WO2016131609A1

WO2016131609A1 - Domestic refrigeration appliance comprising a wireless sensor unit

Info

Publication number: WO2016131609A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/051528
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kudret Baysal; Astrid Klingshirn
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2015-02-18
Filing date: 2016-01-26
Publication date: 2016-08-25
Also published as: DE102015202888A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration appliance (1) comprising a housing (19), which provides a thermally insulated receiving space (4, 5) for refrigerated goods, in particular foodstuffs, a control unit (17) and a refrigeration device (20) that can be controlled using the control unit (17), the refrigeration device (20) being the means by which a predeterminable temperature can be set in the receiving space (4, 5). A sensor unit (15, 16, 18) for detecting a physical parameter of the domestic refrigeration appliance (1) is arranged in the receiving space (4, 5), said sensor unit (15, 16, 18) having an internal energy supply unit (21) and being designed to wirelessly transmit a signal corresponding to the detected parameter to the control unit (17). The domestic refrigeration appliance (1) is designed to transmit the signal to a portable user terminal (26).

Description

Domestic refrigerator with a wireless sensor unit

The present invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance with a housing, which provides a thermally insulated receiving space for refrigerated goods, in particular food, with a control unit and with a controllable by the control unit cooling device, wherein by means of the cooling device, a predetermined temperature in the receiving space is adjustable, wherein in the receiving space a sensor unit for detecting a physical parameter of the domestic refrigerator is arranged, wherein the sensor unit has an internal power supply unit and is configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the detected parameter to the control unit wirelessly.

A domestic refrigerator of the generic type is known for example from CH 704020 A2. This discloses a refrigerator with a sensor in a utility room for receiving refrigerated goods. In the work space, a sensor is arranged, which is connected to a transmitter. Outside the working space a receiver is arranged. A signal from the sensor can be transmitted wirelessly from the transmitter to the receiver.

Although this state of the art has proven itself, there is still room for improvement. Although the temperature of the refrigerator can be adjusted by means of the sensor with the CH 704020 A2, it is cumbersome for the user to check whether the temperature in the useful space of the refrigerator has reached the predetermined value. He must do this for himself on the refrigerator itself appropriate controls. Likewise, settings can only be made directly on the refrigerator.

It is the object of the invention to improve the user-friendliness of a refrigerator of the generic type. This object is achieved by a household refrigerator according to the independent claim 1. The household refrigerator of the invention is used in particular to be able to communicate with a user terminal. The user terminal is, for example, a mobile radio terminal, a PDA, a notebook, a tablet or the like, which can be brought into communication connection with the domestic refrigerator. The communication connection can be made for example by radio, infrared, ultrasound or the like, in local radio, for example, according to a protocol such as Bluetooth, ZigBee or the like. With the invention, it is possible that the user terminal receives the signal corresponding to the detected parameter and further processed, for example, brings to display. The user no longer needs to go to the location of the household refrigerator to be informed about the desired parameter. The user therefore only needs to be within the communication range of the domestic refrigeration appliance in order to receive the signal transmitted to his user terminal, which he carries with him. In principle, it can of course also be provided in this way that a parameter to be set with regard to the value to be set is predetermined by means of the user terminal. In this way it is possible, for example, that by means of the user terminal, a temperature, a humidity, a pressure, a value for a gas composition and / or the like can be specified as the desired value. The control unit of the household refrigeration appliance can then regulate the desired parameter to the predetermined desired value as part of a control function, by initiating corresponding control operations.

The housing of the household refrigerator usually includes side walls and a bottom and a top wall, wherein on one of the side walls, a door is hinged, with an opening of the housing is closed to allow a user access to the receiving space with the door open. The walls and the door are usually provided with a thermal insulation material, which allows to bring the temperature in the receiving space with the lowest possible energy consumption to a temperature below an ambient temperature and to keep. The household refrigerator may be, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a fridge-freezer, a freezer, a freezer or the like. The household refrigerator preferably has means for its intended operation, by means of which the desired temperature, in particular below a Ambient temperature, reachable in the recording room. For this purpose, the household refrigerating appliance comprises a cooling device, which generally comprises a refrigeration cycle with a coolant, by means of which, according to the heat pump principle, heat energy can be taken from the receiving space and released to the environment. For this purpose, the cooling device comprises, for example, an evaporator which is arranged in the receiving space, usually on a rear wall of the receiving space, a heat exchanger in contact outside the receiving space and with ambient air, and a compressor with which the coolant can be compressed. The coolant may be, for example, isobutane or R134a, with isobutane being preferred over R134a for environmental compatibility. The aforementioned components are a common cooling circuit forming interconnected via connecting lines corresponding to each other, so that a closed cooling circuit is formed.

