the ozone generator and from which the actual value of the production rate of the Ozone generator produced ozone is determinable or derivable.

25. A method for operating a cooling device, such as refrigerator, refrigerator, refrigerator, cool box, cold room or cold store, with an interior to be cooled, characterized in that the air in the interior for the purpose of eliminating, killing, destroying or combating malodors and of Bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, germs, pathogens and other undesirable Biological materials are supplied with ozone, which is produced by an ozone generator.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the air is additionally acted upon in the interior with oxygen or air ions.

27. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 26, characterized in that by means of the ozone generator in the interior such an ozone concentration is generated which is greater than a defined lower limit and which is smaller than a defined upper limit.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the temperature of the interior is controlled or regulated.

29. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the cooling device comprises a door, via which the interior is accessible from the outside, and automatically shut off the ozone generator during or after opening the door and automatically when or after closing the door turns on.

30. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that the reconnection of the ozone generator is delayed after closing the door by a delay unit by a predetermined period of time.

31. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 30, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is increased after closing the door for a predetermined period of time compared to a normal value or a normal range and then lowered to a value corresponding to the normal value or in the normal range.

32. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31, characterized in that the air in the interior, including the ozone generated by the ozone generator is circulated by means of an air circulation system.

33. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 32, characterized in that the function of the ozone generator is monitored by means of a monitoring device and from this automatically a switching or alarm signal is emitted when the monitoring device detects a fault of the ozone generator.

34. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 33, characterized in that is used as an ozone generator, one which has an ozone-generating element, in particular flat module, which is electrically heated to a temperature above the dew point.

35. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 34, characterized in that is used as the ozone generator, one which operates on the principle of dielectrically impeded discharge or corona discharge.

36. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 35, characterized in that the cooling device comprises a cooling unit, which is capable of cooling the interior and which is automatically switched by a temperature control or electronic control alternately so on and augeschaltet that in the interior of the cooling device is a constant temperature over time, wherein the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator, when the cooling unit is turned off, is kept greater than when the cooling unit is turned on.

37. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 36, characterized in that the production rate of ozone generated by the ozone generator at least one preselectable time, in particular at least once a day at a specific time, automatically for any predetermined Time is increased and thereby a temporary increase in the ozone concentration in the interior is brought about.

38. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 37, characterized in that the ratio of the production rate of the ozone generator produced by the ozone generator when the cooling unit is switched off to the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator with the cooling unit switched on as a function of the ratio of the time period during which the cooling unit is turned off , the time during which the cooling unit is turned on, or the ratio of the average time period during which the cooling unit is turned off, to the average time period during which the cooling unit is turned on, is changed.

39. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 38, characterized in that the cooling device comprises a cooling unit which is capable of cooling the interior and which is automatically switched on and off automatically by a temperature control or electronic control so that the temperature in the interior is regulated to a predetermined or predetermined target temperature.

40. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 39, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by the temperature in the interior.

41. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 40, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by the humidity in the interior.

42. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 41, characterized that the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is influenced by a control signal applied to the ozone generator, the control signal being influenced by the air humidity in the interior, and being influenced by the temperature in the interior, so that the influences of the air humidity in the interior and the temperature in the interior Interior to the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator are superimposed on each other.

43. The method according to claims 39 to 42, characterized in that the production rate of the ozone produced by the ozone generator is additionally influenced by whether the cooling unit is in the switched-on or in the switched-off state.

44. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 43, characterized in that the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is regulated to a predetermined, preferably constant, setpoint.

45. The method according to claims 40, 41, 43 and 44, characterized in that on the control of the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator a disturbance is switched, which depends on at least one of the following influencing factors or influenced:

Switching state of the refrigeration unit, humidity in the interior, temperature in the interior.

46. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 45, characterized in that the actual value of the production rate of ozone produced by the ozone generator is determined or derived by measuring the discharge activity of the ozone generator.