WO2020052856A1

WO2020052856A1 - A refrigerator comprising an odor sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2020052856A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/070481
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tansel OZTURK; Aylin MET; Ismet Arsan; Samet AKAN; Isa TOSUN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-09-13
Filing date: 2019-07-30
Publication date: 2020-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2); an evaporator which is disposed at the rear side of the body (2); an evaporator cover (3) which covers the front surface of the evaporator in the body (2); a storage compartment (4) wherein foodstuffs such as meat products, seafood, poultry, etc. are stored; a drawer (5) which can placed into/removed from the storage compartment (4) and wherein said foodstuffs are placed; an odor sensor (6) which detects the gases released from the foodstuffs and generating odor; and a control unit which evaluates the signals received from the odor sensor (6) and determines whether the foodstuffs are fresh or spoiled.

Description

A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING AN ODOR SENSOR

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising an odor sensor which detects whether the foodstuffs placed into a storage compartment are fresh or spoiled.

Foodstuffs, in particular meat products, stored in special compartments in refrigerators may spoil in the course of time. The user generally decides that the foodstuff is spoiled by seeing the spoilage signs on the surface of the foodstuff and by smelling the undesired odors in the refrigerator. Although no spoilage signs are seen clearly on the surface of the foodstuff such as meat, etc. stored in the refrigerator, spoilage may start in the meat products and it becomes difficult for the user to detect if the spoilage has started. When the meat products start to spoil, they produce various gases such as ammonia. In the state of the art embodiments, whether the foodstuffs stored in the refrigerator have started to spoil or not is detected by gas sensors (odor sensors) and if the foodstuffs stored are spoiled, the user is warned to take the spoiled foodstuffs from the refrigerator. In some cases, when the amount of released gas is low, the gas sensors cannot detect the spoilage of the foodstuffs.

In the European Patent No. EP1055089 (B1), a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a gas sensor are provided in the food storage compartment in a cooling device and the values related to the ambient air in the storage compartment monitored by means of the said sensors are compared with the reference values and controlled. An opening that enables the air passage into the storage compartment is provided and the surface area that the air passes is adjusted by means of a closing member according to the data received from the sensors.

In the Patent Application No. JP2003106748 (A), whether the foodstuffs in the storage compartment release gas is detected, and upon the detection of gas release indicating the spoilage of the foodstuffs, the user is warned.

The Patent Application No. CN107178962 (A) relates to an odor sensor used in a refrigerator foodstuff storage compartment and to the method of odor detection.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator wherein the gases released by the foodstuffs such as meat products, etc. placed in a drawer in the storage compartment are detected by means of an odor sensor.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention comprises one or more than special storage compartment wherein in particular meat products are stored. The amount of gases such as ammonia, etc. released by the foodstuffs to be stored in the storage compartment when there are fresh and spoiled are predetermined by means of experimental studies and recorded in the control unit. The values detected by the odor sensor in the storage compartment are compared with the values recorded in the control unit, and thus whether the foodstuffs in the storage compartment are fresh or spoiled is determined.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises an odor sensor which is fixed onto the inner surface of the rear wall or preferably onto the evaporator cover at the level of the rear wall and which extends from back to front into the inner volume of the refrigerator. The refrigerator further comprises a drawer which can be placed into/removed from the storage compartment and wherein the foodstuffs are placed, and a window which is arranged at the rear side of the drawer and through which the odor sensor passes to extend into the drawer when the drawer is placed into the storage compartment. The drawer is airtight, and a gasket is provided around the window through which the odor sensor passes. When the drawer is pushed to be seated into the storage compartment, the gasket around the window peripherally presses on the evaporator cover or the inner surface of the rear wall of the refrigerator. The drawer is covered by an elastic and leakproof drawer lid.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the odor sensor is enclosed by a sensor casing. The sensor casing protects the odor sensor against impacts, etc. and prevents the foodstuffs placed into the drawer and the user from getting in contact with the odor sensor. The openings provided on the sensor casing enable the gases released from the foodstuffs to enter the sensor casing and reach the odor sensor.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a refrigerator.

Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a drawer which is disposed in the storage compartment and into which the odor sensor extends.

Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the storage compartment when the drawer is placed therein.

Figure 4 - is the view of detail A in Figure 3.

Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the casing which carries the drawer in the storage compartment.

Figure 6 - is the perspective view of the casing when the drawer is placed therein.

Figure 7 - is the sideways view of the casing, the drawer and the lock detail.

Figure 8 - is the perspective view of a metal tray.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Body
Evaporator cover
Storage compartment
Drawer
Odor sensor
Window
Gasket
Drawer lid
Sensor casing
Opening
Casing
Rail
Lock
Air guiding hole
Metal tray

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2); an evaporator (not shown in figures) which is disposed at the rear side of the body (2); an evaporator cover (3) which covers the evaporator at the rear-inner surface of the body (2); a storage compartment (4) wherein foodstuffs such as meat products, seafood, poultry, etc. are stored; a drawer (5) which can placed into/removed from the storage compartment (4) and wherein said foodstuffs are placed; an odor sensor (6) which detects the gases released from the foodstuffs and generating odor; a control unit (not shown in figures) which evaluates the signals received from the odor sensor (6) and determines whether the foodstuffs are fresh or spoiled.

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises

- the odor sensor (6) which is fixed onto the rear-inner surface of the body (2) or the evaporator cover (3) and which extends into the storage compartment (4), and

- a window (7) which is arranged at the rear wall of the drawer (5) and through which the odor sensor (6) passes when the drawer (5) is placed into the storage compartment (4) to extend into the drawer (5).

