Arrangement comprising cooling appliance glazing and IR radiation source

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (200) comprising a cooling appliance glazing (100) and at least one radiation source (4) for radiation (5) in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 µm to 3.5 µm, wherein the cooling appliance glazing (100) comprises insulating glazing (101) comprising a first pane (1), which has an interior-facing surface (I) averted from the spacer (3), and comprising a second pane (2) and a spacer (3) arranged between the first pane (1) and the second pane (2), and wherein the radiation source (4) is arranged relative to the insulating glazing (101) such that the interior-facing surface (I) of the first pane (1) is the surface closest to the radiation source (4) and the radiation source (4) irradiates at least parts of the interior-facing surface (I) of the first pane (1) during operation.

Description

[0001] Arrangement comprising refrigerator glazing and IR radiation source

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a refrigerator glazing and at least one IR radiation source, as well as a refrigerator comprising the arrangement.

[0003] Refrigeration appliances such as refrigerators and freezers are often used to preserve perishable foods or medications for longer. The low temperatures in refrigeration appliances slow down chemical reactions and biological processes that, for example, render food inedible and medication unusable. Glass-enclosed refrigeration appliances, particularly glass-enclosed refrigerators and freezers, have become particularly popular in retail. Glass-enclosed refrigeration appliances make the contents of the refrigeration appliance visible without the need to open the appliance. This saves energy, as every opening of the refrigeration appliance results in energy loss, and it also makes it easier to find the desired products in the refrigeration appliance.

[0004] However, a well-known problem with glazed refrigerators is fogging of the glass surfaces, especially those exposed to the refrigerator's interior. When these surfaces come into contact with warm air when the refrigerator is opened, the moisture in the ambient air condenses on these surfaces. This results in reduced visibility through the refrigerator's glass.

[0005] To prevent condensation, coatings are often used on the glass surfaces of refrigerators. For example, DE2454657A1 describes a coating based on phosphorus pentoxide that counteracts condensation. EP1499218B1 discloses a coating based on various isocyanates on a refrigerator door, which partially prevents or inhibits fogging or clouding of the refrigerator door. Another particularly energy-intensive solution is the continuous heating of the glass surfaces using heating wires or heating layers.

[0006] However, these known solutions have the problem that they usually do not completely prevent fogging of the window, but often only inhibit condensation. Furthermore, these coatings wear out over time; for example, they degrade due to the window's exposure to UV radiation or are slowly removed by contact with the panes. Continuous heating, however, requires a lot of energy to operate. All of these solutions also have the disadvantage of reducing transmission through the glass, as they must be applied over the entire surface.

[0007] US 4 035 608 A discloses a multi-pane window construction for use between a cold and a warmer area, in which the first pane adjacent to the warmer area is electrically heated to prevent condensation or frost, and an infrared-reflecting coating transparent to visible light is applied to the surface of the second pane facing the warmer area.

[0008] US 2024 / 006738 A1 discloses an automotive panel with a heatable outer surface and a system for selectively heating the heatable outer surface from behind the panel. Use for refrigerator doors and freezer doors is also disclosed.

[0009] DE 20 2022 105849 A1 discloses a heatable composite pane comprising an outer pane and an inner pane which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein a coating based on a photothermal material is arranged on at least one surface of the outer pane and / or the inner pane, and wherein the composite pane is equipped with at least one radiation source in the near infrared range which is suitable for irradiating the coating.

[0010] US 2021 / 108849 A1 discloses a refrigerated display case comprising a plurality of side walls and one or more doors, wherein the plurality of side walls and the one or more doors define an interior volume of the refrigerated display case, a plurality of shelves positioned within the interior volume of the refrigerated display case, wherein the plurality of shelves are fixedly connected to at least one side wall of the plurality of side walls and configured to support a product, a refrigeration system configured to cool the interior volume of the refrigerated display case, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a cooling coil, a cooling coil defrost system configured to deliver defrost heat to the cooling coil, one or more product defrost lights, wherein each defrost light is directed toward a corresponding one of the plurality of shelves, wherein the product defrost lights are configured to deliver radiant heat to defrost the product, and a controller,which is functionally coupled to the cooling system, the cooling coil defrost system, and the one or more product defrost lights. The present invention is based on the object of providing an arrangement that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and has low energy consumption. The invention is also based on the object of providing a refrigeration device with such an arrangement.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by an arrangement according to claim 1 and a cooling device according to claim 10. Preferred embodiments are evident from the subclaims.

[0012] The arrangement according to the invention comprises a refrigerator glazing and at least one radiation source for radiation (hereinafter also referred to as IR radiation) in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm (micrometers) to 3.5 pm. The refrigerator glazing comprises insulating glazing comprising a first pane, a second pane and a spacer arranged between the first pane and the second pane. As is usual with insulating glazing, the spacer preferably runs in a frame-like manner along the peripheral edge of the insulating glazing, so that the first pane, the second pane and the spacer define a free space between them, which is preferably under vacuum or filled with an inert gas such as argon.

