Storage cabinet comprising a device for treating the interior air

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator, climatic chamber, wine storage cabinet or freezer, said storage cabinet comprising: - at least one thermally insulated interior (2) for receiving stored goods (9), said interior having an access opening which can be sealed by means of a door (5); - a cooling unit (8) which can be activated for predefined cooling capacities in order to treat the interior air (2); - a device (40) for treating the interior air, the device comprising a flow channel (50) having a filter element (60) mounted therein and a flow generator (51) for conveying the air through the filter element (60), the flow channel comprising at least one inlet opening (44) and at least one outlet opening (46) for connection to the interior (20). The filter element (60) comprises a filter medium (61) made of material that can be regenerated.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Storage cabinet with a device for treating indoor air

[0003] The invention relates to a storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator, air conditioning, wine storage or freezer, comprising

[0004] - at least one thermally insulated interior space for storing goods with an access opening that can be closed by a door;

[0005] - a cooling unit which can be activated for predetermined cooling capacities to cool the air in the interior;

[0006] - a device for treating the interior air, the device comprising a flow channel with a filter element mounted therein and a flow generator for conveying the air through the filter element, the flow channel comprising at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for connection to the interior.

[0007] The smell of some foods is sometimes perceived as unpleasant. Odor filters are known to eliminate odors in the interior of a refrigerator. These filters are inserted into the interior or are subjected to airflow for circulation. US Patent No. 7,988,771 B2 describes a refrigerator in which the interior air is circulated in a rear-mounted airflow channel by a fan. This distributes the cold air to all storage areas. A filter element is inserted into the airflow channel, which is subjected to airflow or through which a portion of the air in the airflow channel flows.

[0008] Overall, filters have a limited service life and usually need to be replaced every 3 to 12 months because the air flow decreases and the filtering effect deteriorates over time.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a storage cupboard which improves the filtration of the indoor air in a simple manner.

[0010] According to the invention, at least this object is achieved by a storage cabinet having the features of claim 1 and claim 15 and by a filter element according to claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the respective dependent claims.

[0011] The advantages achievable with the invention are that, in addition to keeping stored goods such as fresh food fresh, odor nuisances in the interior are also eliminated, reduced, or avoided in a simple manner, either permanently or over a long period of time. For this purpose, the filter element comprises a filter medium made of regenerable material. This means that the used filter element or filter medium can be removed from the storage cupboard after a predetermined period of use and reactivated with a regeneration process. Regenerating the filter medium cleans it or restores it to its functionally new state so that it can be used again for a predetermined period of time. A used filter element therefore does not need to be disposed of, thus avoiding waste over a period of operation of several years.

[0012] In an advantageous design, the filter element is tightly mounted in the flow channel. This allows all circulated air to pass through the filter element or the filter medium contained therein. This ensures rapid and intensive filtration of the interior air in the inner container. In a practical design, the flow generator can be activated at intervals, so that the air is only filtered when necessary due to the use of the storage cabinet.

[0013] In a practical design, the filter element is located near the inlet opening or close to the inlet opening of the flow channel. Sufficient space can be provided in this area to accommodate the filter element. The air distribution channels are conveniently located behind the rear wall of the inner container, so there is usually no space here to accommodate a filter element.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the flow channel comprises at least one access opening for inserting the filter element into the flow channel and for removing the filter element from the flow channel. The access opening is arranged in the region of the inlet opening or between the inlet opening and the outlet opening on the flow channel. This allows for easy access to the access opening.

[0015] In a practical development, the access opening is closed by a cover, which is mounted on the access opening in a removable or pivotable manner. A cover panel of the inlet opening can also function as the cover if the receiving space for the filter element is provided in the inlet opening. If the access opening is located in the central channel area, it is advantageous for the cover to tightly close the access opening to the flow channel to prevent air loss due to leaks.

[0016] In an overall advantageous embodiment, the filter element is designed as a drawer, which includes a cover plate that closes the access opening when inserted. Such a filter element is easy to handle because it is guided linearly within the receiving space. This ensures positioning at the intended location within the receiving space.

[0017] In an overall advantageous embodiment of the storage cabinet, it comprises a filter element as described below.