The refrigerator (1) further comprises a gasket (8) which surrounds the window (7) and hence the odor sensor (6) and which provides airtightness between the drawer (5) and the inner volume of the body (2) by peripherally bearing against the surface of the evaporator cover (3) or the rear-inner surface of the body (2) whereon the odor sensor (6) is fixed when the drawer (5) is placed into the storage compartment (4), and an airtight and elastic drawer lid (9) which covers the upper side of the drawer (5).

When the drawer (5) is seated into the storage compartment (4), the odor sensor (6) extends through the window (7) into the drawer (5). The gasket (8) which surrounds the window (7) presses onto the evaporator cover (3) or onto the rear-inner surface of the body (2), the upper side of the drawer (5) is closed with the drawer lid (9), thus creating a complete airtightness. Gas/odor molecules released as a result of the spoilage of foodstuffs have a different density with respect to air. The odor molecules released from the foodstuffs in the airtight drawer (5) reach the odor sensor (6) by natural convection. The odor sensor (6) detects the gases released from the foodstuffs in a precise manner, and sends signals on whether in particular meat products are fresh or have started to spoil to the control unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a sensor casing (10) which is mounted into the drawer (5) or onto the rear-inner surface of the body (2) or onto the evaporator cover (3) and which surrounds and encloses the odor sensor (6), and at least one opening (11) which is arranged on the sensor casing (10). The sensor casing (10) protects the odor sensor (6) against external factors, impacts, etc. and prevents the foodstuffs placed into the drawer (5) and the user from getting in contact with the odor sensor (6). The openings (11) enable the gases released from the foodstuffs into the drawer (5) to enter the sensor casing (10) and reach the odor sensor (6).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a casing (12) which is disposed in the storage compartment (4) and which supports the drawer (5) so as to move forward and backward. The storage compartment (4) is positioned between two consecutive shelves in the body (2) or between the upper wall of the crisper and a shelf, and the casing (12) is fixed to the shelf above. The shelf (12) comprises at least one rail (13) which enables the drawer (5) to move forward-backward.

The drawer (5) is configured to be completely taken out and washed by the user. It is preferred to place in particular the meat products on a metal tray (16) in the drawer (5). The metal tray (16) is configured so as to prevent the meat products from contacting the plastic drawer (5), thus providing the rapid cooling of the meat products.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a lock (14) which is composed of a protrusion (or recess) arranged on at least one rail (13) on the casing (12) and of a recess (or protrusion) arranged on the drawer (5). Thus, upon being placed and pushed into the casing (12), the drawer (5) is properly fitted and fixed. The gasket (8) presses onto the evaporator cover (3) or the rear-inner surface of the body (2), thus improving airtightness. Moreover, the lock (14) prevents the drawer (5) from being dislodged during the transport of the refrigerator (1).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises at least one air guiding hole (15) which is arranged on the evaporator cover (3) or the rear-inner surface of the body (2) and which enables cool air to be blown onto the outer surfaces of the drawer (5) to be cooled from the outside. The air which circulates in the body (2) and which is blown through the air guiding holes (15) passes, without entering the drawer (5), in between the drawer (5) and the lower shelf or the crisper cover and/or in between the drawer (5) and the upper shelf and/or outside the side walls of the drawer (5) so as to cool the drawer (5) from the outside. Since the air which circulates in the body (2) does not mix with the gases in the drawer (5), the density of the latter does not change.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage compartment (4) is used as a "zero degree compartment" wherein storage conditions at zero degree (0°C) are provided.

In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention wherein the odor sensor (6) is used, a complete airtightness is provided at the drawer (5) in the storage compartment (4) wherein in particular meat products are placed by means of the gasket (8) around the window (7) and the elastic drawer lid (9). The odor sensor (6) is enabled to carry out its functions in a precise and quick manner even if there is a low amount of gas release.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2); an evaporator cover (3) which covers the evaporator at the rear-inner surface of the body (2); a storage compartment (4) wherein foodstuffs are stored; a drawer (5) which can placed into/removed from the storage compartment (4) and wherein said foodstuffs are placed; and an odor sensor (6) which detects the gases released from the foodstuffs and generating odor, characterized by

- the odor sensor (6) which is fixed onto the rear-inner surface of the body (2) or the evaporator cover (3), and

- a window (7) which is arranged at the rear wall of the drawer (5) and through which the odor sensor (6) passes when the drawer (5) is placed into the storage compartment (4) to extend into the drawer (5).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a gasket (8) which surrounds the window (7) and which peripherally bears against the surface of the evaporator cover (3) or the rear-inner surface of the body (2) whereon the odor sensor (6) is fixed when the drawer (5) is placed into the storage compartment (4).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a drawer lid (9) which covers the upper side of the drawer (5) and which is elastic.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a sensor casing (10) which is mounted into the drawer (5) or onto the rear-inner surface of the body (2) or onto the evaporator cover (3) and which surrounds and encloses the odor sensor (6).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by at least one opening (11) which is arranged on the sensor casing (10).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a casing (12) which is disposed in the storage compartment (4) and which supports the drawer (5) so as to move forward and backward.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the storage compartment (4) which is disposed between two consecutive shelves in the body (2) and the casing (12) which is fixed to the shelf above.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the casing (12) comprising at least one rail (13) which enables the drawer (5) to move forward and backward.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a lock (14) which is composed of a protrusion (or recess) arranged on at least one rail (13) on the casing (12) and of a recess (or protrusion) arranged on the drawer (5).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one air guiding hole (15) which is arranged on the evaporator cover (3) or the rear-inner surface of the body (2) and which enables cool air to be blown onto the outer surfaces of the drawer (5) to be cooled from the outside.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the storage compartment (4) which is used as a "zero degree compartment" wherein storage conditions at zero degree are provided.