EP3772625A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents
Refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3772625A1 EP3772625A1 EP19190037.2A EP19190037A EP3772625A1 EP 3772625 A1 EP3772625 A1 EP 3772625A1 EP 19190037 A EP19190037 A EP 19190037A EP 3772625 A1 EP3772625 A1 EP 3772625A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- control device
- humidity control
- refrigerator appliance
- household refrigerator
- cap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 9
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 244000141359 Malus pumila Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000220324 Pyrus Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000021016 apples Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012055 fruits and vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000021017 pears Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/045—Air flow control arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to refrigerator appliances and in particular to a household refrigerator appliance having a crisper compartment with a humidity control device.
- domestic refrigeration appliances generally have a crisper compartment, which is located within a refrigerator cavity and is intended to receive and store fresh vegetables and fruits.
- a crisper compartment is generally provided with one or more drawers slidably fitted under a shelf of a refrigerator appliance.
- the refrigerator shelf under which the drawers are arranged may be employed as a lid.
- the one or more drawers may have a lid of their own. Gaskets may advantageously be associated with either the edges of the drawers or the edges of the shelf or lid(s) to achieve an air-tight sealing.
- These devices generally comprise venting holes/apertures defining a ventilation passage, whose size can be suitably adjusted to selectively vary fluid communication between the crisper compartment and the refrigerator cavity.
- a flow of air/gases is allowed to and from the crisper compartment, thus keeping humidity relatively low.
- This is beneficial for the storage of fruits such as pears and apples, and also allows ethylene gas produced by certain fruits to escape, thus preventing them from rotting quickly.
- the ventilation passage is in a fully closed position, substantially no airflow is possible, which keeps humidity in the crisper compartment relatively high.
- Known humidity control devices comprise one or more ventilation holes formed in a trim piece mounted at the front edge of the shelf closing the crisper compartment.
- a plate member is slidably mounted along the trim piece and can be moved from a closed position, where it covers all ventilation holes, and an open position, where an airflow is allowed through all of them.
- the adjustment member is rotatably mounted e.g. on a wall of the drawer at the ventilation holes.
- the adjustment member includes one or more control plates arranged in a circumferential direction on a support portion.
- the plates have an arc-shaped cross-section whose size corresponds to the width of the ventilation holes.
- the control plates have a size corresponding to the size of the holes.
- the support portion features a rounded profile protruding outwards from the drawer, which can be operated by a user's finger for rotation. By rotating the support portion, the position of the control plates relative to the respective ventilation holes can be varied, thereby modifying the degree of opening and thus the airflow to and from the crisper compartment.
- US 10260799 e.g. discloses a lid mounted in the refrigeration cavity in such a manner that it can be raised and lowered to open and close a crisped compartment.
- a separating wall is arranged between the lid and a cover member.
- An operating element in the form of a rotatable knob is arranged on the separating wall and can be used to actuate the lid. To this aim, the operating element is rotated about an axis on an actuation path and can be latched at least in one rotation position along the actuation path.
- the humidity control devices described above can be improved from the ergonomics point of view, particularly considering the larger and larger number of compartments and drawers available in modern refrigerator appliances.
- the technical problem underlying and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a household refrigerator appliance with humidity control means for a crisper compartment that allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.
- a humidity control device is operably associated with the crisper compartment and configured to selectively allow communication of air/gases, also generally referred to as fluids in the following, between the refrigerator cavity and the crisper compartment itself.
- the humidity control device is a knob mounted on a hole allowing fluid communication between the refrigerator cavity and the crisper compartment.
- the knob has an outer ring surrounding a cap, said ring and said cap being movable relative to each other in an axial direction, e.g.
- This configuration of the humidity control device is easy and cheap to manufacture and assemble, while allowing a precise and continuous adjustment of the mutual distance between the ring and the cap. Hence, a fine adjustment of the flow rate of air and gases to and from the crisper compartment can be effectively achieved.
- the humidity control device may advantageously be provided with graphic indicia in order to help a user identify the closed position and an opening degree in the open position.
- the humidity control device may also advantageously be provided with a humidity indicator, such as e.g. a humidity sensitive membrane, allowing a user to visualize the humidity level inside the crisper compartment.
- a humidity indicator such as e.g. a humidity sensitive membrane, allowing a user to visualize the humidity level inside the crisper compartment.
