Method for controlling refrigeration equipment and refrigeration equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration device (10) having a compressor (19), a storage chamber (12) with a storage housing (20, 21, 22), a door (16) for closing the storage chamber (12), and a forced-ventilation evaporator (42) with a fan (44) for circulating air between the evaporator (42) and the storage chamber (12), the domestic refrigeration device (10) being operated in a method having the following method steps: a) operating (102) the domestic refrigeration device (10), wherein the compressor intermittently works, including compressor operation time and compressor stop time; b) operating (104) the fan (44) at a first fan speed (nL1) during a compressor operating time; c) observing (106) whether the household refrigeration device (10) is opened; and d) operating (112) the fan (44) at a second fan speed when the door is opened during the compressor operating time; when the door is opened during the compressor stop time, the fan (44) is operated (114) at a third fan speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration device with a freezer compartment and a method for controlling a domestic refrigeration device with a freezer compartment, wherein the domestic refrigeration device has a forced-ventilation evaporator assigned to the freezer compartment. The domestic refrigeration device has a compressor, a storage compartment with a storage shell, a door for closing the storage compartment, and a forced-ventilation evaporator with a fan for circulating air between the evaporator and the storage compartment. Background Art

[0002] US 5,847,343 A describes a combined refrigerator-freezer domestic refrigeration appliance as a general prior art, wherein the freezer compartment fan is stopped when the freezer compartment door is opened.

[0003] JP2003083661A discloses a refrigeration device having a freezing chamber with a freezing chamber door and an ice maker with an ice maker door, wherein when the ice maker door is opened, a fan is operated for a predetermined time.

[0004] KR19980054644A suggests that when the freezer door of the freezer compartment is opened, a fan is operated to form an air curtain at the freezer door. The freezer compartment has no storage shell and there is no other baffle between the freezer compartment and the freezer door.

[0005] In domestic refrigeration appliances with a storage chamber with a storage shell and a forced-ventilation evaporator, condensation can occur in the front area of ​​the uppermost storage shell on the storage chamber ceiling when the door is opened. In the case of high humidity, this can lead to the formation of droplets that can fall, which can be noticed by the user and be considered a nuisance. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to provide an improved domestic refrigeration appliance with a storage chamber with a storage shell and a forced cooling liquefier, which is improved with regard to condensation.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Detailed designs are the subject matter of the dependent claims, and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the drawings and the description.

[0008] The domestic refrigeration device according to the invention comprises a compressor, a storage chamber with a rear wall and at least one storage shell, a door for closing the storage chamber, a forced ventilation evaporator with a fan for circulating air between the evaporator and the storage chamber, and a control device for operating the domestic refrigeration device. The control device operates in such a way that the fan is operated while the door of the storage chamber with the storage shell is open. This makes it possible to reduce condensation that occurs during the door opening in the area of ​​the storage shells, in particular in the front area of ​​the storage chamber ceiling above the uppermost storage shell.

[0009] The household refrigeration device may be a freezer with a freezing chamber, or may be a combined refrigeration device with a refrigerator and a freezer, wherein the freezer is provided with a drawer.

[0010] A cold air channel is arranged on the rear wall of the storage chamber and is closed toward the storage chamber by an air channel cover. The air channel cover has an air inlet for supplying cold air to the storage chamber. The rear wall contains the fan and forms a separation between the fan suction side with the compressor and the fan pressure side with the cold air channel in the air circulation path.

[0011] The return air duct with the storage chamber-side outlet in the rear wall can be formed integrally in the rear wall or between the rear wall and an inner container which surrounds the storage chamber and adjoins the thermal insulation layer.

[0012] According to one design of the present invention, the rear wall has a first air inlet for entering the storage chamber, wherein the first air inlet is arranged at a height between the upper edge of the topmost storage shell and the storage chamber ceiling. Air is supplied to the storage chamber through this air inlet, which is conducive to cold air flowing from the air distribution channel in the storage chamber rear wall to the front side of the topmost storage shell under the storage chamber ceiling. A part of the air delivered by the fan can flow to the door opening through the gap between the upper edge of the front side of the topmost storage shell and the storage chamber ceiling and prevent air from entering from the door opening direction.