[0013] The first pane has an interior-side surface facing away from the spacer, which is intended to face the interior of the refrigerator when installed in a refrigeration appliance. The first pane also has an exterior surface facing the spacer, which is intended to face the exterior environment when installed in a refrigeration appliance. The second pane has an interior-side surface facing the spacer, which is intended to face the interior of the refrigerator when installed in a refrigeration appliance. The second pane also has an exterior surface facing away from the spacer, which is intended to face the exterior environment when installed in a refrigeration appliance. The interior-side surface of the first pane is also the interior-side surface of the insulating glazing, which is exposed to the environment, i.e. the interior of the refrigerator when installed.If the insulating glazing is designed as double-glazed insulating glass, the outer surface of the second pane is also the outer surface of the insulating glazing that is exposed to the environment, i.e., when installed, to the outside environment. According to the invention, the radiation source is arranged relative to the insulating glazing such that, during operation, the radiation source irradiates at least part of the interior surface of the first pane. The interior surface of the first pane is the surface of the first pane closest to the radiation source. The interior surface of the first pane is therefore closer to the radiation source than the outer surface of the first pane.

[0014] Refrigeration glazing refers to glazing for refrigeration appliances such as refrigerators and freezers. Refrigeration glazing is designed to separate the interior of a refrigeration appliance from the outside environment. It is particularly preferred for glazing the refrigerator door, which can also refer to a refrigerator flap or sliding door.

[0015] The radiation source shines IR radiation in a wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm onto the interior surface of the insulating glazing. If there is condensation on the surface, for example in the form of water droplets or ice crystals, the IR radiation is absorbed and the water molecules in the ice crystals and water droplets are excited by the IR radiation. This causes the ice to melt and the water to evaporate. Advantageously, energy loss through convection is largely avoided. The refrigerator glazing is therefore free of condensation or icing and visibility through the glazing is guaranteed even if the refrigerator is opened frequently. The IR radiation from the radiation source is not first coupled into the insulating glazing but hits the water on the interior surface directly.

[0016] The invention is based on the fact that the water molecules of the water deposited on the interior surface of the first pane are caused to vibrate by IR radiation, resulting in the water heating. The heating of the water condensed or frozen on the exposed surface occurs largely selectively, since the panes of the insulating glazing themselves typically absorb IR radiation much less strongly, and therefore only negligible heating of the insulating glazing occurs. A resulting advantage is that large-area, electrically heatable layers as part of the insulating glazing, such as silver layers, can be dispensed with. This leads to simplified, more cost-effective production of the refrigerator glazing.The permeability of high-frequency radiation, for example for receiving mobile phone signals, communicating with cloud servers (“Internet of Things”), and the like, is not impaired by the inventive irradiation with IR radiation, thus resulting in further advantages. Furthermore, moisture removal is very rapid. The inventors have discovered that evaporation can be accelerated using IR radiation compared to heating with heating layers. The first pane can optionally also be coated on the interior-facing surface. In this case, the water is removed from the coating on the first pane. However, the coating does not render the invention unfeasible. For the purposes of the invention, “interior-facing surface of the first pane” can mean both a coated surface and an uncoated surface.

[0017] The insulating glazing has a continuous edge surface. The continuous edge surface comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, as well as two side edges connecting the top and bottom edges. In the installed position, the upward-facing edge is referred to as the top edge, and the downward-facing edge is referred to as the bottom edge. The edges running in between are referred to as side edges. It goes without saying that the individual panes of the insulating glazing also have a continuous edge surface. The continuous edge surface of the insulating glazing is essentially defined by the continuous edge surfaces of the panes and the outward-facing surface of the spacers.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radiation source is arranged such that its position relative to the first pane does not change even when the refrigerator glazing is moved. This means that if, for example, the refrigerator glazing is part of a refrigerator door or refrigerator flap that can be opened and closed, the radiation source is positioned the same relative to the first pane even during opening or closing and at the respective start and end points of the refrigerator door. In this case, the radiation source could, for example, be attached to a top edge, bottom edge and / or side edge of the insulating glazing, preferably the first pane. This also means that the relative position of the first pane to the radiation source is the same everywhere, regardless of location. This ensures an efficient heating effect in any position of the refrigerator (e.g., open refrigerator or closed refrigerator).Particularly preferably, the radiation source is firmly connected to the insulating glazing, preferably by adhesive bonding. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation source is thus attached to a top edge, bottom edge, and / or side edge of the insulating glazing, preferably the first pane. Alternatively, the radiation source can be arranged as part of a frame around the insulating glazing. The frame surrounds the insulating glazing in a frame-like manner. In this embodiment, the refrigerator glazing thus comprises a frame, and the radiation source is arranged in or on the frame.

[0019] The IR radiation source is designed such that it can emit IR radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm, preferably from 2.5 pm to 3.3 pm, particularly preferably from 2.6 pm to 2.9 pm. It is not necessary for the emission band of the IR radiation source to completely cover the aforementioned ranges. However, the emission band should lie (at least partially) within these ranges. The radiation source is expediently connected to a power supply device. It is precisely in this preferred wavelength range that the absorption and excitation of the water molecules and thus the resulting heating and evaporation are particularly high. Advantageously, it has been shown that with glass the transmission in the wavelength range from 2.9 pm to 3.1 pm is particularly high at over 70%, and in particular at approx. 3.0 pm at approx. 85%, so that the energy can be used efficiently for defrosting and evaporating water.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the radiation source is configured such that it can emit IR radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.4 pm to 2 pm, preferably from 1.45 pm to 1.95 pm. In this range, the radiation is particularly energy-intensive and thus very suitable for evaporating water. This wavelength range is particularly preferred if the radiation source comprises or consists of an LED, since LEDs with radiation in higher wavelength ranges above 2 pm are difficult to manufacture and can thus be expensive.