The cooling device, that is, in the present case in particular the compressor, is controllable by means of the control unit. The control unit is preferably an electrical or electronic assembly, by means of which the compressor, which is usually also electrically driven, is supplied with electrical energy in an appropriate manner. For this purpose, the control unit is coupled in terms of communication technology or signal technology with the sensor unit, which detects a physical parameter which is to be set in the receiving space according to a desired value. The sensor unit supplies a signal corresponding to the detected parameter, which is preferably present as an electrical signal, to the control unit which processes this signal and preferably provides a control signal or electrical energy for the compressor as part of a control. For this purpose, the sensor unit has a transmission unit which allows the signal to be transmitted wirelessly. This can be done for example via radio, infrared, ultrasound and / or the like. The control unit preferably has a corresponding receiving unit which is suitable for receiving the signal emitted by the transmitting unit of the sensor unit and converting it into an electrical signal which can then be processed by the control unit.

If the communication between the sensor unit and the control unit, for example by means of near-field radio and the walls of the receiving space are electrical conductive, it can be provided that at least the receiving unit is also arranged in the receiving space. In addition, it can of course be provided that at least one of the walls of the receiving space has a window for the communication medium at least partially permeable window, for example, in wireless a corresponding window of an electrically non-conductive material or the like. If the walls of the receiving space substantially do not interfere with the communication between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, the receiving unit can also be arranged outside the receiving space. This can be provided, for example, if the transmission between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit is based on near-field radio and the walls of the receiving space are formed from plastic, in particular from an electrically non-conductive plastic.

The control unit may be formed as an electronic assembly which is disposed within the housing of the household refrigerator. In particular, it can also comprise a computer unit which executes an executable computer program in order to be able to realize the desired control function. The control unit may be at least partially designed as a semiconductor chip, whereby a high degree of integration within the domestic refrigerator can be achieved. Moreover, it is possible to arrange the control unit in a region of the household refrigerating appliance which largely avoids heat input due to heat loss of the control unit in the receiving space. For example, the control unit may be arranged in a rear region behind a thermally insulating rear wall of the receiving space. An arrangement above the thermally insulated ceiling wall of the receiving space may be suitably selected as a position for the control unit. The control unit may also be designed to detect sensor units arranged outside the receiving space, provided that they are arranged in the communication range to the control unit. Preferably, such sensor units are also arranged outside the household refrigerator.

In order to be able to transmit the signal from the household refrigerating appliance to the user terminal, provision can be made for the household refrigerating appliance, in particular its control unit, to have a corresponding transceiver unit which can communicate with a corresponding transceiver unit of the user terminal. Of course, it can also be provided that the signal of the transmitting unit of the sensor unit is transmitted directly to the user terminal. In this case, it is possible for the user terminal to receive and evaluate or display the signal of the transmitting unit of the sensor unit directly from the transmitting unit of the sensor unit. Further intervention by the control unit is not required in this case. The sensor unit is presently wireless and has an internal power supply unit. The internal power supply unit can be, for example, a battery, in particular an accumulator, a Peltier element, but also a power supply circuit that, for example, from a radio signal or other energy field, such as an alternating magnetic field, electrical energy wins around the sensor unit and its transmitting unit with electrical energy to be able to supply for the intended use. Of course, it can also be provided that the abovementioned units are provided with one another in the sensor unit, at least partially, in order to enable a reliable energy supply to the sensor unit and its transmission unit. For example, it may be provided that the sensor unit is designed as a transponder which only emits a signal corresponding to the detected parameter when it receives a corresponding energy signal for activation. Thus, it can be provided that the control unit provides a corresponding energy pulse, for example a short-time alternating magnetic field, to supply the sensor unit with sufficient energy that it is currently able to detect the desired parameter and transmit a corresponding signal by means of the transmitting unit. As soon as the signal is sent out, the sensor unit returns to a waiting state for a next energy pulse. On the other hand, if the sensor unit is supplied by a battery, this can preferably be done by means of a battery which is suitable for long-term use. Preferably, the battery and the power consumption of the sensor unit are designed such that during the normal operation of the household refrigerator over the predicted lifetime no replacement of the battery is required. Such batteries are, for example, lithium-based batteries or the like.

