Ethylene absorber unit and household refrigeration appliance with such a unit

Abstract

Ethylene absorber unit (6) for a household refrigeration appliance (1), comprising a housing (9) and comprising at least one absorber pad (16, 17) which is interchangeably arranged in a receiving space (12) of the housing (9), wherein a retaining shaft (29) different from the walls (13, 18, 22, 23) of the housing (9) is formed in the receiving space (12), in which the absorber pad (16, 17) is inserted, wherein the housing (9) has a trough-like base body (10) on which a side wall (22) arranged in the height direction (y) of the ethylene absorber unit (6) is pivotably arranged as a side cover (11), and / or a bottom wall (18) of the housing (9), in particular of a base body (10) of the housing (9), is inclined obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal, so that a water collection area (21) is formed in the housing (9) is formed.

Description

One aspect of the invention relates to an ethylene absorber unit for a household refrigerator, comprising a housing and an absorber pad that is interchangeably arranged in the receiving space of the housing. Another aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigerator with such an ethylene absorber unit. Such a household refrigeration appliance is known, for example, from US Patent 8,517,483 B2. In that design, the multiple absorber pads are housed in a receiving chamber or volume bounded by the walls of the casing. The absorber pads are cuboid in shape and supported only by the walls of the casing itself. This makes inserting and removing these absorber pads complex. Either the absorber pads must be precisely designed to be fixed in position within the receiving volume, which then leads to problems during insertion and removal. Alternatively, if these absorber pads are made significantly smaller, they can be easily removed and inserted, but are then completely unsecured within the casing. This can lead to undesirable shifts in position. As described in the prior art, such ethylene absorber units are designed to absorb ethylene generated during the storage of specific foods in the storage compartment of a household refrigerator. This ethylene gas is produced particularly by fruits and vegetables. Since other foods are sensitive to this ethylene gas, it is desirable to absorb it completely and within the storage compartment itself. This can at least reduce any undesirable contamination of other foods. JP H07-270 042 A discloses a cold storage unit with an ethylene decomposition unit. JP 2002-206 851 A discloses a refrigeration unit with a removal device comprising a photocatalyst that removes ethylene using light. WO 2015 / 074 527 A1 discloses an antibacterial preservative composition. JP 2012-042 082 A discloses a deodorizing device for removing odors in a refrigeration unit. The object of the present invention is to create an ethylene absorber unit for a household refrigeration appliance which makes it possible to easily insert and remove an absorber pad from the housing, and on the other hand to achieve a secure and precise positioning of an absorber pad in the housing of the unit. This task is solved by an ethylene absorber unit and a household refrigeration appliance according to the independent claims. One aspect of the invention relates to an ethylene absorber unit for a household refrigerator. This ethylene absorber unit has a housing. Furthermore, the ethylene absorber unit has at least one ethylene absorber pad, separate from the housing, which is arranged in a receptacle within the housing. This absorber pad is preferably a flexible and reversibly deformable pad. A retaining channel, distinct from the housing walls, is formed in the housing's receiving channel, into which the absorber pad is inserted. This design allows the absorber pad to be inserted into and removed from the receiving channel quickly and easily, while the retaining channel also ensures that the pad is positioned and held securely and accurately within the receiving channel. It is also provided that the housing has a trough-like base body on which a side wall arranged in the vertical direction of the ethylene absorber unit is pivotably arranged as a side cover, and / or a bottom wall of the housing, in particular of a base body of the housing, is inclined obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal, so that a water collection area is formed in the housing. Because the housing has a tub-like base body on which a side wall arranged in the height direction of the ethylene absorber unit is pivotably mounted as a side cover, this side cover can be pivoted open and closed and thus also represents a laterally pivotable flap. This makes accessing the housing's internal volume particularly easy. This also allows for the simple insertion and removal of absorber pads. By sloping the bottom wall of the housing, particularly the base of the housing, downwards at an angle relative to the horizontal, thus creating a defined water collection area within the receiving space, any water that may accumulate there, such as condensate, can be directed to a location within the housing not occupied by an absorber pad. This advantageously prevents the absorber pad from absorbing this condensate. In particular, it is no longer the case that the absorber cushion is held and supported by the inner walls of the enclosure itself. Thanks to the separate mounting channel, even a significantly smaller absorber cushion compared to the enclosure volume or chamber can be used and still be permanently positioned and held precisely within it. Furthermore, the design of this holding unit as a holding shaft allows for particularly user-friendly installation of the absorber cushion. Insertion through the shaft opening is especially simple and easy, ensuring efficient placement of the absorber cushion. Preferably, an opening in this holding shaft faces an opening in the