[0021] The radiation source preferably comprises at least one LED, OLED and / or a laser diode, preferably at least one LED. In particular, the radiation source comprises at least one LED, which can also be referred to as an "IR-emitting diode." Furthermore, the radiation source can comprise laser diodes or lasers, which have the advantage of being particularly powerful and efficient. If a laser or a laser diode is used, its beam is preferably scattered by means known to those skilled in the art, so that it can cover a larger area and user safety is increased. In addition to the aforementioned elements for generating IR radiation, the radiation source can also comprise further elements, for example a housing in which the elements for generating IR radiation are mounted. Alternatively, the radiation source can be an LED, OLED and / or a laser diode.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the radiation source comprises or consists of an Er:YAG diode. The Er:YAG diode has a wavelength of approximately 2960 nm. This wavelength corresponds to the wavelength range in which water molecules exhibit the highest absorption coefficient. Other examples are InAs / GaSb and Er3+-doped sesquioxide diodes.

[0022] The arrangement can also comprise more than one radiation source, for example 2, 3 or 4 radiation sources. The at least one radiation source can, for example, be band-shaped or spot-shaped. Other geometric shapes are also possible. Several individual radiation sources can also be arranged next to one another at a distance from one another or in band-shaped (close to one another). If several spot-shaped LEDs are arranged next to one another, in other words, a multi-part, band-shaped radiation source can be formed. This makes it possible to flexibly adapt the number and intensity of the radiation sources to the requirements for heating the respective refrigerator glazing, for example with regard to the spatial-geometric conditions and the energy required for efficient heating.

[0023] The radiation source is preferably arranged at a distance of no more than 30 cm, preferably no more than 20 cm, particularly preferably no more than 10 cm, and especially no more than 5 cm, from the interior-facing surface of the first pane. The distance between the first pane and the radiation source refers to the shortest distance between the emission surface of the radiation source and the interior-facing surface of the first pane. At a shorter distance, water removal from the composite pane is more efficient. The area to be irradiated can also be more selectively adjusted.

[0024] The panes of the insulating glazing, i.e. the first pane, the second pane and the third pane if present, as well as any additional panes, are preferably made of glass, particularly preferably of soda-lime glass. In principle, however, the pane can also be made of other types of glass (e.g. borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass). Alternatively, the pane can also be made of plastic, i.e. transparent polymers, for example polycarbonate. The thickness of the panes can vary widely. Preference is given to panes with a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 5 mm. The panes are preferably glass panes and particularly preferably each have an iron oxide content of a maximum of 1%. This low iron oxide content means that the glass panes have a higher transmission for IR radiation and therefore heat up less.It is also possible for the insulating glazing panes to be made not all of the same materials, but of different materials. "Transparent" in the context of the invention means a visible light transmission (according to ISO 9050:2003) of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, and particularly preferably at least 90%.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating glazing comprises an IR-reflecting coating. The IR-reflecting coating is preferably applied to the outer surface of the first pane, but can alternatively also be applied to one of the surfaces of the second pane or, if present, to one of the surfaces of the third pane. When the glazing is installed in a refrigeration appliance, the IR-reflecting coating is intended to prevent IR radiation from escaping into the external environment. It thus at least partially prevents IR radiation from the radiation source from reaching the external environment, for example, a user of the refrigeration appliance glazing. It also has the surprising effect of enhancing the evaporation effect of the refrigeration appliance glazing.The radiation reflected back by the IR-reflective coating serves to more efficiently evaporate water adhering to the interior surface of the first pane.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the IR-reflecting coating is applied to a surface of the first pane or the second pane facing the spacer.

[0027] Regardless of where the IR-reflective coating is applied, it preferably extends over at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 90%, of the main surface of the insulating glazing. The main surface of the insulating glazing is essentially identical to the main surface of the individual panes of the insulating glazing. In other words: if the IR-reflective coating is applied to the outside surface of the first pane and extends over 80% of the outside surface of the first pane, it also essentially extends over 80% of the main surface of the insulating glazing. The main surfaces refer to the surfaces of an element with the largest surface area.

[0028] The IR-reflecting coating is preferably a thin-film stack, i.e., a sequence of thin individual layers. In one embodiment, the IR-reflecting coating has at least one electrically conductive layer, which primarily provides the IR-reflecting effect. The electrically conductive layer is preferably a metal-based layer, particularly preferably silver-based. Alternatively, niobium, niobium nitride, titanium nitride, gold, aluminum, or copper can also be used, for example. Dielectric layers or layer sequences are typically arranged above and below the electrically conductive layer. If the IR-reflecting coating comprises multiple conductive layers, each conductive layer is preferably arranged between two typically dielectric layers or layer sequences, so that a dielectric layer or layer sequence is arranged between adjacent conductive layers.The IR-reflecting coating is therefore a thin-film stack with n electrically conductive layers and (n+7) dielectric layers or layer sequences, where n is a natural number and where a lower dielectric layer or layer sequence is alternately followed by a conductive layer and a dielectric layer or layer sequence.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the IR-reflecting coating comprises at least one electrically conductive layer based on silver (Ag). The conductive layer preferably contains at least 90 wt.% silver, more preferably at least 99 wt.% silver, most preferably at least 99.9 wt.% silver. The silver layer may contain dopants, for example, palladium, gold, copper, or aluminum. The thickness of the silver layer is typically between 5 nm and 20 nm.

