Cooling device and method for operating a cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device (100) comprising a device body (104) with at least one housing wall (106) and an access opening (110) opposite the housing wall (106), at least one fan (200) for generating an air flow (202), a fan wall (204), wherein the fan wall (204) and the housing wall (106) together form an air duct (206) which is designed to guide the air flow (202) to an air duct outlet (208) of the air duct (206), wherein the air duct outlet (208) is arranged at the access opening (110), and a closure element (108) for closing the access opening (110), wherein the closure element (108) is movable between a closure position (210) and an access position (300).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device and a method for operating a cooling device.

[0002] WO 2013 030 087 A1 describes a cooling device into which an air flow is introduced.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved cooling device and an improved method for operating a cooling device.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cooling device and a method for operating a cooling device having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

[0005] The proposed approach can create a way to prevent insects from entering the refrigerator. Furthermore, it can prevent insects from gnawing or destroying food stored in the refrigerator, thereby improving the hygiene of food storage.

[0006] A cooling device is presented which has a device body with at least one housing wall and an access opening opposite the housing wall, at least one fan for generating an air flow, a fan wall which together with the housing wall forms an air duct which is designed to guide the air flow to an air duct outlet of the air duct, wherein the air duct outlet is arranged at the access opening, and a closure element for closing the access opening, wherein the closure element is movable between a closure position and an access position.

[0007] The cooling device can be designed, for example, as a household appliance, but also as a commercial device. The cooling device can therefore be realized, for example, as a refrigerator, which can be used both indoors and in conjunction with camping or so-called outdoor kitchens. The cooling device can therefore be designed to cool food in its interior. The interior can therefore be arranged within the device body and additionally or alternatively be at least partially formed by the at least one housing wall. The fan wall can advantageously be arranged parallel to the housing wall in the device body or be designed as part thereof. A gap can advantageously be formed between the housing wall and the fan wall, which can function as the air duct. This means that the air duct can advantageously be integrated into the device body and thus designed as part of a device housing.This allows the air flow to be directed situationally within the device body and additionally or alternatively out of the device body, for example to create an air barrier when the closure element is in the access position or to achieve a recirculation function when the closure element is in the closed position. The air barrier can advantageously prevent insects, for example, from entering the interior. Accordingly, the access position can represent an open closure element and an open interior, and the closure position a closed closure element and a closed interior. The access opening can advantageously be arranged in the area of a device front so that a user can advantageously access the interior more easily. In the closed position, an air gap can be arranged between the air duct outlet and the closure element.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the cooling device can have a movable air outlet element for directing the air flow in a specific or predefinable direction. The movement of the air outlet element can be dependent on the position of the closure element. The air outlet element can advantageously be designed as a flap, which can be arranged, for example, in an end position when the closure element is closed and in an active position when the closure element is open. The air outlet element can therefore control the direction in which the air flow is discharged.

[0009] An actuator of the cooling device provided according to one embodiment can be configured to move the air outlet element between an end position and an active position. Advantageously, the air outlet element can be moved to the end position before or while the closure element is closed.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the at least one fan can be arranged in or on the fan wall. The position of the fan advantageously allows air in the interior of the cooling device to be directed through the air duct.

[0011] Furthermore, the fan can be configured to generate the airflow at a first speed when the closure element is in the closed position, in order to be able to effect air circulation within the refrigerator using the airflow. Thus, a recirculation function can advantageously be performed, which can, for example, have a beneficial effect on the cooling effect and thus on hygiene within the refrigerator, as well as on the shelf life of the food contained therein.

[0012] The fan can be configured to generate the airflow at a second speed, which is greater than the first speed, in the access position of the closure element, in order to convey the airflow from the air duct outlet through the access opening out of the device body. Advantageously, the strength of the airflow can therefore be dependent on the position of the closure element, which can be referred to as airflow regulation. The second speed can advantageously be greater than the first speed, so that when the closure element is open, an airflow can be generated that can act as an air barrier to prevent, for example, insects from entering the cooling device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the cooling device can have at least one additional fan for enhancing the airflow. More specifically, the number of fans can depend, for example, on the size of the cooling device and, additionally or alternatively, on the maximum achievable performance of the fan. For example, the fan and the at least one additional fan can be arranged one above the other or next to each other in or on the fan wall.