The physical parameter may be a physical parameter of the receiving space, such as air temperature, humidity, air pressure, combinations thereof, or the like. But it can also be a physical parameter the cooling device and / or another parameter of the household refrigerator, such as, for example, a coolant temperature in a compressor, in an evaporator, a coolant pressure and / or the like.

The signal may be an analog signal, but also a digital signal or a combination thereof. If the signal is a digital signal, it is preferably a binary-coded signal which uses a suitable coding accordingly. Such coding is for example a BCD coding, a Manchester coding and / or the like. If a plurality of sensor units of the aforementioned type are provided, it can be provided that they send their signals corresponding to the respective parameters in the time and / or frequency multiplex by means of their respective transmission unit. Of course, it can also be provided that, alternatively or additionally, a broadband transmission method is used which, on account of the respective identifier of the respective sensor unit, makes possible the detection of the different transmitted signals. In addition, of course, there is the possibility that the control unit emits a respective energy pulse or an activation signal with an identification for a respective transmission unit. The sensor units are also provided with corresponding identifiers that are uniquely assigned to them. This makes it possible to activate by means of the control unit, a respective sensor unit individually. Only the sensor unit, the identification of which is contained in the activation signal or in the energy pulse, sends out the parameter correspondingly detected by it in the form of a signal to the control unit. Of course, it can also be provided that the sensor unit emits its respective signal according to a predetermined time delay after activation by the activation signal or the energy pulse of the control unit. This also makes it possible to achieve suppression of the signals emitted by the sensor units.

According to an advantageous development, the household refrigerating appliance is connected to a communications network with which the user terminal is also connected. The communication network can be for example a mobile radio network such as GSM, UMTS, LTE or the like. But the communication network can also be a Nahfunkkommunikationsnetzwerk, in particular according to the WLAN standard or to be like that. In the latter case, provision can be made, for example, for a WLAN station to be present in the communication range, which can establish a communication connection between the user terminal and the household refrigerator. For this purpose it can be provided that a WLAN connection between the WLAN station and the sensor unit can be made directly or by means of the control unit of the domestic refrigerator. In addition, it can be provided that the communication link between the WLAN station and the user terminal is realized directly using a wireless connection based on WLAN or using a communication network such as the Internet, a LAN network, for example with the complementary use of a mobile network or the like , In this way, it is possible to bridge even greater distances that exceed those of the near-field, to transmit the signal to the user terminal. In the latter case, therefore, the user does not need to be in the vicinity of the household refrigerating appliance in order to obtain the corresponding information of the household refrigerating appliance.