[0030] However, the IR-reflective coating does not necessarily have to comprise electrically conductive layers. In a further embodiment, the entire thin-film stack is formed from dielectric layers. The layer sequence comprises alternating layers with a high refractive index and a low refractive index. By appropriately selecting the materials and layer thicknesses, the reflection behavior of such a layer sequence can be specifically adjusted as a result of interference effects. This makes it possible to realize an IR-reflective coating with effective reflection of IR radiation. The layers with a high refractive index (optically high-refractive index layers) preferably have a refractive index of greater than 1.8. The layers with a low refractive index (optically low-refractive index layers) preferably have a refractive index of less than 1.8. The top and bottom layers of the thin-film stack are preferably optically high-refractive index layers.The optically high-refractive-index layers are preferably based on silicon nitride, tin-zinc oxide, silicon zirconium nitride, or titanium oxide, particularly preferably based on silicon nitride. The optically low-refractive-index layers are preferably based on silicon oxide. The total number of high- and low-refractive-index layers is, for example, from 3 to 15, in particular from 8 to 15. This allows a suitable design of the reflection properties without making the layer structure too complex. The layer thicknesses of the dielectric layers should preferably be from 30 nm to 500 nm, particularly preferably from 50 nm to 300 nm.

[0031] Refractive indices in the context of the present invention are generally given relative to a wavelength of 550 nm. Methods for determining refractive indices are known to those skilled in the art. The refractive indices specified in the context of the invention can be determined, for example, by ellipsometry, whereby commercially available ellipsometers can be used. Unless otherwise stated, the specification of layer thicknesses or thicknesses refers to the geometric thickness of a layer.

[0032] The IR-reflecting coating is preferably deposited on the surface intended for coating by vapor deposition, for example by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), or atomic layer deposition (ALD). Physical vapor deposition (PVD), for example, vapor deposition, is particularly preferred, and cathodic sputtering and, in particular, magnetic field-assisted cathodic sputtering (magnetron sputtering) are particularly preferred.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the radiation source is designed and arranged such that, during operation, it irradiates at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of the interior-side surface of the first pane. It is also possible for more than one radiation source to irradiate the interior-side surface, so that together they irradiate an area of ​​at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of the interior-side surface. This is particularly advantageous when the pane has a relatively large surface area.

[0034] The interior surface of the first pane can be divided into one or more heating zones. A heating zone is a surface area of ​​the first pane that is intended to be heated by the radiation source. This can be the entire surface of the interior surface or just a part of the pane, for example the part that is intended for customers to see through in a supermarket. The interior surface can have multiple heating zones, which are then assigned to one or more radiation sources. In this sense, assigned means that the at least one radiation source is directed towards the heating zone of the first pane in such a way that it essentially only irradiates this area of ​​the first pane. In principle, however, it is also possible for the heating zones to overlap; preferably, however, they are separate from one another.

[0035] If, in a preferred embodiment, the first pane has multiple heating zones, each of which is preferably assigned at least one radiation source, these assigned radiation sources can be switched and operated independently of one another. This advantageously further contributes to the heating system being operated particularly energy-efficiently.

[0036] The refrigerator glazing is preferably insulating glazing with exactly one first pane and one second pane, such that the outer surface of the second pane has a surface exposed to the external environment (unless coated, for example, with the IR-reflecting coating). However, the refrigerator glazing can also be insulating glazing with more than two panes. For example, the refrigerator glazing can be triple glazing comprising the first pane, the second pane, and a third pane. The second pane is connected to the third pane via a further spacer, such that the second pane is arranged between the first pane and the third pane.