- the humidity indicator may be associated e.g. with the cap of the knob.
- An ethylene scrubber may also be associated with the humidity control device, which prevents certain fruits stored in the crisper compartment from rotting quickly.
- a household refrigerator appliance according to the invention is generally indicated by reference number 100.
- the refrigerator appliance 100 is shown with reference to a three-dimensional coordinate system.
- a first axis X and a second axis Y that are mutually perpendicular define a horizontal plane, while a third axis Z, perpendicular to said horizontal plane, defines a vertical axis along which the force of gravity acts.
- the household refrigerator appliance 100 hereinafter also referred to as refrigerator appliance or refrigerator only, comprises a cabinet 110 whose cavity is configured to store food items.
- the appliance shown in the drawings is e.g. a "bottom mount" refrigerator, where a refrigerator cavity 111 is formed above a freezer cavity 112 in a vertical direction.
- the two cavities are separated from each other by a mullion 113 and can be selectively accessed through respective doors (not shown).
- a crisper compartment 114 is formed in the refrigerator cavity 111.
- the crisper compartment 114 is defined by a bottom wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls of the refrigerator cavity 111.
- the crisper compartment 114 is further defined by a shelf 115 of the refrigerator appliance 100, which serves as a top cover.
- the crisper compartment 114 comprises one or more drawers, e.g. two drawers 116, 117, that are slidably fitted under the shelf 115.
- the drawers 116, 117 and/or the shelf 115 may advantageously be provided with gaskets.
- the refrigerator appliance 100 also comprises a humidity control device 120 mounted on a hole formed in the crisper compartment 114 e.g. on the shelf 115, allowing fluid communication between the refrigerator cavity 111 and the crisper compartment 114.
- the humidity control device 120 is also configured to allow to adjust the flow rate of fluids, in particular air/gases, as it will be explained in greater detail in the following.
- the humidity control device 120 may be associated with the shelf 115, which serves as a top cover for the drawers 116, 117.
- the humidity control device 120 is a knob that is mounted e.g. on a hole formed in the shelf 115, or elsewhere on a hole allowing fluid communication between the crisper compartment 114 and the refrigerator cavity 111.
- the knob has an outer ring 121 surrounding a cap 122 and is configured such that the ring 121 and the cap 122 are movable relative to each other in the axial direction to selectively allow a flow of fluids between the crisper compartment 114, and more particularly to and from the drawers 116, 117, and the refrigerator cavity 111.
- the outer ring 121 and the cap 122 can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction between a closed position, where they engage each other to form a seal against passage of air and gases, and an open position, where they are spaced apart in the axial direction and allow a flow of air/gases. It will be appreciated that the flow rate of air/gases in the open position depends on the mutual distance between the two members in the axial direction.
- the knob has a substantially cylindrical shape.
- the ring 121 features a thread profile 121a formed in its inner periphery that engages a corresponding thread profile 122a formed on the outer periphery of the cap 122. It will be appreciated that, thanks to the threaded coupling, the outer ring 121 and the cap 122 can be rotated relative to each other, thereby being moved in the axial direction. This configuration is advantageous in that it is easy and cheap to manufacture and assemble, while allowing a precise and continuous adjustment of the mutual distance between the ring 121 and the cap 122, which results in a fine adjustment of the flow rate of air and gases.
- top surfaces of the ring 121 and the cap 122 are aligned and substantially in contact with each other along their peripheries, thereby achieving a substantially air-tight seal.
- a gasket may be advantageously associated with either or both members to improve sealing.
- Figure 5 shows an open position where the cap 122 is moved in the axial direction relative to the ring 121 and their top surfaces are spaced apart from each other, thereby allowing a flow of gases as schematically indicated by the arrows.
- the humidity control device 120 may advantageously be provided with graphic indicia 130 in order to help a user identify the closed position and an opening degree in the open position.
- the graphic indicia 130 indicate a level of humidity that may be selected within a predefined range.
- the graphic indicia 130 may be formed e.g. on the surface of the shelf 115 about the ring 121.
- the graphic indicia 130 may be formed on the ring 121 or on the cap 122.
- the humidity control device 120 could be arranged on a trim piece 140 mounted at a front edge of the shelf 115.
- the trim piece 140 may comprise a stepped profile 141 allowing to arrange the humidity control device 120 in an offset position relative to the shelf in the vertical direction Z.
