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(11) |
EP 2 283 291 B9 |
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CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation |
| (15) |
Correction information: |
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Corrected version no 1 (W1 B1) |
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Corrections, see Claims EN |
| (48) |
Corrigendum issued on: |
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20.06.2012 Bulletin 2012/25 |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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08.02.2012 Bulletin 2012/06 |
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Date of filing: 13.04.2009 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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| (86) |
International application number: |
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PCT/EP2009/054362 |
| (87) |
International publication number: |
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WO 2009/132954 (05.11.2009 Gazette 2009/45) |
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A REFRIGERATOR
KÜHLVORRICHTUNG
RÉFRIGÉRATEUR
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
| (30) |
Priority: |
02.05.2008 TR 200803073
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| (43) |
Date of publication of application: |
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16.02.2011 Bulletin 2011/07 |
| (73) |
Proprietor: Arçelik Anonim Sirketi |
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34950 Istanbul (TR) |
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| (72) |
Inventor: |
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- MEYDANLI, Can
34950 Istanbul (TR)
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| (56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 1 630 500 WO-A-2007/049935 WO-A-2007/125122
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WO-A-2004/100684 WO-A-2007/049937 WO-A-2007/136171
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator wherein the vegetable container is
illuminated for keeping fresh the foodstuff stored therein.
[0002] The foodstuffs such as vegetables and fruits stored in refrigerators for a long time
are observed to lose their freshness with time. The researches have shown that some
foods that are exposed to light, particularly like blue, orange and green colored
lights of certain wavelengths, not only have a prolonged storage life, but also the
vitamin values are increased and the colors are preserved. For example, the substances
such as the chlorophyll present in green leafed vegetables or the carotenoid in orange
colored foods are sensible to light in certain wavelengths. In state of the art, various
irradiation devices are emplaced in refrigerators for the light with certain colors
to act on the foodstuffs. Accordingly, fruits and vegetables are maintained to sustain
growth and keep their freshness for a longer period of time.
[0003] When the vegetable container of a refrigerator is entirely full of foods, the food
stuffs remain in the shadow of one another and a light source cannot see all the food
and all the food cannot benefit from the light at the same rate (Figure 1). There
are embodiments wherein the body of the vegetable container is made of light guiding
material for delivering light to the foods, however in these embodiments the light
loses effect by dispersing within the wall thickness of the vegetable container body.
Disposing a large quantity of light sources at all places in the vegetable container
for delivering light to all the foods at a maximum level is far from being an economic
and convenient solution.
[0004] In the state of the art Patent Document No
US6726341, the LED light engine is equipped with a light emitting diode (LED) light source
and a light guide coupled to the LED light engine to bring light from the LED light
engine into the compartment for illuminating the stored and exhibited contents inside
the cold storage compartment.
[0005] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No
JP2005065622, a refrigerator comprising an irradiation board having red, blue and green LED's
is described. These LED's are turned on in suitable combinations to form the light
in the wavelength required for each vegetable group.
[0006] In the patent document no
JP11094456, a drawer type receiving vessel is illuminated by an illuminating device that is
disposed on the ceiling of the chamber. The wall of the receiving vessel is formed
of a transparent or semi-transparent material.
[0007] In the Japanese Patent Document No
JP1028473; an irradiation device is described that illuminates the vegetable container. A group
of reflecting plates provides the light to be dispersed into the vegetable container.
[0008] A refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from
WO 2007/125122A.
[0009] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator illuminated
by light in a wavelength for keeping the foods stored in the vegetable container fresh
and the light to be delivered effectively to the foods.
[0010] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is
explicated in the attached claims.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the container is effectively illuminated
from below and above by two or more light guides integrated on the lower and upper
walls of the container.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the container is effectively illuminated
from the right and left by two or more light guides integrated on the side walls of
the container.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the container is configured as a
rectangular prism and light is delivered to all the walls by at least six light guides
receiving light from at least six LEDs.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs are arranged on the support
plate in side by side or superposed arrays so that a planar area is covered thereon
and the light guides receive light from the LEDs on the outer periphery.