[0013] Another design provides that the domestic refrigeration appliance has a shelf on which the storage shell is mounted, and the rear wall has a second air inlet into the storage chamber, wherein the second air inlet is arranged at a height just above and / or just below the shelf. This can also prevent or at least reduce condensation on the upper or lower side of the shelf during door opening.

[0014] Advantageously, an air channel is arranged below the bottom of the storage shell. The storage shell may have a lateral slideway below the bottom, which defines the air channel laterally. The air channel below the storage shell bottom makes it possible to cool the bottom from below, which is particularly advantageous for the storage on the bottom. The design of the slideway is conducive to pulling out the storage shell forward, because even if the storage shell is pulled out forward, the major part of the slideway will still be supported. The slideway may be designed as an extension of the sidewall below the storage shell bottom, with the advantage of a smooth side surface.

[0015] According to another design of the present invention, the rear wall has an outlet, wherein the outlet is arranged at a height between the bottom of the storage chamber and the bottom of the lowest storage shell. The air from the storage chamber is fed into the air channel in the rear wall of the storage chamber through the outlet, so that the air is fed into the evaporator. The arrangement of the outlet can interact with the air channel and the bottom of the lowest storage shell and realize a favorable flow path.

[0016] Thus, during the door opening, air flows from front to back under the lowermost storage shell due to the operation of the fan. Condensation during the door opening can be tolerated in the region of this air passage below the bottom of the lowermost storage shell. This condensation occurs on surfaces that do not or only slightly disturb the user of the refrigeration device.

[0017] The method according to the invention for operating a domestic refrigeration device having: a compressor; a storage chamber with a storage shell; a door for closing the storage chamber; and a forced ventilation evaporator with a fan for circulating air between the evaporator and the storage chamber, the method comprising the following method steps:

[0018] - operating the domestic refrigeration appliance, wherein the compressor operates intermittently with a compressor running time and a compressor stopping time;

[0019] - operating the fan at a first fan speed during the compressor run time;

[0020] - observing the opening of a door of said domestic refrigeration appliance; and

[0021] - operating the fan at a second fan speed when the door is opened during the compressor operating time;

[0022] -When the door is opened during the compressor stop time, the fan is operated at a third fan speed. The operation of the fan during the door opening enables air to flow from the area of ​​the storage shell to the door. This air flow is achieved through the gap around the front side of the storage shell and counteracts the entry of air from the door direction through the gap. In this way, condensation that occurs during the door opening can be avoided or minimized, especially in the front area of ​​the ceiling above the uppermost storage shell.

[0023] According to one design of the present invention, the second fan speed and the third fan speed are lower than the first fan speed, so as to avoid condensation and also avoid unnecessary large amount of moisture being input to the evaporator during the door opening period.

[0024] Advantageously, when the door is opened during the compressor run time, the operation of the fan at the second fan speed is carried out with a first time delay and / or the operation at the third fan speed is carried out with a second time delay during the compressor stop. During the compressor run time, when the door is opened, the fan initially continues to operate at the first fan speed and then operates at the second fan speed after the first time delay. At the beginning of the door opening, the warm and humid outside air has not yet reached the area with the risk of condensation. Therefore, the second and third speeds can be switched on with a time delay. The second time delay can be the same as or different from the first time delay.

[0025] According to another design of the present invention, when the door is opened, the operation of the fan is carried out with a re-operation time. The re-operation time takes into account that after the door is closed, warm and humid air can be trapped in the region between the door and the storage shell front side and is used to discharge this air directly into the evaporator.

[0026] According to another design of the present invention, the air delivered by the fan is blown into the storage chamber at a height between the upper edge of the top storage shell and the storage chamber ceiling. Thus, good air circulation can be achieved without deflection between the cold air passage and the front side of the top storage shell.

[0027] The domestic refrigeration device can have a shelf on which a storage shell is mounted and the air delivered by the fan can be blown into the storage chamber at a height just above and / or just below the shelf. This can also reduce condensation in the front area of ​​the shelf.

