WO2016091591A1

WO2016091591A1 - Refrigeration appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2016091591A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/077652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Burkhard RETHMANN
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-10
Filing date: 2015-11-25
Publication date: 2016-06-16
Also published as: DE102014225422A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance (100) comprising an interior (201), a pivotally mounted lighting element (203) for illuminating the interior (201), a control device (205) for pivoting the pivotally mounted lighting element (203), and a motion sensor (207) for sensing a motion of an object (209) in the interior (201), characterized in that the control device (205) is designed to pivot the pivotally mounted lighting element (203) in accordance with the sensed motion of the object (209) in order to adjust the lighting in the interior (201).

Description

The refrigerator

The present invention relates to a refrigeration device.

A refrigeration device often includes an interior and a lighting element for illuminating the interior, which is activated when opening a refrigerator door of the refrigerator and is deactivated when the refrigerator door of the refrigerator is closed. For example, the refrigerator door is opened or closed by a user of the refrigerator. In this case, the interior of the refrigeration device is often statically illuminated independently of a use of the refrigeration appliance by a user. This can be perceived by the user of the refrigerator as uncomfortable.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a refrigeration device with an efficient and comfortable lighting concept. This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a refrigerator having an interior, a pivotally mounted light element for illuminating the interior, a control device for pivoting the pivotally mounted light element and a motion sensor for detecting a movement of an object in the interior, wherein the control device is formed to pivot the pivotally mounted light emitting element in response to the detected movement of the object to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the illumination of the interior can be efficiently adapted to a use of the refrigeration device.

A refrigeration device is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance that is used for housekeeping in households or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for this purpose foods and / or drinks are added certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a fridge freezer, a freezer or a wine fridge.

The pivotally mounted light-emitting element may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) and / or an incandescent lamp. Furthermore, the pivotally mounted luminous element can be designed to emit a directed light beam. For example, the pivotally mounted light-emitting element is formed by a pivotably mounted spotlight or by a pivotally mounted spot. According to one embodiment, the pivotally mounted light-emitting element can be movable. The control device may comprise a stepping motor, in particular an electric stepper motor, and / or a cable pull for pivoting the pivotably mounted lighting element. The motion sensor may comprise a first number of ultrasonic sensors and / or a second number of image sensors for detecting the movement of the object. For example, the respective number is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 or 50. Furthermore, the motion sensor may comprise an image camera and / or a video camera with an image sensor and a lens.

The refrigeration device may further include a processor for determining the position of the object, in particular by means of triangulation. For example, the processor is an element of the motion sensor.

According to one embodiment, the refrigeration device can comprise a communication interface for communication with a further processor, such as a processor of a smartphone, tablet or computer, via a communication network, wherein the further processor is designed for determining the position of the object, in particular by means of triangulation. For example, the communication interface is a wireless communication interface according to the standard Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and the communication network is a HomeConnect network. The object may be a hand or an arm of a user of the refrigeration device. Furthermore, the object may be an object which the user brings into the interior. For example, the object is a bottle that the user places in the interior of the refrigerator. In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is designed to pivot the pivotally mounted lighting element in the direction of the detected movement of the object in order to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that a region of the interior space in which the movement of the object is detected can be illuminated particularly well in order to facilitate use of the refrigeration device. For example, the pivotally mounted luminous object emits a light beam directed onto the object.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device comprises a stepping motor for pivoting the pivotably mounted lighting element. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the pivotally mounted light-emitting element can be pivoted particularly accurately. The stepper motor may be an electric stepper motor. In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is further configured to increase an intensity of a light emission of the pivotally mounted light-emitting element as a function of the detected movement of the object in order to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the illumination of the interior can be changed without pivoting the pivotally mounted light-emitting element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is further configured to reduce an intensity of a light emission of the pivotally mounted light-emitting element in dependence on the detected movement of the object in order to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the illumination of the interior can be changed without pivoting the pivotally mounted light-emitting element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the movement sensor is designed to detect a hand movement or an arm movement of a user of the refrigeration device in the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the illumination of the interior can be changed in dependence on a use of the refrigerator by the user. In a further advantageous embodiment, the motion sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor or an image sensor. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the movement of the object can be detected efficiently. In a further advantageous embodiment, the motion sensor is arranged in the interior, in particular on a wall of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the motion sensor can be efficiently integrated in the refrigeration device. In a further advantageous embodiment, the pivotally mounted light-emitting element comprises a light-emitting diode. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that an energy-efficient light-emitting element can be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the pivotally mounted lighting element is arranged on a wall, in particular on a lateral wall, of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the interior can be illuminated efficiently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the refrigeration device has a further lighting element for homogeneously illuminating the interior. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that a user of the refrigeration device can be provided with lighting for a basic orientation in the interior. The further luminous element may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) and / or an incandescent lamp. Furthermore, the refrigeration device can have a plurality of further lighting elements for homogeneously illuminating the interior. For example, the plurality 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. In a further advantageous embodiment, the refrigerator has a number of pivotally mounted lighting elements, and the control device is formed, depending on the detected movement of the object a pivotally mounted lighting element from the number of pivotally mounted lighting elements to select and to pivot the selected pivotally mounted light emitting element in response to the detected movement of the object to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the object and / or an environment of the object can be illuminated from several sides. For example, the number is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or 25.

