EP2342512B1 - Cooling appliance, and method for humidifying the cooling compartment in a cooling appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling appliance comprising a device (17) for humidifying the cooling compartment. Said humidifying device (17) has a sorbent (23) which can be reversibly dehydrogenated and dispenses humidity into the cooling compartment (1) when the sorbent (23) is heated. The sorbent (23) is thermally coupled to a compressor (13) which is connected to the coolant circuit in the cooling appliance. The waste heat generated by the compressor (13) during operation is used to heat the sorbent (23).

Description

The invention relates to a refrigerator with a refrigerator humidifying device according to the preamble of claim 1

The air in the cooling space of a cooling device is usually in direct contact with the evaporator of a refrigerant circuit. The evaporator has very low surface temperatures, which lead to an immediate condensation of the humidity. The condensed air humidity freezes on the evaporator surface and is thus permanently bound. In occasional defrosting the ice is melted and discharged to the outside. For humidification of the cooling air this condensation is therefore not available. The humidity in the refrigerator is therefore extremely low.

To increase the humidity in the refrigerator has a from the US 5,042,266 Known cooling device on a humidifier. The moistening device works with a reversibly dehydratable sorbent that emits moisture into the cold room while applying heat. The sorbent is flowed through in an adsorption process with ambient air of high humidity, whereby the sorbent of the ambient air extracts an amount of water and stores them. In a subsequent desorption process, the cold room air is humidified. For this purpose, the cooling-chamber air flows through the sorption agent while applying heat. With the heated cooling air, the amount of water stored in the sorbent is released as water vapor and fed into the cold room. For the application of heat to the sorbent is preceded by a heating element which heats the cooling space air flow during the desorption process energy consuming.

A refrigeration appliance according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from 3 217779.

The object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the refrigerator humidification takes place with reduced energy consumption.

The object is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

In this way, the waste heat generated in the compressor operation can be used for heat application of the sorbent. The compressor is part of a refrigerant circuit known per se, in which also the refrigerator cooling the evaporator is connected.

Between the compressor of the refrigerant circuit and the sorption of the humidifier, a heat transfer circuit is connected to the compressor waste heat is transferred to the sorbent. The heat transfer circuit may preferably be closed. As a heating agent, for example, water is suitable. In the heat transfer circuit, a heat exchanger may be provided, with which the waste heat can be transferred directly into the sorbent. By interposing the heat transfer circuit, the compressor can be arranged locally independently of the sorbent.

The sorbent may be exemplified as a sorbent column having reversibly dehydrogenatable material disposed therein. The sorption column can on the one hand be flowed through by a cooling air flow. On the other hand, in the sorption column, the above-mentioned heat exchanger of the heat transferring circuit may be arranged.

The sorption of the humidifier may be integrated in a separate humidification circuit, which is fluidly connected at least via an air inlet and an air outlet with the cooling chamber of the cooling device. For an adsorption process, that is to store moisture in the sorbent, the moisturizing outside air can be supplied to the humidification circuit.

For a device technology simple design of humidification can be closed to the outside to the environment. That is, in contrast to the prior art, the cooling space and the sorbent are arranged in a closed circuit, without an immediate supply of moisture-laden air from the environment is possible.

In this case, the moisture-laden ambient air can not be supplied directly to the humidification circuit, but according to one aspect of the invention with the refrigerator door open across the cold room and the air inlet of the humidifier.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned closed humidification circuit, it can have additional inlets and / or outlets, via which the humidifying circuit can be directly connected to the environment. In this way, the humidified ambient air can be fed directly to the humidifying circuit without having to open the refrigerator door.

To accelerate the adsorption process or desorption process of the sorbent, a delivery fan can be provided in the humidification circuit, whereby the air flow guided through the sorbent is accelerated. The delivery blower can be selectively activated or deactivated by a control device, depending on whether an adsorption process or desorption process should take place. In addition, further flow elements, such as rotary valves or the like, can be arranged in the humidification circuit, which open or block flow paths in the humidification circuit.

As already mentioned above, a humidification circuit closed to the environment can be provided. In this case, after detecting the refrigerator door operation, the controller may start the adsorption process in which the sorbent loads the humidity-laden air flowing into the refrigerator compartment Ambient air absorbs. For effective adsorption, upon detection of the door operation, the delivery fan may be turned on, thereby sucking the ambient air entering the cooling space into the humidification circuit. At the same time, the controller can turn off the compressor during the adsorption process. In this way, the moisture-laden ambient air that has flowed into the cold room does not condense on the evaporator, but can be conducted to the sorbent with high humidity. For this purpose, the control device can be assigned a door opening sensor that simply detects an opening or closing of the appliance door and correspondingly passes a door operating signal to the control device.

The conveyor fan can after the door operation over a predetermined time interval, about 1 min, run after. In this time interval, the control device may preferably disable the compressor of the refrigerant circuit. In this way it is achieved that, on the one hand, no heat is applied to the sorbent by compressor waste heat, whereby the adsorption process is not impaired. On the other hand, when the compressor is switched off, the evaporator temperature is correspondingly increased, so that less atmospheric moisture condenses out at the condensation surface provided by the evaporator.

