Domestic refrigeration appliance and method for operating a domestic refrigeration appliance

Abstract

A domestic refrigeration appliance has a heat-insulated carcass which has an inner container with a coolable interior space for storing food, a refrigeration device for cooling the coolable interior space, an assisting device, and a door leaf mounted pivotable relative to the carcass for opening and closing the interior space or a drawer which in the closed state is pushed into the coolable interior space in order to close it, and in the open state is at least partially withdrawn from the coolable interior space. The assisting device has an air pressure sensor configured to determine a change of the air pressure within the interior space due to a pushing and/or pulling on the closed door leaf or the closed drawer. The assisting device is configured to open the closed door leaf or the closed drawer automatically at least partially depending on the determined change in the air pressure.

Claims

1. A domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: a heat-insulated carcass having an inner container with a coolable interior space for storing food; a refrigeration device for cooling said coolable interior space; an assisting device; a closeable device selected from the group consisting of a drawer and a door leaf, said door leaf mounted pivotable relative to said carcass for opening and closing said coolable interior space; or said drawer which in a closed state is pushed into said coolable interior space in order to close said drawer thus resulting in a closed drawer, and in an open state is at least partially withdrawn from said coolable interior space; said assisting device having an air pressure sensor configured to determine a change of air pressure within said coolable interior space resulting due to a pushing and/or pulling on said door leaf in a closed state or on said closed drawer, said assisting device configured to open said door leaf or said closed drawer automatically at least partially depending on a determined change in the air pressure; and said air pressure sensor, containing: a pressure chamber with an entry and coupled via said entry to said coolable interior space so that the change in the air pressure within the coolable interior space is transferred to said pressure chamber; an inductive component disposed within said pressure chamber, said inductive component having an areal electric coil and an electrically conductive film spaced at a distance from said areal electric coil, so that the change in the air pressure is directly applied to said electrically conductive film causing a change in a distance between said electrically conductive film and said areal electric coil, resulting in a change in an inductance, a resistance and/or a reactance of said inductive component; and an evaluating device configured to evaluate the inductance, the resistance and/or the reactance of said inductive component associated with the change in the air pressure, so that said assisting device opens said door leaf or said closed drawer at least partially, dependent upon the inductance, the resistance and/or the reactance of said inductive component.

2. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said air pressure sensor has a spacing ring which is disposed between said areal component and said electrically conductive film.

3. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said air pressure sensor has a circuit board with a surface and said areal component is disposed on said surface.

4. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 3, wherein only said areal component is directly disposed on said circuit board.

5. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 3, wherein: said air pressure sensor has a housing which delimits said pressure chamber and contains said entry to said pressure chamber; said housing of said air pressure sensor has an opening formed therein which is closed by said circuit board such that said surface of said circuit board faces toward said pressure chamber and said areal component is disposed in a region of said opening within said pressure chamber; and said circuit board contains a peripherally circumferential edge which overlaps an edge of said opening at least partially.

6. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said assisting device has a housing within which substantially all components of said assisting device are disposed and in which said pressure chamber is provided.

7. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 6, wherein said housing of said assisting device has said entry which is directly linked to said pressure chamber and is coupled with said coolable interior space.

8. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said air pressure sensor contains a circuit board having a surface with a depression formed therein, said areal component is disposed in said depression of said surface.

9. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said closeable device has an elastic magnetic seal which lies sealingly on said carcass when said closeable device is closed.

10. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said drawer has an elastic magnetic seal which lies sealingly on said carcass when said drawer is closed.

11. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive film delimits said pressure chamber.

12. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure is directly applied to a surface of said electrically conductive film.

