Refrigerator Unit and/or Freezer Unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having a space for the reception of the refrigerated goods or frozen goods, having a fan which removes air from the space, blows air into the space or circulates the air in the space and having a control unit connected to the fan which controls the fan for the purpose of influencing the temperature distribution such that it is operated in one rotary direction in a first operating state and in the other rotary direction in a second operating state. The invention further relates to a method of operating a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having a space for the reception of the refrigerated goods or frozen goods, having a fan which removes air from the space or blows air into the space or circulates the air in the space and having a control unit connected to the fan.

The fans of such refrigerator units and/or freezer units serve different purposes depending on the design of the appliance. Appliances are known in which the fans are used to establish or maintain a temperature distribution in the refrigerator space or freezer space which is as uniform as possible. Appliances are furthermore known which have a plurality of compartments which are operated at different temperatures and in which the fan serves to maintain these temperature differences. This is achieved in that air cooled by an evaporator is first guided into the cold storage compartment through a refrigerated air passage by means of the fan and cools said cold storage compartment to a lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment into which the air flows after flowing through the cold storage compartment. The air is again guided from the refrigerator compartment into the refrigerated air passage by means of the fan and from there into the cold storage compartment.

A control unit, which controls the duty cycle of the fan, for example, is provided to control the operation of the fan.

A disadvantage in such refrigerator units and/or freezer units consists of the fact that a stop value is achieved in dependence on the operating state before the spatial cooling values are reached. This means that the case can occur that the fan is switched off even though the actual temperature value of a compartment does not correspond to the desired temperature value or does not lie in a desired temperature value range.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to further develop a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit of the initially named kind such that the setting of temperature values or of a temperature distribution is improved.

SUMMARY

This object is solved by a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having the features of claim 1. Provision is accordingly made for the control unit to control the fan for the purpose of influencing the temperature distribution such that it is operated in one rotary direction in a first operating state and in the other rotary direction in a second operating state. The rotary direction of the fan is thus reversed in accordance with the invention. It is thereby possible to blow cold air directly into the desired region, provided a refrigerated air requirement is present therefor. Rotary direction of the fan is understood, for example, as the rotary direction of a fan wheel or the conveying direction of any other conveying member.

It is, for example, conceivable that the reversal of the rotary direction of the fan is carried out for a specific duration or in dependence on measured values, in particular on measured temperature values. It is, for example, conceivable that the fan is operated in one rotary direction in an appliance having a refrigerator compartment and a cold storage compartment, wherein air cooled by an evaporator is not conveyed into the cold storage compartment, but into the refrigerator compartment, provided that its actual temperature value is above a limit value.

A valve control differing from this is naturally also conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one temperature sensor is provided for the determination of an actual temperature value, with the selection of the operating state, i.e. the selection of the rotary direction of the fan depending on the actual temperature value, in particular on the actual temperature value of the space which serves the reception of the refrigerated goods and/or freezer goods. One or more temperature sensors can also be arranged at a different position of the appliance. It is, for example, conceivable that one temperature sensor is arranged at the evaporator or in the region of the evaporator, one temperature sensor is arranged in the refrigerated part and one temperature sensor is arranged in the cold storage compartment or in a region disposed in front of the cold storage compartment.

As stated above, the space can be divided into a plurality of compartments, with at least one temperature sensor being arranged in one, several or all compartments. It is generally conceivable for all compartments to be operated at the same temperature. It is thus conceivable that all the compartments of the appliance are made, for example, as refrigerator compartments or as cold storage compartments. An embodiment is likewise covered by the invention in which the total refrigerator space or freezer space only has one single compartment. However, an embodiment of the invention is preferred in which the appliance has two temperature zones or more than two temperature zones in which different temperatures are set in the operation of the appliance.

In this connection, one temperature zone can be formed by one or more refrigerator compartments and one further temperature zone can be formed by one or more cold storage compartments. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cold storage compartment(s) is/are located beneath the refrigerator compartment(s). The control unit is made in a further embodiment of the invention such that the control of the fan takes place in dependence on a plurality of actual temperature values, in particular on the actual temperature values of a plurality of compartments. It is, for example, conceivable for a respective temperature sensor to be provided both in the refrigerator compartment and in the cold storage compartment and for the rotary direction of the valve to be selected in dependence on both actual temperature values.

The control unit can be made such that the rotary direction is changed when a desired temperature value is exceeded and/or fallen below and/or when a desired temperature region is left and/or reached. If the actual temperature values are within a desired region, provision can be made for the control unit to switch off the fan.

The invention furthermore relates to a method of operating a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having a space for the reception of the refrigerated goods or the freezer goods, having a fan which removes air from the space or blows air into the space or circulates the air in the space, with the fan being operated with different rotary directions for the purpose of influencing the temperature distribution.

