Refrigerator and method for the operation thereof

Abstract

A method for operating a refrigerator having two movably connected housing parts, a frame and a door which jointly delimit a heat-insulated interior, as well as a seal that is fastened to a first of the housing parts and contacts the other of the housing parts in an airtight manner in the closed position of both housing parts. The method includes a step in which the airtight contact between the seal and the second housing part is prevented for a specific period of time along a section of the seal while the sealing contact between the seal and the second housing part is subsequently restored along said section of the seal in a step. The invention also relates to a refrigerator for carrying out the method.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A method for operating a refrigerator, the method comprising:
 a.) on a refrigerator having two movably connected housing parts, a carcass, and a door, all of which together delimit a heat-insulated interior space, and a seal member fastened to a first one of the housing parts and operable to establish an airtight seal between the first housing part and the other housing part when the two housing parts are in a closed disposition, the step of preventing, following a closing of the door, the establishment of the airtight seal for a predetermined time along a predetermined extent of the airtight seal path while the two housing parts are in a closed disposition; and   b.) after the step of preventing the establishment of the airtight seal for a predetermined time along a predetermined extent of the airtight seal path, the step of restoring the airtight seal between the first housing part and the other housing part along the predetermined extent of the airtight seal path, whereupon the airtight seal is established along the full extent of the airtight seal path.   
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined time during which the airtight seal is prevented in the step of preventing the establishment of the airtight seal for a predetermined time along a predetermined extent of the airtight seal path is a time of approximately five seconds to one minute. 
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein, during the step of preventing the establishment of the airtight seal for a predetermined time along a predetermined extent of the airtight seal path, the seal member is pressed away from a contact surface for the seal member on the second housing part by means of a lifting element. 
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the lifting element is formed at least partly from a temperature-dependent deformable material and the step of restoring the airtight seal between the first housing part and the other housing part along the predetermined extent of the airtight seal path includes at least one of heating the lifting element and cooling the lifting element to effect lifting of the seal member. 
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the step of restoring the airtight seal between the first housing part and the other housing part along the predetermined extent of the airtight seal path includes heating the lifting element via switching on a heating device for heating the lifting element upon an opening of the door. 
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the step of restoring the airtight seal between the first housing part and the other housing part along the predetermined extent of the airtight seal path including heating the lifting element further includes switching off the heating device upon a closing of the door. 
   
   
       19 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a.) two movably connected housing parts;   b.) a carcass;   c.) a door, the housing parts, the carcass, and door together delimiting a heat-insulated interior space;   d.) a seal member fastened to a first one of the housing parts and operable to establish an airtight seal between the first housing part and the other housing part when the two housing parts are in a closed disposition;   e.) a lifting element movable between a first position in which it permits an impermeable contact between the seal member and the second housing part and a second position in which, in a closed position of the housing parts, the lifting element lifts the seal member away from the second housing part along part of its length;   f.) a drive unit for the lifting element; and   g.) a control device for controlling, in response to a signal indicating a respective opening or closing operation of the door, the drive unit to move the lifting element from the first position of the lifting element in which it permits an impermeable contact between the seal member and the second housing part to the second position of the lifting element to thereby effect lifting of the seal member.   
   
   
       20 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the lifting element is arranged in a recess of the second housing part in its first position and rises at least partly above a contact surface for the seal member on the second housing part in its second position. 
   
   
       21 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the control device includes a switch that is changed over upon an opening or closing of the door and triggers the drive unit for the lifting element. 
   
   
       22 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the lifting element is formed at least partly from a temperature-dependent deformable material, in particular a bimetal or a shape memory alloy. 
   
   
       23 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the drive unit for the lifting element includes a heating device, in particular a PTC heating element. 
   
   
       24 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the drive unit for the lifting element includes one of a mechanical unit, electrical unit, and a magnetic drive unit.