- the top surface of the knob can thus be easily aligned with the surface of the shelf 115, thereby avoiding any possible interference with the knob when moving objects and/or containers arranged on the latter.
- a recessed portion 142 may even be formed in the trim piece 140, thereby allowing to protect the knob and to prevent any possible contact with the latter when moving objects and/or containers arranged on the shelf 115.
- the humidity control device 120 is directly or indirectly associated with the shelf 115 and thus arranged in a substantially horizontal position.
- the humidity control device 120 might be associated with any one of the drawers and arranged e.g. on a front wall thereof. Each drawer could be provided with a humidity control device 120 in order to allow users to set and adjust the humidity rate depending on the specific products to be stored therein.
- the humidity control device 120 may advantageously be provided with a humidity indicator, such as e.g. a humidity sensitive membrane, allowing to visualize the humidity level inside the crisper compartment 114.
- a humidity indicator such as e.g. a humidity sensitive membrane
- the humidity indicator may be associated e.g. with the cap 122. A user can thus be prompted to adjust the humidity control device 120 in order to increase or decrease the airflow depending on the actual condition shown by the humidity indicator.
- the humidity control device 120 may advantageously comprise an ethylene scrubber. This advantageously allows to absorb ethylene gas produced by certain fruits in order to preserve their freshness, and thus preventing them from rotting quickly and improving the performances of the humidity control device 120.
- the ethylene scrubber can e.g. be in the form of a pouch arranged inside the cap 122.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention generally relates to refrigerator appliances and in particular to a household refrigerator appliance having a crisper compartment with a humidity control device.
- It is known that domestic refrigeration appliances generally have a crisper compartment, which is located within a refrigerator cavity and is intended to receive and store fresh vegetables and fruits.
- A crisper compartment is generally provided with one or more drawers slidably fitted under a shelf of a refrigerator appliance.
- It is known that crisper compartments are substantially closed spaces allowing to maintain a level of humidity that is higher than the humidity level of the refrigerator cavity, thus preserving freshness of fruits and vegetables. In order to close such compartments, the refrigerator shelf under which the drawers are arranged may be employed as a lid. Alternatively, the one or more drawers may have a lid of their own. Gaskets may advantageously be associated with either the edges of the drawers or the edges of the shelf or lid(s) to achieve an air-tight sealing.
- In order to prevent loss of moisture from stored vegetables and fruits and more generally to adjust the level of humidity, humidity control devices for crisper compartments have been developed.
- These devices generally comprise venting holes/apertures defining a ventilation passage, whose size can be suitably adjusted to selectively vary fluid communication between the crisper compartment and the refrigerator cavity. When the ventilation passage is in a fully open position, a flow of air/gases is allowed to and from the crisper compartment, thus keeping humidity relatively low. This is beneficial for the storage of fruits such as pears and apples, and also allows ethylene gas produced by certain fruits to escape, thus preventing them from rotting quickly. On the contrary, when the ventilation passage is in a fully closed position, substantially no airflow is possible, which keeps humidity in the crisper compartment relatively high.
- Known humidity control devices comprise one or more ventilation holes formed in a trim piece mounted at the front edge of the shelf closing the crisper compartment. A plate member is slidably mounted along the trim piece and can be moved from a closed position, where it covers all ventilation holes, and an open position, where an airflow is allowed through all of them.
- Also known are humidity control devices according to which one or more ventilation holes are formed in a wall of a crisper drawer, e.g. close to its top edge, and arranged in a circumferential direction. An adjustment member is rotatably mounted e.g. on a wall of the drawer at the ventilation holes. The adjustment member includes one or more control plates arranged in a circumferential direction on a support portion. The plates have an arc-shaped cross-section whose size corresponds to the width of the ventilation holes. In other words, the control plates have a size corresponding to the size of the holes. The support portion features a rounded profile protruding outwards from the drawer, which can be operated by a user's finger for rotation. By rotating the support portion, the position of the control plates relative to the respective ventilation holes can be varied, thereby modifying the degree of opening and thus the airflow to and from the crisper compartment.
- Examples of these humidity control devices are disclosed by e.g.
KR 20090133008 KR 20100004264 - Further known are humidity control devices in the form of rotatable knobs associated with lids of crisper drawers.