13. A method for operating a domestic refrigeration appliance, which comprises the steps of: providing the domestic refrigeration appliance to contain: a heat-insulated carcass having an inner container with a coolable interior space for storing food; a refrigeration device for cooling the coolable interior space; an assisting device; a closeable device selected from the group consisting of a drawer and a door leaf: the door leaf mounted pivotable relative to the carcass for opening and closing the coolable interior space; or the drawer which in a closed state is pushed into the coolable interior space in order to close the drawer thus resulting in a closed drawer, and in an open state is at least partially withdrawn from the coolable interior space; the assisting device having an air pressure sensor configured to determine a change of air pressure within the coolable interior space resulting due to a pushing and/or pulling on the door leaf in a closed state or on the closed drawer, the assisting device configured to open the door leaf or the closed drawer automatically at least partially depending on a determined change in the air pressure; the air pressure sensor, containing: a pressure chamber with an entry and coupled via the entry to the coolable interior space so that the change in the air pressure within the coolable interior space is transferred to the pressure chamber; an inductive component disposed within the pressure chamber, the inductive component having an areal electric coil and an electrically conductive film spaced at a distance from the areal electric coil, so that the change in the air pressure is directly applied to the electrically conductive film causing a change in a distance between the electrically conductive film and the areal electric coil, resulting in a change in an inductance, a resistance and/or a reactance of the inductive component; and an evaluating device configured to evaluate the inductance, the resistance and/or the reactance of the inductive component associated with the change in the air pressure, so that the assisting device opens the door leaf or the closed drawer at least partially, dependent upon the inductance, the resistance and/or the reactance of the inductive component; determining a value or a change in at least one electrical variable of the inductive component by means of the evaluating device, the at least one electrical variable selected from the group consisting of the inductance, the resistance and the reactance of the inductive component, so that the at least one electrical variable is changed due to an at least partially changing distance between the electrically conductive film and the areal electric coil caused by the change in the air pressure resulting from the pulling or pushing on the door leaf or on the closed drawer; evaluating a determined value or a determined change in the at least one electrical variable by means of the evaluating device; and activating the assisting device, so that the assisting device opens the door leaf or the closed drawer, based at least partially in dependence upon the evaluating step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a domestic refrigeration appliance with a door leaf and an assisting device for opening the door leaf according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is an illustration of a principle of the assisting device;

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of an air pressure sensor of the assisting device;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the air pressure sensor of the assisting device; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of part of an embodiment of the assisting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown, in a perspective view, a domestic refrigeration appliance 1 which contains a heat-insulated carcass 2 with an inner container 3 which delimits a coolable interior space 4. The coolable interior space 4 is provided for storing non-illustrated foodstuff.

(7) In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 has a pivotable door leaf 5 for closing the coolable interior space 4. The door leaf is mounted, in particular, pivotable relative to a vertically extending axis. With the door leaf 5 open as shown in FIG. 1, the coolable interior space 4 is accessible.

(8) Arranged on the side of the door leaf 5 facing toward the coolable interior space 4 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment are a plurality of door storage units 6 for storing food. Arranged in the coolable interior space 4 are, in particular, a plurality of shelves 7 for storing food and arranged, in particular, in the lower region of the coolable interior space 4 is a drawer 8 in which, also, food can be stored.

(9) The domestic refrigerator 1 contains a refrigeration device configured, in particular, as a refrigerant circuit for cooling the coolable interior space 4. The refrigerant circuit contains, in particular, a compressor, a condenser connected downstream of the compressor, a throttle device which is configured, in particular, as a throttle pipe or capillary pipe connected downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator which is arranged between the throttle device and the compressor. The compressor is preferably arranged within a mechanism chamber of the domestic refrigeration appliance 1, which is arranged, in particular, behind the drawer 8.

(10) In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 contains an electronic control device 9 which is configured to control the refrigeration device, in particular the compressor of the refrigerant circuit in a manner that is commonly known to persons skilled in the art, such that the coolable interior space 4 has approximately a pre-determined or pre-determinable target temperature. The electronic control device 9 is preferably configured such that it regulates the temperature of the coolable interior space 4. In order, if required, to obtain the target temperature of the coolable interior space 4, the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 can have at least one non-illustrated temperature sensor which is connected to the electronic control device 9.

(11) The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 also has an assisting device 20 which is configured at least to assist an opening of the closed door leaf 5. FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the principle of the assisting device 20.