It also proves to be advantageous if the household refrigerating appliance is designed to transmit the signal to a household refrigeration device-specific turn of the user terminal. The user terminal is designed in this case to carry out an application that is household refrigeration appliance specific. This makes it possible to receive the signal by means of the user terminal, to process and output in a suitable manner via a user interface of the user terminal, such as a display device or the like, user-friendly. This proves to be particularly advantageous if the user terminal is a mobile terminal, which also uses a plurality of other applications for other purposes. In addition, a user-suitable or user-adaptable output can be achieved with the application, which enables an ergonomically favorable output for the user. The application, also called application or app, can be installed, for example, by downloading from a database on the user terminal, so that it can be executed in the desired manner. During the installation, provision can be made for household-appliance-specific identification to be entered by the user terminal. It can thereby be ensured that only the user terminal with this identification also receives the desired signals. Thus it can be provided that before the transmission of the Signals transmitted to the user terminal, the identification to the household refrigerator or its control unit. Only then, after a positive verification of the communicated to the household refrigerator identification has taken place, the signal is transmitted from the household refrigerator to the user terminal. In addition, it can be advantageously provided that the household refrigerating appliance has a repeater for establishing a communication connection between the user terminal on the one side and the sensor unit and / or the control unit on the other side. Such a repeater can be, for example, the previously described WLAN station. In addition, of course, a corresponding repeater may be provided even in the household refrigerator itself, which makes it possible to communicate with the control unit or the sensor unit in communication. This is advantageous, for example, if the housing of the household refrigerating appliance has an electrically conductive outer surface which, for example, is not permeable to local radio. In this case, the user terminal could not communicate with the sensor unit or the control unit due to the shielding effect of the housing in communication. The repeater arranged suitably on the household refrigerating appliance can avoid this because on the one hand it can communicate with the inside of the housing, ie can communicate with the control unit and / or the sensor unit, and on the other hand it can enter the user terminal outside the household refrigerating appliance due to its suitable positioning , Of course, this function is not limited to radio and may, for example, also be based on infrared or ultrasound or the like. In addition, it can be provided that the repeater at the same time also carries out a conversion from radio to infrared and / or ultrasound or vice versa.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor unit is designed to receive a control signal, to detect the parameter on the basis of the control signal and to transmit the signal corresponding to the detected parameter. The control signal may be, for example, an activation signal or an energy pulse. This allows the sensor unit to consume energy only when it is necessary to detect the corresponding parameter and provide a corresponding signal. During the remaining time, the sensor unit can be in an energy-saving or energy-free state, so that the total energy consumption can be kept very low. For this purpose, the sensor unit can have a receiving unit, which can preferably be formed in one piece with the transmitting unit and can form a transceiver unit. Advantageously, the household refrigerating appliance can be designed to generate an energy field, in particular a magnetic alternating field, as a control signal or as an activation signal. Thus, especially when the sensor unit is designed as a transponder, a particularly energy-saving function with respect to the sensor unit can be achieved. Particularly advantageously, the energy field is formed as an energy pulse, which is preferably adapted to the energy requirement of the sensor unit, so that the sensor unit receives sufficient energy for the desired parameter detection and signal transmission. For the purpose of generating the control signal or the energy field, the household refrigerating appliance, in particular the control unit, may have a corresponding transmitting unit or energy field generating unit. In an alternating magnetic field, an electric coil may be provided for this purpose, which is acted upon by the control unit with an alternating electrical current in a suitable manner. After the control unit has received the signal of the sensor unit, it can be provided that the energy field is switched off again.

According to a further development, it is proposed that the control unit determines an occupancy of the receiving space by the refrigerated goods, in particular a quantity of the refrigerated goods stored in the receiving space. As a result, information about further storage options of refrigerated goods in the receiving space can be achieved.

For displaying or outputting an occupancy state which characterizes an occupancy of the receiving space, for example, the display unit or output device of the household refrigeration appliance can be used. In addition, of course, there is the possibility to transmit corresponding data to the user terminal, so that the user receives in this regard directly on his user terminal the appropriate information. For example, the user can thereby determine which refrigerated goods are present in which quantity in the receiving space in order to be able to reasonably or better plan the further procurement of refrigerated goods. The Detection of the occupancy of the receiving space can be done by means of optical, acoustic, printing technology and / or similar sensor elements. Preferably, a position of the sensor unit or of the refrigerated goods coupled to the sensor unit can be determined. In particular, the determined position can be transmitted to the user terminal. In addition, it can be provided that by means of an optical pointing device when the door is opened in the receiving space, a chilled goods selected by the user is visually recognizable. For example, it can be provided for this purpose that, when the door is opened to the receiving space, a light beam is directed onto the goods to be cooled, so that the user can immediately recognize the position of the selected item of refrigerated goods. The selection of the item to be cooled can take place by means of the user terminal or else an input unit connected to the control unit.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the internal power supply unit has an electrical coil and a rectifier unit connected thereto. The electrical coil and the rectifier unit connected thereto can also be part of the transceiver unit of the sensor unit. The internal power supply unit can have a capacitor as an energy store, which stores energy received by means of the coil, so that the sensor unit can perform a parameter detection and a transmission of a corresponding signal. In addition, it can be provided that the internal power supply unit has an electrical energy store, in particular a battery. Of course, the electrical energy storage can also be an accumulator. Particularly advantageous may be provided when the accumulator is combined with an electric coil and a rectifier unit connected thereto. Then it is possible to store energy obtained by the coil in the accumulator for the further intended operation of the sensor unit. This embodiment proves to be particularly advantageous if the energy field is not permanently available for the power supply of the sensor unit. In addition, it may be provided that the power supply unit has only the battery. This is preferably a battery with a long service life, which is suitable for enabling the intended operation of the sensor unit over the predicted service life of the household refrigerating appliance. The battery is in this case preferably arranged integrated in the sensor unit. It does not need to be interchangeable in this case.