Furthermore, the control device or the position sensor may include a processor, which is configured to select the pivotally mounted light-emitting element from the number of pivotally mounted light-emitting elements in dependence on the detected movement of the object. By way of example, the processor is designed to determine the position of the object by means of triangulation and to select the pivotally mounted luminous element which is arranged at the smallest distance from the specific position. In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device comprises the number of stepper motors for pivoting the number of pivotally mounted lighting elements. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the pivotally mounted lighting elements of the number of pivotally mounted lighting elements can be pivoted independently of each other.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is further configured to increase an intensity of a light emission of the selected pivotally mounted light-emitting element as a function of the detected movement of the object in order to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the illumination of the interior can be changed without pivoting a pivotally mounted light element of the number of pivotally mounted light elements.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is further configured to reduce an intensity of a light emission of the selected pivotally mounted light-emitting element as a function of the detected movement of the object in order to change the illumination of the interior. As a result, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the lighting of the interior without pivoting a pivotally mounted lighting element of the number of pivotally mounted lighting elements can be changed.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator; FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to one embodiment; FIG. and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerator according to another embodiment.

1 shows a schematic view of a refrigeration appliance 100. The refrigeration appliance 100 comprises an upper refrigeration appliance door 101 and a lower refrigerator door 103. The refrigeration appliance 100 further comprises a refrigerant circuit (not shown) with an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and a throttling device.

The evaporator is a heat exchanger in which, after the expansion, the liquid refrigerant is vaporized by absorbing heat from the medium to be cooled, such as the air in an interior of the refrigerator 100. The compressor is a mechanically operated component that draws refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and expels it at a higher pressure to the condenser. The condenser is a heat exchanger in which, after compression, the vaporized refrigerant is liquefied by heat emission to an external cooling medium, such as the ambient air. The throttle body is a device for the continuous reduction of the pressure by cross-sectional constriction. The refrigerant may be a fluid.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigeration appliance 100 according to one embodiment. The refrigeration device 100 has an interior 201, a pivotally mounted light-emitting element 203, a control device 205 and a Motion sensor 207 on. Further, an object 209 partially inserted into the inner space 201 is depicted.

The refrigerator 100 may be formed with the inner space 201, the pivotally mounted light element 203 for illuminating the inner space 201, the control device 205 for pivoting the pivotally mounted light element 203 and the motion sensor 207 for detecting a movement of the object 209 in the inner space 201, wherein the Control device 205 is formed to pivot the pivotally mounted light emitting element 203 in response to the detected movement of the object 209 to change the illumination of the interior 201.

A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerated freezer combination, a freezer or a wine fridge.

The pivotally mounted light-emitting element 203 may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) and / or an incandescent lamp. Furthermore, the pivotally mounted lighting element 203 may be designed to emit a directed light beam. For example, the pivotally mounted lighting element 203 is formed by a pivotably mounted spotlight or by a pivotally mounted spot. According to one embodiment, the pivotably mounted lighting element 203 may be movable. The control device 205 may include a stepping motor, in particular an electric stepping motor, and / or a cable for pivoting the pivotably mounted lighting element 203. The motion sensor 207 may include a first number of ultrasonic sensors and / or a second number of image sensors for detecting the movement of the object 209. By way of example, the respective number is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 or 50. Furthermore, the motion sensor 207 may comprise an image camera and / or a video camera with an image sensor and a lens. The refrigeration device 100 may further include a processor for determining the position of the object 209, in particular by means of triangulation. For example, the processor is an element of the motion sensor 207.

According to one embodiment, the refrigeration device 100 may comprise a communication interface for communication with another processor, such as a processor of a smartphone, tablet or computer, via a communication network, wherein the further processor is designed for determining the position of the object 209, in particular by means of triangulation. For example, the communication interface is a wireless communication interface according to the standard Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and the communication network is a HomeConnect network.

The object 209 may be a hand or an arm of a user of the refrigeration device 100. Furthermore, the object 209 may be an object which the user inserts into the interior space 201. For example, the object is a bottle which the user places in the interior 201 of the refrigeration device 100.

According to one embodiment, the control device 205 may be configured to pivot the pivotably mounted light-emitting element 203 in the direction of the detected movement of the object 209 in order to change the illumination of the inner space 201.

According to a further embodiment, by changing the illumination of the inner space 201 as a function of the detected movement of the object 209, an emotionalization of the refrigeration device 100 can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, by changing the illumination of the inner space 201 as a function of the detected movement of the object 209, a lighting concept, in particular an emotionalizing lighting concept, can be provided for the refrigeration appliance 100, which interacts with the user of the refrigeration appliance 100.