(12) The assisting device 20 is fastened, for example, in or on the carcass 2 and contains a control body, for example, a plunger 21 which can be moved automatically by an actuator 22 of the assisting device 20 from a driven in to a driven out position. In its driven in position, the plunger 21 permits closing of the door leaf 5 or the plunger 21 is pushed, on closing the door leaf 5, into its driven in position. The actuator 22 contains, for example, an electric motor. The actuator 22 is controlled, for example, by a controlling element 23, for example, a driver stage.

(13) In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 contains a magnetic seal 10 fastened on the side of the door leaf 5 facing toward the coolable interior space 4, the magnetic seal lying, with the door leaf 5 closed, against the front face of the carcass 2. The magnetic seal 10 is elastic so that in the event of pushing on the closed door leaf 5, it moves a little in the direction of the coolable interior space 4, so that the air pressure within the coolable interior space 4 changes. Due to the elastic magnetic seal 10, in the event of pulling on the closed door leaf 5, the magnetic seal 10 does not detach immediately from the carcass 2, so that the air pressure within the coolable interior space 4 likewise changes.

(14) In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the assisting device 20 is configured such that it recognizes the wish of a person to open the door leaf 5 as soon as the person pulls or pushes on the closed door leaf 5. Thereupon, the actuator 22 automatically moves the plunger 21 from its driven in position into its driven out position. During this movement, the plunger 21 pushes the door leaf 5 open at least so far that the magnetic seal 10 detaches from the carcass 2 so that the person can more easily open the door leaf 5 completely.

(15) Based on a measurement and evaluation of the change in the air pressure within the coolable interior space 4, a pulling or pushing on the door leaf 5 and therefore the wish of a person to open the closed door leaf 5 can thus be deduced.

(16) In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the assisting device 20 contains an air pressure sensor which is configured to determine the air pressure within the coolable interior space 4 or a change in this air pressure, so that, depending on the change in this air pressure, the assisting device 20 becomes active and automatically moves the plunger 21 from its driven in position into its driven out position. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an air pressure sensor 31 in an exploded view. The air pressure sensor 31 contains a pressure chamber 32.

(17) In one embodiment of the assisting device 20, the air pressure sensor 31 contains a housing 33, shown in FIG. 3, which delimits a pressure chamber 32. The housing 33 is preferably made of plastics and is constructed, in particular, integrally. The housing 33 contains an entry 34 by which the pressure chamber 32 is coupled, for example, via a hose (not shown) to the coolable interior space 4.

(18) The air pressure sensor 31 also contains an electric component 37 arranged within the pressure chamber 32 and an evaluating device 35 connected to the electric component 37, the evaluating device being configured to control the actuator 22 or the controlling element 23.

(19) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 31 has a circuit board 36 on which, for example, the evaluating device 35 can also be arranged.

(20) The air pressure sensor 32 contains the electric component 37 which in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is configured as an inductive component 38. The electric component 37 or the inductive component 38 is arranged within the pressure chamber 32.

(21) The electric component 37 contains an areal component 39 and an electrically conductive film 40 spaced at a distance from the areal component 39. In the case of an electric component 37 configured as an inductive component 38, the areal component 39 is an areal electric coil 41. The areal electric coil 41 is preferably configured multi-layered.

(22) The areal component 39 or the areal electric coil 41 is arranged or fastened, in particular, on a surface 42 of the circuit board 36, preferably in a depression 43 in this surface 42 of the circuit board 36. For example, by reason of the depression 43, it is possible to arrange the electrically conductive film 40 spaced from the areal component 39 or to arrange the areal electric coil 41 within the pressure chamber 32.

(23) Preferably, an electrically non-conductive spacing ring (not shown in FIG. 3) can be provided between the areal component 40 or the areal electric coil 41.

(24) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the housing 33 of the pressure chamber 32 contains a preferably circularly configured opening 44 and fastening device 45 with which the housing 33 of the pressure chamber 32 is fastened to the circuit board 36. The fastening device 45 is preferably a locking device or locking hooks with which the housing 33 of the pressure chamber 32 is locked to the circuit board 36.