US 10260799 - A similar humidity control device is disclosed by
US 2018/0187966 . - The humidity control devices described above can be improved from the ergonomics point of view, particularly considering the larger and larger number of compartments and drawers available in modern refrigerator appliances.
- Moreover, known solutions exploiting rotatable knobs are considered to be rather complex from a structural and assembly point of view.
- The technical problem underlying and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a household refrigerator appliance with humidity control means for a crisper compartment that allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.
- This problem is solved by a household refrigerator appliance according to the independent claim 1. Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims.
- According to the invention a humidity control device is operably associated with the crisper compartment and configured to selectively allow communication of air/gases, also generally referred to as fluids in the following, between the refrigerator cavity and the crisper compartment itself. The humidity control device is a knob mounted on a hole allowing fluid communication between the refrigerator cavity and the crisper compartment. The knob has an outer ring surrounding a cap, said ring and said cap being movable relative to each other in an axial direction, e.g. by way of a threaded coupling, between a closed position, where they engage each other to form a seal against passage of air and gases, and an open position, where they are spaced apart in the axial direction, thereby selectively allowing a flow of air/gases to and from the crisper compartment.
- This configuration of the humidity control device is easy and cheap to manufacture and assemble, while allowing a precise and continuous adjustment of the mutual distance between the ring and the cap. Hence, a fine adjustment of the flow rate of air and gases to and from the crisper compartment can be effectively achieved.
- The humidity control device may advantageously be provided with graphic indicia in order to help a user identify the closed position and an opening degree in the open position.
- The humidity control device may also advantageously be provided with a humidity indicator, such as e.g. a humidity sensitive membrane, allowing a user to visualize the humidity level inside the crisper compartment. The humidity indicator may be associated e.g. with the cap of the knob.
- An ethylene scrubber may also be associated with the humidity control device, which prevents certain fruits stored in the crisper compartment from rotting quickly.
- Further advantages, features and operation modes of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, which are given for illustrative and not-limiting purposes.
- Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
figure 1 is a perspective view showing a household refrigerator appliance according to the present invention; -
figure 2 shows a detail II offigure 1 ; -
figure 3 is a side view schematically showing a crisper compartment of the household refrigerator appliance offigure 1 ; -
figures 4 and 5 show cross sections of a humidity control device of the household refrigerator appliance according to the invention in a closed and open condition, respectively; -
figure 6 is a perspective view of the humidity control device of the household refrigerator appliance according to the invention; -
figures 7 and 8 show alternative arrangements of the humidity control device of the household refrigerator appliance according to the invention. - With reference to the figures, a household refrigerator appliance according to the invention is generally indicated by
reference number 100. - In the figures, the
refrigerator appliance 100 is shown with reference to a three-dimensional coordinate system. A first axis X and a second axis Y that are mutually perpendicular define a horizontal plane, while a third axis Z, perpendicular to said horizontal plane, defines a vertical axis along which the force of gravity acts. - The
household refrigerator appliance 100, hereinafter also referred to as refrigerator appliance or refrigerator only, comprises acabinet 110 whose cavity is configured to store food items. The appliance shown in the drawings is e.g. a "bottom mount" refrigerator, where arefrigerator cavity 111 is formed above afreezer cavity 112 in a vertical direction. The two cavities are separated from each other by amullion 113 and can be selectively accessed through respective doors (not shown). - It will be appreciated that neither the type of refrigerator, nor the arrangement of its cavities are limiting features of the invention.
