Storage cabinet comprising a device for treating the interior air

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage cabinet comprising a device for treating the interior air. 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 cool the interior air (2); - a device (40) for treating the interior air, the device comprising a flow channel (50) having a filter element (60) attached 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) is characterised in that the filter element (60) is received in a housing (41) having an interior-side access opening (56) and is held in the receiving space (55) at a distance from the cover (42).

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] 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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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 is accommodated in a housing with an interior-side access opening, which is arranged on the rear wall of the interior and comprises a cover accessible from the interior for closing the access opening, wherein the cover is located at a distance from the opening edge in the closed position, with the resulting slot providing the air opening for the air flowing through the housing and the interior. The air opening functions as an outlet opening for the flow duct when the fan is configured to convey the air from the flow duct through the housing into the interior.The air opening can alternatively function as an inlet opening for the flow channel if the fan is configured to convey the air from the interior into the housing and from there into the fluid channel to the remote outlet opening. The filter element is designed as a filter block and is held in the housing by means of a cage such that the flat side of the filter is positioned and fixed at a predetermined distance from the inside of the cover and the edge sides of the filter block are positioned and fixed at a further, predetermined distance from the side walls of the housing. The filter element is preferably also held at a predetermined distance from the inside of the receiving housing. The two opposite, large outer surfaces of the flat body are referred to as flat sides. The edge sides are the narrow strips that surround the flat sides on the outside.Only a portion of the airflow flows through the filter medium, while the remaining portion flows past or around the filter element. This is usually sufficient to achieve adequate odor removal from the interior air. Due to this portion, which can be referred to as bypass flow, flow resistance is kept low. The air flowing past the filter element flows along the surfaces of the filter element, thereby creating a low-intensity reaction with the filter material.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the cage is attached or permanently connected to the inside of the cover, with the filter element guided so that it can be removed from the cage and inserted into the cage. The cage provides the support and fixed positioning of the filter element. Opening the cover or pulling the cover out of the operating position simultaneously removes the filter element from the housing or flow channel, making it easy for the user to remove and insert.

[0012] In a practical development, the lid is pivotably mounted on the opening edge, preferably on the lower opening edge, with a hinge. The lid is further locked in the closed position with a locking element on the opposite opening edge.

[0013] In another practical refinement of the design with a retaining cage attached to the inside of the cover, the cover and cage are designed as a drawer and mounted within the housing for linear movement. The drawer can be completely removable or equipped with an end stop. Such a filter arrangement is easy to handle because it is linearly guided within the housing's retaining space. This ensures positioning at the intended location within the retaining space.

[0014] In an overall practical design, 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 cabinet after a predetermined period of use and reactivated with a regeneration process. Regenerating cleans the filter medium 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 for a service life of several years.

[0015] In a practical design, the filter element is located near the air opening or close to the air 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 to accommodate a filter element.

[0016] 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 air opening, for example, the inlet opening or between the air opening and the end opening on the flow channel. This allows for easy access to the access opening.

[0017] In a practical development, the access opening is closed by a cover, with the cover being removable or pivotably mounted on the access opening. A cover panel of the air opening can also function as the cover if the receiving space for the filter element is provided in the air opening in the interior, for example, the inlet opening. If the access opening is located in the central duct area, it is advantageous for the cover to tightly close the access opening to the flow channel to prevent air loss due to leaks.

[0018] In an overall advantageous embodiment of the storage cabinet, it comprises a filter element as described below.

[0019] 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 drinks storage cabinet, as described above. In an advantageous embodiment, the filter element comprises a carrier, wherein the filter medium is received or fixed in the carrier. The carrier can be designed as a frame, as a frame with a grid, or as a cassette. The frame is made of a solid 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] In an overall practical embodiment, the filter medium and the frame are made of heat-resistant material, preferably heat-resistant up to a value in the range of greater than 150°C to 600°C, preferably greater than 180°C to 300°C. This is necessary if the regeneration of the filter medium is carried out by applying heat for a predetermined time.

[0021] In an advantageous development, the filter medium can be regenerated by applying heat at a temperature in the range of 150°C to 500°C, preferably 180°C to 300°C, for a period of 20 to 100 minutes, preferably 40 to 70 minutes, particularly preferably a period of approximately 60 minutes. 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.

[0022] In an overall practical design, the filter medium comprises multi-layer fiber material coated with activated carbon.

[0023] In another embodiment, 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 the air duct in the area of ​​the filter holder in a schematic sectional view;

[0028] Fig: 3: the air treatment device in normal operating situation;

[0029] Fig. 4, 5: The air treatment device with open flap in different

[0030] situations and Fig. 6: an example of the process of regenerating the filter element or

[0031] filter medium.

[0032] 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.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the storage cabinet 1 is shown in detail in a sketched sectional view. A channel 50 is formed outside the inner container 2 and extends from the air inlet 44 to the air outlet 46. The channel 50 is formed from the rear wall panel 20 and the body wall 20a spaced therefrom. 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 L through the inlet opening 44 into the housing 41 and conveys it through the filter element 60 with the filter medium 61 and out of the channel 50 again through the air outlet 46. The blown out, cleaned air L is then fed back into the interior 2 of the storage cabinet 1.This applies when the fan 51 is configured to draw air through the air opening 44, so that this opening 44 acts as an inlet opening. If the fan 51 is configured for a counterflow direction, the air opening 44 serves as an outlet opening.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows the interior 2 of the storage cabinet 1, viewed from the partition wall 20 in the area of ​​the housing 41. The cover plate or lid 42 at least partially closes the access opening 48, so that in this example, the inlet opening 44 remains open as a gap. After opening or removing the cover plate 42, the filter element 60 can be removed from the receiving space 55.