[0028] Preferably, there is a narrow gap between the upper edge of the uppermost storage shell and the ceiling of the storage chamber, and the second fan speed and the third fan speed are selected so that air can flow through the gap to the door at all specified operating points. The specified operating points are specified for the energy labeling of the refrigeration device. Depending on the type of storage chamber, which temperatures must be reached in the storage chamber at which specific ambient temperatures are specified. In this way, it can be determined at which ambient temperature the second and third fan speeds are selected. In this way, condensation can be avoided at different ambient temperatures and unnecessary large amounts of moisture can be avoided from entering the evaporator during the door opening.

[0029] Advantageously, the air delivered by the fan can be sucked in at a height between the storage compartment bottom and the bottom of the lowest storage shell. This allows for better air circulation during the door opening. The air channel between the storage compartment bottom and the bottom of the lowest storage shell cooperates with the air outlet on the rear wall at the same height and achieves a flow path with less air resistance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below.

[0031] In the figure:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a domestic refrigeration device according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 A flow chart showing a method according to the invention; and

[0034] Figure 3 A time graph of the speed of a fan according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A refrigerator representing a domestic refrigeration device 10 is shown, which comprises a storage chamber 12 and a housing 14, a door 16 and a machine chamber 18 with a compressor 19. The storage chamber 12 is accessible through the door 16 and has a lower storage shell 20, an intermediate storage shell 21 and an upper storage shell 22. The lower storage shell 20 is supported on the bottom 24 of the storage chamber, and the intermediate storage shell 21 and the upper storage shell 22 are supported on shelves 26, 27, 28. The housing 14 has an insulating wall 30, which encloses an inner space 32.

[0036] The inner space 32 includes the storage chamber 12, the evaporator chamber 34 and the cold air passage 36. The rear wall 38 of the storage chamber 14 forms a partition between the storage chamber 14 and the cold air passage 36 inside the rear wall 38 and a partition between the storage chamber 14 and the evaporator chamber 34 outside the rear wall 38. The air passage cover 40 forms a partition between the storage chamber 14 and the cold air passage 36.

[0037] The evaporator chamber 34 contains an evaporator 42. Above the evaporator 42, a fan 44 is provided in the rear wall 38. The fan 44 delivers air from the evaporator chamber 34 into the cold air passage 36. A suction passage 45 extends between a suction port 47 at the lower end of the rear wall 38 and the evaporator 42.

[0038] The air duct cover 40 includes air inlets 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54. The air inlet 46 is arranged at the lower end of the air duct cover 40, the air outlet 14 is arranged at the lower end of the air duct cover 40, and the air inlets 48, 50, 52 are arranged between the two, that is, at the height of the shelves 27, 28. Here, the air inlets 48, 50 are arranged at the height just below and just above the shelf 27, while the air inlet 52 is arranged not only just below the shelf 28, but also just above the shelf 28.

[0039] The storage shell 20,21,22 has a bottom 55,56, a side wall 58,60, a shell rear wall 62,64 and a front wall 66,68. The front wall 66,68 is designed to be a hand-pull with an upper edge 70 at its upper end. The side wall 58,60 of the storage shell is designed to a slideway 72 below the bottom 55,56, and the storage shell is supported on this slideway.

[0040] Below each storage chamber 20, 21, 22, there is an air duct 73, which is formed by the slide 72 on the side, by the bottom 55, 56 on the top, and by a respective base below, which is the bottom 24 of the storage chamber 12 for the storage shell 20 and the shelves 26, 27, 28 for the storage shell 21, 22.

[0041] Air circulation is such that when door 16 is closed and fan 44 is turned on, cold air from evaporator 42 flows into storage chamber 12 through air inlet 46,48,50,52 and 54, specifically below and above shelves 26,27,28 and below the ceiling 76 of storage chamber 12. Here, air flows through air passage 73 from back to front above shelves 26,27,28 and flows into the air passage 73 of storage shell 20 from front to back toward suction port 47.

[0042] The uppermost air inlet 54 is arranged at a height between the upper edge ( 57 ) of the housing rear wall 64 of the uppermost storage housing 22 and the ceiling 76 of the storage chamber 12 .