- A
crisper compartment 114 is formed in therefrigerator cavity 111. Thecrisper compartment 114 is defined by a bottom wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls of therefrigerator cavity 111. Thecrisper compartment 114 is further defined by ashelf 115 of therefrigerator appliance 100, which serves as a top cover. - As shown in
figure 2 , thecrisper compartment 114 comprises one or more drawers, e.g. twodrawers shelf 115. In order to achieve an air-tight sealing of thecrisper compartment 114, thedrawers shelf 115 may advantageously be provided with gaskets. - The
refrigerator appliance 100 also comprises ahumidity control device 120 mounted on a hole formed in thecrisper compartment 114 e.g. on theshelf 115, allowing fluid communication between therefrigerator cavity 111 and thecrisper compartment 114. Thehumidity control device 120 is also configured to allow to adjust the flow rate of fluids, in particular air/gases, as it will be explained in greater detail in the following. - As anticipated above and referring to
figures 3 ,4 and 5 , according to an embodiment of the invention thehumidity control device 120 may be associated with theshelf 115, which serves as a top cover for thedrawers - The
humidity control device 120 is a knob that is mounted e.g. on a hole formed in theshelf 115, or elsewhere on a hole allowing fluid communication between thecrisper compartment 114 and therefrigerator cavity 111. The knob has anouter ring 121 surrounding acap 122 and is configured such that thering 121 and thecap 122 are movable relative to each other in the axial direction to selectively allow a flow of fluids between thecrisper compartment 114, and more particularly to and from thedrawers refrigerator cavity 111. - The
outer ring 121 and thecap 122 can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction between a closed position, where they engage each other to form a seal against passage of air and gases, and an open position, where they are spaced apart in the axial direction and allow a flow of air/gases. It will be appreciated that the flow rate of air/gases in the open position depends on the mutual distance between the two members in the axial direction. - According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the knob has a substantially cylindrical shape. Moreover, the
ring 121 features athread profile 121a formed in its inner periphery that engages acorresponding thread profile 122a formed on the outer periphery of thecap 122. It will be appreciated that, thanks to the threaded coupling, theouter ring 121 and thecap 122 can be rotated relative to each other, thereby being moved in the axial direction. This configuration is advantageous in that it is easy and cheap to manufacture and assemble, while allowing a precise and continuous adjustment of the mutual distance between thering 121 and thecap 122, which results in a fine adjustment of the flow rate of air and gases. - As shown in
figure 4 , in the closed position top surfaces of thering 121 and thecap 122 are aligned and substantially in contact with each other along their peripheries, thereby achieving a substantially air-tight seal. A gasket may be advantageously associated with either or both members to improve sealing. -
Figure 5 shows an open position where thecap 122 is moved in the axial direction relative to thering 121 and their top surfaces are spaced apart from each other, thereby allowing a flow of gases as schematically indicated by the arrows. - Now referring to
figure 6 , thehumidity control device 120 may advantageously be provided withgraphic indicia 130 in order to help a user identify the closed position and an opening degree in the open position. In other words, thegraphic indicia 130 indicate a level of humidity that may be selected within a predefined range. As shown in the embodiment offigure 6 , thegraphic indicia 130 may be formed e.g. on the surface of theshelf 115 about thering 121. Alternatively, thegraphic indicia 130 may be formed on thering 121 or on thecap 122. - In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of
humidity control device 120 on theshelf 115 is not a limiting feature of the invention, and that this device could be arranged elsewhere e.g. to improve ergonomics. - Referring for instance to
figures 7 and 8 , thehumidity control device 120 could be arranged on atrim piece 140 mounted at a front edge of theshelf 115. - As shown in the embodiment of
figure 7 , thetrim piece 140 may comprise a steppedprofile 141 allowing to arrange thehumidity control device 120 in an offset position relative to the shelf in the vertical direction Z. The top surface of the knob can thus be easily aligned with the surface of theshelf 115, thereby avoiding any possible interference with the knob when moving objects and/or containers arranged on the latter. - According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in
figure 8 , a recessedportion 142 may even be formed in thetrim piece 140, thereby allowing to protect the knob and to prevent any possible contact with the latter when moving objects and/or containers arranged on theshelf 115. - In all the embodiments of the invention described above, the
humidity control device 120 is directly or indirectly associated with theshelf 115 and thus arranged in a substantially horizontal position. - It will nevertheless be appreciated that different arrangements are also possible. For instance, the
humidity control device 120 might be associated with any one of the drawers and arranged e.g. on a front wall thereof. Each drawer could be provided with ahumidity control device 120 in order to allow users to set and adjust the humidity rate depending on the specific products to be stored therein. - According to another embodiment of the invention, the
humidity control device 120 may advantageously be provided with a humidity indicator, such as e.g. a humidity sensitive membrane, allowing to visualize the humidity level inside thecrisper compartment 114. - The humidity indicator may be associated e.g. with the
cap 122. A user can thus be prompted to adjust thehumidity control device 120 in order to increase or decrease the airflow depending on the actual condition shown by the humidity indicator. - According to a further aspect of the invention, the
humidity control device 120 may advantageously comprise an ethylene scrubber. This advantageously allows to absorb ethylene gas produced by certain fruits in order to preserve their freshness, and thus preventing them from rotting quickly and improving the performances of thehumidity control device 120. - The ethylene scrubber can e.g. be in the form of a pouch arranged inside the
cap 122. - The present invention has hereto been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It will be appreciated that there may be other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea, all of which are included in the scope of protection defined by the claims set out below.