[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises more than
one LED group on the light source, each radiating a different color light. In this
embodiment, the light guides receive light from the LEDs in the LED group that radiate
light of colors selected according to the needs of the fruits and vegetables in the
container.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a movement
mechanism that moves the support plate, having LED groups thereon arranged side by
side or superposed, upwards, downwards or sideways for aligning the LEDs of the desired
color groups in the light source with the light guides.
[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a
container produced of a transparent material and light guides made of a transparent
material having a different refractive index than the container, integrated on the
wall of the container by partially embedding from the outside, one end receiving the
light emitted from the light source and delivering into the container from the other
end, preventing the light from side-emitting in the direction of carrying the light
and hence the light losses along the guided path.
[0018] The light guide comprises a curvilinear first lateral surface that encircles the
portion partially embedded in the container and a curvilinear second lateral surface
that extends outside of the container in the opposite direction of the first lateral
surface.
[0019] The density of the material used for producing the light guide is more than the material
used for producing the container and the refractive index of the light guide is greater
than the refractive index of the container and preferably Polystyrene is used for
the container material and preferably Polycarbonate for the light guide.
[0020] The radius of curvature of the first lateral surface of the light guide embedded
in the container wall is greater than the radius of curvature of the second lateral
surface, thus preventing the side-emitting of light to the container wall and to the
air.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide comprises a light entrance
surface disposed on the end facing the light source, contacting with the outer surface
of the LED when the container is pushed inside the refrigerator body, moving away
from the LED when the container is pulled out. The outer surface of the LED is preferably
semi spherical in shape and the light entrance surface is configured as a semi spherical
recess.
[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, the light guide comprises a planar
illumination surface on its end delivering light to the container.
[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is produced by plastic
injection over-molding method to be joined with the container emplaced in an injection
mold.
[0024] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is
illustrated in the attached claims, where:
Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the vegetable container in a refrigerator of the
prior art and the light source illuminating the container.
Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a vegetable container in the position drawn out
of the refrigerator body, the light guides disposed on the vegetable container and
a light source.
Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a vegetable container in the position pushed into
the refrigerator body, the light guides on the vegetable container and a light source.
Figure 4 - is the schematic view of a light source, a movement mechanism and the light
guides.
Figure 5 - is the cross sectional view of a container wall and the light guide integrated
with the wall.
[0025] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
- 1. Refrigerator
- 2. Container
- 3. Wall
- 4. LED (Light emitting diode)
- 5. Light guide
- 6. Movement mechanism
- 7. First lateral surface
- 8. Second lateral surface
- 9. Light entrance surface
- 10. Illumination surface
- 11. Light source
[0026] The refrigerator (1) comprises a container (2) having more than one wall (3), disposed
inside the body, for example in the cabin base region and wherein foods such as fruits
and vegetables are stored, a light source (11) having more than one LED (Light Emitting
Diode) (4) arranged on a support plate (P) for illuminating the container (2) with
light in a wavelength that preserves the nutritional value of the foods for a long
period of time.
[0027] The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises at least two light guides
(5) that are formed as rods and integrated to the walls (3). One end of the each of
the light guides (5) is aligned with the LED (4) and the other end of the said light
guide (5) is disposed on one of the walls (3).
[0028] The light received from the LED (4) is delivered by the light guides (5) into the
container (2) by the light guides (5) ends which are disposed on the wall (3), thus
the light guides (5) illuminate the container (2) through at least two walls (3) (Figures
2, 3).
[0029] The light guides (5) are integrated on the outer surface of the walls (3) and surround
the container (2) from the outside.
[0030] Each of the light guides (5) receives light from only one LED (4).
[0031] The LEDs (4) radiate light in a color determined with respect to the needs of the
fruits-vegetables placed in the container (2), for example in red, orange, green or
blue color, and the light guides (5) deliver the colored light emitted by the LEDs
(4) from the point reached on the outer surfaces of the walls (3) intensively into
the container (2) by their ends on the side of the wall (3), thus maintaining to sustain
activities in the live cells of the fruits and vegetables in the container (2) and
hence to keep fresh for a long period of time. In the case the foods are placed one
over the other in the container (2), even if one food remains in the shade of another,
the light guides (5) transmit the light from the walls (3) at different directions
to the foods in the shade and the majority of the foods in the container benefit from
the light.