[0018] The invention further relates to a filter element shaped and constructed for use in a flow channel in a storage cabinet, such as a refrigerator or freezer or beverage storage cabinet, as described above.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the filter element comprises a carrier, wherein the filter medium is accommodated or fixed in the carrier. The carrier can be designed as a frame, a frame with a grid, or a cassette. The frame is made of a rigid material and provides the dimensional stability of the filter element. The filter medium can be soft or flexible and is stabilized or held in shape by the carrier. The filter medium can also consist of a rigid block made of solid material, for example, sintered granules or filter granules baked with a binder, wherein the filter medium is stably positioned in the carrier and protected from damage.

[0020] For the design of the filter element as a drawer, the carrier can be shaped to take over the drawer functionality, with the filter medium being inserted into it.

[0021] In an overall practical embodiment, the filter medium and the carrier are made of heat-resistant material, preferably heat-resistant up to a value in the range of greater than 150°C to 300°C, preferably greater than 180°C to 250°C. This is necessary if the regeneration of the filter medium is carried out by applying heat for a predetermined time.

[0022] In an advantageous development, the filter medium can be regenerated by applying 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, particularly preferably a period of approximately 60 minutes. In this process, substances bound in the filter medium are thermally removed or thermally destroyed, or removed by pyrolysis. After regeneration, the filter element is ready for use again for the predetermined period.

[0023] In an overall practical design, the filter medium comprises multi-layer fiber material coated with activated carbon. In another design, the filter medium comprises granules consisting of or containing activated carbon. For this purpose, the carrier can be designed, for example, as a cassette with a fine-pored mesh frame to ensure that the granules remain in the carrier.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the filter medium comprises open-pore foam consisting of or containing activated carbon.

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0026] Fig. 1 : a storage cupboard with a view of the interior;

[0027] Fig. 2: an example of a sketched sectional view of the storage cupboard;

[0028] Fig. 3 and 4: the air duct in the area of ​​the filter holder in a schematic sectional view for different designs and

[0029] Fig. 5: example of the process of regenerating the filter element or

[0030] filter medium.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a storage cupboard 1 with the door 5 open, with the interior 2 visible. The storage cupboard 1 in this example is a refrigerator, comprising a housing 6 in the interior 2 of which there are several shelves 3 pushed one above the other and several storage compartments 4 pushed one above the other, functioning as drawers, for receiving goods 9 to be stored. The refrigerator 1 comprises a cooling unit 8 inside the housing 6 for cooling the interior 2. Several storage compartments 7 are attached to the inside of the door 5, one compartment 7a being designed as a plate with recesses for the safe storage of eggs. The front 10 of the drawer-like storage compartment 4 is transparent in this illustration, but it can be opaque so that the view is only possible in the extended position.The storage cabinet 1 further comprises a device 40 for treating and circulating the air in the interior 2 and a control device 18 which controls or activates and deactivates the cooling unit 8 and the device 40 for air treatment.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the storage cabinet 1 is shown in a sketched sectional view. A channel 50 is formed outside the inner container 2, which extends from the air inlet 44 to a plurality of air outlets 46. Within the channel 50, in the receiving space 55, the filter element 60 with the filter medium 61 arranged therein is arranged. The fan 51 is driven by the fan motor 53 and serves to generate an air flow and thereby sucks the air LE through the inlet opening 44 into the channel 50 and through the filter element 60 and the filter medium 61 and out of the air outlet 46 from the channel 50. The blown-out, purified air LA is then conveyed back into the interior 2 of the storage cabinet 1.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the channel 50 in the region of the receiving space 55 with the filter element 60 inserted in a schematic sectional view. The cover plate 62 at least partially closes the access opening 48, so that in this example the inlet opening 44 remains open as a gap. After removing the cover plate 62, the filter element 60 can be removed from the receiving space 55. In this embodiment, the filter element can be designed as a drawer, so that the cover plate 62 is firmly connected to the filter element. When the cover plate 62 is pulled off the operating position, the filter element 60 is taken with it. Guide means can be provided in the receiving space 55 to ensure that the filter element 60 is securely seated. The filter element 60 is designed as a flat, plate-shaped block and placed horizontally in the receiving space 55.The filter element 60 preferably comprises a casing or cassette designed as a carrier 63, within which the filter medium 61 is inserted. The carrier 63 serves to stabilize the shape of the filter element 60, and the filter medium 61 comprises the active material that provides the filtering effect.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows the channel 50 in the region of the receiving space 55 with the filter element 60 inserted in a schematic sectional view of another embodiment. The cover plate 62 at least partially closes the access opening 48, so that in this example the inlet opening 44 remains open as a gap, preferably a circumferential gap around the receiving space 55. After removing the cover plate 62, the filter element 60 can be removed from the receiving space 55. Guide means can be present in the receiving space 55 to ensure that the filter element 60 is securely seated. The filter element 60 is designed as a flat, plate-shaped block and is placed vertically in the receiving space 55. The filter element 60 preferably comprises a sleeve or cassette designed as a carrier 63, within which the filter medium 61 is inserted.The carrier 63 serves to stabilize the shape of the filter element 60, the filter medium 61 comprises the active material which provides the filtering effect.