Claims (15)
- A household refrigerator appliance (100) comprising:a. a cabinet (110);b. a refrigerator cavity (111) formed inside said cabinet (110);c. a crisper compartment (114) formed in said refrigerator cavity (111);d. a humidity control device (120) operably associated with the crisper compartment (114),wherein, said humidity control device (120) is a knob mounted on a hole formed in the crisper compartment (114) to allow fluid communication between the latter and the refrigerator cavity (111), said knob having an outer ring (121) surrounding a cap (122), said outer ring (121) and said cap (122) being movable relative to each other in an axial direction between a closed position, where the outer ring (121) and the cap (122) engage each other to form a seal against passage of fluids, and an open position, where the outer ring (121) and the cap (122) are spaced apart in the axial direction, thereby selectively allowing a flow of fluids between the crisper compartment (114) and the refrigerator cavity (111).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the knob has a substantially cylindrical shape and wherein the ring (121) features a thread profile (121a) formed in its inner periphery that engages a corresponding thread profile (122a) formed on the outer periphery of the cap (122).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in said closed position top surfaces of the ring (121) and the cap (122) are aligned and substantially in contact with each other along their peripheries, thereby achieving an air-tight seal.
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the humidity control device (120) comprises graphic indicia (130) indicating selectable humidity levels over a predetermined range.
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the humidity control device (120) is arranged on a shelf (115) of thereof, which serves as a top cover of the crisper compartment (114).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 5, wherein the humidity control device (120) is arranged on a trim piece (140) mounted at a front edge of the shelf (115).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 6, wherein said trim piece (140) comprises a stepped profile (141), whereby the humidity control device (120) is arranged offset relative to the shelf (115) in a vertical direction (Z).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 7, wherein said stepped profile (141) is configured such that a top surface of the knob is aligned with the surface of the shelf (115).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to anyone of claims 6 to 8, wherein the trim piece (140) comprises a recessed portion (142) housing the humidity control device (120).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, further comprising a humidity indicator.
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 10, wherein said humidity indicator is a humidity-sensitive membrane associated with the cap (122).
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, further comprising an ethylene scrubber.
- The household refrigerator appliance (100) according to claim 12, wherein said ethylene scrubber is a housed inside the cap (122).
- A method for adjusting a humidity level within a crisper compartment (114) of a household refrigerator appliance (100), said method comprising the following steps:a. Forming a hole allowing fluid communication between the crisper compartment (114) and the refrigerator cavity (111) of said household refrigerator appliance (100);b. Assembling a humidity control device (120) the according to anyone of the preceding claims on said hole;c. Spacing a ring (121) and a cap (122) of said humidity control device (120) apart from each other in an axial direction according to a desired degree of humidity.
- The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting the desired degree of humidity based on graphic indicia (130) of the humidity control device (120).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP19190037.2A EP3772625B1 (en) | 2019-08-05 | 2019-08-05 | Refrigerator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19190037.2A EP3772625B1 (en) | 2019-08-05 | 2019-08-05 | Refrigerator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3772625A1 true EP3772625A1 (en) | 2021-02-10 |
EP3772625B1 EP3772625B1 (en) | 2023-10-04 |
Family
ID=67544131
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19190037.2A Active EP3772625B1 (en) | 2019-08-05 | 2019-08-05 | Refrigerator |
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EP (1) | EP3772625B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11268750B1 (en) * | 2020-12-23 | 2022-03-08 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | On door drawer and refrigerating appliance with same |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2009054681A2 (en) * | 2007-10-23 | 2009-04-30 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Degassing container for refrigerator |
KR20090133008A (en) | 2008-06-23 | 2009-12-31 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator having humidity control function |
KR20100004264A (en) | 2008-07-03 | 2010-01-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
WO2015082277A1 (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2015-06-11 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic cooling appliance comprising a control element for adjusting a cover of a crisper drawer, which can be stopped in three different positions |
EP3163228A1 (en) * | 2015-10-29 | 2017-05-03 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerating machine |
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Also Published As
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