It is possible in this connection for the fan to be operated in the one or the other rotary direction for a specific duration or for the selection of the rotary direction to depend on a measured value, in particular on the at least one measured temperature value. Provision is made in a preferred embodiment of the invention for the rotary direction to depend on the actual temperature value of the space which serves for the reception of the refrigerated goods and/or freezer goods.

As stated above, the current invention can be used particularly advantageously in appliances which have a plurality of compartments. Provision can be made in this connection for the selection of the rotary direction of the fan to depend on the actual temperature value of one, several or all compartments. It is particularly advantageous for the appliance to have at least one refrigerator compartment and at least one cold storage compartment and for the rotary direction of the fan to depend on the actual temperature value measured in the refrigerator compartment and/or cold storage compartment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit is programmable so that it is possible to set flexibly that the fan is to be switched off, is to be operated in the first operating state or in the second operating state on the reaching of which specific states of the appliance. Provision can additionally be made for the control unit to control not only the rotary direction of the fan, but also its speed, in dependence on measured values or on the required refrigeration power.

The control of the fan by the control unit in dependence on measured parameters can take place in different manners. It is, for example, conceivable for the rotary direction of the fan to be set such that the air is conveyed from the evaporator into the cold storage compartment when the cold storage compartment temperature exceeds a limit value and that the air is conveyed from the evaporator into the refrigerator compartment when the refrigerator compartment temperature exceeds a limit value. Provision can furthermore be made that, for the event that both the cold storage compartment temperature and the refrigerator compartment temperature exceed limit values, the rotary direction of the fan is first set such that the air is conveyed from the evaporator into the cold storage compartment or into the refrigerator compartment and that, when the desired value or a desired value range of the temperature of this compartment is reached, the rotary direction of the fan is reversed so that the cold air is conveyed directly into the other of the compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. The only FIGURE shows a sectional representation of a refrigerator unit having two temperature zones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

The refrigerator unit has an inner container which bounds the space 10 and whose front side can be closed by a door 11. The space 10 is divided into the refrigerator compartment 12 as well as the two cold storage compartments 14, 16. As can be seen from the FIGURE, the refrigerator compartment 12 is located in the upper region of the appliance and the upper cold storage compartment 14 is located thereunder, beneath the horizontal dividing plate 70 and the second cold storage compartment 16 is located thereunder, beneath an intermediate tray.

An averaged temperature in the range from 2° C. to 9° C. is present in the refrigerator part 12; a temperature in the range between 0° C. and 3° C. is present in the cold storage compartment 14 and a temperature in the range between 0° C. and 3° C. in the cold storage compartment 16.

As stated above, the refrigerator compartment 12 is bounded at the bottom by the horizontal dividing plate 70. The rearward boundary of the refrigerator compartment 12 is formed by the vertical dividing plate 60. Both dividing plates 60, 70 are made in a heat insulated manner.

In its upper end region, the vertical dividing plate 60 has a cut-out in which the fan 20 is arranged. The refrigerated air passage 120, in which the evaporator 50 is arranged in a freely suspended manner, is located in the region between the vertical dividing plate 60 and the rear wall of the appliance. The evaporator 50 is fastened to the rear wall of the appliance.

The appliance furthermore has the compressor 90 as well as the condenser 80 on the outer side of the rear wall of the appliance as components of the refrigeration circuit.

Trays for the reception of the refrigerated goods are located in the refrigerator compartment 12. A tray is furthermore arranged between the cold storage compartments 14, 16 in which drawers are, for example, located. As can be seen from the FIGURE, a further drawer is arranged in the refrigerator compartment 12.

Reference numerals 30, 32, 34 identify temperature sensors, with the temperature sensor 30 being arranged at the evaporator 50, the temperature sensor 32 being arranged in the transition region between the refrigerated air passage 120 and the cold storage compartments 14, 16 and the temperature sensor 34 being arranged in the refrigerator compartment 12.

Reference numeral 40 identifies the control unit or the electronic control system.

As stated above, the appliance thus has two temperature zones of which the one is formed by the refrigerator compartment 12 and the other by the cold storage compartments 14, 16. In the operating state symbolized by the arrows, the fan is operated such that it conveys air from the refrigerator compartment 12 into the refrigerated air passage 120. In the latter, the refrigerated air is cooled by the evaporator 50 and then enters into the cold storage compartments 14, 16.

The air enters into the refrigerator compartment 12 from the cold storage compartments 14, 16 through a gap between the front side of the horizontal dividing plate 70 directed toward the operator side and the door 11 and is guided from there back into the refrigerated air passage 120 by means of the fan 20. A refrigerated air circuit thus results in which the cold air is first guided into the cold storage compartments 14, 16 and then from these into the refrigerator compartment 12.