According to one development, it is proposed that the sensor unit is designed as a pressure sensor and, in particular, is arranged on the cooling device for detecting a pressure of a coolant of the cooling device. This makes it possible to obtain additional information about one or more pressures, preferably in the refrigeration cycle. In conjunction with the detection of a temperature in the receiving space, an optimized control of the compressor can be achieved. For example, it can be provided that a rotational speed of the compressor is determined via a list as a function of significant parameters and continuously adjusted. In addition, the speed of the compressor can also be determined automatically using suitable algorithms for a control. This also makes it possible to detect malfunctions during normal operation early. In addition, this embodiment makes it possible to determine optimal defrosting times for domestic refrigerators with no-frost function due to the time course of the pressure or the pressures in the refrigeration cycle. In addition, in a pressure measurement of the air in the recording room in household refrigerators using the no-frost function, the setting of the speed of the compressor can be further optimized. Moreover, if it is possible to determine a pressure drop over the evaporator, this can serve for the indirect detection of an ice volume at the evaporator and also serve to determine optimal defrosting times. It proves particularly advantageous if the sensor unit is arranged to determine the pressure in the refrigeration cycle, specifically in the evaporator in order to be able to determine the evaporator pressure. A pressure drop may serve to detect a deterioration of the heat transfer, whereby a demand-dependent defrost can be initiated. In this way, of course, at the same time the efficiency of the household refrigerator can be improved.

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the sensor unit has a housing which encloses the sensor unit in a hermetically sealing manner. As a result, the sensor unit is arranged completely protected overall, so that it can be arranged virtually anywhere on the receiving space or the household refrigerator. Particularly advantageously, the housing has a fastening element, in particular a fastening element for releasably securing the fastening element in the household refrigerator. This makes it possible to arrange the sensor unit in a simple manner in the household refrigerator and in particular in the receiving space at a desired location. In the case of a detachable fastening, it can also be achieved that a defective sensor unit can be replaced in a simple manner. In addition, it is possible to arrange other or further sensor units at complementary points of the household refrigerator or the receiving space to capture more parameters and to operate the household refrigerator in a desired operating condition. Particularly advantageous, this embodiment also proves to equip a household refrigerator individually with sensor units that allow a desired individual operation.

Furthermore, it proves to be advantageous if the housing has a coating which has antibacterial properties. As a result, bacterial spread due to the use of the sensor unit can be reduced, in particular when using the household refrigeration appliance for storing food.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the housing has a coating which is resistant to alkalis, fruit acids and / or lactic acid. This makes it possible to reliably operate the sensor unit in the household refrigeration appliance in the long term.

In addition, it can be achieved that a surface of the housing remains as unchanged as possible during normal operation, and thereby also the

Cleaning or the accumulation of germs is reduced. The resistance to fruit acids and / or lactic acid also ensures that the

Sensor unit is not affected by contact with food and in return, this also largely not affected.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the sensor unit is designed as a TOC sensor unit and is arranged on an defrost channel and / or an evaporation tray. By means of the TOC sensor unit, a total organic carbon can be determined. All organic carbon, also known as Total Organic Carbone (TOC), is a measure of organic pollution. In this way, areas of the Monitor recording room, which are particularly affected by the colonization of germs, such as an Abtaurinne and / or an evaporation tray. If a predetermined value for this parameter is exceeded, a message can be provided which can cause a corresponding cleaning. In addition, the sensor unit can also be designed as a moisture sensor. This makes it possible to determine the moisture, for example, in the receiving space or in a closed receiving tray in the receiving space. For adjusting the humidity it can be provided that the control unit executes corresponding control functions.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. All the features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone, without the frame to leave the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

The embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. In the figures, like reference characters designate like functions and features.