3 shows a perspective view of the refrigeration appliance 100 according to a further embodiment. The refrigeration device 100 includes the interior 201, wherein the Side walls of the interior 201 strips 301 are arranged and on the rear wall of the interior 201 of the motion sensor 207 is arranged. On the strips 301 two pivotally mounted lighting elements 203 and four further lighting elements 303 are arranged for homogeneous illumination of the interior 201 in each case. Furthermore, light beams 305 emitted by the pivotally mounted light-emitting elements 203 and light beams 307 emitted by the further light-emitting elements 303 are imaged. Furthermore, a hand 309 of a user of the refrigeration device 100 and a glass shelf 31 1 is shown.

The light cone 305 emitted by the pivotally mounted luminous elements 203 are hereby directed to the hand 309. A movement of the hand 309 can be detected by the motion sensor 207. Then, the pivotally mounted lighting elements 203 can be pivoted by means of the control device 205, not shown, such that the light cones 305 follow the movement of the hand 309. It can thereby be achieved that in the interior 201 an area around the hand 209 of the user of the refrigeration device 100 is illuminated particularly well. As a result, the use of the refrigeration device 100 can be facilitated for the user.

The further light-emitting elements 303 may be formed by radiators or spots and each comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) and / or an incandescent lamp.

According to one embodiment, by changing the illumination of the inner space 201 in response to the detected movement of the hand 309, a region of the inner space 201 in which the user has a particular interest can be particularly well illuminated.

According to another embodiment, a portion of the interior space 201 in which the user grips may be of particular interest to the user. Therefore, a particularly good illumination of this area can be advantageous. According to a further embodiment, the pivotally mounted lighting elements 203 can also be arranged at the front and / or rear on a lateral wall of the interior 201 of the refrigeration device 100. According to a further embodiment, a generally good illumination of the interior 201 can be achieved by means of the further lighting elements 303. In this way, a basic orientation, for example of the user, in the interior 201 of the refrigeration device 100 can be achieved. According to a further embodiment, by changing the illumination of the interior space 201 as a function of the detected movement of the object 209 or the hand 309, it is possible to particularly illuminate and stage an area in the interior space 201 which is of particular interest to the user , All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 refrigeration unit

101 Upper refrigerator door 103 Lower refrigerator door

201 interior

203 lighting element

205 control device

207 motion sensor

209 object

301 services

303 Another lighting element

305 light cone

307 light cone

309 hand

31 1 glass shelf

Claims

Refrigerating appliance (100) having an interior space (201), a pivotably mounted lighting element (203) for illuminating the interior (201), a control device (205) for pivoting the pivotably mounted lighting element (203) and a motion sensor (207) for detecting a movement an object (209) in the interior (201), characterized in that the control device (205) is adapted to pivot the pivotally mounted light-emitting element (203) in response to the detected movement of the object (209) to the illumination of the interior (201) to change.

Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Control device (205) is designed to pivot the pivotally mounted light-emitting element (203) in the direction of the detected movement of the object (209) to change the illumination of the interior (201).

Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Control device (205) comprises a stepping motor for pivoting the pivotally mounted lighting element (203).

Refrigeration appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (205) is further adapted to increase an intensity of light emission of the pivotally mounted light emitting element (203) in response to the detected movement of the object (209) to the Lighting of the interior (201) to change.

Refrigeration apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (205) is further adapted to reduce an intensity of light emission of the pivotally mounted light emitting element (203) in response to the detected movement of the object (209) to the Lighting of the interior (201) to change.

6. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement sensor (207) is adapted to detect a hand movement or an arm movement of a user of the refrigeration device (100) in the interior (201). 7. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement sensor (207) comprises an ultrasonic sensor or an image sensor.

8. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement sensor (207) in the interior space (201), in particular on a wall of the interior space (201), is arranged.

9. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotally mounted light-emitting element (203) comprises a light-emitting diode.

10. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotally mounted lighting element (203) on a wall, in particular on a lateral wall, of the interior (201) is arranged.

1 1. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigeration device (100) has a further lighting element (303) for homogeneous illumination of the interior space (201).

12. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigeration device (100) comprises a number of pivotally mounted lighting elements (203), and that the control device (205) is formed, in dependence on the detected movement of the object (209) select a pivotably mounted light-emitting element (203) from the number of pivotally mounted light-emitting elements (203) and the selected pivotally mounted light-emitting element (203) in dependence on the detected Movement of the object (209) to pivot to change the illumination of the interior (201).

13. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the

Control means (205) comprises the number of stepper motors for pivoting the number of pivotally mounted light-emitting elements (203).

14. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the

Control means (205) is further adapted to increase an intensity of a light emission of the selected pivotally mounted light emitting element (203) in response to the detected movement of the object (209) to change the illumination of the interior (201).

15. Refrigerating appliance (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the control device (205) is further configured, an intensity of a light emission of the selected pivotally mounted lighting element (203) in dependence on the detected movement of the object (209) to reduce the illumination of the interior (201).