Storage cabinet with internal air treatment device

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator, a climate chamber, a wine cabinet or a freezer, comprising:-at least one thermally insulated inner chamber (2) for accommodating storage items (9), the inner chamber having an opening closable by a door (5); a cooler (8) which can be activated at a predetermined cooling power in order to cool the air in the interior (2); -a device (40) for treating the air in the interior, comprising an air flow channel (50) having a filter element (60) inside, and an air flow generator (51) for conveying air flowing through the filter element (60), the air flow channel having at least one inlet (44) and at least one outlet (46) for connecting the interior (20). The filter element (60) contains a filter medium (61) made of renewable material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator, a climate chamber, a wine cabinet or a freezer, comprising:

[0002] - at least one insulated inner chamber for accommodating stored items, the inner chamber having an opening closable by a door;

[0003] - a cooler that can be activated at a predetermined cooling power to cool the air in the inner cavity;

[0004] - A device for treating air in an inner cavity, the device comprising an air flow channel having a filter element therein, and an air flow generator for conveying air flowing through the filter element, the air flow channel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for connecting to the inner cavity. Background Art

[0005] The smell of certain foods is sometimes considered unpleasant. In order to eliminate the smell inside the refrigerator, it is known to use odor filters, which can be installed in the inner cavity or applied to the air flow for air circulation. US Patent US 7 988 771 B2 discloses a refrigeration device in which the air of the inner cavity is circulated in a rear circulation channel by a blower, so that the cold air is distributed to all storage areas. A filter element is inserted into the circulation channel, which filter element is hit by the air flow, or part of the air in the channel flows through the filter element.

[0006] In general, filters have a limited lifespan and typically need to be replaced every 3 to 12 months as air flow rates decrease over time and filtration effectiveness gradually deteriorates. Summary of the invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a storage cabinet that can better filter the interior air in a simple manner.

[0008] According to the invention, at least this object is achieved by a storage cabinet having the features of claim 1 and claim 15 and a filter element according to claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are reflected in the respective dependent claims.

[0009] The invention can achieve the advantage that, in addition to keeping the stored items, such as fresh food, fresh, the influence of odors in the interior can be eliminated, reduced or avoided in a simple manner for a long time or permanently. To this end, the filter element comprises a filter medium made of a renewable material. This means that after a predetermined period of use, the used filter element or filter medium can be removed from the storage cabinet and reactivated by a regeneration operation. During the regeneration process, the filter medium is cleaned or restored to a functionally new state so that it can be used again within the predetermined period of use. As a result, the used filter element does not need to be discarded, which avoids the generation of waste during several years of operation.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the filter element is mounted in a sealing manner in the air flow channel. Therefore, all circulating air is transmitted through the filter element or the filter medium contained therein. This allows the interior air to be filtered quickly and intensively in the inner box. In an embodiment that meets the purpose of the invention, the air flow generator can be activated intermittently, so that air filtering is only performed when the storage cabinet is required for use.

[0011] In an embodiment consistent with the purpose of the invention, the filter element is arranged in the inlet region of the air flow channel or close to the inlet. Sufficient installation space can be provided in this region to accommodate the filter element. The air distribution channel is reasonably arranged behind the rear wall of the inner box, so that there is usually no space for accommodating the filter element.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment, the air flow channel comprises at least one access opening for inserting the filter element into the flow channel or removing the filter element from the air flow channel, wherein the access opening is located on the air flow channel in the inlet region or in the region between the inlet and the outlet. This makes the access opening easy to use.

[0013] In a further development which meets the object of the invention, the access opening is closed by a cover which is mounted on the access opening and can be detached or pivoted. If the space for accommodating the filter element is provided in the access opening, the cover plate of the access opening can also serve as a cover. If the access opening is located in the middle of the channel area, it is advantageous that the air loss due to leakage can be prevented by sealing the access opening with the cover.

[0014] In an overall advantageous embodiment, the filter element is designed as a drawer with a cover that closes the access opening in the inserted state. Such a filter element is easy to handle because a linear force can be applied to it in the receiving space. This ensures that the filter element is positioned in a predetermined position in the receiving space.

[0015] In one storage cabinet embodiment having integral advantages, the storage cabinet includes a filter element as described below.

[0016] The invention also relates to a filter element, the shape and configuration of which are suitable for use in an air flow channel in the above-mentioned storage cabinet, such as a refrigerator, freezer or beverage cabinet.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the filter element comprises a carrier in which the filter medium is accommodated or fixed. The carrier can be designed as a frame, a frame with a grid or a box-like structure. The frame is made of a strong material to ensure that the filter element is stable in shape. The filter medium can be soft and flexible and stabilized or maintained in shape by the carrier. The filter medium can also consist of a rigid block made of a solid material such as sintered particles or filter particles baked with a binder, which is stably positioned in the carrier and protected from damage.