After the abovementioned adsorption time interval, the desorption process is carried out, which according to the invention is coupled to the running times of the compressor. This means that the waste heat generated during a runtime of the compressor acts on the sorbent. The heated sorbent in turn releases moisture which can be introduced into the cooling space when the fan blower is activated. The desorption process is therefore divided into separate desorption time intervals, which essentially correspond to the runtime intervals of the compressor.

For an effective initiation of the moisture released by the sorbent, a timing of the running times of the compressor and the fan blower is important. It has proven to be advantageous to activate the fan blower at the end of the compressor and / or during the service life of the compressor. In this way it is ensured that at least partially the refrigerant circuit is switched off when humid air flows into the cooling space. This avoids that in the Cold room incoming humid air is reflected directly at the evaporator surface.

In the following, two embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the attached figures.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Prinzipdarstellung ein Kältegerät gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 2

ein Betriebs-Zeit-Diagramm, das die Laufzeiten des Fördergebläses bzw. des Verdichters des Kühlgerätes zeigt; und

Fig. 3

in einer der Fig. 2 entsprechenden Ansicht ein Kühlgerät gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a perspective schematic representation of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 2

an operating time diagram showing the running times of the conveyor blower or the compressor of the refrigerator; and

Fig. 3

in one of the Fig. 2 corresponding view of a refrigerator according to the second embodiment.

In the Fig. 1 a refrigerator with a refrigerator 1 is shown. The refrigerator 1 is closed at the front with a door 3. On the rear wall 5 of the cooling space 1, an evaporator 7 of a refrigerant circuit is provided. On the bottom side, the cooling space 1 has a cooling compartment 11 separated by partitions 9. In the refrigerant circuit of the refrigerator, a compressor 13 is connected in a known manner in addition to the evaporator 7, which leads the refrigerant via an expansion valve 15 into the evaporator 7.

In the Fig. 1 cooling unit shown is also associated with a humidifier 17, with the cooling compartment 11 targeted and active humidity can be supplied. For this purpose, the cooling space 1 is connected via an air inlet 19 to an inlet channel 21 of the moistening device 17. The inlet channel 21 opens into a sorption column 23 which contains a reversibly de-hydrolyzable material which can absorb moisture from the air at low temperatures and release this moisture at higher temperatures. The sorption column 23 is coupled on its outlet side to a delivery fan 25, which is connected via an outlet channel 27 to an air outlet 29 opening into the cooling compartment 11.

Like from the Fig. 1 Further, the evaporator 13 of the refrigerant circuit is thermally coupled via a heat transfer circuit W with the material obtained in the sorption column 23. In this way, the waste heat generated during a compressor operation is conducted into the sorption column 23, whereby the reversibly de-hydratable material provided therein releases the stored moisture.

The moistening of the cooling chamber air is in the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 controlled by a control device 31. The control device is in accordance with Fig. 1 signal lines 33 shown in dashed lines in signal communication with a door actuation sensor 35, which detects an actuation of the door 3 and a corresponding door actuation signal T _S passes to the control device 31.

Upon detection of the door actuation signal T _S , the control device 31 starts an adsorption process Δt _A , as shown in the diagram of Fig. 2 is shown. During the adsorption process .DELTA.t _A, the controller 31 activates the blower fan 25. Therefore, the inflowing when the door is opened 3 in the refrigerator 1, moisture-laden ambient air via the air inlet 19, and the intake passage is passed through the sorption column 23 21st At the same time, the control device 31 keeps the compressor 13 of the refrigerant circuit out of operation during the entire adsorption process Δt _A. The sorption column 23 is therefore not heated by means of compressor waste heat for effective adsorption at low temperatures.

Like from the Fig. 2 shows the adsorption Δt _A between the times t ₀ , at which the door operation signal T _{S is} detected, and the time t ₁ . After the end of the adsorption process .DELTA.t _A , the compressor 13 is again controlled in the usual manner to keep the cooling chamber 1 at a predetermined cooling chamber temperature. The adsorption Δt _A can after closing the door 3 about 1 min. last for. The sorption column 23 can absorb the moisture contained in the cooling space air during this time interval and store it.

After the adsorption process .DELTA.t _A starts the desorption process .DELTA.t _{D of} the humidifier 17. The desorption Δt _D is inventively coupled with the running times of the compressor 13. When activated compressor 13 namely via the heat transfer circuit W compressor waste heat in the sorption 23rd led, whereby the temperature of the reversibly dehydratable material increases. The application of heat to the sorption column 23 releases the moisture stored therein. Like from the Fig. 2 The desorption process Δt _{D is divided} into desorption intervals Δt _D1 , Δt _D2 , Δt _D3 which are separated in time from one another and which correspond to the transit time intervals of the compressor 13.