[0014] Furthermore, the closure element can be designed as a drawer or as an appliance door. For example, the closure element can be designed as a cooling drawer, so that it can be arranged or fastened in the appliance body and can be pulled out at least partially from the appliance body, for example. Alternatively, the closure element can be designed as a pivoting appliance door. A drawer can have the advantage that a user only exposes a small area of the interior to outside temperature. This means that energy can be saved, especially by using cooling drawers in conjunction with the cooling appliance for outdoor kitchens. The closure element as an appliance door can have the advantage that the user can see the entire contents of the appliance at a glance, for example.

[0015] Furthermore, a method for operating a cooling device in a previously mentioned variant is presented, wherein the method comprises a step of reading in a position signal which represents a current position of the closure element, and a step of outputting a fan signal for generating the air flow to the fan in order to adjust the speed of the fan depending on the current position of the closure element.

[0016] Advantageously, the method can be automated. For example, the position signal can be triggered by a user actuating the closure element, e.g., opening or closing it. Advantageously, the cooling device can detect the opening and, additionally or alternatively, the closing of the closure element using a sensor unit and provide the position signal.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the method may comprise a step of providing a control signal to an interface to the actuator as a function of the position signal in order to move the air outlet element between the end position and the active position. For example, the air outlet element may be arranged in the end position when the closure element is closed. The air outlet element may, for example, be arranged in the active position when the closure element is open. For example, the air outlet element may be angled in the end position and extended in the active position.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device with a closed closure element; Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device with an open closure element; Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device with a closed closure element; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device with an open closure element; Fig. 6 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a refrigeration device; and Fig. 7 a block diagram of a control unit according to an embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a refrigeration device 100. The refrigeration device 100 is implemented, for example, as a household appliance having a receiving space 102 for receiving food. In particular, the refrigeration device 100 is suitable for use in so-called outdoor kitchens. The receiving space 102 is surrounded by a device body 104 with at least one housing wall 106 and is or will be closed, for example, by a closure element 108, such as an appliance door or a drawer. More precisely, the device body 104 has an access opening 110 opposite the housing wall 106, through which a user can, for example, insert food into or remove food from the receiving space 102 after opening the closure element 108.

[0020] According to the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the closure element 108 is designed as a drawer, more precisely as a refrigerated drawer, in which food to be refrigerated can be stored. Alternatively, the closure element 108 can be implemented as an appliance door.

[0021] The cooling device 100 also has at least one fan designed to generate an air flow and thereby prevent, for example, insects or dirt from entering the receiving space 102 when the closure element 108 is open. For example, the fan is activated or operated at an increased speed when the closure element 108 is opened and the air flow is generated. The air flow flows, for example, through the receiving space 102 and / or an air duct, thus preventing insects from entering the receiving space 102. The air duct is designed to direct the air flow to an air duct outlet of the air duct, wherein the air duct outlet is arranged at the access opening 110. In other words, the air flow creates an air barrier. The cooling device 100 further has a fan wall, which, together with the housing wall 106, forms the air duct.The fan wall, the fan, the air duct and the air duct outlet are described in more detail in at least one of the following figures, as they are shown in . Fig. 1 are not shown due to the perspective of the display.

[0022] For example only, the cooling device 100 has two regions 112, 114, which can be shaped similarly and / or adjoin one another. This means that the cooling device 100 has, for example, a second receiving space that can be closed by a second closure element 116. Since the two regions 112, 114 can be shaped similarly, only the structure of the first region 112 of the cooling device 100, including the closure element 108, is described below, which also applies to the second region 114. Furthermore, the cooling device 100 according to this exemplary embodiment has a control unit 118, which is designed to control or carry out a method for operating the cooling device 100, as described, for example, in one of the following figures. The control unit 118 is arranged on an outer surface and / or in an upper wall of the device body 104 of the cooling device 100.According to this exemplary embodiment, the cooling device 100 additionally has an operating electronics 120, which is arranged, for example, on a front side of the device body 104 and / or is designed as a sensor unit.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device 100 with a closed closure element 108. The cooling device 100 corresponds, for example, to the one shown in Fig. 1. Here too, the cooling device 100 has the device body 104 with at least one housing wall 106 and the access opening 110 opposite the housing wall 106, which in the illustration of Fig. 2 is closed by the closure element 108. Furthermore, the cooling device 100 also has at least one fan 200 for generating an air flow 202. According to this exemplary embodiment, the fan 200 is arranged in or on the fan wall 204, wherein the fan wall 204 and the housing wall 106 together form an air duct 206 which is designed to direct the air flow 202 to an air duct outlet 208 of the air duct 206. The air duct outlet 208 is arranged at the access opening 110, so that when the closure element 108 is closed, i.e. while the closure element 108 is in a closed position 210, the air flow 202 causes air circulation within the device body 104 and food 212 stored therein can be cooled more quickly and / or kept for longer.