[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the container (2) is configured as
a rectangular prism and comprises six walls (3), at the front, rear, top, bottom and
two at the sides and light is delivered to all the walls (3) by at least six light
guides (5) receiving light from at least six LEDs (4).
[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the light source (11) is situated
at the rear side of the inner refrigerator (1) body. The LEDs (4) are placed in side
by side or superposed arrays covering a planar area on the support plate (P) (Figure
3). The light guides (5) receiving light from the LEDs (4) arranged on the outer periphery
of the planar surface on the support plate (P) carry light to the side, front and
bottom walls (3) of the container (2) and the LEDs (4) remaining at the center of
the planar surface illuminate the rear wall (3) of the container (2). The light guides
(5) being connected with the LEDs (4) on the outer periphery of the planar surface
on the support plate (P) do not intercept one another topologically from the light
source (11) toward the container (2) walls (3).
[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises more
than one LED (4) group (G) on the light source (11), each one emitting light of a
different color, for example a blue LED (4) group (G), a red LED (4) group (G), etc.
and a movement mechanism (6) that moves the support plate (P), having LED (4) groups
(G) of different colors thereon arranged side by side or superposed, upwards, downwards
or sideways for aligning the desired LED (4) group (G) at the light source (11) with
the light guides (5) (Figure 4).
[0035] In this embodiment, the light guides (5) receive light from the LEDs (4) in the LED
(4) group (G) that emit light in the color selected according to the needs of the
fruits and vegetables stored in the container (2). For example, the blue LED (4) group
(G) is emplaced on the right of the plate (P) and the red LED (4) group (G) on the
left, and when the light guides (5) connected to the blue LED (4) group (G) is wanted
to receive light from the red LED (4) group (G), the support plate (P) is moved from
the left to the right by the movement mechanism (6) and aligned opposite to the light
guides (5) of the red LED (4) group (G).
[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a
container (2) produced of a transparent material and light guides (5) made of a transparent
material having a different refractive index (n2) from the refractive index (n1) of
the material used to produce the container (2), integrated by partially embedding
on the walls (3) and delivering light into the container (2) from its other end by
preventing side-emitting along the path of delivery (Figure 5).
[0037] The light guide (5) comprises a curvilinear first lateral surface (7) that encircles
the portion partially embedded in the container (2) and a curvilinear second lateral
surface (8) that contacts with air outside the container (2) in the opposite direction
of the first lateral surface (7) (Figure 5).
[0038] The light guide (5) prevents the light received from the light source (11) to be
reflected from the first lateral surface (7) to the container (2) and to the air from
the second lateral surface (8), in other words, the light guide (5) carries light
virtually without loss along it, confining between the lateral surfaces (7, 8) and
maintains the container (2) to be illuminated extensively from its end whereto the
light reaches.
[0039] The radius of curvature (R1) of the first lateral surface (7) and the radius of curvature
(R2) of the second lateral surface (8) are calculated with respect to the wavelength
of the light used and the refractive indexes (n1, n2) of the container (2) and the
light guide (5). The first and second lateral surfaces (7, 8) having the said radii
of curvatures (R1, R2), deflect the light which tries to pass from the light guide
(5) to the container wall (3) and to air more than 90 degrees, causing it to reflect
backwards and maintains the light to stay in the light guide (5) environment along
the path of delivery.
[0040] The density of the material used for producing the light guide (5) is more than the
material used for producing the container (2) and the refractive index (n2) of the
light guide (5) is greater than the refractive index (n1)of the container (2) (n2>n1).
[0041] The radius of curvature (R1) of the first lateral surface (7) of the light guide
(5) is greater than the radius of curvature (R2) of the second lateral surface (8)
extending outside the container (2) wall (3) (R1 > R2) (Figure 5).
[0042] The container (2) is produced of Polystyrene (PS) and the light guide (5) is produced
of Polycarbonate (PC).