Show it:

1 is a schematic perspective view of a cooling

Freezer combination as a household refrigerator according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram representation of a sensor unit according to FIG

Invention, 1 in communication with a mobile terminal of a user by means of a repeater, and in a schematic view of the sensor element of FIG. 2 with an adhesive strip as a fastener.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a refrigerator-freezer combination as household refrigeration appliance 1 in a perspective view. The fridge-freezer 1 has a housing 19, which in turn has side walls 2, 9 and a rear wall 3, which are interconnected and together with a non-designated ceiling wall and a non-designated bottom wall a receiving space 4 for a cooling area and a receiving space 5 for form a freezing area. The receiving spaces 4 and 5 are separated by a non-designated intermediate wall of each other thermally insulated. At the front end of the side wall 9 are each doors 6, 7 hinged separately for the cooling area and for the freezer area. The walls and the doors are provided in a manner not specified with a thermal insulation material to thermally isolate the receiving spaces 4, 5 from the environment. In the following, the invention with reference to the cooling area with respect to the receiving space 4 is further explained. Accordingly, the invention can also be applied to the receiving space 5. For ease of illustration, a detailed description of a corresponding embodiment with respect to the receiving space 5 is omitted.

Fig. 1 shows that in the receiving space 4 shelves 8 and vegetable trays 1 1 are arranged. The shelves 8 are presently arranged stationary, whereas the vegetable trays 1 1 are designed as drawers. The vegetable bowls 1 1 are presently covered by means not designated cover. The receiving space 4 is thus part of a cooling part 12 of the refrigerator / freezer combination. 1

Above the receiving space 4, above the ceiling wall of the receiving space 4, an electronic control unit 17 is arranged in the housing 19. The control unit 17 is supplied in an unspecified manner with electrical energy from a public power grid. The control unit 17 is used for Control of a cooling device 20, which is partially disposed in the foot of the refrigerator-freezer 1. The cooling device comprises components, not shown, such as a compressor, an evaporator and a heat exchanger, which communicate with each other via pipes, also not shown, in fluid communication. In the cooling device also a likewise not designated coolant is arranged, in this case isobutane. By means of the compressor, the coolant is driven in a predetermined manner by the heat exchanger and the evaporator, in order to dissipate heat energy from the receiving space 4 in this way and to release it to ambient air. The compressor is driven for this purpose by means of an electric motor which is controlled by the control unit 17.

From Fig. 1 it is further apparent that the control unit 17 via a local radio link, in this case according to the Bluetooth standard, is in communication with a mobile terminal 26 of a user. The mobile radio terminal 26 comprises a transceiver unit 28, which is connected to a computer unit 27. To the computer unit 27, a display unit 29 is also connected. With the mobile radio terminal 26, it is possible for the user to receive data or signals of the control unit 17, process them and output them in a user-friendly manner on the display unit 29. 1 sensor units 15, 16, 18 are arranged in the receiving space 4, which are formed wirelessly and are also in communication via a local radio link with the control unit 17. In the present case, the sensor unit 15 is a TOC sensor unit, which is arranged in a gutter 14 on the rear wall 3 above the cover of the vegetable shells 1 1. The sensor unit 16 is a temperature sensor unit. The sensor unit 18 is a moisture sensor unit, which in the present case is attached to one of the two drawers 11.

The sensor units 15, 16, 18 are shown with respect to their schematic structure with reference to FIG. 2 in more detail. Each of the sensor units 15, 16, 18 has a transceiver unit 22, which is coupled to an evaluation unit 24. The transceiver unit 22 is further connected to a rectifying unit 23, by means of which electrical energy can be obtained and provided from received energy. This energy can be stored in a battery 21, which is also supplied by the respective sensor unit 15, 16, 18 is stored in order to ensure the proper operation of the sensor unit 15, 16, 18 can. The sensor unit 15, 16, 18 further comprises a sensor element 25, which is designed to be able to detect the parameter to be detected by it in the intended manner. The sensor element 25 is likewise connected to the evaluation unit 24.