[0024] Overall, the closure element 108 is movable between the closure position 210 and an access position. The at least one fan 200 is configured to generate the air flow 202 at a first speed in the closure position 210 of the closure element 108 in order to effect air circulation in the cooling device 100 using the air flow 202. Furthermore, the fan 200 is configured to generate the air flow 202 at a second speed in the access position of the closure element 108, thereby creating the air barrier. In other words, the strength of the air flow 202 or air flow regulation depends on the position of the closure element 108.

[0025] Only optionally, the cooling device 100 has at least one further fan 214 for amplifying the air flow 202, which is also arranged in or on the fan wall 204.

[0026] According to this exemplary embodiment, the fan wall 204 has two sections 218, 220 that are aligned transversely to one another and adjacent to one another. The sections 218, 220 are adapted to the shape of the device body 104. A first section 218 of the fan wall 204 extends along the rear housing wall 106. A second section 220 of the fan wall 204 extends along an upper wall of the device body 104. The fans 204, 214 are arranged in the region of the first section 218 of the fan wall 204. The air duct outlet 208 is arranged in the region of the second section 220 of the fan wall 204.

[0027] To jointly form the air duct 206, the at least one housing wall 106 and the fan wall 204 are arranged parallel to one another, for example. The air duct 206 is realized, for example, as a gap between the two walls 106, 204 and, according to this exemplary embodiment, is angular or angled. According to this exemplary embodiment, the air duct outlet 208 is arranged at an end of the air duct 206 facing the closure element 108, while the fans 204, 214 are arranged at the other end of the air duct 206.

[0028] In other words, the cooling device 100 has an active insect air barrier. For this purpose, according to this exemplary embodiment, an opening of the cooling device 100, or of the closure element 108, also referred to as the cooling drawer, is detected by the cooling device 100. When the closure element 108, such as a front door or the drawer, is open, the existing fan(s) 200, 214 are set to a high air flow, i.e., a high speed, by the control unit, also referred to as the cooling device control. The air column is positioned on the device side via the air duct 206 such that the escaping air creates a corresponding air barrier in the access position, thus preventing insects from entering.If a rigidly directed air duct outlet 208 does not achieve a sufficient air barrier, a design with an active movable air duct outlet can also be realized, as is shown, for example, in at least one of the . Fig. 4 to 5.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device 100 with an open closure element 108. The cooling device 100 corresponds, for example, to the one shown in at least one of the Fig. 1 to 2. In the illustration of Fig. 3, only the position of the closure element 108 differs. In Fig. 3, the closure element 108 is arranged in an access position 300, which means that the cooling device 100 is open and a user can, for example, remove the food 212 from the cooling device 100. At least one of the fans 200, 214 increases its speed when the closure element 108 is in the access position 300, so that it conveys air from the receiving space 102 through the air duct 206 to the air duct outlet 208, and the air flow 202 is guided out of the cooling device 100. The speed is selected, for example, such that the air flow 202 forms an air barrier, thus preventing an insect from penetrating the receiving space 102 or from doing so easily.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device 100 with a closed closure element 108. The cooling device 100 is similar, for example, to that shown in at least one of the Fig. 1 to 3. Here, the closure element 108 is, as in Fig. 2 is closed and thus shown in the closed position 210. In addition, the cooling device 100 according to this embodiment has a movable air outlet element 400, which is designed, for example, as a movable flap.

[0031] The air outlet element 400 is designed to direct the air flow 202 in a specific direction at the air duct outlet 208, at which the air flow 202 exits the air duct 206. Furthermore, a movement of the air outlet element 400 depends on a position of the closure element 108 and thus on its position. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cooling device 100 has an actuator 402, which is designed, for example, as a servomotor and / or is designed to move the air outlet element 400 between an end position 410 and an active position.

[0032] For example, the air outlet element 400 is pivotable about a rotational axis extending through the actuator 402. In the end position 410, the air outlet element 400 is arranged at an angle, for example, so that it does not get in the way when the closure element 108 is closed and does not block the closure.