[0043] The light guide (5), being integrated with the container (2), moves together with
the container (2) and comprises a light entrance surface (9) disposed on its end facing
the light source (11), contacting with the outer surface of the LED (4) when the container
(2) is pushed inside the refrigerator (1) body, moving away from the LED (4) when
the container (2) is pulled out (Figures 2, 3, 4). The outer surface of the LED (4)
is for example semi spherical in shape and the light entrance surface (9) is configured
as a semi spherical recess matching with the outer surface of the LED (4).
[0044] The light guide (5) furthermore comprises a planar illumination surface (10) on its
end delivering light to the container (2) in contact with the wall (3) (Figures 2,
3, 4). The light carried by the light guide (5) does not pass into the wall (3) from
the convex shaped first lateral surface (7) embedded in the walls (3) of the container
(2) and moves along its path reaching the illumination surface (10). The illumination
surface (10), since structured planar, does not reflect light backward and aids the
light to pass into the container (2).
[0045] In another embodiment of the present invention, the light guide (5) is produced by
joining with the container (2) emplaced in an injection mold by plastic injection
over-molding method. The container (2) is produced with the channels open, wherein
the light guide (5) will be partially embedded, afterwards is emplaced in the plastic
injection mold and the light guide (5) is injected over it. Since the process temperature
of the light guide (5) material is higher than the process temperature of the container
(2) material, the channels wherein the light guide (5) will be injected are slightly
melted by heating beforehand to near the melting point and afterwards the light guide
(5) is injected into the channels.
[0046] In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the light guides (5) that carry
light to the container (2) from the LEDs (4) prevent side-emitting of light in the
direction of delivery, the light in the desired wavelength is sent into the container
(2) from a single point without loss. Intensive light is sent upon the foods in the
container (2) that need light of a certain wavelength and thus the foods in the container
(2) can be kept fresh for a prolonged time.
[0047] When the container (2) is entirely filled with fruits and vegetables, the light emitted
from the LEDs (4) at the light source (11) is delivered to all the container (2) walls
(3) separately by means of the light guides (5), an effective illumination ensures
to deliver light to the foods that are below other foods or at the rear and in the
shadow thereby the freshness of the foodstuffs stored in the container (2) can be
prolonged.
1. A refrigerator (1) that comprises a container (2) having more than one wall (3), disposed
inside the body, wherein foods such as fruits and vegetables are stored, a light source
(11) having more than one LED (4) arranged on a support plate (P) illuminating the
container (2) with a light in the wavelength for preserving the nutritional values
of the foods for a long period of time and characterized by at least two light guides (5), that are formed as rods and integrated to the walls
(3) and one end of the each of the light guides (5) being aligned with the LED (4)
and the other end of the said light guide (5) -being disposed on one of the walls
(3), the light guides (5) delivering the light received from the LED (4) into the
container (2) by the light guides (5) ends which are disposed on the wall (3), the
light guides (5) illuminating the container (2) through at least two walls (3).
2. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the light guides (5) whereby each receives light from only one LED (4).
3. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the light guides (5) integrated on the outer surfaces of the walls (3) and surrounding
the container (2) from the outside.
4. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the light guide (5), that is produced by joining with the container (2) by plastic
injection over-molding method.
5. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the container (2) configured as a rectangular prism having six walls (3), at the
front, rear, top, bottom and two at the sides and at least six light guides (5) delivering
light to all the walls (3) by receiving light from at least six LEDs (4).
6. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the LEDs (4) placed in side by side or superposed arrays covering a planar area on
the support plate (P) whereby the ones on the outer periphery illuminate the side,
front and bottom walls (3) of the container (2) by means of the light guides (5) and
the ones remaining at the center illuminate the rear wall (3) of the container (2).
7. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized by more than one LED (4) group (G), each one emitting light of a different color, light
guides (5) receiving light from the LEDs (4) in the LED (4) group (G) that emit light
in the color selected according to the needs of the fruits and vegetables stored in
the container (2) and a movement mechanism (6) that moves the support plate (P), having
LED (4) groups (G) of different colors thereon arranged side by side or superposed,
upwards, downwards or sideways for aligning the desired LED (4) group (G) with the
light guides (5).
8. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the container (2) produced of a transparent material and light guides (5) made of
a transparent material having a different refractive index (n2) from the refractive
index (n1) of the material used to produce the container (2), integrated by partially
embedding on the walls (3) and delivering light into the container (2) from its other
end by preventing side-emitting along the path of delivery.
9. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the light guide (5) comprising a curvilinear first lateral surface (7) that encircles
the portion partially embedded in the container (2) and a curvilinear second lateral
surface (8) that contacts with air outside the container (2) in the opposite direction
of the first lateral surface (7) and the radius of curvature (R1) of the first lateral
surface (7) being greater than the radius of curvature (R2) of the second lateral
surface (8).
10. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by the light guide (5) produced of a material with a refractive index (n2) that is greater
than the refractive index (n1) of the material used for producing the container (2).
11. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 8 to 10, characterized by the container (2) produced of Polystyrene (PS) and a light guide (5) produced of
Polycarbonate (PC).
12. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the light guide (5) comprising a light entrance surface (9) disposed on its end facing
the light source (11), contacting with the outer surface of the LED (4) when the container
(2) is pushed inside the refrigerator (1) body, moving away from the LED (4) when
the container (2) is pulled out.
13. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 12, characterized by the LED (4) with the outer surface semi spherical in shape and the light guide (5)
having the light entrance surface (9) configured as a semi spherical recess matching
with the outer surface of the LED (4).
14. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the light guide (5) comprising a planar illumination surface (10) on its end delivering
light to the container (2).
1. Kühlschrank (1), umfassend einen Behälter (2) mit mehr als einer Wand (3), der im
Gehäuse angeordnet ist, und in dem Lebensmittel wie Obst und Gemüse aufbewahrt werden,
eine Lichtquelle (11) mit mehr als einer LED (4), die an einer Trageplatte (P) angeordnet
ist und den Behälter (2) mit einem Licht von einer Wellenlänge beleuchtet, bei der
der Nährwert der Lebensmittel über einen langen Zeitraum bewahrt wird, und gekennzeichnet durch mindestens zwei Lichtleiter (5), die als Stäbe ausgebildet sind und an den Wänden
(3) angebaut sind, wobei ein Ende der Lichtleiter (5) mit der LED (4) übereinstimmt
und das andere Ende des Lichtleiters (5) an einer der Wände (3) angeordnet ist, und
die Lichtleiter (5) das Licht, das von der LED (4) empfangen wird, durch die Enden der Lichtleiter (5), die an der Wand (3) angeordnet sind, in den Behälter
(2) leiten, und die Lichtleiter (5) den Behälter (2) durch wenigstens zwei Wände (3) beleuchten.
2. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die einzelnen Lichtleiter (5) jeweils nur Licht von einer LED (4) empfangen.
3. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lichtleiter (5) an den Außenflächen der Wände (3) angebaut sind und den Behälter
(2) von außen umgeben.
4. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lichtleiter (5) hergestellt wird, indem er durch ein Kunststoffeinspritz-Aufformungsverfahren
mit dem Behälter (2) verbunden wird.
5. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Behälter (2) als rechteckiges Prisma mit sechs Wänden (3) an der Vorderseite,
der Rückseite, der Oberseite, der Bodenseite und an den beiden Seiten und mit wenigstens
sechs Lichtleitern (5) konfiguriert ist, die das Licht an alle Wände (3) leiten, indem
sie das Licht von wenigstens sechs LEDs (4) empfangen.
6. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die LEDs (4) in Seite an Seite angeordneten oder übereinander gelagerten Arrays einen
ebenen Bereich an der Trageplatte (P) abdecken, wobei diejenigen an der Außenperipherie
mithilfe der Lichtleiter (5) die Seiten-, Vorder- und Bodenwände (3) des Behälters
(2) beleuchten und die in der Mitte verbleibenden die Rückwand (3) des Behälters (2)
beleuchtet.
7. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, gekennzeichnet durch mehr als eine Gruppe (G) von LEDs (4), von denen jedes Licht einer anderen Farbe
ausgibt, wobei die Lichtleiter (5) das Licht von denjenigen LEDs(4) in der Gruppe
(G) aus LEDs (4) empfangen, die das Licht in der Farbe ausgeben, die entsprechend
den Bedürfnissen des Obstes und des Gemüses, das im Behälter (2) aufbewahrt wird,
ausgewählt wird, und durch einen Bewegungsmechanismus (6), der die Trageplatte (P) mit den Gruppen (G) von LEDs
(4) unterschiedlicher Farben aufweist, die Seite an Seite oder überlagert daran angeordnet
sind, aufwärts, abwärts oder seitlich verlagert, um die gewünschte Gruppe (G) von
LEDs (4) in Übereinstimmung mit den Lichtleitern (5) zu bringen.
8. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Behälter (2) aus einem transparenten Material hergestellt ist und Lichtleiter
(5) aus einem transparenten Material mit einem Brechungsindex (n2) hergestellt sind,
der sich vom Brechungsindex (n1) des für den Behälter (2) benutzten Materials unterscheidet,
und angebaut sind, indem sie teilweise in die Wände (3) eingebettet sind, und das
Licht von ihrem anderen Ende in den Behälter (2) leiten, indem sie eine Ausgabe zur
Seite auf ihrem Leitweg verhindern.
9. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lichtleiter (5) eine kurvenförmige erste Seitenfläche (7) umfasst, die den Abschnitt
umgibt, der teilweise im Behälter (2) eingebettet ist, und eine kurvenförmige zweite
Seitenfläche (8), die in Kontakt mit Luft außerhalb des Behälters (2) steht und in
entgegengesetzter Richtung zur ersten Seitenfläche (7) liegt, wobei der Krümmungsradius
(R1) der ersten Seitenfläche (7) größer als der Krümmungsradius (R2) der zweiten Seitenfläche
(8) ist.
10. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lichtleiter (5) aus einem Material mit einem Brechungsindex (n2) hergestellt
ist, der größer ist als der Brechungsindex (n1) des Materials, das zum Herstellen
des Behälters (2) benutzt wird.
11. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Behälter (2) aus Polystyrol (PS) hergestellt ist und ein Lichtleiter (5) aus
Polycarbonat (PC) hergestellt ist.
12. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lichtleiter (5) eine Lichteintrittsfläche (9) umfasst, die an seinem Ende angeordnet
ist, das der Lichtquelle (11) zugewandt ist, und in Kontakt mit der Außenfläche der
LED (4) steht, wenn der Behälter (2) in den Gehäuse des Kühlschranks (1) geschoben
wird, und sich von der LED (4) fort bewegt, wenn der Behälter (2) herausgezogen wird.
13. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die LED (4) eine halbkreisförmige Außenfläche aufweist und die Lichteintrittsfläche
(9) des Lichtleiters (5) als halbkreisförmige Vertiefung ausgebildet ist, die der
Außenfläche der LED (4) entspricht.
14. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lichtleiter (5) an seinem Ende eine ebene Beleuchtungsfläche (10) umfasst, die
Licht an den Behälter (2) leitet.
1. Un réfrigérateur (1) qui comprend un conteneur (2) ayant plus d'une paroi (3), disposé
dans le corps, dans lequel les aliments comme les fruits et les légumes sont stockés,
une source de lumière (11) ayant plus d'une DEL (4) disposée sur une plaque de support
(P) éclairant le conteneur (2) avec une lumière d'une longueur d'onde propre pour
la préservation des valeurs nutritionnelles des aliments pendant une longue période
de temps et caractérisé par au moins deux guides de lumière (5), qui sont formés comme tiges et intégrés avec
les parois (3) et une extrémité de chaque guide de lumière (5) étant alignée avec
la DEL (4) et l'autre extrémité dudit guide de lumière (5) étant disposé sur l'une
des parois (3), les guides de lumière (5) transférant la lumière reçue de la DEL (4)
dans le conteneur (2) par les extrémités, disposées sur la paroi (3), des guides de
lumière (5), les guides de lumière (5) éclairant le conteneur (2) par au moins deux
parois (3).
2. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé par les guides de lumière (5) dont chacun reçoit la lumière d'une seule DEL (4).
3. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon la Revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé par les guides de lumière (5) qui sont intégrés sur les surfaces extérieures des parois
(3) et qui entourent le conteneur (2) de l'extérieur.
4. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon la Revendication 3, caractérisé par le guide de lumière (5) qui sont produit en étant joint avec le conteneur (2) par
la méthode de surmoulage.
5. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 4, caractérisé par le conteneur (2) en forme de prisme rectangulaire ayant six parois (3) à l'avant,
à l'arrière, en haut, en bas et deux aux côtés, et au moins six guides de lumière
(5) transférant la lumière à toutes les parois (3) en recevant la lumière d'au moins
six DELs (4).
6. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 4, caractérisé par les DELs (4) placées en réseaux superposés ou côte à côte afin de couvrir une superficie
plane sur la plaque de support (P), dont les unes sur la périphérie extérieure éclairent
les parois (3) latérale, frontale et du bas du conteneur (2) au moyen des guides de
lumière (5) et dont les unes au centre éclairent la paroi arrière (3) du conteneur
(2).
7. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 4, caractérisé par plus d'un groupe (G) de DEL (4), chacun de ceux-ci émettant une lumière d'une couleur
différente, les guides de lumière (5) recevant la lumière des DELs (4) dans le groupe
(G) de DEL (4) qui émettent la lumière d'une couleur choisie selon les besoins des
fruits et légumes stockés dans le conteneur (2) et un mécanisme de mouvement (6) qui
déplace la plaque de support (P), qui a des groupes (G) de DEL (4) des couleurs différentes
sur celle-ci disposés côte à côte ou l'un sur l'autre, vers le haut, vers le bas ou
latéralement afin d'aligner le groupe (G) de DEL (4) désiré avec les guides de lumière
(5).
8. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le conteneur (2) produit d'un matériau transparent et guides de lumière (5) qui sont
produits d'un matériau transparent ayant un indice de réfraction (n2) différent de
l'indice de réfraction (n1) du matériau utilisé pour produire le conteneur (2), qui
sont intégrés en étant encastrés sur les parois (3) et qui transfère la lumière dans
le conteneur (2) de son autre extrémité en empêchant l'émission latérale sur le chemin
de transfert.
9. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon la Revendication 8, caractérisé par le guide de lumière (5) comprenant une première surface latérale curviligne (7) qui
entoure la partie partiellement enfoncée dans le conteneur (2) et une deuxième surface
latérale curviligne (8) qui est en contact avec l'air en dehors du conteneur (2) dans
le sens inverse de la première surface latérale (7) et le rayon de courbure (R1) de
la première surface latérale (7) étant plus grande que le rayon de courbure (R2) de
la deuxième surface latérale (8).
10. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon la Revendication 9, caractérisé par le guide de lumière (5) qui est produit d'un matériau dont l'indice de réfraction
(n2) est supérieure à l'indice de réfraction (n1) du matériau utilisé pour la production
du conteneur (2).
11. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 8 à 10, caractérisé par le conteneur (2) produit du polystyrène (PS) et un guide de lumière (5) produit du
polycarbonate (PC).
12. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le guide de lumière (5) comprenant une surface d'entrée de lumière (9) disposée sur
son extrémité faisant face à la source de lumière (11), qui touche la surface extérieure
de la DEL (4) lorsque le conteneur (2) est poussé à l'intérieur du corps du réfrigérateur
(1) et qui s'éloigne de la DEL (4) lorsque le conteneur (2) est tiré.
13. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon la Revendication 12, caractérisé par la DEL (4) dont la surface extérieure est hémisphérique et le guide de lumière (5)
ayant la surface d'entrée de lumière (9) configurée comme un évidement hémisphérique
correspondant à la surface extérieure de la DEL (4).
14. Un réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le guide de lumière (5) comprenant une surface d'illumination planaire (10) sur son
extrémité qui transfère la lumière au conteneur (2).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description