(25) The housing 33 of the pressure chamber 32 is fastened to the circuit board 36 such that the surface 42 on which the areal component 39 or the areal electric coil 41 is arranged faces toward the pressure chamber 32 and closes the opening 44, and that the areal component 39 or the areal electric coil 41 is arranged in the region of the opening 44 within the pressure chamber 32.

(26) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the opening 44 is sealed with a sealing ring 46.

(27) As already set out, a pulling or pushing on the closed door leaf 5 causes a change in the air pressure within the coolable interior space 4. Since this space is coupled to the pressure chamber 32, this change in the air pressure is transferred to the pressure chamber 32, by which means a force is exerted on the electrically conductive film 40. By this means, the distance between the electrically conductive film 40 and the areal component 39 or the areal electric coil 41 changes at least partially.

(28) The change in the distance leads in general to a change in the electrical variable of the electric component 37, in particular, to a change in the inductance, reactance and/or resistance of the inductive component 38. Since specifically the areal coil 41 interacts with the electrically conductive film 40, for example, an alternating current flowing through the areal coil 41 or an alternating magnetic field of the areal coil 41 generates an induction voltage in the electrically conductive film 40. This leads to eddy currents which, in turn, have a retroactive effect on the areal coil 41.

(29) It is therefore possible, by means of the evaluating device 35 to evaluate at least one electrical variable of the electric component 37 associated with the change of the air pressure within the coolable interior space 4, so that the assisting device 20 or the evaluating device 35 thereof controls the controlling element 23 in such a way that the actuator 22 moves the plunger 21 from its driven in position to its driven out position in order to open the closed door leaf 5 at least partially.

(30) In the case of the inductive component 38, the at least one electrical variable is its inductance, its resistance and/or its reactance. These electrical variables can be determined or evaluated by means of an oscillating circuit of the evaluating device 35.

(31) FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of an air pressure sensor 31a which can be used in place of the air pressure sensor 31 shown in FIG. 3 for the assisting device 20. If not described otherwise, components of the air pressure sensor 31a shown in FIG. 4 which are structurally and functionally identical to components of the air pressure sensor 31 shown in FIG. 3 are identified with the same reference signs.

(32) The circuit board 36 of the air pressure sensor 31 shown in FIG. 4 is preferably circular and contains a peripherally circumferential edge 47. The size of the circuit board 36 is adapted to the size of the opening 44 of the housing 33 of the pressure chamber 32 and closes this opening such that the surface 42 on which the areal component 37 or the areal coil 41 is arranged faces toward the pressure chamber 32 and thus the areal component 37 or the areal coil 41 is arranged within the pressure chamber 32. Furthermore, the edge 48 of the opening 44 of the housing 33 overlaps the edge 47 of the circuit board 36 at least partially, preferably completely.

(33) The evaluating device 35 or the electronic components of the evaluating device 35 are arranged on a further circuit board not shown in FIG. 4. Thus the electric component 37 or the inductive component 38 is at least partially mechanically decoupled from further components of the assisting device 20.

(34) The housing 33 of the pressure chamber 32 of the air pressure sensor 31a shown in FIG. 4 is fixed with the fastening device 45 not to the circuit board 36, but to a further component (not shown) of the assisting device 20, for example, a housing of the assisting device 20 or to the further circuit board.

(35) FIG. 5 shows part of an embodiment of the assisting device 20 in a sectional perspective view.

(36) The embodiment of the assisting device 20 shown in FIG. 5 contains a housing 24 within which substantially all the components of the assisting device 20 are arranged. In particular, the actuator 22, the controlling element 23 and the air pressure sensor are arranged within the housing 24.

(37) The housing 24 of the assisting device 20 is preferably made of plastics and preferably contains two housing parts 25, 26.