[0043] With the door open, there is a risk of condensation in the front region 78 of the ceiling 76 of the storage chamber 12. This is prevented by the control device 80 of the domestic refrigeration device 10 by operating the fan 44 when the door 16 of the storage chamber 12 with the storage shells 20, 21, 22 is open. Condensation in the front region of the shelves 26, 20, 28 can also be avoided by the described air guidance.

[0044] The air flows through the gap 82 between the upper edge 70 of the storage shells 20 , 21 and the shelves 26 , 27 , 28 located thereon as well as the gap 84 between the upper edge 70 of the uppermost storage shell 22 and the ceiling 76 of the storage chamber 12 .

[0045] The household refrigeration device 10 is shown as a refrigeration device with a storage chamber, the storage chamber having a storage shell, but Figure 1 It can also be seen as the lower part of a combined refrigeration unit, with the upper part being the refrigerator compartment and the lower part being the freezer compartment with drawers.

[0046] Figure 2 Reference Figure 1 A method according to the invention for operating a domestic refrigeration appliance is described with reference to a flowchart 100 .

[0047] The first step of the method is to operate 102 the refrigeration device 10 with the door 16 closed, wherein the compressor is intermittently operated, including compressor running time and compressor off time. During the compressor running time, the fan 44 is operated at a first fan speed 104. During this normal operation, it is observed 106 whether the refrigeration device has a door open.

[0048] If no door opening is detected, the method enters loop 108 and continues normal intermittent operation. If a door opening is detected, the method enters branch 110. If the door opening occurs during the compressor running time, the fan is operated at a second fan speed 112. If the door opening occurs during the compressor stopping time, the fan is operated at a third fan speed 114. Then, observation 106 for door opening is continued via branch 116. Here, if it is recognized that the door is closed again, the intermittent operation of loop 108 is switched again.

[0049] The operation of the fan 44 during the door opening causes an air flow from the area of ​​the storage shells 20, 21, 22 to the door. This air flow is achieved by gaps 82, 84 around the front sides of the storage shells 20, 21, 22 and prevents air from entering through these gaps from the direction of the door 16. This can avoid or minimize 116 the condensation that occurs during the door opening, particularly in the front area of ​​the ceiling above the topmost storage shell.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the method, when the door is opened during the compressor running time, the operation of the fan at the second fan speed is carried out with a first time delay and / or when the door is opened during the compressor stopping time, the operation of the fan at the third fan speed is carried out with a second time delay. During the compressor running time, when the door is opened, the fan initially continues to operate at the first fan speed and then operates at the second fan speed after the first time delay. At the beginning of the door opening, the warm and humid outside air has not yet reached the area with the risk of condensation. Therefore, the second and third fan speeds can be switched on with a time delay.

[0051] According to another embodiment, when the door is open, the fan is operated with a re-operation time. After the closing of the door 16 is detected in 106 via branch 116, the re-operation time can be taken into account in loop 108. The re-operation time takes into account that after the door is closed, warm and humid air will be trapped in the area between the door and the front side of the storage shell and discharges this air directly into the evaporator.

[0052] Figure 3A time curve chart 120 of the fan speed when the door is open during the compressor operation time with delay and restart is shown. At time t1, the compressor 19 is turned on and runs at a speed nV, i.e., curve 122. At the same time, the fan 44 is turned on and runs at a first fan speed nL1, i.e., curve 124. At time t2, the door opening T2 is recognized, and curve 126 represents the door opening. At time t3, the fan 44 runs at a second fan speed nL2, which is delayed compared to time t2. At time t4, the end of the door opening is recognized and the restart time begins, which ends at time t5, at which time the fan speed is increased again to the first fan speed nL1. This first fan speed is maintained until the compressor is shut down again at time t6.