housing of the ethylene absorber unit, through which the absorber pad can be inserted into the housing. This enables a particularly simple assembly process, since the direction of insertion of the absorber pad through the housing opening also provides a corresponding direction for inserting the absorber pad into the holding shaft located within the housing's receiving volume. Complex assembly scenarios for the absorber pad can thus be avoided. Preferably, the retaining shaft is formed by at least two separate, upward-facing retaining tabs that are separate from the walls of the housing. This design allows the retaining shaft to be formed in a minimal configuration, thus minimizing shaft walls. This also saves weight. Furthermore, this design prevents the absorber cushion from being entirely enclosed within an otherwise closed retaining shaft, which could potentially impair its absorption effect. By defining the shaft's boundaries with practically only very small retaining tabs, the insertion, retention, and maximum absorption effect of the absorber cushion are made possible. This is because, even when positioned and held within the shaft, the absorber cushion remains maximally unobstructed and can fully perform its absorption function. Furthermore, this design advantageously imparts a certain degree of elasticity and spring action to these retaining tabs. This allows the inherently deformable absorber cushion to deform when inserted into the retaining shaft, and the retaining tabs also exhibit a certain degree of elasticity in this process. This prevents damage to the absorber cushion. Conversely, this elasticity of the retaining tabs ensures that, once the absorber cushion is in its final position within the retaining shaft, a sufficient holding or clamping force is exerted on the absorber cushion to keep it securely in place.Therefore, although the absorber cushion yields to a force or, as is the case with a cushion in the sense to be understood, is deformable, such a clamping force is nevertheless created by the lack of retaining tabs that the absorber cushion can still be held securely and in the correct position. Preferably, the retaining tabs are arranged inward within the receiving volume, offset from the inner sides of the housing walls. In particular, the retaining tabs are thus spaced apart and non-contacting, especially with, the vertical side walls of the housing. An absorption pad is thereby positioned and held within the housing of the ethylene absorber unit, spaced apart from the inner sides of the housing walls. Preferably, the mounting shaft is arranged on a bottom wall of the ethylene absorber unit housing and spaced apart from the side walls of this housing. By mounting it on the bottom, the mounting shaft can be designed vertically to accommodate a relatively tall absorber pad, thus utilizing virtually the entire height of the housing. Furthermore, this design allows the bottom of the housing to also serve as the base of the mounting shaft, saving components and weight. In particular, the retaining tabs are formed integrally with the bottom wall of the housing and project vertically upwards from this bottom wall. In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that at least four separate retaining tabs are formed, which are arranged opposite each other in pairs. Preferably, a side wall of the base body opposite the side cover has holes. This allows for a corresponding exchange of gases between the outside of the housing and the receiving volume or the receiving space of the housing. In an advantageous embodiment, this side cover features a separate consumption indicator element that displays the remaining condition of the absorber pad. Since an absorber pad's absorption capacity decreases after a certain period of use, and in certain situations the pad should be replaced, such a consumption or absorption function indicator is very helpful. This allows the user to always see the current functional status and recognize when the absorber pad needs to be replaced. Preferably, the consumption indicator element has a color column, particularly vertically oriented and especially linear, which visually represents the consumption state depending on the height of the color column. The height of the color column is thus dynamically changed depending on the consumption state of the absorber pad. This makes it very easy and intuitive to recognize the consumption status. Furthermore, this is a very simple design for a consumption indicator element, as no extensive or complex electronic structures or the like are required. Preferably, the side cover has a recess for the consumption indicator element. This design allows for easy removal and replacement of the consumption indicator element. Because the side cover is pivotally mounted on the base body, it can be opened for such removal, providing unrestricted and easy access to the recess. Preferably, the receiving pocket has a hinged lid that is pivotally mounted on the inside of the side cover, allowing the consumption indicator element to be inserted between the hinged lid and a wall area of ​​the side cover. This provides a mechanically simple design that enables easy and precise positioning of the consumption indicator element. Preferably, the top wall of the ethylene absorber unit housing is formed integrally with the side cover. In this configuration, the side cover is therefore formed with the top wall and a side wall oriented vertically. It thus has an L-shape in cross-section. This geometrically specified design of the side cover allows for comprehensive access to the receiving chamber when the side cover is pivoted relative to the base body. Unrestricted visibility into the receiving chamber is thus possible from both the side and the top. This offers advantages both for loading and unloading the absorber pad and, correspondingly, with regard to the advantageously integrated consumption indicator