[0037] Spacers in insulating glazing units are typically frame-like and arranged in the edge area between the two panes to keep them (usually plane-parallel) at a defined distance from each other. The spacer(s) are typically made of a light metal (especially aluminum) or polymeric materials (e.g., polypropylene or styrene-acrylonitrile). Each spacer is preferably in contact with the two panes closest to it via a sealant, particularly a butyl sealant.An external sealing compound is preferably filled into the marginal space between the panes, which is open to the outside, in particular organic sealing compounds made of or based on polysulfides, silicones, RTV (room temperature-curing) silicone rubber, HTV (high temperature-curing) silicone rubber, peroxide-cured silicone rubber and / or addition-cured silicone rubber, polyurethanes, butyl rubber, and / or polyacrylates. The inner space between the panes, which is delimited and enclosed by the panes and the spacer, is preferably evacuated or filled with an inert gas, for example argon or krypton. The thermal conductivity is reduced by the space between the panes, so that temperature regulation in the refrigerator interior can be achieved more energy-efficiently.Spacers typically have a cavity filled with a desiccant to protect the space between the panes from moisture penetration.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one radiation source can be functionally connected to at least one sensor, in particular a temperature and / or humidity detector. This can advantageously be used for automated defrosting or removal of condensed moisture. In addition, icing of the refrigerator glazing or the formation of condensate and the associated obstruction of visibility can also be prevented. The sensor is preferably attached to or in the insulating glazing, preferably on the interior-side surface of the first pane. Alternatively, it can also be arranged in the space between the panes of the insulating glazing, for example, between the first pane and the second pane, and framed by the spacer.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, at least one heating area of ​​the interior-side surface of the first pane is heated by one or more IR radiation sources assigned to this surface area with an energy of at least 1 mW / cm 2 to effect defogging (removal of moisture) or defrosting (removal of frost and ice). According to the invention, heating is carried out with an energy application of between 1 mW / cm 2 and 90 mW / cm 2 , for example between 2 mW / cm 2 and 80 mW / cm 2 For example, when using an LED with a wavelength of 2.95 pm, the energy input is 1 mW / cm 2 . Using an LED with a wavelength in the range of approximately 1 .45 pm results in an energy input of over 80 mW / cm 2 .

[0040] The refrigerator glazing can be flat or curved in one or more directions of the room. Preferably, however, the refrigerator glazing is not curved, i.e., essentially flat. The refrigerator glazing also preferably has a substantially rectangular or square shape in plan view, with the corners possibly being rounded.

[0041] The invention also extends to a cooling device comprising the inventive arrangement as described above. The cooling device can be, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a freezer chest, or a freezer chest. The cooling device is preferably a refrigerator or a freezer chest.

[0042] The arrangement is preferably arranged in the refrigerator such that the refrigerator glazing separates the refrigerator's interior from the external environment. The refrigerator glazing is intended to make it possible to look into the refrigerator without having to open the refrigerator. It is therefore preferably a component of the refrigerator that is visible from the external environment when the refrigerator is closed, or through which one can see.

[0043] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration appliance further comprises at least one refrigeration appliance door. Within the meaning of the invention, a refrigeration appliance door refers to a movable component provided for closing and opening the refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance door can thus be, for example, a hinged door, a hinged door, a sliding door, a pivoting sliding door, or another door typically provided for refrigeration appliances. Various types of refrigeration appliances doors are known per se to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description is omitted here.

[0044] Particularly preferably, the refrigerator door comprises the refrigerator glazing of the arrangement according to the invention. The refrigerator glazing is thus a component of the refrigerator door. Typically, the refrigerator glazing is arranged as a component of the refrigerator door such that the interior-side surface of the first pane is the surface exposed to the refrigerator interior. This is advantageous because the inside of the refrigerator door comes into contact with the outside environment when the door is opened, and water subsequently forms on the cooled inside through condensation, which can then be removed according to the invention.

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling device further comprises a moisture detector for detecting water on the interior surface of the first pane and a control unit. The moisture detector is preferably configured to send a signal, referred to here as signal B for simplicity, to the control unit when water is present on the interior surface of the first pane. In this case, the control unit is configured to electronically control the radiation source at least upon receipt of signal B, so that the radiation source emits IR radiation that impinges on the interior surface of the first pane. In other words, the radiation source irradiates at least areas of the first pane when the control unit electronically requests it to do so.This offers the advantage that the radiation source is only active when water has also deposited on the first pane, significantly reducing the radiation source's energy consumption. The humidity detector is preferably mounted on the refrigerator's glazing so that it can effectively detect condensed or frozen water on the interior surface.

[0046] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one refrigerator door as described above, a contact sensor, and a control unit. The contact sensor is configured to send a signal, referred to here as signal A for simplicity, to the control unit when the refrigerator door is or is closed. The control unit is configured to electronically control the radiation source at least upon receipt of signal A, so that the radiation source emits IR radiation that impinges on the interior-side surface of the first pane. In other words, the radiation source irradiates at least areas of the first pane when the control unit electronically requests it to do so.This has the advantage that the radiation source always emits IR radiation when the door is closed, ensuring that the insulating glass is positioned relative to the radiation source in such a way that the IR radiation actually reaches it. Contact sensors are also significantly cheaper than moisture detectors and less prone to failure. To save as much energy as possible, the control unit can also instruct the radiation source to emit only for a specified time interval, for example, 1 minute, after receiving signal A.

[0047] The contact sensor is preferably attached at least to the refrigerator door, for example to the refrigerator glazing. Particularly preferably, one part of the contact sensor is attached to the stop provided for the refrigerator door, and another part is attached to the refrigerator door itself. The two parts of the contact sensor are in contact with each other when the refrigerator door is closed and are contact-free when the refrigerator door is open. In the context of the invention, "being in contact with each other" means that, for example, an electronic connection is established between the two parts or the two parts of the contact sensor are directly touching. In this sense, "being contact-free" means that the parts are not in contact with each other.

[0048] Particularly preferably, the cooling device has both a humidity detector and a contact sensor, whereby the signal A and the signal B, which are emitted once by the humidity detector and once by the contact sensor, can also be identical. The control unit and the humidity detector and / or the contact sensor can be connected via connecting elements such as cables or can be communicatively connected wirelessly. The control unit and the at least one radiation source can also be connected via connecting elements such as cables or can be communicatively connected wirelessly.