[0053] Reference numerals list

[0054] 10 Household refrigeration equipment

[0055] 12 Storage Room

[0056] 14 Housing

[0057] 16 doors

[0058] 18. Machinery Room

[0059] 20,21,22 Storage Shell

[0060] 24 Bottom

[0061] 26,27,28 Shelves

[0062] 30 wall

[0063] 32 Internal Space

[0064] 34 Evaporator chamber

[0065] 36 Cold air channel

[0066] 38 Back wall

[0067] 40 Air channel cover

[0068] 42 Evaporator

[0069] 44 Fan

[0070] 46,48,50,52,54 Air inlet

[0071] 55,56 bottom

[0072] 57 Edge

[0073] 58,60 Sidewall

[0074] 62,64 Back wall of shell

[0075] 66,68 Anterior wall

[0076] 70 Edge

[0077] 72 Slides

[0078] 73 Air channel

[0079] 75 Lower loop compressor on

[0080] 76 Ceiling

[0081] 78 front area

[0082] 80 Control device

[0083] 82,84 Gap

[0084] 100 Flowchart

[0085] 102 Run

[0086] 104 Run

[0087] 106 Observations

[0088] 108 Loop

[0089] 110 branches

[0090] 112 Run

[0091] 114 Run

[0092] 116 branches

[0093] 120 Charts

[0094] 122,124,126 Curve

[0095] t x time.

Claims

1. A method for operating a domestic refrigeration device (10), the domestic refrigeration device having: a compressor (19); a storage chamber (12) with a storage shell (20, 21, 22); a door (16) for closing the storage chamber (12); and a forced ventilation evaporator (42) with a fan (44) for circulating air between the evaporator (42) and the storage chamber (12), the method comprising the following method steps: a) operating (102) the domestic refrigeration device (10), wherein the compressor operates intermittently, including compressor operation time and compressor stop time; b) operating (104) the fan (44) at a first fan speed (nL1) during the compressor operating time; c) observing (106) whether the door of the domestic refrigeration appliance (10) is open; and d) operating (112) the fan (44) at a second fan speed when the door is opened during the compressor operating time; When the door is opened during the compressor off time, the fan (44) is operated (114) at a third fan speed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second fan speed and the third fan speed are lower than the first fan speed.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the door is opened during the compressor running time, the fan (44) is operated at a second fan speed with a first time delay, and / or when the door is opened during the compressor stopping time, the fan (44) is operated at a third fan speed with a second time delay.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the door is closed, the fan (44) is operated for the re-operation time.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The air delivered by the fan is blown into the storage chamber (12) at a height between the upper edge (57) of the uppermost storage shell (22) and the ceiling (76) of the storage chamber (12).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The domestic refrigeration device (10) has shelves (26, 27, 28) on which storage shells (21, 22) are supported, and is characterized in that air delivered by a fan (44) is blown into the storage chamber (12) at a height just above and / or just below the shelves (26, 27, 28).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A narrow gap (68) is present between the upper edge (70) of the uppermost storage shell (22) and the ceiling (76) of the storage chamber (12), and the second fan speed and the third fan speed are selected so that air flows through the gap (68) toward the door (16) at all specified operating points.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The air delivered by the fan (44) is sucked out of the storage chamber (12) at a height between the bottom (24) of the storage chamber and the bottom (55) of the lowermost storage shell (20).

9. A domestic refrigeration device comprising: a compressor (19); a storage chamber (12) with a rear wall (38) and at least one storage shell (20, 21, 22); a door (16) for closing the storage chamber (12); and a forced ventilation evaporator (42) with a fan (44) for circulating air between the evaporator (42) and the storage chamber (12), characterized in that The domestic refrigeration appliance (10) has a control device (80) for operating the domestic refrigeration appliance according to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The household refrigeration device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The rear wall (38) comprises a first air inlet (54) into the storage chamber (12), wherein the first air inlet (54) is arranged at a height between an upper edge (57) of the uppermost storage shell (22) and a ceiling (76) of the storage chamber (12).

11. The household refrigeration device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The domestic refrigeration device (10) has shelves (27, 28) on which the storage shell (21) is supported, and the rear wall (38) has a second air inlet (50, 52) into the storage chamber (12), wherein the second air inlet (50, 52) is arranged at a height just above and / or just below the shelves (27, 28).

12. A domestic refrigeration device according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that An air passage (73) is arranged below the bottom (55, 56) of the storage shell.

13. The domestic refrigeration device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The storage shell (20, 21, 22) has side slides (72) below the bottom (55, 56), which laterally delimit the air channel (73).

14. A domestic refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that The rear wall (38) has an outlet, wherein the outlet is arranged at a height between the bottom of the storage chamber and the bottom of the lowermost storage shell.

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