In the present case, it is provided that each of the sensor units 15, 16, 18 has an individual identification. The control unit 27 knows these identifications associated with the respective sensor units 15, 16, 18. Accordingly, the control unit 17 sends an activation signal with the respective identification, whereupon the sensor units 15, 16, 18 receive this signal and check whether the identification contained therein corresponds to their identification. Only if the test is positive, the corresponding sensor unit 15, 16, 18 detect the desired parameter by means of its sensor element, evaluate by means of the evaluation unit 24 and emit a corresponding, the parameter associated signal by means of the transceiver unit. The control unit 17 receives the emitted signal, evaluates this and causes any further actions.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the communication link between the control unit 17 and the mobile station 26 of the user. As can be seen from FIG. 3, a repeater 30 is provided, which in the present case is arranged in the vicinity of the control unit in the housing 19 of the fridge-freezer 1. In the present case, the repeater 30 is arranged such that it has a favorable position on the housing 19 with regard to the communication connection to the mobile radio terminal 26. The repeater 30 is also in wireless communication with the control unit 17, for which purpose the control unit 17 has a transceiver unit 32. The transceiver unit 32 is connected to a computer unit 33 of the control unit 17. Also connected to the computer unit 33 is a transceiver unit 31, which is directed into the receiving space 4 of the fridge-freezer 1. The transceiver unit 31 serves to establish a local radio connection to the sensor units 15, 16, 18 within the receiving space 4. 4 shows a schematic representation of the sensor unit 18, which has an adhesive strip 34 on one of its surfaces. By means of the adhesive strip 34, the sensor unit 18 on the inside of the vegetable dish 1 1 attached (Fig. 1).

The application of wireless zero-power sensor (ZPS) or battery-powered sensor elements or sensor units allows data acquisition and / or transmission to a device electronics of household refrigeration appliance with preferably stored software parameters, thereby controlling and controlling the household refrigerator itself or at any terminal, such For example, a user terminal, can be achieved. Due to the high flexibility of the arrangement of the sensor units 15, 16, 18 there are new application fields and usage options compared to wiring sensors. In particular, the invention makes it possible to achieve an improvement in efficiency with regard to the operation of the device by using additional parameters which, for example, characterize a state and thus indirectly also the efficiency of a current operation.

With the invention, it is possible to attach the sensor units 15, 16, 18 also in places that were previously difficult to access and that allow an optimization of the efficiency of the operation of the household refrigerator. For example, a temperature sensor unit in the refrigerator compartment, in the freezer or in a special subject can be detected immediately. Applications exist, for example, directly in a TCD area, where an airtight storage and easy removal of the TCD shell are possible. With respect to an air humidity sensor unit or a dew point sensor unit, an automatic adaptation can be achieved depending on the target moisture value or desired moisture value. In this case, it is possible for the target moisture value specified by the customer in airtight storage compartments or bearing shells to be determined within a shell without an additional moisture loss from the outside as a result of introduction of a sensor element. For example, by automatically opening ventilation openings, the air humidity can be adjusted when a target value is exceeded. In addition, a condensate avoidance or a condensate identification can be achieved. For example, an internal condensation can be determined, after which a control for a fan run or a shift of a defrost phase can be intervened. This can be done by attaching the corresponding sensor unit in the respective critical series or region.

In addition, a dew point sensor unit or a water sensor unit may be provided by means of which defrosting of the domestic refrigeration appliance can be predetermined or controlled. For example, an overflow of an evaporation tray can thus be detected. In addition, it is possible to analyze a level and switch on heating elements as needed. This application is particularly suitable for critical devices, especially special climatic regions and / or the like. By means of a biofilm sensor unit, in particular a TOC sensor unit, it is possible to achieve a functional guarantee of an Abtaurinne or gutter or an evaporation tray. In this way, an indirect biofilm indication can be achieved, for example, via ZPS for electrical conductance measurement or change in a TOC value in the water. As a result, a cleaning indication and / or avoidance of odor problems can be achieved. Furthermore, a water return to the household refrigerator and an overflow of an evaporation tray can be detected.