[0049] For the purposes of the invention, "closed state" means that the refrigerator door essentially completely separates the refrigerator's interior from the outside environment. "Open state" means that the refrigerator door does not completely close the refrigerator's opening, meaning that the refrigerator's interior is not completely separated from the outside environment.

[0050] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one support element with a circumferential side surface, wherein the support element is arranged such that at least a section of the side surface of the support element faces the refrigerator glazing and the radiation source is attached in or on this section. It is understood that the section faces the interior-side surface of the refrigerator glazing, i.e. that surface of the refrigerator glazing which faces the interior of the refrigerator. The at least one support element is intended, for example, to serve as a storage area for objects, for example food or medicines. The term “support element” therefore does not necessarily mean that this element has to be a type of supporting structure for the refrigerator.Particularly preferably, the refrigerator comprises a plurality of such support elements, each provided with at least one radiation source on or in a portion of its peripheral side surface. The support elements are arranged, for example, spaced apart from one another so that the radiation sources can irradiate different heating areas of the refrigerator glazing. This has the advantage that the refrigerator glazing can be irradiated homogeneously without the radiation sources being unpleasantly noticeable inside the refrigerator.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the at least one radiation source is arranged on a frame arranged circumferentially around the insulating glazing. The radiation source can extend completely along the frame or be arranged in sections on or within the frame. The arrangement can be manufactured, as described above in various embodiments, by a method comprising at least:

[0052] (A) Arranging the radiation source for the insulating glazing in such a way that the radiation source irradiates the interior surface of the first pane at least in part during operation.

[0053] Furthermore, the arrangement can be used in cooling appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, freezer cabinets and / or freezer chests.

[0054] The various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, unless they are explicitly described and described as alternatives to one another, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0055] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures. They show, in simplified form and not to scale:

[0056] Fig. 1a An embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in plan view,

[0057] Fig. 1b Cross-sectional view of the arrangement according to the invention from Figure 1a,

[0058] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention, comprising an alternative embodiment of the arrangement,

[0059] Fig. 3-5 further embodiments of the arrangement in cross-sectional view and

[0060] Fig. 6 an absorption spectrum of water (liquid state).

[0061] Figures 1a and 1b each show different aspects of an embodiment of the arrangement 200 according to the invention. Figure 1a shows the arrangement 200 in a plan view, wherein the radiation source 4 is not shown, but only the insulating glazing 101 of the arrangement 200 is shown in a plan view. Figure 1b shows the arrangement 200 comprising the refrigerator glazing 100 and the radiation source 4 in a cross-sectional view. The cross section of Figure 1b is indicated by a dashed line XX' in Figure 1a.

[0062] The arrangement 200 is, for example, a component of a refrigerator and allows a view from an external environment 9 into the refrigerator interior 10. The arrangement 200 comprises a refrigerator glazing 100 and a radiation source 4, wherein the refrigerator glazing 100 comprises insulating glazing 101. The insulating glazing 101 comprises a first pane 1, a second pane 2 and a spacer 3. The first pane 1 has an interior-side surface I facing the interior 10 and an exterior-side surface II facing away from the interior 10. The second pane 2 likewise has an interior-side surface III facing the refrigerator interior 10 and an exterior-side surface IV facing away from the refrigerator interior 10. The first pane 1 is connected to the second pane 2 in the edge region via the spacer 3.The spacer 3 is frame-like and arranged between the first pane 1 and the second pane 2 in order to keep them essentially plane-parallel at a defined distance from one another. The spacer 3 is made of aluminum, for example. It is preferably in contact with the first pane 1 via a sealing compound. In the marginal space between the panes 1, 2, which is open to the outside, an outer sealing compound based on silicone, for example, is filled (shown here as a component of the spacer 3). The inner space between the panes, which is delimited and enclosed by the first pane 1, the second pane 2 and the spacer 3, is filled with argon, for example. The first pane and the second pane 2 are each, for example, a glass pane made of soda-lime glass with a thickness of 3.5 mm.

[0063] In the installed position, the upward-facing edge of the insulating glazing 101 is referred to as the upper edge O. The downward-facing edge of the insulating glazing 101 in the installed position is referred to as the lower edge U. The edges running in between are referred to as side edges S1, S2. The interior-side surface I of the first pane 1 is simultaneously the interior-side surface of the insulating glazing 101 that is exposed to the refrigerator interior 10. The exterior-side surface IV of the second pane 2 is simultaneously the exterior-side surface of the insulating glazing 101 that is exposed to the external environment 9. A water spot 11 is arranged on the interior-side surface I of the first pane 1, for example as water droplets condensed on the surface.