The released moisture can be introduced by re-switching the fan blower 25 via the outlet channel 27 into the cooling compartment 11. The running times of the fan blower 25 can be controlled during the desorption phase Δt _{D in} such a way that the fan blower 25 is activated, in particular at the end of the runtime of the compressor 13 and / or immediately after the run time, ie already during the service life of the compressor. In this way, it is ensured that, when humid air flows into the refrigerating compartment 11, the refrigerant circuit is at least partially shut down, whereby a direct condensing out of the supplied moist air at the evaporator surface can be avoided.

In the Fig. 3 a refrigeration device according to the second embodiment is shown. The refrigerator according to the Fig. 3 corresponds in structure and functioning largely in the Fig. 1 shown refrigeration device. In this respect, reference is made to its description.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the humidifying circuit B of the humidifying device 17 is not closed to the outside, but has this additional inlets and outlets 37, 38, via which the humidifying circuit B is fluidically without the interposition of the refrigerator 1 directly connected to the environment. The additional inlet 37 can be fluidically connected to the sorption column 23 by appropriate switching of a flow flap 39 provided in the humidifying circuit B. Depending on the position of the flow flap 39, therefore, the sorption column 23 can be connected on the input side to the cooling space 1 or directly to the environment. Similarly, the fan blower 25 is also followed by a flow flap 41 which connects the fan blower 25 on the output side with the environment or with the cooling chamber 1, depending on the switching position.

The two flow flaps 39, 41 can be actuated by the control device 31. In this way, the adsorption Δt _A can be done independently of a door opening. To carry out the adsorption Δt _A , the flow flaps 39, 41 of the control device 31 in the, in Fig. 3 shown switching position spent and the fan fan 25 is activated. At the same time, the compressor 13 is deactivated. Thus, the moisture-laden outside air is passed through the additional air inlet 37 through the sorption column 23, in which the reversibly dehydratable material absorbs the moisture of the air, so that comparatively dry air is recycled via the additional air outlet 38 back into the environment. The desorption process Δt _D. can, as already on the basis of Fig. 1 and 2 is described, done.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

refrigerator

3

door

5

rear wall

7

Evaporator

9

partitions

11

refrigerated compartment

13

compressor

15

expansion element

17

humidifying

19

air intake

21

Air inlet duct

23

sorbents

25

Fans blowers

27

exhaust port

29

air outlet

31

control device

33

signal lines

35

Door opening sensor

37, 38

additional air inlet air outlet openings

39, 41

flow flaps

T _S

Door actuation signal

Δt _A

adsorption

Δt _D

desorption

Δt _D1 , Δt _D2 , Δt _D3

Desorptionsintervalle

B

humidifying

W

Heat transfer circuit

Claims (12)

1. Cooling appliance with a cooling chamber humidifier (17) comprising a reversibly dehydratable sorption means (23), which when acted on by heat delivers moisture to the cooling chamber (1), wherein the sorption means (23) is thermally coupled with a compressor (13), which is connected into the cooling appliance refrigerant circuit and the waste heat of which generated in operation is provided for heat action on the sorption means (23), characterised in that connected between the compressor (13) and the sorption means (23) is a heat transfer circuit (W) by which the compressor waste heat is transferable to the sorption means (23), and that the sorption means (23) is connected into a humidifying circuit (B) which is connected with the cooling chamber (1) by way of an air inlet (19) and an air outlet (29).
2. Cooling appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that ambient air laden with moisture can be fed to the sorption means (23), particularly to the humidifying circuit (B), for the take-up of moisture.
3. Cooling appliance, particularly according to claim 2, characterised in that the humidifying circuit (B) is closed towards the outside so that the ambient air laden with moisture passes via the air inlet (19) into the humidifying circuit when the cooling appliance door (3) is open.
4. Cooling appliance according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterised in that the humidifying circuit (B) additionally has inlet and/or outlets (37, 38) by way of which the humidifying circuit (B) is directly connectible with the environment.
5. Cooling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a conveying fan (25) is connected into the humidifying circuit (B).
6. Cooling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cooling appliance comprises a control device (31) which after detection of actuation of the cooling appliance door starts an adsorption process (Δt_A) in which the sorption means (23) takes up moisture.
7. Cooling appliance according to claim 6, characterised in that during the adsorption process (Δt_A) the conveying fan (25) provided in the humidifying circuit (B) is switched on and/or the compressor (13) is switched off.
8. Cooling appliance according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that after the adsorption process (Δt_A) a desorption process (Δt_D1) takes place in which the sorption means (23) is freed of moisture under the action of heat.
9. Cooling appliance according to claim 8, characterised in that the conveying fan (25) is at least partly switched on during the desorption process (Δt_D).
10. Cooling appliance according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the desorption process (Δt_D) is divided up into desorption intervals (Δt_D1, Δt_D2, Δt_D3) which are separated from one another in time and which correspond with, in particular, the running time periods of the compressor (13).
11. Cooling appliance according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterised in that the conveying fan (25) is activatable up to the running time end of the compressor (13) and/or during standstill of the compressor (13).
12. Cooling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cooling chamber (1) has a cooling compartment (11) which is separated therefrom and into which the moisture liberated from the sorption means (23) can be conducted.

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