[0035] The filter element 60 can also be inserted into the receiving space 55 at an angle or at an angle. The specified positioning results from the space that can be provided in the storage cabinet 1.

[0036] For all designs and outlined examples, the filter element 60 is inserted into the receiving space 55 in such a way that it sits sealingly in the flow channel 50. The filter medium is preferably designed such that a maximum flow loss of 10% occurs during operation of the flow generator 51, 52. This is achieved by appropriately dimensioning the pore size or mesh size of the filter medium 61 and its thickness.

[0037] Overall, all direction and position information refers to the normal operational position of the storage cabinet 1. Fig. 5 shows a schematic of the actions for regenerating the filter element 60 or filter medium 61. After removing the filter element 60 from the storage cabinet 1 (Figs. 1, 2), the part 60 or just the filter medium 61 if it was taken out of a carrier 63, is placed in a hot chamber, for example an oven 100. In this oven 100, the filter element 60 or filter medium 61 is subjected to a predetermined temperature, with a value as mentioned above, for a predetermined time. After this regeneration is complete, the filter element 60 with the filter medium 61 contained therein or the filter medium 61 is removed from the oven 100 and reinserted into the receiving space 55 of the flow channel 50 in the storage cabinet 1.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator, air conditioning cabinet, wine storage cabinet or freezer, comprising - at least one thermally insulated interior space (2) for receiving stored goods (9) with an access opening that can be closed by means of a door (5); - a cooling unit (8) which can be activated for predetermined cooling capacities to cool the air in the interior (2); - a device (40) for treating the interior air, wherein the device comprises a flow channel (50) with a filter element (60) mounted therein and a flow generator (51) for conveying the air through the filter element (60), wherein the flow channel comprises at least one inlet opening (44) and at least one outlet opening (46) for connection to the interior (20); characterized in that the filter element (60) comprises a filter medium (61) made of regenerable material.

2. Storage cabinet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filter element (60) is sealingly mounted in the flow channel (50).

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

4. Storage cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow channel (50) comprises an access opening (48) for inserting the filter element (60) into the flow channel (50) and for removing the filter element (60) from the flow channel (50), wherein the access opening (48) is arranged in the region of the inlet opening (44) or between the inlet opening (44) and the outlet opening (46) on the flow channel (50).

5. Storage cabinet (1) according to claim 4, wherein the access opening (48) is closed by means of a cover (62), wherein the cover (62) is removably or pivotably mounted on the access opening (48).

6. Storage cabinet (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the filter element (60) is designed as a drawer which comprises a cover plate (62) which, when inserted, closes the access opening (48).

7. Filter element (60), shaped and designed for use in a flow channel (50) in a storage cabinet (1), such as a refrigerator or freezer or drinks storage cabinet, according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a filter means (61) made of regenerable material. Filter element (60) according to claim 7, wherein the filter element (60) comprises a carrier (63) and the filter medium (61) is received or fixed in the carrier (63). Filter element (60) according to claim 8, wherein the filter medium (61) and the carrier (63) consist of heat-resistant material, preferably heat-resistant up to a value in the range of greater than 150°C to 300°C, preferably greater than 180°C to 250°C. Filter element (60) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the filter medium (61) is regenerable by heat input at a temperature in the range of 150°C to 300°C, preferably 180°C to 250°C, for a duration in the range of 20 minutes to 100 minutes, preferably 40 minutes to 70 minutes. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises multilayer fiber material coated with activated carbon. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises granules consisting of or containing activated carbon.The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises open-pore foam consisting of or containing activated carbon. The filter element (60) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises granules consisting of or containing activated carbon, which are sintered or formed into a solid block with a binder. 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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