To avoid a stop value being reached for the fan 20 before the spatial cooling values are reached, provision is made in accordance with the invention for the control unit 40 also to be able to operate the fan 20 in the opposite direction. In this opposite direction, cold air is accordingly first guided from the refrigerated air passage 120 into the refrigerator compartment 12 and air is removed from the cold storage compartments 14, 16. The air movement takes place in a direction opposite the one shown in this case. Due to the fact that the rotary direction of the fan can be reversed as required, it is possible to blow cold air directly into the desired regions and, optionally, to extend the running time of the compressor 90.

It is conceivable in an embodiment that the fan 20 is operated first in the direction shown in the FIGURE for the purpose of the cooling of the space 10. The air accordingly first flows through the refrigerated air passage 120 into the cold storage compartments 14, 16. After flowing through and cooling these compartments, the air then enters into the refrigerator compartment 12 through the gap between the horizontal dividing plate 70 and the door 11. If the air temperature sensor 32 reports that the temperature of the cold storage compartment corresponds to a desired value and if the temperature sensor 34 reports that the temperature in the refrigerated part 12 is above a limit value, the control unit 40 can reverse the rotary direction of the fan for a specific duration or for so long until the desired temperature value is also reached in the refrigerator compartment 12.

It is possible in accordance with the invention to blow cold air directly into the desired region and thus to prevent a stop value being reached before the spatial cooling values are reached.

Claims

1. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having a space for the reception of the refrigerated goods or frozen goods, comprising:

a fan which removes air from the space, blows air into the space or circulates the air in the space; and

a control unit connected to the fan which controls the fan, the control unit influencing a temperature distribution in the space such that the fan is operated in one rotary direction in a first operating state and in another rotary direction in a second operating state.

2. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a duration of the first and/or second operating state is preset.

3. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 2, further comprising at least one temperature sensor for the determination of an actual temperature value; and wherein the control unit selects the operating state in dependence on the actual temperature value, and where the actual temperature includes, an actual temperature value of the space.

4. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor(s) is/are arranged in the space or at an evaporator of the unit.

5. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the space X is divided into a plurality of compartments; and at least one temperature sensor is arranged in one, several or all compartments.

6. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises at least two temperature zones.

7. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 6, wherein one temperature zone is formed by one or more refrigerated compartments and a further temperature zone is formed by one or more cold storage compartments.

8. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the fan in dependence on a plurality of actual temperature values, in particular on the actual temperature values of the plurality of compartments.

9. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the rotary direction is changed when a desired temperature value is exceeded and/or fallen below or when a desired temperature range is left and/or reached.

10. A method of operating a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having a space for the reception of the refrigerated goods and/or the frozen goods, having a fan which removes air from the space or blows air into the space or circulates the air in the space, comprising:

operating the fan with different rotary directions depending on an operating state of the unit to influencing a temperature distribution in the space.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the fan is operated in one of a first or second rotary direction for a specific duration.

12. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein a selection of a rotary direction of the fan depends upon a measured value, wherein the selection of the rotary direction of the fan depends on an actual temperature value of the space.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the unit has a plurality of compartments; and where the selection of the rotary direction of the fan depends on an actual temperature value of one, several or all compartments.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the unit has at least one refrigerator compartment and at least one cold storage compartment; and wherein the rotary direction of the fan depends on an actual temperature value measured in the refrigerator compartment and/or in the cold storage compartment.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit has an evaporator for air cooling; and wherein the rotary direction of the fan is set such that the air is conveyed from the evaporator (into the cold storage compartment when the cold storage compartment temperature exceeds a limit value; and the air is conveyed from the evaporator into the refrigerator compartment when the refrigerator compartment temperature exceeds a limit value.

16. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit has an evaporator for air cooling; and when the actual cold storage compartment temperature as well as the actual refrigerator compartment temperature exceed limit values, the rotary direction of the fan is first set such that the air is conveyed from the evaporator into the cold storage compartment or into the refrigerator compartments; and the rotary direction of the fan wheel is reversed when the desired value or a desired value range of the temperature of this compartment is reached so that the air is conveyed from the evaporator into the other of the compartments.

17. The refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a duration of the first and/or second operating state depends on a measured value.

18. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the rotary direction depends on a measured value.

19. A method of operating a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having a space for the reception of the refrigerated goods and/or the frozen goods, and having a fan which removes air from the space or blows air into the space or circulates the air in the space, and further having an evaporator for air cooling, the unit having at least a refrigerator compartment and a cold storage compartment, comprising:

operating the fan in a first rotary direction to convey the air from the evaporator into at least one of the cold storage compartment or into the refrigerator compartment when a cold storage compartment temperature and a refrigerator compartment temperature exceed limit values; and

operating the fan in a second, reverse, rotary direction to convey air from the evaporator into the other of the compartments when a desired temperature value of the at least one compartment is reached.