[0064] The radiation source 4 is arranged relative to the interior-side surface I of the first pane 1 such that, during operation, it can irradiate a large area of ​​the surface 1. The radiation source 4 can, for example, be attached to shelves of the refrigerator. Alternatively, the radiation source 4 can also be attached to a frame mounted around the insulating glazing 101 and thus be arranged on a component of the refrigerator glazing 100 (not shown in Figure 1b). The radiation source 4 comprises, for example, one or more LEDs that emit IR radiation 5 with a wavelength of 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm. The radiation source 2 can, for example, comprise one or more Er:YAG diodes that have a wavelength of approximately 2960 nm. This wavelength corresponds to the frequency and wavelength range in which water molecules have the highest absorption coefficient for the IR radiation 5 (see Figure 6).At the same time, the transmission of glass in this IR radiation range <3.5 pm is particularly high, with a transmittance of approximately 85%, and only a small portion is absorbed. The radiation source 4 is, for example, band-shaped. The dotted area schematically indicates, by way of example, the radiation direction and beam cone of the IR radiation 5. The IR radiation 5 is radiated directly onto the interior-facing surface I of the first pane 1, without significant portions of the IR radiation 5 being coupled into the insulating glazing 101. The radiation source 4 is arranged, for example, 20 cm from the interior-facing surface I of the first pane 1.

[0065] Energy efficiency is an enormously important criterion for future product developments. Advantageously, the heating effect according to the invention does not depend on the heating of the insulating glazing 101 itself, but is achieved selectively through the excitation of the water molecules by the IR radiation 5. When heating a refrigerator's glazing in a conventional manner, for example, using heating layers, the heating required is particularly energy-intensive, counteracting the cooling of the refrigerator. Therefore, the heating effect of the arrangement 200 according to the invention occurs much more quickly than with conventional heating devices, and, in addition, there is no heat loss due to convection and the large surface area of ​​the insulating glazing 101.

[0066] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a cooling device 110 according to the invention, comprising an arrangement 200 according to the invention. The cooling device 110 shown is shown as a refrigerator or freezer, although other variants of cooling devices than those shown are also possible. Figure 2 shows the cooling device 110 in a side view looking towards the cooling device door 111. The cooling device door 111 comprises a frame, in the center of which an insulating glazing 101 is enclosed, as described for Figures 1a and 1b. A contact sensor 14 is arranged centrally on the upper region of the frame of the cooling device door 101, for example, glued or screwed on. In the installed position, the upper region of the frame is directly adjacent to the upper edge O of the insulating glazing 101. In the present embodiment, the insulating glazing 101 is flat, although it is also possible for it to be curved. However, the insulating glazing 101 is preferably flat.In the present case, the arrangement 200 comprises three radiation sources 4, each of which is attached to a support element 12 of the refrigerator 110. The radiation sources 4 are attached to a section of the circumferential side surface of the respective support element 12, which faces the refrigerator glazing 100. The support elements 12 serve as storage areas in the refrigerator, for example, for food or medication. The support elements 12 can be an integral part of the refrigerator 110, but alternatively, they can also be removable. The support elements 12 are arranged spaced apart from one another, so that the radiation sources 4, during operation, irradiate different areas of the interior-side surface I of the first pane 1. For better understanding, only the central radiation source 4 is in operation in the present drawing and irradiates a central area of ​​the insulating glazing 101.The dotted area and the arrows indicate the area of ​​the insulating glazing 101 that is irradiated with IR radiation 5 by the radiation source 4. It is generally preferred that, when the refrigerator door 111 is closed, all radiation sources 4 emit IR radiation 5 and thus cover the majority of the interior-side surface I of the first pane 1. The contact sensor 14 is provided to send a signal to a control unit (not shown here) when the refrigerator door 111 is closed, as in the present case. The control unit then instructs one, several, or all radiation sources 4 to irradiate the insulating glazing 101.

[0067] The variants of the inventive arrangement 200 shown in Figures 3 to 5 essentially correspond to the variant of Figures 1a and 1b, so only the differences will be discussed here, and otherwise reference is made to the description of Figures 1a and 1b. No humidity detectors 13, contact sensors 14, and control units 14 are shown in Figures 3 and 4. However, these can optionally be part of the arrangement 200 or part of a cooling device 110 that comprises one of the variants of the arrangement 200 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0068] In Figure 3, the first pane 1 has an IR-reflecting coating 6 on its outer surface II. The IR-reflecting coating 6 extends over the entire outer surface II of the first pane with the exception of a frame-shaped edge region in which the spacer 3 is arranged. This arrangement of the IR-reflecting coating protects the IR-reflecting coating 6 from corrosion caused by moisture penetrating via the edge region. The IR-reflecting coating 6 comprises, for example, one or more silver layers. The IR-reflecting coating 6 largely prevents IR radiation 5 from being transmitted through the insulating glazing 101 and thus reaching the external environment 9.However, it also has an intensifying effect on the evaporation of water on the interior surface I of the first pane 1 by reflecting IR radiation 5 back to the interior surface I of the first pane 1.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the insulating glazing 101 is triple glazing. The second pane 2 is connected to a third pane 7 via a further spacer 8. Triple glazing generally has better thermal insulation properties than double insulation, which makes it particularly attractive as a component of refrigeration appliances. This allows the refrigeration appliance to operate more energy-efficiently.

[0070] The embodiment of the inventive arrangement 200 shown in Figure 5 comprises a moisture detector 13 connected to a control unit 15. The moisture detector 13 is suitably configured and arranged to detect water 11 on the interior-side surface I of the first pane 1. If the moisture detector 13 detects water 11 on the interior-side surface I, it sends a signal to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 is electronically connected to the radiation source 4. As soon as the control unit 15 receives a signal from the moisture detector 13, the control unit 15 instructs the radiation source 4 to emit IR radiation 5. It is understood that the control unit 15 accordingly does not instruct the radiation source 4 to emit IR radiation 5 if the moisture detector 13 does not detect water 11 and therefore does not send a signal to the control unit 15.