[0033] In other words, this exemplary embodiment describes a possibility for active air guidance. In this case, it may be necessary for the actuator 402 for the air duct outlet 208, and thus the air outlet element 400, to be moved to the end position 410 before the closure element 108 is closed, so that the actuator 402 is not damaged. When the refrigeration device 100 is closed, the refrigeration device control reduces the air flow 202, and air circulation takes place depending on the refrigeration operation and / or the corresponding food storage.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device 100 with an open closure element 108. The cooling device 100 corresponds, for example, to the one shown in Fig. 4 and therefore also has the air outlet element 400. In Fig. 5, the closure element 108 is shown only in the access position 300, and the air outlet element 400 is thus extended and accordingly shown in an active position 500. In the active position 500, the air outlet element 400 according to this embodiment is shown overextended relative to the second section 220 of the fan wall 204, so that the air flow 202 is directed out of the cooling device 100 and forms the air barrier.

[0035] Furthermore, the functionality and thus the air barriers in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is identical to the cooling device 100 shown in FIG. Fig. The cooling device 100 shown in Figure 5 additionally has the air outlet element 400.

[0036] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 600 for operating a cooling device, as described, for example, in at least one of the Fig. 1 to 5. The method 600 comprises a step 602 of reading in a position signal that represents the current position of the closure element and that was triggered, for example, by the user, and a step 604 of outputting a fan signal for generating the air flow to the fan in order to adjust the speed of the fan depending on a current position of the closure element, that is, depending on the closure position or the access position.

[0037] Optionally, the method 600 additionally comprises a step 606 of providing a control signal to an interface to the actuator using the position signal to move the air outlet element between the end position and the active position.

[0038] Fig. Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a control unit 118 according to an embodiment, corresponding or similar to that shown, for example, in Fig. 1 or at least mentioned. The control unit 118 is designed to control and / or carry out a method for operating a cooling device, as described, for example, in Fig. 6 was described.

[0039] For this purpose, the control unit 118 has a read-in unit 700, an output unit 702, and optionally a provision unit 704. The read-in unit 700 is configured to read in a position signal 706 representing a current position of the closure element. The output unit 702 is configured to output a fan signal 708 for generating the air flow to the at least one fan 200 in order to adjust the speed of the fan 200 depending on the current position of the closure element. The provision unit 704 is configured to provide a control signal 710 to an interface to the actuator 402 depending on the position signal 706 in order to move the air outlet element between the end position and the active position. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2013 030 087 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Cooling device (100) having the following features: - a device body (104) with at least one housing wall (106) and an access opening (110) opposite the housing wall (106); - at least one fan (200) for generating an air flow (202); - a fan wall (204), wherein the fan wall (204) and the housing wall (106) together form an air duct (206) configured to direct the air flow (202) to an air duct outlet (208) of the air duct (206), wherein the air duct outlet (208) is arranged at the access opening (110); and - a closure element (108) for closing the access opening (110), wherein the closure element (108) is movable between a closure position (210) and an access position (300). [2] Cooling device (100) according to claim 1, comprising a movable air outlet element (400) for directing the air flow (202) in a specific direction, wherein a movement of the air outlet element (400) is dependent on a position of the closure element (108). [3] Cooling device (100) according to claim 2, comprising an actuator (402) which is designed to move the air outlet element (400) between an end position (410) and an active position (500). [4] Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one fan (200) is arranged in or on the fan wall (204). [5] Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan (200) is designed to generate the air flow (202) at a first speed in the closed position (210) of the closure element (108) in order to effect air circulation in the cooling device (100) using the air flow (202). [6] Cooling device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the fan (200) is designed to generate the air flow (202) at a second speed which is greater than the first speed in the access position (300) of the closure element (108) in order to convey the air flow (202) from the air duct outlet (208) via the access opening (110) out of the device body (104). [7] Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one further fan (214) for amplifying the air flow (202). [8] Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (108) is formed as a drawer or as a device door. [9] Method (600) for operating a cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (600) comprises the following steps: - reading (602) a position signal (706) representing a current position of the closure element (108); and - Outputting (604) a fan signal (708) for generating the air flow (202) to the fan (200) in order to adjust the speed of the fan (200) depending on the current position of the closure element (108). [10] Method (600) according to claim 9, comprising a step (606) of providing a control signal (710) to an interface to the actuator (402) depending on the position signal (706) in order to move the air outlet element (400) between the end position (410) and the active position (500)

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