element. Preferably, a ceiling wall of the housing of the ethylene absorber unit is inclined obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal. This is particularly true for a ceiling panel when it is integrated into the side panel. Such an inclined arrangement of the ceiling panel allows water, such as condensate, which may occur in the interior of the domestic refrigeration unit (where the ethylene absorber unit is located), to run off at an angle due to gravity and remain outside the housing of the ethylene absorber unit. This prevents water from collecting on the ceiling panel and thus also prevents such condensate from entering the interior. It can also be provided that the housing has a drain with which the water collected therein, in particular the water collected in the water collection area, can be selectively drained from the housing. A further independent aspect of the invention relating to an ethylene absorber unit is provided that this ethylene absorber unit has a housing and at least one separate absorber pad, which is arranged interchangeably in a receiving space of the housing. In this embodiment of the ethylene absorber unit, the housing has a trough-like base body on which a side wall, arranged in the vertical direction of the ethylene absorber unit, is pivotably mounted as a side cover.The side cover has at least one consumption indicator element with which the consumption status of the absorber cushion is indicated, in particular visually, and the side cover has a receiving pocket for the consumption indicator element, which is in particular closable. Exemplary embodiments of the above-mentioned aspect of the ethylene absorber unit are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the further independent aspect of the aforementioned ethylene absorber unit. Another aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance comprising a housing and at least one receiving compartment for food formed in the housing. The household refrigeration appliance has at least one ethylene absorber unit according to one of the aspects mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The ethylene absorber unit is arranged in the receiving compartment. The ethylene absorber unit is designed to absorb ethylene gas or gas containing ethylene. This gas is generated during the storage of fruit or vegetables in the household refrigeration appliance. A household refrigeration appliance can be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a combination refrigerator-freezer. The storage compartment can be a refrigerator compartment. It may be designed to have at least two storage compartments, one a refrigerator compartment and the other a freezer compartment. Alternatively, one storage compartment may be a refrigerator compartment, and a section of this compartment may contain a food storage tray. This sliding food storage tray, with its tray and lid, defines a separate storage volume for food. Storage conditions within the food storage tray can be set differently from those in the rest of the appliance. This allows for highly customized storage of specific food items. The terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “latitude direction”, “height direction” indicate the positions and orientations given when the unit or device is used and arranged as intended. Further features of the invention are evident from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention. Embodiments and combinations of features that do not exhibit all the features of an originally formulated independent claim are also to be considered disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance according to the invention with an exemplary embodiment of an ethylene absorber unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a partial component of the household refrigeration appliance according to Fig. 1 with an ethylene absorber unit arranged therein; Fig. 3 a perspective sectional view through an exemplary embodiment of an ethylene absorber unit as it may be installed in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a representation of the ethylene absorber unit according to Fig. 3 with the side cover open; Fig. 5 the ethylene absorber unit according to Fig. 4 with the additionally opened receiving pocket for a consumption indicator element; and Fig. 6 the representation according to Fig. 4 with the absorber pad removed. In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a household refrigeration appliance 1 designed for storing and preserving food. The household refrigeration appliance 1 can be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a combination refrigerator-freezer. In this embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 has a housing 2. The housing 2 contains at least one storage compartment 3 for food, which in this case is a refrigerated compartment. The storage compartment 3 is bounded by the walls of an inner container 4 of the household refrigeration appliance 1. The household refrigeration appliance 1 also has a door 5, which is pivotally mounted on the housing 2 and with which the storage compartment 3 can be closed from the front. In the receiving chamber 3, at least one ethylene absorber unit 6 is arranged; here, the number and position are only exemplary in terms of two ethylene absorber units 6. An ethylene absorber unit 6 absorbs ethylene gas or ethylene-containing gas, which can occur in the storage chamber 3 when storing foodstuffs, especially fruits and vegetables. This prevents other foods from being affected by the generated ethylene gas. In the illustrated embodiment, the household refrigerator 1 has a food storage container 7 that is separate from the walls of the inner container 4. This food storage container 7 is, in particular, a tray that is movably arranged within the storage chamber 3. Specifically, it can be pushed in and pulled out in the depth direction (z-direction). Furthermore, it can be seen here that a separate shelf 8 is arranged in the receiving space 3, so that it is preferably provided that the partial volume of the receiving space 3 in which the food receiving container 7 is arranged is accordingly separated from the remaining receiving volume of the receiving space 3. The food storage container 7 can also have a lid, creating a separate volume compartment with respect to the container's own storage volume. In such a configuration, the food storage container 7 can also function as a food storage container, allowing for the setting of individual storage conditions, in particular humidity and / or temperature, distinct from the remaining volume of the storage compartment 3. This enables the creation of customized storage conditions for specific foods. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the food receiving container 7. In this embodiment, an ethylene absorber unit 6 is arranged inside this food receiving container 7. In particular, this ethylene absorber unit 6 is arranged on the inside of a vertical side wall 7a of the food receiving container 7. Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective section of a vertical section of the ethylene absorber unit 6. The section plane is the xy-plane, defined by the vertical and horizontal directions. The ethylene absorber unit 6 comprises a housing 9, which includes a base body 10. Furthermore, the housing 9 has a side cover 11, separate from the base body 10, which is pivotably attached to the base body 10. The base body 10 and the side cover 11 define a receiving space 12 of this housing 9. The base body 10 is preferably made of plastic in one piece. The locking cover 11 is preferably made of plastic in one piece. As can be seen in Figure 3, the base body 10 has a side wall 13 oriented in the vertical direction.In particular, this side wall 13 has a plurality of openings, especially holes 14, so that a corresponding gas exchange can take place between the receiving chamber 12 and the receiving chamber 13 and / or a receiving volume 15 of the food receiving container 7. In particular, ethylene gas can penetrate into the receiving chamber 12 through these holes 14 and be absorbed there by at least one ethylene absorber pad 16 and / or 17. In the exemplary embodiment, two absorber pads 16 and 17, which are separate absorber pads, are arranged in the receiving chamber 12. The absorber pads 16 and 17 are also separate components from the housing 9. The base body 10 also has a bottom wall 18. As can be seen, an inner surface 19 of this bottom wall 18 is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. This allows a defined water collection area 21 to be formed in a corner area 20. Water generated in the receiving chamber 12, for example condensate, can therefore drain into this corner area 20 in a defined manner. As can be seen, the two absorber pads 16 and 17 are positioned upwards so that they are arranged without contact with this bottom wall 18. This prevents these absorber pads 16 and 17 from being immersed in the water collected in the water collection area 21. A defined drain from the housing 9 can be provided so that the water collection area 21 can then be emptied. The pivoting side cover 11 has a further side wall 22 oriented in the vertical direction, which is arranged opposite the side wall 13. This further side wall 22 has no such interruptions or holes 14 for gas exchange. In an advantageous embodiment, a top wall 23 of the housing 9 may be formed integrally with the base body 10, but rather integrally with the side cover 11. In the sectional view shown, the side cover 11 therefore has an L-shaped form. In the illustrated embodiment, the two absorber cushions 16 and 17 are arranged essentially at the same height and in the direction of view between the side walls 22 and 13 one behind the other. Advantageously, the ethylene absorber unit 6 has at least one consumption indicator element 24. This consumption indicator element 24 indicates the consumption status of the absorber pad 16 and / or the absorber pad 17 with respect to their absorption function, particularly by means of a visual symbol. Advantageously, this consumption indicator element 24 is arranged in a receiving pocket 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving pocket 25 is formed on the side cover 11, particularly on the side wall 22. The receiving pocket 25 has a hinged cover 26, which is pivotably arranged on the side wall 22. A receiving area for the separate consumption indicator element 24 is formed between the side wall 22 and the hinged cover 26. In particular, the side wall 22 has an opening, which is in particular a viewing window 27.The consumption indicator element 24 is visible through this viewing window 27, and the consumption status is visually recognizable. Preferably, the consumption indicator element 24 has a vertical, and thus vertically oriented (y-direction), line-like color bar, with which a consumption status is visually represented depending on the height of the color bar 32 (Fig. 5). The representation can be similar to a thermometer display. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the ethylene absorber unit 6 with its side cover 11 pivoted open. This allows unrestricted access to the receiving chamber 12 from both the side and the top. The absorber pads 16 and 17 are thus fully accessible. Figure 4 also shows a pivot bearing 28 for pivoting the side cover 11 on the base body 10. Furthermore, a retaining shaft 29 is also shown in Fig. 4. The retaining shaft 29 is integrated into the receiving chamber 12. It is designed to receive and hold the absorber cushions 16 and 17. The retaining shaft 29 has separate shaft walls at the ends of the housing 9, and thus at the side walls 13, 22, as well as at the bottom wall 18 and the top wall 23. As a result, the absorber cushions 16 and 17 are not held and supported by the walls of the housing 9, but independently by this retaining shaft 29, and in particular only by this retaining shaft 29. Specifically, the absorber cushions 16 and 17 can therefore be spaced apart and installed without contact with the side walls 13 and 22, and especially also with the bottom wall 18 and the top wall 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining shaft 29 is designed with an upwardly open shaft opening 30, which faces the opening of the base body 10. This opening is closed by the ceiling wall 23 when the side cover 11 is closed. In this illustrated embodiment, the shaft walls are formed solely by retaining tabs 31, which project freely upwards in the vertical direction. In particular, four such retaining tabs 31 are provided to hold an absorber cushion 16 or 17 in a vertical position. An absorber cushion 16 is inserted into this retaining shaft 29 from above. Preferably, the additional absorber cushion 17, which is also present, is held by a further retaining shaft. As can be seen, these retaining tabs 31 extend upwards from the base of the housing 9, and thus preferably from the bottom wall 18. In particular, the retaining tabs 31 are integrated into the bottom wall 18 and thus formed integrally with it. The retaining tabs 31 are separate components from the side walls 13 and 22. Advantageously, they extend a maximum of half the height of the housing 9. Furthermore, it can be seen that the retaining tabs 31 are relatively small and thin, so that they cover as little surface area as possible of the absorber pad 16 that is held and inserted. This minimizes the impairment of the absorption function of the absorber pad 16. In Fig. 5, the ethylene absorber unit 6 is shown as depicted in Fig. 4. However, in contrast, the hinged lid 26 is folded upwards, thus showing the receiving pocket 25 in the open position. The consumption indicator element 24 is shown. The advantageously designed color column 32 is also visible. This design makes access to the receiving pocket 25 and the hinged lid 26 very easy. In Fig. 6, the ethylene absorber unit 6 is shown as depicted in Figs. 4 and 5, with the absorber pads 16 and 17 removed, specifically from the retaining shafts 29. The additional retaining tabs 31 are also shown. Furthermore, the inclined ceiling wall 23 of the housing 9, in particular the side cover 11, can be seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Reference symbol list 1 Household refrigeration appliance 2 Housing 3 Collection chamber 4 Inner container 5 Door 6 Ethylene absorber unit 7 Food collection container 7a Side wall 8 Shelf 9 Housing 10 Base body 11 Side cover 12 Collection chamber 13 Side wall 14 Hole 15 Collection volume 16 Absorber pad 17 Absorber pad 18 Bottom wall 19 Inside 20 Corner area 21 Water collection area 22 Side wall 23 Top wall 24 Consumption indicator unit 25 Collection pocket 26 Hinged lid 27 Viewing window 28 Swivel bearing 29 Retaining chute 30 Chute opening 31 Retaining tab 32 Color column x Width direction y Height direction z Depth direction

Claims

Ethylene absorber unit (6) for a household refrigeration appliance (1), comprising a housing (9) and comprising at least one absorber pad (16, 17) which is interchangeably arranged in a receiving space (12) of the housing (9), wherein a retaining shaft (29) different from the walls (13, 18, 22, 23) of the housing (9) is formed in the receiving space (12), in which the absorber pad (16, 17) is inserted, wherein the housing (9) has a trough-like base body (10) on which a side wall (22) arranged in the height direction (y) of the ethylene absorber unit (6) is pivotably arranged as a side cover (11), and / or a bottom wall (18) of the housing (9), in particular of a base body (10) of the housing (9), is inclined obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal, so that a water collection area (21) is formed in the housing (9) is formed. Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining shaft (29) is formed by at least two separate and upwardly projecting retaining tabs (31). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining shaft (29) is arranged on a bottom wall (18) of the housing (9), in particular spaced apart from side walls (13, 22) of the housing (9). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a side wall (13) of the base body (10) opposite the side cover (11) has holes (14). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the side cover (11) has a consumption indicator element (24) with which the consumption state of the absorber pad (16, 17) is indicated. Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the consumption indicator element (24) has a vertically oriented, line-like color column (32) with which a consumption state of the absorber pad (16, 17) is optically represented depending on the height of the color column (32). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the side cover (11) has a receiving pocket (25) for the consumption indicator element (24). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to claim 7, characterized in that the receiving pocket (25) has a hinged lid (26) which is pivotably arranged on an inner side of the side lid (11) facing the receiving space (12), so that the consumption indicator element (24) can be inserted between the hinged lid (26) and a wall area of ​​the side lid (11). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a ceiling wall (23) of the housing (9) is formed integrally with the side cover (11). Ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ceiling wall (23) of the housing (9), in particular a side cover (11), is inclined obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal. Household refrigerating appliance (1) with a housing (2) and with at least one receiving space (3) for food formed in the housing (2), and with at least one ethylene absorber unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged in the receiving space (3).

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