[0071] Figure 6 shows an absorption spectrum of water in the liquid state. The diagram shows that water molecules, for example, have a particularly high absorption coefficient at a wavelength of approximately 3 pm. In a preferred embodiment, a radiation source in the IR wavelength range from 2.5 pm to 3.3 pm, particularly preferably from 2.9 pm to 3.1 pm, is used for the refrigerator glazing, since the absorption and excitation of the water molecules, and thus the resulting heating and evaporation, is particularly high in this preferred wavelength range. Preferably, the first pane simultaneously has a transmission in the wavelength range from 2.9 pm to 3.1 pm of over 70%, in particular at approximately 3.0 pm of approximately 85%, so that the radiation energy can be used efficiently for defrosting and evaporating water in the corresponding areas. List of reference symbols:

[0072] 1 first slice

[0073] 2 second slice

[0074] 3 spacers

[0075] 4 Radiation source

[0076] 5 IR radiation

[0077] 6 IR-reflective coating

[0078] 7 third disc

[0079] 8 additional spacers

[0080] 9 external environment

[0081] 10 Interior

[0082] 11 Water

[0083] 12 supporting element

[0084] 13 Moisture detector

[0085] 14 Contact sensor

[0086] 15 Control unit

[0087] 100 refrigerator glazing

[0088] 101 Insulating glazing

[0089] 110 Cooling device

[0090] 111 Refrigerator door

[0091] 200 arrangement

[0092] I interior surface of the first pane 1

[0093] II outer surface of the first pane 1

[0094] III Interior surface of the second pane 2

[0095] IV outer surface of the second pane 2

[0096] V interior surface of the third pane 7

[0097] VI outer surface of the third disc 7 S circumferential side surface of the supporting element 12

[0098] 51 first side edge of the insulating glazing 101

[0099] 52 second side edge of the insulating glazing 101

[0100] O Upper edge of the insulating glazing 101 U Lower edge of the insulating glazing 101

[0101] XX' cutting line

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement (200) comprising a refrigerator glazing (100) and at least one radiation source (4) for radiation (5) in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm, wherein the refrigerator glazing (100) comprises insulating glazing (101) comprising a first pane (1) with an interior-side surface (I) facing away from the spacer (3), a second pane (2) and a spacer (3) arranged between the first pane (1) and the second pane (2), and wherein the radiation source (4) is arranged relative to the insulating glazing (101) such that the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1) is the surface closest to the radiation source (4) and the radiation source (4) irradiates the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1) at least in part during operation.

2. Arrangement (200) according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source (4) comprises at least one LED and / or one laser, preferably exactly one LED.

3. Arrangement (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radiation source (4) can emit radiation (5) in the IR wavelength range from 1.4 pm to 2 pm, preferably from 1.45 pm to 1.95 pm.

4. Arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating glazing (101) has an IR-reflecting coating (6) which is applied to a surface (II, III) of the first pane (1) or the second pane (2) facing the spacer and preferably extends over at least 80%, particularly preferably over at least 90%, of the main surface of the insulating glazing (101).

5. Arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radiation source (4) is attached to an upper edge (O), lower edge (U) and / or side edge (S1, S2) of the insulating glazing (101), preferably the first pane (1).

6. Arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refrigerator glazing (100) comprises a frame and the radiation source (4) is arranged in or on the frame.

7. Arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the radiation source (4) is designed and arranged such that, during operation, it irradiates at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1).

8. Arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the insulating glazing (101) further comprises a third pane (7) which is connected to the second pane (2) via a further spacer (8).

9. Arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the panes (1, 2, 7) of the insulating glazing (101) are glass panes made of soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, quartz glass or aluminosilicate glass.

10. Cooling device (110) comprising an arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The refrigerator (110) of claim 10, further comprising a refrigerator door (111) which includes the refrigerator glazing (100).

12. The refrigerator (110) according to claim 11, further comprising a contact sensor (14) and a control unit (15), wherein the contact sensor (14) is configured to send a signal A to the control unit (15) when the refrigerator door (111) is closed, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to electronically control the radiation source (4) at least upon receipt of signal A, so that the radiation source (4) irradiates the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1).

13. Cooling device (110) according to one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a moisture detector (13) for detecting water (11) on the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1) and a control unit (15), wherein the moisture detector (13) is configured such that it sends a signal B to the control unit (15) when water (11) is located on the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1), wherein the control unit (15) is configured such that, at least upon receipt of signal B, it electronically controls the radiation source (4) so that the radiation source (4) irradiates the interior-side surface (I) of the first pane (1).

14. Cooling device (110) according to one of claims 10 to 13, comprising: at least one support element (12) with a circumferential side surface (S), wherein the side surface (S) faces at least in a section of the cooling device glazing (100) and the radiation source (4) is mounted in or on this section.

15. Cooling device (110) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the radiation source (4) is arranged on a frame arranged circumferentially around the insulating glazing (101).

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