(38) The housing 24 of the embodiment of the assisting device 20 shown in FIG. 5 is configured such that the pressure chamber 32 is provided therein wherein, in particular, the housing 24 of the assisting device is provided with the pressure chamber 32 of the air pressure sensor. The pressure chamber 32 is therefore an integral component of the housing 24, and in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, is an integral component of the housing part 25.

(39) The pressure chamber 32 is formed by a depression in the housing 24 of the assisting device 20.

(40) The housing 24 of the assisting device 20 preferably contains an entry 27 which is directly linked to the pressure chamber 33, by which the pressure chamber 32 is coupled, for example, via a hose (not shown) to the coolable interior space 4.

(41) The air pressure sensor further contains the electric component 37 arranged within the pressure chamber 32 or the inductive component 38, that is, the areal component 39 or the areal coil 41 and the electrically conductive film 40 spaced from the areal component 39.

(42) For the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also the circuit board 36 is provided, on the surface 42 of which the areal component 39 or the areal coil 41 is fastened.

(43) The delimiting walls of the pressure chamber 32 have, in particular, an opening 28 which is closed by the circuit board 36. Preferably, the size of the circuit board 36 is adapted to the size of the opening 28 of the pressure chamber 32 and closes this opening such that the surface 42 of the circuit board 36 on which the areal component 37 or the areal coil 41 is arranged faces toward the pressure chamber 32 and thus the areal component 39 or the areal coil 41 is arranged within the pressure chamber 32.

(44) Preferably, an electrically non-conductive spacing ring 49 is provided between the areal component 39 or the areal electric coil 41 and the electrically conductive film 40.

(45) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the sealing ring 46 is also provided so that the electrically conductive film 40 is clamped between the sealing ring 46 and the spacing ring 49.

(46) The embodiment of the assisting device 20 shown in FIG. 5 contains a further circuit board 29 on which, for example, the evaluating device 35 or an electronic unit of the evaluating device 35 is arranged. Electrical connections 30 are provided for an electrical connection of the electric component 37 of the inductive component 38 to the evaluating device 35. The electrical connections 30 connect, in particular, the circuit board 36 to the further circuit board 29. The electrical connections 30 are preferably elastic. Preferably, the further circuit board 29 is arranged on the housing part 26 in which the pressure chamber 32 is not provided.

(47) The electric component 37 can also be configured as a capacitor. In this case, the areal component 39 is a first areal electrode and the electrically conductive film 40 is a second areal electrode. The at least one electrical variable which is evaluated with the evaluating device 35 is then the capacitance of the capacitor, which changes on a change of the distance between the two areal electrodes.

(48) The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 can also have a drawer which is at least partially withdrawable from the coolable interior space 4 and is pushable into the coolable interior space 4. In the pushed in state, this drawer closes the coolable interior space 4. If this drawer is at least partially withdrawn from the coolable interior space 4, then it is opened. The assisting device 20 can also be provided to recognize the wish to open the drawer.

(49) In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the assisting device 20 is configured such that it recognizes the wish of a person to open this drawer as soon as the person pulls or pushes on the closed drawer. Thereupon, the actuator 22 automatically moves the plunger 21 from its driven in position into its driven out position. During this movement, the plunger 21 pushes the drawer open at least so far out of the coolable interior space 4 that a magnetic seal of the drawer detaches from the carcass 2 so that the person can more easily open the drawer completely.

(50) The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: 1 Domestic refrigeration appliance 2 Carcass 3 Inner container 4 Coolable interior space 5 Door leaf 6 Door storage unit 7 Shelf 8 Drawer 9 Electronic control device 10 Magnetic seal 20 Assisting device 21 Plunger 22 Actuator 23 Controlling element 24 Housing 25, 26 Housing part 27 Entry 28 Opening 29 Circuit board 30 Electrical connections 31, 31a Air pressure sensor 32 Pressure chamber 33 Housing 34 Entry 35 Evaluating device 36 Circuit board 37 Electric component 38 Inductive component 39 Areal component 40 Electrically conductive film 41 Areal electric coil 42 Surface 43 Depression 44 Opening 45 Fastening means 46 Sealing ring 47, 48 Edge 49 Spacing ring