With the invention it is also possible, using a pressure sensor unit perform refrigerant pressure measurements in the refrigerant circuit. The additional knowledge of a pressure in the coolant circuit in addition to temperature parameters such as ambient temperature, compartment temperature and / or surface temperature of a heat exchanger surface, can be used for an optimized control of the compressor. In this case, the rotational speed of the compressor can either be determined on the basis of a table as a function of significant parameters and continuously adjusted or the rotational speed can be determined automatically by means of a suitable algorithm, for example by the computer unit. This also makes it possible to detect malfunctions in the intended operation early on. In contrast to the prior art, the compressor is therefore no longer operated according to a two-point control, but according to a three- or multi-point control or a continuous control.

For example, the pressure in the refrigerant circuit in the region of the evaporator, preferably as evaporator pressure, can be determined by means of the pressure sensor unit. A pressure drop indicates a deterioration of the heat transfer, from which information about a demand-dependent defrost can be achieved.

Furthermore, in the case of no-frost devices, the optimal defrosting time can be determined by the time profile of a detected pressure in the coolant circuit. To determine the optimum speed of the compressor air-side pressure measurements in the receiving space 4 in no-frost devices can be taken into account beyond. The determination of the pressure loss across the evaporator may serve to indirectly detect an ice volume above the evaporator and an optimal defrost time.

Of course, these features can also be used in any combination with each other to realize the invention.

The above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the invention and is not limitative of it. Thus, of course, functions, in particular electronic components as well as the control unit and the sensor unit, can be designed as desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The advantages and features and embodiments described for the domestic refrigerator according to the invention equally apply to a method with which the invention can be realized. Consequently, according to the device features also process features can be provided. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Fridge-freezer combination 21 battery

Sidewall 22 Transceiver unit

Rear wall 23 rectification unit

Recording room 24 evaluation unit

Receiving space 25 sensor element

Door 26 mobile terminal

Door 27 computer unit

Shelf 28 Transceiver unit

Sidewall 29 Display unit

Holder 30 WLAN station

Vegetable tray 31 Transceiver unit

Cooling section 32 transceiver unit

Freezer compartment 33 computer unit

Gutter 34 adhesive strips

TOC sensor unit

Temperature sensor unit

control unit

Humidity sensor unit

casing

cooler

Claims

claims

1 . Domestic refrigerating appliance (1) with a housing (19) which provides a thermally insulated receiving space (4, 5) for refrigerated goods, in particular food, with a control unit (17) and with a controllable by means of the control unit (17)

Cooling device (20), wherein by means of the cooling device (20) a predeterminable temperature in the receiving space (4, 5) is adjustable, wherein in the receiving space (4, 5) a sensor unit (15, 16, 18) for detecting a physical parameter of the household refrigerator ( 1), wherein the sensor unit (15, 16, 18) has an internal

Power supply unit (21) and is adapted to transmit a signal corresponding to the detected signal to the control unit (17) wirelessly, characterized in that the household refrigerator (1) is adapted to transmit the signal to a portable user terminal (26).

2. Household refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Domestic refrigerator (1) is connected to a communication network (30) to which the user terminal (26) is connected.

3. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the household refrigerating appliance (1) is adapted to transmit the signal to a household refrigeration appliance specific application of the user terminal (26).

4. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a repeater (30) for establishing a communication connection between the user terminal (26) on the one hand and the sensor unit (15, 16, 18) and / or the control unit (17) on the other side.

5. Household refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the sensor unit (15, 16, 18) is designed to receive a control signal, to detect the parameter on the basis of the control signal and to transmit the signal corresponding to the detected parameter.

6. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal power supply unit (21) has an electrical energy storage, in particular a battery.

7. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (15, 16, 18) designed as a pressure sensor and for detecting a pressure of a coolant of the cooling device (20) on the cooling device (20) is arranged.

8. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (18) is designed as a moisture sensor

9. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (15, 16, 18) has a housing which encloses the sensor unit hermetically sealing.

10. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing has a fastening element (34), in particular a fastening element for releasably securing the fastening element in the household appliance.

1 1. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the housing has an outer side, in particular a coating, which has antibacterial properties.

12. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the housing has an outer side, in particular a coating, which is resistant to alkalis, fruit acids and / or lactic acid.

13. Domestic refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit is designed as a TOC sensor unit (15) and arranged on an Abtaurinne (14) and / or an evaporation tray.