[0018] For this embodiment in which the filter element is designed as a drawer, the carrier can realize the function of the drawer through the design of the shape, and the filter medium is inserted into the carrier.

[0019] In an embodiment with overall advantages, the filter medium and the carrier are made of heat-resistant materials, and the maximum heat resistance value is preferably in the range of greater than 150° C. to 300° C., more preferably greater than 180° C. to 250° C. This is necessary for the filter medium to be regenerated by heat introduction for a predetermined period of time.

[0020] In an advantageous further development, the filter medium can be regenerated by introducing heat at a temperature in the range of 150° C. to 300° C., preferably 180° C. to 250° C., for a period of 20 to 100 minutes, preferably 40 to 70 minutes, particularly preferably about 60 minutes. In the process, substances bound to the filter medium are thermally removed or thermally destroyed by heating or removed by pyrolysis. After regeneration, the filter element can be used again for a predetermined period of time.

[0021] In one embodiment generally consistent with the objectives of the present invention, the filter media includes multiple layers of fibrous material coated with activated carbon.

[0022] In another embodiment, the filter medium comprises particles consisting of activated carbon or containing activated carbon. For this purpose, the carrier must be designed as a box-like structure, for example with a fine mesh frame, so that the particles remain in the carrier.

[0023] In another embodiment, the filter medium comprises an open-cell foam material consisting of or comprising activated carbon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing in purely schematic form and are described in further detail below. In the drawing:

[0025] Figure 1: shows an interior view of a storage cabinet;

[0026] Figure 2 : shows an example of a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a storage cabinet;

[0027] Figure 3 and Figure 4 : Schematic cross-sections showing air passages in the filter receiving area in several different embodiments;

[0028] Figure 5 : An example of the regeneration process of a filter element or filter medium is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 A storage cabinet 1 is shown, whose door 5 is open and the interior 2 can be seen. In this example, the storage cabinet 1 is a refrigerator, including an outer shell 6, in whose inner cavity 2 a number of stacked shelves 3 and a plurality of stacked storage compartments 4 are inserted to store items 9. Inside the outer shell 6, the refrigerator 1 includes a cooler 8 for cooling the inner cavity 2. A plurality of storage compartments 7 are installed on the inside of the door 5, one of which 7a is designed as a tray with grooves for safely storing eggs. The front 10 of the drawer-like storage compartment 4 shown in this figure is transparent, but it can also be non-transparent, so that the interior can only be seen when the drawer is pulled out. The storage cabinet 1 also includes a device 40 for treating and circulating the air in the inner cavity 2, and a controller 18 for controlling or activating and shutting down the cooler 8 and the air treatment device 40.

[0030] exist Figure 2 The embodiment shown is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage cabinet 1. A channel 50 extending from an air inlet 44 to a plurality of air outlets 46 is formed outside the inner cavity container 2. In the channel 50, a filter element 60 and a filter medium 61 therein are arranged in a receiving space 55. The blower 51 is driven by a blower motor 53 to generate an air flow, so that air LE is sucked into the channel 50 through the inlet 44, and the air is transmitted out after passing through the filter element 60 and the filter medium 61, and the air is discharged from the channel 50 through the air outlet 46. The discharged clean air LA is then transported back to the inner cavity 2 of the storage cabinet 1.

[0031] Figure 3The passage 50 in which the filter element 60 is inserted in the receiving space 55 region is shown in a cross-sectional schematic diagram. The cover plate 62 at least partially closes the access port 48, so the inlet 44 is shown as a gap that remains open in this example. After removing the cover plate 62, the filter element 60 can be taken out from the receiving space 55. In this embodiment, the filter element can be designed as a drawer so that the cover plate 62 is closely connected with the filter element. When the cover plate 62 is pulled out of the operating position, the filter element 60 is taken out together. A force application device can be present in the receiving space 55 to ensure that the filter element 60 is in a certain position. The filter element 60 is designed as a flat, plate-like block and is placed horizontally in the receiving space 55. The filter element 60 preferably includes a shell or a cassette structure designed as a carrier 63, and a filter medium 61 is inserted therein. The carrier 63 is used to keep the shape of the filter element 60 stable, and the filter medium 61 includes an active material with a filtering effect.