[0035] When the cover plate 42 is pulled out of the operating position, as shown in Fig. 4, the filter element 60 is taken along. 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 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 medium 61 or of the entire filter element 60. The filter medium 61 comprises the active material that provides the filtering effect. Fig. 4 shows the housing 41 with the flap 42 open or swung downwards, with the free access opening 56 to the receiving space 55. The cage 66, which is designed to receive and hold the filter element 60, is attached to the inside of the flap 42.In the situation shown, the filter element 60 is in the position intended for operation when the flap 42 is closed. The cage 66 is shaped such that the filter element 60 is positioned and held with its flat side at a distance in the range of 0.5 cm to 3 cm from the rear of the flap and at a distance in the range of 0.5 cm to 2 cm from the fan 51.

[0036] The arrows in the receiving space 55 and channel 50 outline the air L flowing through. It can be seen that a first portion of the air L flows past the filter element 60 and a second portion of the air L flows through the filter element 60 or filter medium 61. In another embodiment, the fan 51 can be designed for an opposite flow direction, so that the air L is conveyed in a correspondingly opposite direction. The flap 42 is mounted on one side with a hinge 46 on the opening edge of the receiving space 55, with a locking means 47 attached to the opposite side, which interacts with a corresponding contour 48 serving as a counter-locking means on the opposite opening edge of the receiving space 55 when the flap 42 is closed and locked. The flow generator 51 is located behind a protective grille 59 directly adjacent to the rear end of the receiving space 55.

[0037] For all designs and outlined examples, the filter element 60 is inserted into the receiving space 55 in such a way that it does not form a seal. The filter medium is preferably designed such that, during operation of the flow generator 51, 52, a maximum flow loss of almost 0%, maximum 30%, preferably maximum 10%, occurs. This is achieved by appropriately dimensioning the pore size or mesh size of the filter medium 61 and its thickness.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows the housing 41 with the flap 42 open, wherein the components for holding the filter element 60 can be seen, as described above. In the situation shown, the filter element 60 is partially pulled out of the cage. The cage 66 is designed such that the filter element 60 can be pulled out or pushed in laterally, i.e. in direction R parallel to the inner surface of the flap 42. The filter element 60 preferably comprises a support 63 designed as a frame, in which the filter medium 61 is received and stabilizes the filter medium. The frame 63 can be designed as a lattice frame. If the filter medium 61 is designed as a stable, solid body, the support 63 can be omitted, so that in this case the filter medium 61 forms the filter element 60.

[0039] Overall, all direction and position information refers to the normal operating position of the storage cabinet 1.

[0040] Fig. 6 schematically shows the actions for regenerating the filter element 60 or filter medium 61. After removing the filter element 60 from the storage cabinet 1 (Fig. 1, 2), the part 60 or only 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 heated for a predetermined

[0041] Time at a predetermined temperature, with a value as mentioned above. 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 first air opening as an inlet opening (44) and at least one further air opening as an outlet opening (46) for connection to the interior (2);characterized in that the filter element (60) is accommodated in a housing (41) with an interior-side access opening (56), which is arranged on the rear wall (20) of the interior (2) and comprises a cover (42) accessible from the interior (2) for closing the access opening (56), wherein the cover (42) is located at a distance from the edge of the access opening (56) in the closed position and thereby provides the inlet opening (44) for the flow channel (55, 50), wherein the filter element (60) is designed as a filter block (60, 61) and is held in the housing (41) by means of a cage (66) such that the broad side of the filter (60) is positioned and fixed at a predetermined distance from the inside of the cover (42) and the edge sides are positioned and fixed at a further, predetermined distance from the side walls of the housing (41); 2. Storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cage (66) is attached to the inside of the lid (42) and the filter element (60) is guided so as to be removable from the cage (66) and insertable into the cage (66).

3. Storage cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid (42) is pivotally mounted on the opening edge (56), preferably on the lower opening edge (56).

4. Storage cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid (42) with cage (66) is designed as a drawer and is mounted in the housing (41) so as to be linearly displaceable.

5. Storage cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter element (60) comprises a filter medium (61) made of regenerable material.

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

7. Storage cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow channel (50) comprises an access opening (56) 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 (56) is arranged in the housing in the region of the air opening (44) or between the air opening (44) and the opening (46) on the flow channel (50).

8. Filter element (60) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the filter medium (61) is regenerable by heat input at a temperature value in the range of 150°C to 600°C, preferably 180°C to 300°C, for a duration in the range of 20 min. to 100 min., preferably 40 min. to 70 min.

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

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

11. Filter element (60) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises open-pore foam consisting of or containing activated carbon.

12. Filter element (60) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter medium (61) comprises granules consisting of activated carbon or containing activated carbon, which is sintered or formed into a solid block with a binder.

13. Storage cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a filter element (60) according to one of claims 8 to 12.

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