[0032] Figure 4 A channel 50 with a filter element 60 inserted in the region of the accommodation space 55 is shown in a cross-sectional schematic diagram in another embodiment. The cover plate 62 at least partially closes the access port 48, so that the inlet 44 is shown as a gap that remains open in this example, preferably a gap around the periphery of the accommodation space 55. After removing the cover plate 62, the filter element 60 can be taken out from the accommodation space 55. A force application device may be present in the accommodation space 55 to ensure that the filter element 60 is in a certain position. The filter element 60 is designed as a flat, plate-like block and is placed vertically in the accommodation space 55. The filter element 60 preferably includes a housing or a cassette structure designed as a carrier 63, and a filter medium 61 is inserted therein. The carrier 63 is used to keep the shape of the filter element 60 stable, and the filter medium 61 includes an active material with a filtering effect.

[0033] The filter element 60 can also be inserted into the receiving space 55 in a tilted manner or at a certain angle. The predetermined positioning is based on the installation space available in the storage cabinet 1.

[0034] For all embodiments or illustrative examples, the filter element 60 is inserted into the accommodation space 55 and placed in a sealed manner in the airflow channel 50. The filter medium is preferably designed to have a maximum loss rate of 10% during the operation of the airflow generator 51, 52. This is achieved by appropriately adjusting the pore size or mesh size of the filter medium 61 and its thickness.

[0035] In short, all directions and positions are described with reference to the normal installation and use position of the storage cabinet 1.

[0036] Figure 5 The regeneration operation of the filter element 60 or filter medium 61 is schematically shown. Figure 1 , 2), the component 60 or only the filter medium 61 removed from the carrier 63 is placed in a hot chamber, such as an oven 100. In the oven 100, the filter element 60 or the filter medium 61 is heated to a predetermined temperature for the predetermined time. After regeneration is completed, the filter element 60 or the filter medium 61 with the filter medium 61 is removed from the oven 100 and reinserted into the accommodation space 55 where the airflow channel 50 is located in the storage cabinet 1.

Claims

1. The present invention relates to a storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator, a climate chamber, a wine cabinet or a freezer, comprising: - at least one insulated inner chamber (2) for accommodating stored goods (9), the inner chamber having an opening closable by a door (5); - a cooler (8) which can be activated at a predetermined cooling power to cool the air in the inner chamber (2); - a device (40) for treating air in an inner cavity, the device comprising an air flow channel (50) having a filter element (60) therein, and an air flow generator (51) for conveying air flowing through the filter element (60), the air flow channel having at least one inlet (44) and at least one outlet (46) for connecting to the inner cavity (20); It is characterized in that the filter element (60) contains a filter medium (61) made of renewable material.

2. The storage cabinet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filter element (60) is installed in the air flow channel (50) in a sealing manner.

3. The storage cabinet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the filter element (60) is arranged in the region of the inlet (44) of the air flow channel (50) or close to the inlet (44).

4. A storage cabinet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air flow channel (50) includes an access port (48) for inserting a filter element (60) into the air flow channel (50) and removing the filter element (60) from the air flow channel (50), and the access port (48) is arranged in the inlet (44) area of ​​the air flow channel (50) or between the inlet (44) and the outlet (46).

5. The storage cabinet (1) according to claim 4, wherein the access opening (48) is closed by a cover plate (62), and the cover plate (62) is mounted on the access opening (48) and can be detached or pivoted.

6. The storage cabinet (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the filter element (60) is designed as a drawer with a cover (62) which closes the access opening (48) in the inserted state.

7. A filter element (60) designed for use in an air flow channel (50) of a storage cabinet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the storage cabinet being such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a beverage cabinet, the filter element comprising a filter medium (61) made of renewable material.

8. The filter element (60) according to claim 7, wherein: The filter element (60) includes a carrier (63), and the filter medium (61) is accommodated or fixed in the carrier (63).

9. The filter element (60) according to claim 8, wherein the filter medium (61) and the carrier (63) are made of heat-resistant materials, preferably with a maximum heat resistance range of higher than 150°C to 300°C, preferably higher than 180°C to 250°C.

10. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein: The filter medium (61) can be regenerated by introducing heat at a temperature in the range of 150°C to 300°C, preferably 180°C to 250°C, for a period of 20 minutes to 100 minutes, preferably 40 minutes to 70 minutes.

11. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises a multi-layer fiber material coated with activated carbon.

12. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises particles consisting of or containing activated carbon.

13. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises an open-cell foam material consisting of or containing activated carbon.

14. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises particles consisting of or containing activated carbon, which are formed into a solid block by sintering or with a binder.

15. The storage cabinet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a filter element (60) according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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